Ball Turret Mech!

Concept drawing for the ball turret mech

I spent Veteran's Day working out this design inspired by the Sperry ball turret from the WWII B-17 bombers. The Sperry ball turret was operated by a person sitting inside the turret, but in this scaled down version, space is tight and it will be operated by a pilot riding in a chariot pulled by the mech. The simulated 50-caliber guns will be propane flame cannons that propel fireballs 25' into the air. This design incorporates the leg prototype that I have been working with and I anticipate completing the ball turret mech by the end of 2013.

Pyrosaurus

Pyrosaurus is a small (36") stainless steel fire breathing dragon that works on propane. She is a work in progress and should be finished by August. The photo above is a recent test of the working components. Shes burning a little hot! When finished the dragon will stand up spread her wings raise her head and open her mouth to breath a seven to ten foot flame.

What comes after The Walking Beast?

We all love The Walking Beast but it is not designed to last forever. A lot of people ask me, “what next?” and I have something on my drawing board that I cannot wait to start to build. Starting in October 2012, I will be designing and building a prototype of the next generation Moltensteelman giant walking machine.  This one will be a six-legged machine that I am calling the Hexapod until I find a better name.

With six legs, the Hexapod will be more efficient and offer a smoother ride with a faster walking gate. It will have a sidestep capability so that the legs can navigate corners and steering.  I am a mechanic, not a computer programmer, so this machine will initially be mechanically driven.  This is so I can figure out the linkage and get everything working correctly before investing in the expense of computer-controlled hydraulics.

The Hexapod prototype will be the start of a bigger and better future-generation Walking Beast.  If we win the $10,000 Boca Bearings contest prize, I would use that money to pay for the aluminum, custom machined cam lobes, and a whole lot of v-roller bearings. 

You can vote for us this month through may 31st.
 The Walking Beast
Thank You
http://www.bocabearings.com/innovation-contest/ContestantDetails.aspx?ProjectID=50

Update: The Walking Beast has won the month of May in the Boca Bearing innovation contest. At the end of the year all projects with a winning month will be considered for 3rd, 2nd and 1st place.

Aluminum prototype leg for the mech chariot

Update: 10/23/2012
 Currently working on a new linkage system for the mech chariot and the hexapod. We will use the chariot for testing and improving the linkage that will be used for the hexapod. Hoping to have a video up sometime in December.

See The Walking Beast up close and in action, Oregon City May 18th, 19th, and 20th

The Walking Beast will be make an appearance at the Pioneer Family Festival coming up May 18th, 19th and 20th at beautiful Clackamette Park in Oregon City. We'll have The Walking Beast on display on Friday, and joining the Oregon City Teddy Bear Parade Saturday morning 10:30 a.m. Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday we'll be operating and talking to fans at this great family fun event put on by the Oregon City Optimists club and other local organizations.

Please note: For official event information including stage lineup and other featured activities, check out the festival website at http://www.pioneerfamilyfestival.itgo.com

New front track system for the SARP-10

SARP-10 fusalage

rear track assembly







Front track wheel assembly




front track ready to install on ship

 The SARP-10 is our sleep and recovery pod. we started building this project in 2010, the pod is designed to look like a space ship and to make camping more fun in loud ande dusty environments. See our web site for more details. http://www.moltensteelman.com/otherprojects.html
The SARP-10 is now getting a new front track and internal frame to mount sliding window shades. The rear tracks recently were modified to increase strength and durability. The front track is from a snow blower. An  aluminum frame was made and custom linkage to allow the track to be raised and lowered for leveling the ship.

New front track assembly with an electric actuator for leveling the ship.

Next we will be adding the vents and later this year we will add the wings and dorsal fin.

A/C exhaust vents have been installed

Hot off the press: Moltensteelman and Flamboni stickers are now available for sale

Our high quality outdoor vinyl stickers are now for sale, $2.00 each or buy three for $5.00. They're available locally in Portland and Salem and we will soon be adding them to our website on the Buy Cool Stuff page. The Moltensteelman logo sticker is a 3" round sticker, shown on a black background. The Flamboni sticker is a red 3" square, shown on a grey background.

Show your support by displaying our stickers! Sticker sales help us fund our projects and we appreciate your help. This year, your sticker purchase will help us get the Flamboni up and going better than ever, and help us develop some new and exciting projects.

What's a Flamboni? The Flamboni is an electric golf cart we modified to resemble a miniature ice rink resurfacing machine. We painted it like a shark and it is equipped with a propane powered flame cannon mounted on top. Learn more about the Flamboni here: http://moltensteelman.com/flameeffects.html

New to the lineup we have Moltensteelman patches for $5.00 each and Flamboni magnets (same size, shape and design as the sticker) also $5.00 each. The magnets are .030" thick for extra holding power.

These items are now available on our website http://www.moltensteelman.com/buycoolstuff.html

Working on a new camping kitchen

We are currently building a new kitchen set up to augment the SARP-10. The cabinets are an aluminum module system built as free standing components, or they can be attached together for a complete kitchen system. The system includes a Magic Chef propane oven, a small sink with hand pump faucet, cabinets, cupboards and a stainless steel counter top. We designed this kitchen to stack together quickly without the use of tools and break down for easy transport. We'll post more photos of the project soon.



kitchen concept




Moltensteelman using a press brake to bend the housing for the oven.

 

Aluminum parts bent and ready for welding, after peeling the PVC of course.







 

Anne peeling the PVC to prepare parts for welding, the PVC is used to protect the surface of the material during processing.

Plasma cutting the hole for the sink and faucet.

 

Propane oven with aluminum housing mostly built.

Update: 4/17/2012

The kitchen is nearing completion, currently adding cabnet doors to the counter tops. We will be testing the new kitchen this weekend and should have some more photos next week.





Update: 5/2/2012
Testing the new kitchen. Everything seems to be working well, only a few minor finishing touches and it will be complete.