Category: projects

Room #4 Started…

On By JohnIn home improvement, projectsLeave a comment

Before…

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The previous tenants didn’t have a firm grasp of cutting in or tape to prevent straying outside the lines…

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We sprayed the ceiling — because it, too, needed it. And while we were it, we also prepped the gray wall with an extra coat of paint that we’ll cover with a different color to unify the room. Cutting in with brush-work and roller will be necessary for the walls.

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I’m afraid I did get just a bit of paint on the woodwork and the carpet. But it’ll come right off with a bit of actually trying.

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Oh, and the part coming off is the woodwork and carpet. We’ll be replacing those throughout the house. Just not worthwhile to mask off the parts that we were planning on disposing.

Good news, we also had a really good opportunity to install an actually-functional ceiling fan/light combo:

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Testing, testing…

On By JohnIn electrics/electronics, projectsLeave a comment

jPjl1zmcTxCEdkztcQAm4AYou know, I’m beginning to realize that I need to branch out — increase complexity and understanding of concepts — to keep things interesting and engaging for me.

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This? A tool to do testing of discrete electronics.

Honestly, I found it easy to assemble. No electronics work needed. Just assembly of its case.

The greatest challenge was the need of improved dexterity: twisting nuts or removing the protective cover from the acrylic that I struggle with.

7qa7rEIsTH2e96m2Pnni5wBut, it works. I just need to go read the docs, do the calibration, then this is ready to use for other electronic/assmbly projects.

But first, work to do.

In Search Of…

On By JohnIn projectsLeave a comment

Not long ago, the emergence of digital technologies was dominated not for the latest tech-gadget, but by an endless quest to find AA batteries.

Now, it seems we’re all in search of USB charging ports…

…or Qi wireless chargers.

…or two of them.

…or Apple Watch chargers.

So I cobbled this together out of some spare Red Oak:

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I should’ve included a tape measure for scale, but it’s 10-1/2″ W x 5-1/2″ H x 7-1/2″ deep. Way over-built.

Fine woodworking is something that I haven’t the tools, time, nor motivation for. Yet.

It includes

I still need to find a suitable set of hinges for the lid and a latch to stop it unintentionally opening. I’ll also need to find some sort of carry handle/strap. The earlier ammo-box style used rope handles on either end, which I still might do.

Yep, I could have just thrown everything into a Sterilite container, but where’s the fun in that? It’s not bad for an quick throw-together charging station solution.

And, yes, Pine would’ve been lighter and easier to work with — and it would’ve gone rather nicely with the 1940s-era ammo-box style. But I didn’t have any readily available. So, Red Oak, it is. And also it’s nicer than both the plywood and much less wasteful than the Purpleheart and Lignum Vitae that I do have.