Maker Faire Lake County 2024
Multi Step Contraptions to Accomplish Something Trivial
Home: Illinois, United States
Like to show whimsical mechanical machines, created from odds-and -ends. Hope a few people will be curious about the details and how I solved problems to make them work.
Maker
Paul Skelley
I am a senior. From my childhood I loved science and art. My nature was to tinker with anything electrical or mechanical . Starting in high school my "Grand Passion " became building and flying model airplanes., especially Free Flight. Building presents many challenges, problems and require great skill. But there is also a artistic aspect to the hobby. And at that time I read an article about the Hilsch Vortex Tube invented by the Germans during WW2. I researched it dusty old volumes in a college library. I decided to make my own. Then at a the Iowa State Science Fair received 3rd place. I was infatuated by this project !. I seize upon ANYTHING I spot on the sidewalk or street, shinny chrome, broken electronics, bolts, wire , anything. Some just appeal to my artistic sense, others have potential for future workshop projects. Rube Goldberg creations fascinate ! I wanted to do some that were table top size. I saw a need to test glow plugs . Glow plugs are the spark plug replacement for model
What Inspired You to Make This?
I am passionate for model airplanes and Asian culture. Rube Goldberg projects deeply appeal to me. So I just had to do one RG project with a model airplane theme and another one with an Asian theme. I look for interesting wire objects in thrift stores, then enjoy seeing what I can do with them, such as turning them into balanced hangings. Building and flying model airplanes is a fundamental part of who I am.
