Adding brakes to the utility trailer this spring. I’m going to post little bits as I go, instead of one big post.
I’m moving from a four-wire cable to a seven wire cable to support the brakes & break away safety system. I’m also adding a seven pole junction box.
Continue reading “New trailer wire”When we go camping, I like to make sure that everyone has a charged phone or watch so that I can find my family. Unfortunately, Honda doesn’t think you should have access to electrons when the engine isn’t running. Time to add some charging ports, without looking like I added some charging ports. (See Rule 2)
I’ve gotten to the point where new projects don’t always* require purchasing** new tools. But as I work on more ambitious projects, I am building more tools & jigs.
When I built the drawer for the drill press cabinet, I was very dissatisfied with my results, so I started looking for something better.
Enter the box joint or finger joint jig.
When I bought the bandsaw a few years ago, it was on this angle iron base. Perfectly functional, and purely functional. It works, but it looks like a bunch of angle iron off cuts (which is what it is).
Once I built the base for the drill press, I decided that the band saw needed a matching base.
Let’s take a little tour of my mental processes when designing a project like this.
Continue reading “Band saw cabinet design”We decided to take advantage of the President’s Day weekend, and the generosity of some family friends and head to Cape May for a two night getaway.
Pouring rain for the two hour drive, but thanks to the tonneau cover, all our luggage stayed dry*.
Continue reading “First trip with the tonneau.”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.
Between work & weather the Fas-Top has been in boxes in my garage for almost a month. The weather was almost acceptable today & I need the space in the garage for some other projects so I installed the top system today.
Continue reading “Finally installed the Fas-Top”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.
You never know when a deal is going to appear.
This is going to be a teaser because it’s too cold to work outside right now.
Continue reading “Always watch the classifieds.”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.
So let’s get to it.
Continue reading “Happy Turkey Day”
Modern Anachronist 