Hello all,

Mark contacted me about two months ago about registering with NDG...
This is important to me and I wanted to give it due diligence, so I put it off until I had time.
I've been really busy with projects, but finally had an extra hour today.

My name is Aaron and I live in Valparaiso. I'm an engineer and I work for a major industrial gas company. Prior to that, I did 8 years in the U.S. Air Force as an avionics systems specialist on F-16/F-117 fighter jets and served during the Gulf War in Kuwait. For as long as I can remember, I've been building and tinkering with things. I can design with CAD software, fabricate and TIG weld. At any given time, I have multiple projects going on, but they tend to take awhile since I'm blessed/cursed with perfectionism. Do it once and do it right! My wife is a pharmacist/professional musician/licensed massage therapist and owns wedding decoration business. We also build stage sets and do custom lighting for theaters. We've got a 2,000 square foot heated shop with lots of industrial equipment and a Bose sound system (because music is a huge part of our creativity!). There's NEVER a dull moment at our shop!

Projects including a couple pictures (because as they say, without pictures, it didn't happen!):

1930 Ford with 7" chop on '32 frame rails powered by a '56 331 Chrysler (baby Hemi), 6 carbs & a Cirello magneto


Multiple E-11 blasters (including my FISD steel pipe build and carbon fiber pipe build)



Screen Accurate Metal Power Cylinders (I became good friends with Andy "PlayfulWolfCub" while making these!)


Astromech (I've been collecting parts for about a year. I designed/fabricated/TIG welded accurate aluminum foot shells, then shared all my files with the Astromech community so others could do the same. That post reached over 12,000 hits!!!)



Salzo V4 Studio Scale X-Wing with aluminum armature (I work on one or two pieces at the end of every evening before bed)


AP TK costume (about 1/3 finished, but I've got everything I need to make Centurion and then some)


Lots of custom prop pieces (most recent was a "piano bar" gutted and restrung with 50 lb monofilament and lit with LED's)


Jes Gistang costume for my wife (I've got pull #17, but haven't even opened the box yet)

And last, but not least...
Skunkworks (secret) project: I'm on an international team working on a HUGE project which will be released on FISD later this year.
I wish I could share more, but I've been sworn to secrecy. I can promise it's worth the wait!!!

I hope this provides some insight to who I am.
I hope to finish my TK, bribe Mark to accept me and join you at area troops later this year!

Thanks for taking the time to read this far!
Aaron

Hey Aaron welcome to the NDG!! We have a great group of people here you should fit right in. looking forward to meeting you and trooping with you.
Ruck

Holy CRAP! You have some skills my friend!

Welcome to the Garrison forums!

Thanks for the welcome Scott and Caleb! I'm looking forward to meeting everyone!

Aaron

Hey Aaron! Welcome!

Welcome!

Welcome to the boards, Aaron! You've got some great skills . . . We will be watching your projects with great interest!

You should absolutely come hang out at some troops/armor parties to get to know the gang and share your knowledge. Several of us have expressed interest in doing an R2 for the Garrison and it sounds like you have the interest and ability to assist!

Look forward to meeting you and swapping stories.

Take care,

Matt G.
Biker Scout
TB-12278


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Thanks everyone for your compliments!

I've been thinking about watching for troops and/or armor parties - that would likely serve as inspiration to put higher priority on finishing my TK! Is there a specific area to look for these events? Does the calendar show armor parties ?

Aaron

Welcome to the NDG! Great to have a fellow hot rod builder in the group.

_________________
If You Only Knew the Power of the Dark Side!

Armor parties are sometimes discussed on the boards, sometimes they're just impromptu gatherings where we eat and chat and work on stuff. I think Curt (DarthKnight) Collins might be thinking of hosting one soon so we can keep you posted!


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Thanks, Matt. Please keep me posted! I'd be interested in attending an armor party more than anything else right now...and maybe talk shop with Curt! Once I understand how these events work, I might volunteer to host one since I have plenty of heated work space.

I'm always a fan of this idea!!!

Hi guys. In the events section, I see NWI Comic Con is coming up on February 21st. I don't have access to post in the event thread, but the event is close to home for me and by dumb luck, I'm off work that day. Any chance I could meet up with you and observe? Maybe say hello and meet a few of the garrison members?

Welcome, Aaron!

_________________

Absolutely Aaron! We look forward to seeing you at the NWI Comic Con! Just come up to our table and introduce yourself!