MAINTENANCE
-wear-
all load bearing moving surfaces are subject to wear over time. the official
formula is FRICTION X RPM X LOAD X TIME = WEAR.
while this appears to doom the sculpture, it is not as damning as it first appears. although i can't do
anything about the TIME factor, for various practical reasons the RPM factor and
the LOAD factor are kept quite low in my sculptures. additionally, the
application of a lubricant can substantially reduce the FRICTION
component. the result of all this is that (after some initial
experimentation with the first ones) my sculptures have been surprisingly resistant to wear
problems. just be sure to keep all bearing surfaces lubricated.
i recommend that once a year you place a drop of chain lube on each point where
metal rubs against metal. chain lube seems to work best because it is
heavy duty and contains a penetrant that carries the lubricant into the wear
point. it also comes with a long thin tube to get to hard to reach
areas. just a note; experience has taught me not to use WD-40 because it
tends to carry away the lubricant and dry up the surface making the bearing
more susceptible to corrosion.
-dust-
these sculptures do tend to be dust collectors. luckily the computer industry
has developed cans of compressed gas used to blow dust from tiny heat producing
electrical components. this is perfect for keeping my sculptures clean.
the only problem i have run into, is dust and pet hair trapped in lubricant which makes for a gooey
concoction. the remedy is a small cloth with a little bit of solvent and
patience.
to prevent this condition, it is best to lubricate only
the points you want and limit the overspray.
-damage-
i realize that my sculptures must live in the real world therefore i do my best to
ruggedize them against bangs and falls. it is nevertheless, inevitable
that some sculptures will wind up bent. don't panic! my sculptures
are made from a mild steel which allows them to be bent many times before metal
fatigue sets in. using two small pliers, grab both sides of the bend and
force it back to normal. in most cases, if it looks good enough to you, it
will function properly. i don't believe that there is much you can do to
make things worse. and of course you may always send it back to me for
repair.
-general-
i love my machines! i cackle maniacally whenever i discover a new
mechanism. having said this i must confess that i do not leave any of my
own sculptures in my home, including clocks, running indefinitely. i find
the noise irritating. i turn them on only when displaying them for guests
or when i need a good laugh. given that i design my sculptures for
longevity to begin with, this protocol should virtually ensure the life
and health of my sculptures.
inquiry at imachination labs dot com