How
 
Design of Armature fullscale
Saw brassw ith jewlers saw to appropriate lengths
Use drill press and approprite bits to make holes in Brass stock
Use 4-40 Tap to thread bottom plate
Use torch to solder peices together
From Left to Right- Flux, Pickler, Water
Use grinder to grind shape to the metal, and to round corners
The buffer polishes the metal
 

How I Made It

  1. Place two strips of Brass stock in vise. Be sure all edges are flush(otherwise the joint will be crooked)
  2. Cut Brass stock into strips about one inch long.
  3. Use the Center Punch to create a groove for the screw, and for the socket.
  4. Place brass strip in vise, and use appropriate drill bits to make a socket(two if making double joint), and use the 4_40 pre-thread bit to make a hole for the screw
  5. Use threader to make threads in the bottom plate of each joint.
  6. Use drill bit one size up from the threaders size to make a larger hole in top plate
  7. If making a single joint, solder a small peice of brass to bottom plate to act as a spacer.
  8. After enough plates have been made, lay them out on a sketch of desired armature, and cut the welding rod as appropriate to make "bones".
  9. Solder welding rod to single joints, and bearing as required.
  10. Grind edges of plates to remove sharp corners. Dip them in water every so often to avoid getting burned by the easily heatable brass.
  11. Polish all peices(especially bearings, and the insides of plates) with buffer.
  12. Use 4-40 thread screws to complete joints, and lock bearings in place. It is recommended that a lock washer, and a nut be placed on the exposed end of the screw to help keep joints tight.
  13. Put armature together. Tighten all the joints, and only move armature in small increments.

Soldering

  1. Place larger peice that is to be welded to onto soldering stone. Grip the smaller peice with heat resistant pliers.
  2. Brush Flux onto any area that is to be welded so that the solder will flow easier.
  3. Heat both objects for about a second to make the flux stick to the brass.
  4. Cut tiny(1-2mm squares) of medium melt solder.
  5. Heat the part of smaller object that is to be welded with the torch and press against the solder untill it flows.
  6. Next, use torch to heat the area of larger object that is to be welded, and press smaller object with solder on it in place. Heat the area that is to be joined once again untill solder flows.
  7. Dip welded peices in water to cool them off, then let them soak in the pickler for two minutes to remove burned flux.