Meet the Maker: David Holmes

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your projects.
I was once described by my elementary school teacher as a “divergent thinker.” My entire life I have lived with the neurotic tendencies to find out how and why everything works. Being of curious mind, and small financial abilities, I usually try to build my own devices, or set out to create new ones. I am also an avid videographer and photographer, and when the time came to do some more professional looking video work, the steep cost of camera gear hindered my abilities. Most camera gear is quite simple. Rolling dollies are nothing more then Rollerblade wheels and PVC pipe. Camera cranes are just parallelograms with support wires and sturdy yet lightweight frames. Nothing was beyond my abilities as a woodworker, so I set out to make all of my gear myself and save quite a bit of cash in the process. As for the PVC train horns, well that’s just my inner child having a bit of fun The train horns are very impressive not just from a standpoint that they are made of PVC and they are TRAIN HORNS, but also the fact that something so simple and so cheap to make from standard hardware store items can bring such joy. The number one question I get asked about my train horns is “why?” then after I demonstrate them the next question is “how can I make a set?”

What was the inspiration for your projects?
Lack of money and wanting to have fun.

How long did it take to create your projects?
I’ve been working on my video gear for a few years, and my camera crane is on it’s third redesign. The train horns were made in just a matter of a few weeks.

As a maker, what inspires you?
I’m usually inspired when i see something I can either create myself, or I can create better for less.

What are you most looking forward to at Maker Faire Detroit this year?
I’m most looking forward to demonstrating my gear and letting other see just how easy and fun it is to create.

Anything else you’d like to share with us?
Bring your ear plugs 😉