Senior Project Comes to an End

Senior project was all around successful. I finished with a total of 4 sets of fins, or 12 fins. I plan on continuing with the production of making fins as I move into the summer. Without the resources that Proctor has provided me in the past three weeks, I am confident that the work I have accomplished will have a very strong impact on how I will go about working when I return home. Now that I have a solid idea of how to make the fins, I can refine my original business proposal and eventually kickstart JAC. Fins, and who knows, it could be successful or be a total failure. Looking back on the three weeks I had spent working with HDPE plastic, I have definitely strengthened my passion for business and surfing. Growing up I was always told to do something that I love when I get older, and hopefully JAC. Fins can progress and I can truly say that I do something that I love. Senior project has allowed me to turn an idea into reality. I understand that I can not drop everything and pursue JAC. Fins, but there is potential for me to continue chipping away at starting a real business. I am glad that I was able to experience failure while I was a Proctor and use the hundreds of resources that are available to me to strengthen JAC. Fins. The support from teachers and friends is something I will never forget. So many of my friends at Proctor, who surf, have asked if they could get some fins. I would need up to two months to make enough fins to give to my friends. I am excited to see where JAC. Fins will end up after this summer. Senior project has provided me with more than I could ask for. I wish it didn’t have to end but, I have to move on, and I couldn’t think of a better way to leave Proctor than discovering a new passion of mine.

Midweek Rundown

On Monday I processed some more plastic. I also found some more material that I cut up and use. With that plastic I made two more blanks. Yesterday I made a third blank out of the plastic that was left over after I cut out fins from the two blanks I made on Monday. As the plastic cooled down in the press, I grabbed some lunch and came back to cut out another fin. The color of some of the fins I made that day were more of a solid white, as the plastic that I had found and cut up on monday was white. It is hard to control the placement of the colors when trying to make a design. When pressing down the melted plastic the colors are pressed in different ways, changing the designs that I had anticipated. Thursday will be a very productive day as I plan to be working the entire day. So if anyone is interested in stopping by the metalworking/woodworking feel free to drop on by.

Week 2

This past week went by too quickly. I did not get as much progress done as I hoped. Even though I am disappointed that I wasn’t able to reach my goals at the end of the week, I am still pleased with how the fins are turning out. Each fin that I make gets better. I have not changed much in the process of making the fins but, the experiences I have been through while making the fins only make them better. On Thursday I had taken a picture of some of the fins I have made and shared it on Snapchat. I was not expecting such a large reaction to the fins, as I had multiple people show interest. The fins have not been tested yet but, I plan on giving some to some friends who will be a valuable asset to me, as in return for fins I will be provided feedback. It is people like my friends who have helped me with so many different ideas for the progression of JAC. Fins. One brainstorm idea that I had with my roommate this week was one to help me in the future. So if someone were to damage a fin, that customer would be able to send back the broken/damaged fin, and in return they would get a hefty discount on another fin. The benefit of having the fins set back in is that they can be used to make more fins. Each week I learn something new, whether it be an idea or an experience of failure. Next week I am teaming up with Jack and Connor and will present our JAC. Fins business proposal on the 17th. The future of JAC. Fins looks bright and I look forward to what each day brings. 

Fins & Barbershop tools

Cut up a lot more plastic today, enough to make my hand and arm sore. The colors of the plastic are pretty cool and I am looking forward to making fins out of it. The plastic that I cut up was from 3 milk cartons, an orange juice container, a cleaning spray bottle, a shampoo bottle, and two laundry detergent containers. I was also given another barbershop task from Junior. He asked me if I could also create apiece to hold a single blade razor for shaving. It is a tougher task, but I am willing to take it on and do my best.

Where Will JAC. Fins End Up?

Today I finished working with Junior on apiece that he will use to help cut hair on a perfect curve. With a slight change from fins, I have plenty of plastic ready to go for tomorrow.  With some things to work on, I hope to get several blank sheets made, even though it will be a short Wednesday.  I was also asked to present the JAC. Fins business plan with my former Social Entrepreneurship classmates Jack and Connor in the upcoming innovation day. JAC. Fins continues to be improving and with each improvement I become more curious as to where JAC. Fins will end up in the future.

Even More Changes

I am pleased with where I am going into the rest of the week. I finished the last fin of my first set, and have plenty of plastic to work with. There is more for me to explore while making fins. The different color HDPE plastics can create a very unique marbling, and I would like to be able to work with the plastic and alter the marbling. This would be very valuable, as I would be able to make custom colored fins, making the fins more appealing to the surfer.  I learn something new every day, and I hope that by Wednesday I have a good idea of how to work with different colored HDPE plastics to make different designs in  the fins.

The First Week

This week has been a huge learning experience for me. With research and some failed attempts, I was able to put together a method on how to produce fins.  I   learned that it takes some patience to mold the plastic, as I don’t want to burn the plastic. It’s all worth the wait to me. The process might not be all that efficient, but the uniqueness of the fins sets them apart form others. The only problem I have is collecting the plastic. One fin uses a lot of plastic, and having to make sure I won’t run out means I’m constantly on the search.  After this week, I hope to go into this week with a goal of making two more sets of fins.  Last week was a time for me to learn how exactly to work with HDPE plastic. As I move forward and continue to produce more fins, I plan on making the process even better. I am hoping that I can process more plastic at once, letting me cut out two fins at a time rather than one. If I plan on fixing the way I am currently processing the HDPE plastic, I will have to go through another learning experience. This means I must prepaid for failure, and learn from it like I had before. There is a lot for me to work on heading into this week. My ultimate goal at this point is to efficiently produce fins, and to reduce the environmental impacts while making the fins. I am excited to continue working and discover new ways to work with HDPE plastics.