Here is something I have been working on at work over about the past year from the design stage to the point now where it is near completion. I designed this is 3D using AutoCAD, which is one of the worlds leading CAD programs. The design was quite a feat for me. It was definitely the most complicated thing I ever had to draw to scale. There were very challenging moments where I really didn't know how to proceed, and that was just in the drawing. The fabrication had it's own set of challenges. The end product is working out about as good as I could have hoped though. It is my greatest achievement as a designer and as a fabricator. It will look a lot better when the rail is powder coated and the wood treads are on, but I couldn't wait til the job was done to post up some pics. Hope you guys like it.


The guy wanted to keep the rise of the treads under 8", so I had to put this straight stretch in at the top. I was totally against it at first, but in the end I think the straight run worked out great. I think it looks very fluid in the transition from the helix/spiral to the straight run. I couldn't have done this without the CAD program.

 

beautiful!

if you can do that you shouldn't have any problems with a mini.

 

Thanks a lot! Glad you like it! I have been a welder for about 11 years now (since I was 18). I got certified about five years ago. The CAD thing I just started doing on the side a few years ago. This staircase is the most complicated thing I ever got to build, and I got to design it. I am super excited about it.

 

i'll try and get a pic of the bar my friend built. it took him over a year and cost the customer over $100,000. he doesn't like pics of his work to get on the internet cuz he's afraid people will steal his designs. he doesn't even advertise. just word of mouth.

 

Wow! Must be a hell of a bar. This staircase was not cheap. So far the whole design process and everything has cost the customer about $20,000. I didn't see even half that personally. I can't wait til I run my own shop. I have done ok on this job though. I could use a few more customers like this one. I like working on trucks, but the really high end stuff like this is my bread and butter jobs.

 

yeah the bar is like 21' long with a 14' stretch of aluminum diamond plate all tig welded. and there is a custom built chopper that hangs above it. it sweet!

 

Dude, that looks awesome!! Nice work!!

 

That says it all! Very fluid looking. You are very talented man!

 

Man that is ridiculous. Pure tallent.

 

Thanks a lot for the comments guys! I really appreciate it! I put a ton of care into the building of this thing. I haven't gotten to share it with very many people yet. Thanks for checking it out!

 

awesome design! wish i had CAD! i'd make my own fenders... hehehe

 

Ya my brother in law builds stairs for a living, even spiral starcases, but I'd bet even he would be impressed at how nice of a job you did! Looks sweet man!

 

Thanks guys! I appreciate the compliments!

I want to learn some other 3D software. AutoCAD is not particularly well suited to free flowing curves like I would like to use in automotive design. I want to learn SolidWorks and maybe someday Rhino if I wanted to get into doing a lot of 3d body parts. For now I would like to use SolidWorks to design some control arms. You can actually cycle linked parts of a mechanism in solidworks and check for clearances and examine design functionality. Then you can use CAM (Computer Assisted Manufacture) technology to basically print to metal with a plasma cutter that would cut the plates to form the control arms. The technology is advancing rapidly. I have a plastic crescent wrench that was printed in a 3d printer. It has a working adjuster to open and close the jaws. It came out working. There was no assembly required. In fact it would be impossible to assemble it as the adjuster wheel is made in place and is too large to put in after. I'll have to post a pic. That thing is pretty amazing. The printer is only as big as a 20 year old microwave. One day we will have 3d printers in our homes and download cups and stuff.

 

Man thats sounds cool.

 

Fantastic job, truley an asset to your line of work and its nice having you here, so we can see your work unfold . . .

 

Great job, I have always loved spiral staircases, very elegant and classy!!!

 

As a taller person spirals have never been really good to me.. But I say good job dude... make sure to update with finished product.