We've got this wicked sweet plasma cutter on a gantry system at work that I just learned how to use, figured it might be of use to some of you do-it-yourselfers. We've got loads of scrap aluminum and steel varying from 1/16th to an inch thick, I can cut anything from an illustrator/corel file. Drop-outs, brackets, etc. Not asking for money in return, just figure there might be someone out there who might have a great idea that needs something like this. Only takes me a few minutes anyway.
I'm a master on our laser cutter too, if you have any interest in engravings/cut plexi etc.
dunno about shopping your capabilities to cyclists, but offroaders occasionally require unique parts and fittings for frame connections. http://www.pgh-offroad.com/
anything portable to remove the 2-story ice goiter growing off the side of my house?
That's an awesome offer.
I have an idea about a palm/wrist guard that I would really like to test out using cut steel or aluminum. (I'm not sure of the advantages, beyond strength, for choosing one over the other.)
I've ben thinking about the guard because I get numb palms from leaning on the handlebars. I recently purchased a pair of wrist guards, used by snowboarders, which are supposed to keep you from breaking your wrist in a fall. They have a stiff plastic insert wrapped by neoprene and velcro.
They are almost what I want, but I would like to reshape the insert differently and see if I get an improved support.
I'm a designer, so I have CS3 w/Illustrator. Can I send you a file? How? It'll take me a couple days to work out the dimensions and create the file. I would really appreciate testing this out, thanks!
Sure thing. You can send anything to robjdlc -at- gmail. Drop me an email and I'll let you know what I need in the file.
pic for nerdy goodness 
Damn. When I was a little kid I used to imagine a thing like a magic pen, that would instantly shape and craft whatever I imagined, in any material. There it is.
Now if it was just hand-held, and had a 3 foot long "blade"..
I need some brackets to attach a bike rack to my motorcycle.
Unfortunately the motorbike is buried under all this snow, so it might be a bit before I can get to it for measurements.
Thanks for the offer, I'll contact you when it thaws!
This is AWESOME. I have a bunch of ideas I've been working on.
What kind of steel do you have?
No stainless, mostly carbon, probably mild.
If I supply stainless, would you cut it?
Sure thing.
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/08/the-road-popper-turns-bike-into-giant-bottle-opener/
what about something like this? we should probably steal this idea
let me add that I have AutoCAD and 20 years of Mechanical Design. I would be willing to help out if needed.
That thing is pretty awesome, but way over-engineered. Could and should be made out of a single plate of steel.
Looks like something Nick would design :p
how about creating a 
green hummer?
....for bumper bike dude.
over-engineered (possibly) but very stylish.
i'm thinking a 3ish mm flat piece of steel like these: 
with a seperate piece that bolts it on under the saddle rails...
I once had access to a plasma cutter in a class for 4 hours, during which time I had to (among other things) figure out how to use it and create something to demonstrate my learning. I had no warning, so I couldn't plan in advance. It was the last week in April, so I made a little plaque that said "I <3 MOM" for a mothers day gift (to go along with the vase I welded for her at another station). Everyone else in the class made bottle openers (I was also the only girl, but I'm sure that's unrelated).
I suppose a corkscrew mounted to the back of a seat would be dangerous AND bourgoise.
mark - bingo
even better i bet we could get free ride or kraynicks to lend us some seat pieces and just make the thing above with properly spaced bolt holes... this is getting too easy.
@mark, you are talking about making this clamp to the saddle rails and not somehow be bolted on with the saddle clamp bolt on the seatpost correct?
yes, clamp to the rails.
