Author: rexplex

With a bachelors degree in history, I turn wrenches for a living. I’m most at peace when I hear the wind in the trees or the gurgle of a brook. I’m a believer in the Renaissance Man, as epitomized by DaVinci engineer, artist, soldier, statesman. As Heinlein said, “A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyse a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.”

How do I safely drill an end cap?

For the bandsaw cabinet I plan to add a work light. I found a light fixture I think will be great, but it’s a bit too short.

I’m going to make it taller by building a base from 3/4” pipe, but I’ve got to attach the fixture to the pipe & get the cord into the cabinet.

I need to drill a hole through the pipe cap, without injuring myself. One hand operating the quill of the drill press, and the other operating the oil can.

Pipe cap holder.
Continue reading “How do I safely drill an end cap?”

Utility hooks from Amazon.

Given the flat floor in the back of the Ridgeline and some spirited driving, the shopping can come a bit unsettled. I need a way to keep the bags from sliding about.

Honda has a $46 solution, where Amazon has a $15 solution.

Folding hooks attached to the under side of the back seats.
Continue reading “Utility hooks from Amazon.”

Happy Turkey Day

Smoking the turkey frees up the oven for other holiday goodness.

It also keeps one person mostly out of the kitchen, and let’s be honest, is your kitchen big enough?

And while we’re being honest, does anyone actually like that flavorless, overcooked turkey breast that comes out of the oven? Nope. You want slow smoked, juicy meat.

How’s that for golden brown?

So let’s get to it.

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Think outside the box (or range)

Another holiday tip – you’ve got a slow cooker. USE IT! (And if you don’t have one, get one.)

Back to is your kitchen big enough? Do you have enough burners on your stovetop? And the answer is always no, even if you’re kitchen could be a studio for a cooking show.

So how can I make this hosting the family thing easier? If you’re like most Americans, you’re trying to include traditions from all sides of the blended family, while taking care of special dietary needs, and trying to one up your sibling who hosted last year, but in a low key friendly way. And you have to do all this without breaking a sweat with a smile on your face and a jig in your step.

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Welcome (back) to the Smoke Show

It’s been a long time since I’ve used the smoker, but Thanksgiving next week has me dusting it off.

I purchased a new grill thermometer and tested it out on some turkey tenderloin in the oven.

I got the ThermoPro TP25 which comes with four probes and a grate clip. Bluetooth connectivity to your phone lets you remotely monitor the cook.

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Sometimes it’s just your fear holding you back.

I’ve often considered making nicer projects in the wood shop, but up till now, I’ve pretty much limited myself to camping equipment.

Mostly it’s been fear that I can’t make something perfect. Add in the fact that I’m good at sourcing things that are pretty close to what I really want and then modifying them.

My first cabinet.

And it really kills me when people ask me if I built the cabinets in the dining room.

But it’s been itching at me. I keep kicking around ideas for custom cases for some older tools that don’t have them. And I keep coming up with excuses why I can’t do it.

Continue reading “Sometimes it’s just your fear holding you back.”