Why Superpants?
This
site is my collection of personal projects and collaborations I have
worked on over my years of tinkering. I aim to document new projects,
and to try and fill in the older projects as time an enthusiasm permit.
So
why Superpants? Superpants has been a nickname for a few years may
simply be corruption of my name.
Professionally
I am an Engineer designing vehicle components, especially parts for
Electric vehicles. I live in work in Banbury, and have done since mid
2008.Previous jobs have included working on a wide range of other modes
of transport form aircraft to armoured vehicles. I spend quite a lot of
time tinkering in my garage, but when I'm not doing this I will
generally be found in the outdoors taking part in my other hobbies,
particularly Climbing, Caving, walking and Canoeing, but also others as I
get the chance- mountain biking, skiing etc. I am also involved in
Scouting, mainly in events and activities- more about that is elsewhere.
My other presences on the web are at Flickr, where I gather the best of my photos; http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrsuperpants/
And at Instructables;
http://www.instructables.com/member/superpants/
In
2008 I took a sabbatical break out working as a volunteer intern at the
Exploratorium in San Francisco. The tales of my adventures can be found
here;
http://www.superpants.net/sabbatical.html
I am always on the lookout to work on new projects or to
collaborate with others. If you have any interest on commissioning or working
with me feel free to drop me a line. You will notice from this site, that I
often have many projects on the go and therefore will not be able to take on
every request
If you wish to drop me a line, feel free- the email address is below.
Over
the years I have made or been involved in many, many projects. Some
will ultimately be written up here, but many will stay as memories,
mainly because I have limited time, and not all are well documented with
photos. The following is therefore a list of these projects (some which
may be collaborations). This will probably grow as I remember more
things!
Set for Surrey Uni Dramatic Society productions of Professor Tarrane and The Two Executioners
Set & Some props for Surrey Uni G&S production of Little Shop of Horrors including telephone ringer
Props for functioning Lab Scene of Dracula Spectacular
Night Hike Games and obstacles for Guildford West and Surrey Scouts;
Giant Tanagrams
Giant dotty puzzle
Giant ball maze
Giant ‘Buzz Wire’
Golf game
Games and obstacles for Surrey Scouts Weekend Camps;
Giant Kerplunk
Foam Machines
Daisy the Cow- Milking Game
Space back-packs
Medieval Castle (40ft x 20ft)
‘Space Station Gasus’
Notice board for Surrey Uni Students Union
Gunge Tank
Water Curtain (for projection onto)
6ft Bubble tubes
Bar TV screen installation and UV reactive Mural
‘DISCO’ Fluorescent signs
Flightcases for records and lighting equipment
Multiple cables for power and lighting
Signs and Porpoises for World Scout Jamboree
CD Rack
Speaker Stands
Nightclub lighting installations
Wants List
Updated 05/01/11
I
have a number of projects in mind that are waiting on finding
appropriate materials before a start can be made. In these case to buy
new would be prohibitively expensive. If you have used parts or off-cuts
of what is listed below, I would be interested in hearing from you to
do a deal! I can collect from South East England or the Midlands.
Conveyer belting- Heavy duty rubber matting
Non slip matting as used in swimming pools
Plastic culvert off cuts (at least 500mm bore), any length
Polycarbonate twin or triple wall sheeting- Offcuts or used full sheets (Conservatory roofing material)
Very thick plastic sheet off cut (20mm thick up), at least 400mm square or round, any material.
Unused industrial plastic piping and fittings (e.g. Georg Fisher or Durapipe), or pipe that has only been used with clean water
Soil pipe or guttering and fittings
Cornelius (soda/ syrup) kegs
Plastic tanks (any shape), but not IBCs (I have a source for these)
Clear silicone sealant (happy with out of date)
Most
of these items are to be used to build a ‘water park’ for a Scout and
Guide event or for other obstacles, therefore they need to be safe for
children- i.e. clean. Off-cuts or new old stock items would be most
preferable, but components that have been used with clean water or food
products would be equally well received. Items that have been used with
other substance would need to be assessed on a case by case basis.
If you can offer any of these parts, please email me at the address below (it’s not a link to stop spam!)
A number of sites that you may find of interest if you like what is on this site.
My photos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrsuperpants/
Inventor/ Engineer/ Presenter
http://www.timhunkin.com/
Home built aircraft simulator/ motion base
http://www.jimspage.co.nz/intro.htm
Crazy inventions and sculptures
http://www.wilflunn.com/
Loads of things to make, lights, pyros and various other dangerous and interesting projects
http://www.emanator.demon.co.uk/bigclive/
Hanningfield Metals- Scrapyard and props supplier specialising aviation bits. Fab place to visit!
http://www.hmsales.co.uk/frames.html
Cool furniture and similar items
http://codesmiths.com/shed/
Make Magazine- The magazine for tinkerers- A shame it's not available on news-stands in the UK!
http://www.makezine.com/
The Exploratorium- Great hands on Science, technology and human perception museum in San Francisco
http://www.exploratorium.edu/
A supplier of plastics and associated craft supplies in the UK
http://www.trylon.co.uk/
Lots of good woodworking ideas including wooden gear template generator and fabulous marble machines
http://woodgears.ca/
My friend Claire's site
http://www.escapedcreativity.co.uk/
