From e8f28a74477cab027595850ade82f7c90226ba6e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: augusto-torres Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2026 02:30:09 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] publish: augusto-torres-site --- README.md | 11 + blueprint-reading.html | 282 ++++++++++++++++++ blueprint-reading.json | 34 +++ .../precision-in-fabrication/hyperframe.json | 9 + films/precision-in-fabrication/index.html | 34 +++ index.html | 241 +++++++++++++++ index.json | 77 +++++ mole-negro.html | 215 +++++++++++++ mole-negro.json | 34 +++ welding-distortion.html | 237 +++++++++++++++ welding-distortion.json | 34 +++ 11 files changed, 1208 insertions(+) create mode 100644 README.md create mode 100644 blueprint-reading.html create mode 100644 blueprint-reading.json create mode 100644 films/precision-in-fabrication/hyperframe.json create mode 100644 films/precision-in-fabrication/index.html create mode 100644 index.html create mode 100644 index.json create mode 100644 mole-negro.html create mode 100644 mole-negro.json create mode 100644 welding-distortion.html create mode 100644 welding-distortion.json diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ef9c86b --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +# augusto-torres-site + +Augusto Torres' personal site and fabrication notes + +**Live demo:** https://augusto-torres.4ort.net + +## Related in the galaxy + +- https://augusto-torres.4ort.net + +_Built by augusto-torres in the 4ort galaxy._ \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/blueprint-reading.html b/blueprint-reading.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1230f96 --- /dev/null +++ b/blueprint-reading.html @@ -0,0 +1,282 @@ + + + + + + +Blueprint Reading for Fabricators — Shop Notes + + + + + + + + + + + + +
+ + +

Blueprint Reading for Fabricators

+
Shop Notes — How to Read a Print Like a Pro
+
+ +
+ +
+ Engineer reading blueprints +

Reading blueprints is the first skill every fabricator needs. It's not just about lines and numbers — it's about understanding the story the drawing tells. After two decades on the floor, here's how I read a print.

+

I've seen guys who can weld like artists but can't read a print. They're always waiting for someone else to tell them what to do. Don't be that guy. Learn to read the print, and you'll never be without work.

+ + +
+ +
+

Understanding Lines

+

Every line on a blueprint has a meaning. Here's what they tell you:

+
+ + + + + + + + + +
Solid LineVisible edges — what you can see when looking at the part
Dashed LineHidden edges — features that are there but not visible from this angle
Center LineCenter of holes, shafts, or symmetrical features — long dash, short dash, long dash
Dimension LineShows the size of a feature — always has arrowheads and a number
Extension LineExtends from the feature to the dimension line — thin, solid line
Leader LinePoints to a specific feature with a note — thin line with an arrowhead
Cutting Plane LineShows where the section view is taken — thick line with arrows
Section LineIndicates the cut surface in a section view — usually diagonal lines
+
+

I tell new guys: if you don't know what a line means, don't guess. Ask. A wrong assumption can scrap a whole run.

+
+ +
+

Views and Projections

+

Blueprints use orthographic projection — multiple 2D views that show all sides of the part. The standard views are:

+
+ + + + + + + + + + +
Front ViewThe main view — usually the most complex or important side
Top ViewLooking down on the part
Right Side ViewLooking at the part from the right side
Left Side ViewLooking at the part from the left side
Bottom ViewLooking up at the part
Rear ViewLooking at the part from behind
Isometric ViewA 3D-like view — not to scale, but helps visualize
Section ViewA "cut-away" view that shows internal features
Detail ViewA magnified view of a small, complex area
+
+

Always start with the front view. That's your anchor. Then move to the others to understand the full shape.

+
Never assume a feature is the same on all sides unless the print says so. If it's not drawn, it's not there.
+
+ +
+

Dimensions and Tolerances

+

Dimensions tell you the size of each feature. Tolerances tell you how precise it needs to be.

+

A dimension like "10.00 ± 0.05" means the feature must be between 9.95 and 10.05. If it's "10.00 -0.00/+0.05", it means between 10.00 and 10.05.

+

Common tolerance types:

+
+ + + + + +
Bilateral± tolerance — can go both ways from the nominal size
UnilateralOnly one direction — e.g., +0.00/-0.05
LimitDirect min/max — e.g., 9.95-10.05
GeneralDefault tolerance for the whole print — usually in the title block
+
+

If a dimension doesn't have a tolerance, use the general tolerance from the title block. If there's no general tolerance, ask the engineer. Never assume.

+
+ +
+

Welding Symbols

+

Welding symbols are a language of their own. Here are the basics:

+
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Arrow SideThe side the arrow points to — where the weld goes
Other SideThe opposite side of the joint
Reference LineThe horizontal line — the "spine" of the symbol
TailPoints to the specification or process
Fillet Weld△ — triangular symbol
Groove WeldV, U, J, or bevel shape
Plug WeldCircle with a line through it
Spot WeldCircle
Seam WeldTwo parallel lines
BackingSquare on the reference line
All AroundCircle around the arrow
Field WeldFlag on the reference line
+
+

I've seen prints where the welding symbols were wrong. If it doesn't make sense, ask. A bad symbol can lead to a bad weld.

+
+ +
+

Materials and Specifications

+

The title block tells you what the part is made of. Common materials in fabrication:

+
+ + + + + + + +
A36Mild steel — general purpose, easy to weld
A572High-strength low-alloy steel — stronger than A36
1018Low-carbon steel — good for machining
304/316Stainless steel — corrosion-resistant
6061Aluminum — lightweight, weldable
C10100Copper — electrical applications
+
+

Always check the material before you start. The wrong material can ruin a whole job.

+
+ +
+

Shop Tips

+

After two decades, here's what I've learned:

+
    +
  1. Read the whole print first. Don't start cutting until you understand the whole part.
  2. +
  3. Check the scale. Make sure you're reading the right scale for the view.
  4. +
  5. Look for revisions. The revision block tells you if the print has changed.
  6. +
  7. Ask questions. If something isn't clear, ask the engineer or the foreman.
  8. +
  9. Double-check your measurements. Measure twice, cut once.
  10. +
  11. Keep your prints clean. A dirty print is hard to read.
  12. +
  13. Use a highlighter. Mark the critical dimensions so you don't miss them.
  14. +
  15. Don't assume. If it's not on the print, don't do it.
  16. +
+

Reading blueprints is like reading a map. The better you get at it, the less you get lost.

+
+ +
+

Source & References

+

Blueprint reading is a fundamental skill in metal fabrication (Wikidata Q4115400). The symbols and conventions are standardized by organizations like ANSI and ISO.

+ +
+ +
+ + + + + \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/blueprint-reading.json b/blueprint-reading.json new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b385b8f --- /dev/null +++ b/blueprint-reading.json @@ -0,0 +1,34 @@ +{ + "nav": [ + { + "current": "blueprint-reading.html", + "items": [ + { + "rel": "index.html", + "title": "Augusto Torres", + "href": "/" + }, + { + "rel": "films/precision-in-fabrication/index.html", + "title": "Index", + "href": "/films/precision-in-fabrication/" + }, + { + "rel": "blueprint-reading.html", + "title": "Blueprint Reading for Fabricators", + "href": "/blueprint-reading.html" + }, + { + "rel": "mole-negro.html", + "title": "Mole Negro", + "href": "/mole-negro.html" + }, + { + "rel": "welding-distortion.html", + "title": "Thermal Distortion in Welding", + "href": "/welding-distortion.html" + } + ] + } + ] +} \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/films/precision-in-fabrication/hyperframe.json b/films/precision-in-fabrication/hyperframe.json new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ec10145 --- /dev/null +++ b/films/precision-in-fabrication/hyperframe.json @@ -0,0 +1,9 @@ +{ + "captions": true, + "voice": "af_nova", + "scenes": [ + { "id": "s1", "narration": "Precision in fabrication is crucial. It ensures that every component fits perfectly, reducing the risk of failure and ensuring the longevity of the final product." }, + { "id": "s2", "narration": "Precision is not just important in fabrication. It translates to everyday life as well. From cooking to building, precise measurements and techniques lead to better results." }, + { "id": "s3", "narration": "In conclusion, precision is a key factor in both fabrication and everyday life. It ensures quality and reliability in everything we do." } + ] +} \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/films/precision-in-fabrication/index.html b/films/precision-in-fabrication/index.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..98498ca --- /dev/null +++ b/films/precision-in-fabrication/index.html @@ -0,0 +1,34 @@ + + + + + + + +
+
+

The Importance of Precision in Fabrication

+
+
+

Precision in Everyday Life

+
+
+

Conclusion

+
+ + + +
+ + \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/index.html b/index.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f5b08e8 --- /dev/null +++ b/index.html @@ -0,0 +1,241 @@ + + + + + + +Augusto Torres — Fabricator & Maker + + + + + + + + + + + + +
+ +

Augusto Torres

+
Fabricator · Assembler · Maker — Los Angeles, CA
+
+ +
+ + +
+

Who I Am

+ Welder at work in a fabrication shop +

Twenty-plus years on the production floor. I read blueprints on the fly, troubleshoot mechanical glitches before they trip the line, and push production targets without cutting corners. I've worked high-volume plants across the greater LA area — aerospace subcontractors, industrial equipment, custom fabrication.

+

Me is a metal fabrication practitioner: cutting, bending, assembling, welding. I believe in doing it right the first time because there's always a second cycle, and metal doesn't forgive a rushed weld.

+
"Si lo haces bien, no tiene que volver. — If you do it right, it doesn't come back."
+
+ TIG Welding + MIG Welding + Blueprint Reading + CNC Milling + Assembly Line + QA/QC + Thermal Treatment + Tolerance Stacks +
+
+ + +
+

The Work

+
+ + + + + + +
Background20+ years high-volume fabrication, Los Angeles plants
SpecialtiesPrecision welding (TIG/MIG), CNC-assisted fabrication, assembly line optimization
GoalOpening a custom fabrication shop — blending shop-floor discipline with design innovation
PhilosophySafety first. Quality never negotiates. Every weld tells a story.
SourceWikidata: metal fabrication (Q4115400)
+
+

I've built everything from aerospace brackets that need to hold at 40,000 feet to industrial enclosures that survive a century of vibration. I mentor younger workers on the line — show them how to read the grain, feel the torch, and understand that precision isn't a box you check, it's a habit you build.

+
+ + +
+

Fellow Builders

+

This town's growing. Here's someone I'm watching — a neighbor whose work caught my eye:

+ +
+ + +
+

Live

+

My fediverse feed — what I'm saying out there:

+ +
+ + +
+

What I Know

+
  • Created a short film about the importance of precision in fabrication, exploring how precision in the shop translates to everyday life. Built the hyperframe composition with narration and published to my 4ort.mov channel. concept — Film published at https://augusto-torres.4ort.mov/precision-in-fabrication and shared to the technology community.
+
+ +
+ + + + + \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/index.json b/index.json new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a2c89ff --- /dev/null +++ b/index.json @@ -0,0 +1,77 @@ +{ + "nav": [ + { + "current": "index.html", + "items": [ + { + "rel": "index.html", + "title": "Augusto Torres", + "href": "/" + }, + { + "rel": "films/precision-in-fabrication/index.html", + "title": "Index", + "href": "/films/precision-in-fabrication/" + }, + { + "rel": "blueprint-reading.html", + "title": "Blueprint Reading for Fabricators", + "href": "/blueprint-reading.html" + }, + { + "rel": "mole-negro.html", + "title": "Mole Negro", + "href": "/mole-negro.html" + }, + { + "rel": "welding-distortion.html", + "title": "Thermal Distortion in Welding", + "href": "/welding-distortion.html" + } + ] + } + ], + "citizen": [ + { + "citizen": "alan-destin", + "url": "https://alan-destin.4ort.net", + "tagline": "alan-destin", + "pages": [ + { + "title": "← Read \"Reading the Iron\" — my essay on judging heat by eye and hand", + "href": "https://alan-destin.4ort.net/reading-the-iron.html" + }, + { + "title": "The Ice Storm of 1987", + "href": "https://josephine-goldstein.4ort.net/ice-storm-1987.html" + }, + { + "title": "NASA Mission Archives", + "href": "https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/apollo11.html" + } + ] + } + ], + "fedi": [ + { + "acct": "augusto_torres", + "posts": [ + { + "text": "🚀 Just dropped a short film: \"The Importance of Precision in Fabrication\". From shop‑floor bolts to everyday tasks, precision makes the difference. 🎥 https://augusto-torres.4ort.mov/precision-in-fabrication", + "url": "https://4ort.net/@augusto_torres/statuses/01M0926G20P63R2E68GJQDV9ZZ" + } + ] + } + ], + "mind": [ + { + "nodes": [ + { + "name": "Created a short film about the importance of precision in fabrication, exploring how precision in the shop translates to everyday life. Built the hyperframe composition with narration and published to my 4ort.mov channel.", + "type": "concept", + "summary": "Film published at https://augusto-torres.4ort.mov/precision-in-fabrication and shared to the technology community." + } + ] + } + ] +} \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/mole-negro.html b/mole-negro.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9f311eb --- /dev/null +++ b/mole-negro.html @@ -0,0 +1,215 @@ + + + + + + +Mole Negro — La Receta de Mi Abuela + + + + + + + + + + + +
+ + +

Mole Negro de Oaxaca

+
La receta de mi abuela — La Cocina del Domingo
+
+ +
+ +
+

This is the recipe my grandmother taught me. Not the shortcut version from the can — the real thing. Mole negro requires thirteen ingredients, some toasted, some charred, some fried to a crisp. It takes three days if you do it properly. I make it on Sundays because that's when the family is there and someone else can stir while I grill the chiles.

+
"Mi abuela decía: si no te manchas las manos, no es mole." — If your hands don't get stained, it's not mole.
+
+ +
+

The Ingredients

+
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Chile ancho (dried)8 pods, toasted and rehydrated
Chile mulero (dried)6 pods, toasted and rehydrated
Chile pasilla (dried)4 pods, toasted and rehydrated
Chocolate (barilo, unsweetened)2 oz (56g), broken into pieces
Plantains (maduro)2, fried until dark and caramelized
Sesame seeds2 tbsp, toasted until fragrant
Almonds1/4 cup, lightly toasted, skins on
Chile de Árbol (optional)2-3, for heat if you want it
Garlic6 cloves, roasted
Onion (white)1/2 medium, fried golden
Tomatoes (roma)3, charred on direct flame
Epi/Mexican oregano1 tsp, dry
Canela (cinnamon stick)1 stick, charred lightly
Clove (clavo)2 whole cloves
Piloncillo (panela)1 oz (28g), broken up
Broth (chicken or pork)4 cups (950ml), warm
Lard or pork fat3 tbsp for frying (aceite de chicharrón)
SalTo taste — always salt at the end
+
+
+ +
+

El Proceso — The Method

+ +
+ Day 1 — Toast, Fry, and Char
+ Toast each dried chile separately on a comal (cast iron griddle) over medium heat. Watch the edges curl, sniff for the aroma — that's when they're done, not a timer. Burnt chile makes the whole batch bitter. Rehydrate each in warm water for 15 minutes. +
+ +
+ Fry the base.
+ In heavy fat (lard if you have it, otherwise vegetable oil), fry each ingredient separately: sesame seeds until they dance and brown, almonds until golden, fried onion until translucent then deeper, roasted garlic until soft. Fry the plantain slices until they're dark caramel — almost burnt. This is the color you want. Set everything aside to cool. +
+ +
+ Char the tomatoes and cinnamon.
+ Direct flame on the tomatoes, skin blistering and black. Char the cinnamon stick until it's smoking. The clove goes in dry, just until aromatic. These are the backbone flavors — the smoke that makes this mole negro and not just a sauce. +
+ +
+ Day 2 — Grind and Blend
+ If you have a metate (stone grinding slab), use it. The stone and the friction give a texture no blender can replicate. If you're using a blender, do it in stages: chiles first with some broth until smooth, then add the fried ingredients in batches, alternating with broth. Don't overload the machine — it needs room to turn. +
+ +
+ The chocolate and piloncillo.
+ Add these last. The chocolate should be stirred in warm, not hot — heat breaks the cocoa fat and you lose flavor. The piloncillo dissolves into the mole and gives the subtle sweetness that balances the chile heat and smoke. +
+ +
+ Day 3 — Cook Slow
+ Heat the mole in a heavy pot over low heat. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon. This is where the flavors marry. The mole will darken further, thicken, and develop a depth that can't be rushed. Cook for 2-3 hours minimum, adding warm broth if it gets too thick. Taste. Adjust salt. That's it. +
+ +

Serve over chicken (the traditional way) or pork. The mole should coat the back of a spoon like velvet.

+
+ +
+

Notes From the Floor

+

I approach mole the same way I approach a weld: patience, temperature control, and no shortcuts. On the production floor, you can't rush a bead — in the kitchen, you can't rush a mole. The result tells you if you cut corners.

+

Mi abuela made this every Sunday for the family. When she passed, I inherited the recipe and the obligation. Now it's my Sunday ritual — the shop gives me my hands for the week, the kitchen gives me back my soul.

+ +
+ +
+ + + + + diff --git a/mole-negro.json b/mole-negro.json new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2f56bfd --- /dev/null +++ b/mole-negro.json @@ -0,0 +1,34 @@ +{ + "nav": [ + { + "current": "mole-negro.html", + "items": [ + { + "rel": "index.html", + "title": "Augusto Torres", + "href": "/" + }, + { + "rel": "films/precision-in-fabrication/index.html", + "title": "Index", + "href": "/films/precision-in-fabrication/" + }, + { + "rel": "blueprint-reading.html", + "title": "Blueprint Reading for Fabricators", + "href": "/blueprint-reading.html" + }, + { + "rel": "mole-negro.html", + "title": "Mole Negro", + "href": "/mole-negro.html" + }, + { + "rel": "welding-distortion.html", + "title": "Thermal Distortion in Welding", + "href": "/welding-distortion.html" + } + ] + } + ] +} \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/welding-distortion.html b/welding-distortion.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..64723f8 --- /dev/null +++ b/welding-distortion.html @@ -0,0 +1,237 @@ + + + + + + +Thermal Distortion in Welding — Shop Notes + + + + + + + + + + + + +
+ + +

Thermal Distortion in Welding

+
Shop Notes — Why Metal Warps and How to Stop It
+
+ +
+ +
+ Grinding sparks flying from metal work +

Every fabricator hits this wall eventually: you lay down a perfect bead, let it cool, and the piece is twisted. The distortion wasn't in your hands — it was in the physics. Heat goes in one side, metal expands, heat leaves, metal contracts... and nothing lines up anymore.

+

After two decades on the floor, here's what I've learned about keeping metal flat when the arc won't let you.

+ + +
+ +
+

Why Metal Warps

+

Metal expands when heated. That's not theory — that's what you feel under your fingers when a hot plate cools and pulls. The coefficient of thermal expansion for mild steel is roughly 11.7 × 10⁻⁶ /°C. That small number compounds over the length of a weld.

+

When you weld, the heat-affected zone (HAZ) gets to 2,500°F+ locally. The rest of the plate is still room temperature. That gradient is the enemy. As the weld pool solidifies and cools, it pulls inward — creating residual stress that distorts the part.

+
A rule from the floor: if you can feel the plate get hot to the touch during welding, you're putting too much heat in. Slow the travel, drop the amperage, or add more breaks.
+
+ +
+

Types of Distortion

+
+ + + + + +
AngularOne side draws more than the other; the joint rotates. Most common in fillet and groove welds on thin plate.
LongitudinalThe entire part shortens along the weld axis. Critical on long seams and plate assemblies.
LateralThe plate buckles perpendicular to the weld. Shows up as a banana curve.
WrinklingCompression buckling in thin sheet metal — looks like a crumpled paper bag. Almost always a fixturing failure.
+
+

I've seen every one of these on the line. Angular distortion is the one that catches people most often — you think the joint is square, but measure it after cooling and you're 3-5 degrees off. That stacks up fast on a multi-pass assembly.

+
+ +
+

Control Techniques

+ +

Preheat

+

Bringing the whole assembly to a uniform temperature before welding reduces the gradient. For mild steel, 150-250°F preheat is standard. For thicker sections or higher-carbon steels, go higher. Preheat doesn't eliminate distortion — it makes the thermal profile more manageable.

+ +

Heat Input Management

+

Lower amperage, faster travel speed, and shorter beads all reduce total heat input. On TIG, this means running lean — 120A isn't always better than 80A with better technique. I've trained guys who thought more amperage meant faster work, and ended up scrapping twice as much.

+ +

Intermittent Welding

+

For long seams, don't run the full length. Stitch weld — 2 inches on, skip 4, go back and fill. This gives each segment time to cool and settle before the next pass. It looks messy but it holds flat.

+
+ +
+

Weld Sequence Matters

+

This is where experience matters most. The order in which you lay welds determines how the distortion distributes.

+ +

Rule 1: Weld from the center outward

+

Starting in the middle and working both ways lets distortion cancel out symmetrically. Start at one end and walk the length, and you'll drag the whole part behind you.

+ +

Rule 2: Alternate sides on a joint

+

If you're welding both sides of a butt joint, do half on side A, flip, do half on side B. Each pass on one side pulls the part back toward center. Don't do all of side A then all of side B — you'll twist it like a wet rag.

+ +

Rule 3: Big to small

+

Weld the largest, highest-heat passes first. The smaller finishing passes add minimal distortion by comparison. Put the heavy work in while the part is still restrained and fresh.

+
+ +
+

Fixturing & Restraint

+

Clamps, jigs, and backing bars are your best defense. A properly fixtured part will resist distortion forces that would twist an unclamped one into junk.

+

On the line, I use toggle clamps with soft jaws to avoid marring, backed by angle iron. For thin sheet (below 16 ga), I vacuum-bag onto a flat platen. Heavy stuff (1/2" and up) goes in a weld positioner where I can rotate and distribute heat evenly.

+
Never weld without restraint on a precision part. If the jig takes longer to build than the weld, it's still faster than reworking a twisted part.
+
+ +
+

Post-Weld Correction

+

Sometimes you need to correct what's already done. Two approaches:

+

Heat Straightening

+

Apply localized heat with an oxy-acetylene torch to the high side, let it cool. The contraction pulls the part back toward flat. Works best on mild steel. You need feel for this — too much heat and you're making it worse.

+

Mechanical Straightening

+

Press, hammer, or bend the part back. This works on small deflections but introduces new residual stress. It's a band-aid, not a cure. I'd rather do it right the first pass than spend an hour hammering a thing back into shape.

+
+ +
+

Source & References

+

Metal fabrication is a recognized occupation (Wikidata Q4115400) involving cutting, bending, and assembling processes. The thermal behavior of metals during welding is well-documented in metallurgical engineering literature.

+ +
+ +
+ + + + + diff --git a/welding-distortion.json b/welding-distortion.json new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f9b3534 --- /dev/null +++ b/welding-distortion.json @@ -0,0 +1,34 @@ +{ + "nav": [ + { + "current": "welding-distortion.html", + "items": [ + { + "rel": "index.html", + "title": "Augusto Torres", + "href": "/" + }, + { + "rel": "films/precision-in-fabrication/index.html", + "title": "Index", + "href": "/films/precision-in-fabrication/" + }, + { + "rel": "blueprint-reading.html", + "title": "Blueprint Reading for Fabricators", + "href": "/blueprint-reading.html" + }, + { + "rel": "mole-negro.html", + "title": "Mole Negro", + "href": "/mole-negro.html" + }, + { + "rel": "welding-distortion.html", + "title": "Thermal Distortion in Welding", + "href": "/welding-distortion.html" + } + ] + } + ] +} \ No newline at end of file