Weekend Hobby, Crafts and Bodging Thread, Christmas Edition

Greetings all. Hope the last minute Christmas prep is not too stressful. Anyway, here are some links to spark your creativity and imagination. Wishing all of you a merry Christmas and hope Santa leaves you some great hobby gear under the tree!

Note: This is NOT an open thread. Limit comments to only the subjects of hobbies and crafts.

Here's part 2:

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at 04:56 PM

Comments

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1 0!

Posted by: Next2Nothing at December 23, 2023 04:59 PM (tA1/w)

2 2nd!

Posted by: NaughtyPine at December 23, 2023 05:07 PM (gJoNf)

3 Good afternoon everyone.

Happy Hobbying!

Posted by: Tonypete at December 23, 2023 05:12 PM (x7plP)

4 Manyth!

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea, Radioactive Knight at December 23, 2023 05:12 PM (ScR16)

5 I even read the contents. My hobby this weekend is cooking for extended family.

But I've begun altering photo frames from probably the '70s or '80s. I found some at a thrift shop and realized the US-made ones had a cardboard cushion behind the backing that was quite thick. Once removed, there is enough room to make a sort of shadowbox.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at December 23, 2023 05:14 PM (gJoNf)

6 J. J., Thanks for including all those videos in the post. I'll look at them later. The ones about watercolors and plasticine look especially fun.

Posted by: JTB at December 23, 2023 05:22 PM (7EjX1)

7 I'll be honing my autobody repair skills after wrinkling the front fender on the truck. Pinched it on the garage door track while parking it this afternoon. Not horrible. But I'm anal-retentive about looks, especially on my vehicles. And this pisses me off to no fucking end.

Because it's all my fault. But I'm blaming the garage.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 23, 2023 05:23 PM (Q4IgG)

8 JTB, Merry Christmas to you and the Mrs. I look forward to you hand drawn Christmas card collection for next year..

Posted by: Ben Had at December 23, 2023 05:25 PM (dec0Z)

9 Seems like my new hobby is struggling with tasks I used to accomplish with ease. Disheartening.

Posted by: javems at December 23, 2023 05:28 PM (RkmKf)

10 I made Christmas cookies today. I just don't have the patience for decorating them anymore. They got a swipe of icing and I'm done. Sad!

I also haven't done any other hobbies in a while. Knitting was making my hands hurt. Might pick it up again soon. I'm not good at it yet.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at December 23, 2023 05:29 PM (OX9vb)

11 My desktop computer is back up and running. Using a crusty old keyboard because the one I washed in the sink did not like that treatment, and manifested its displeasure by impersonating an Enigma machine.

Hear a rumble out front, and the doorbell rang. It was friend on his Harley. he came in and we had a beer and bullshitted.

To stay on topic, I am now going to set up my mini-mill so I can do crafty things with it.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at December 23, 2023 05:29 PM (tkR6S)

12 The house is decorated The fridge is stocked The nativity is waiting for baby Jesus . All is well

Posted by: LASue at December 23, 2023 05:29 PM (Ed8Zd)

13 Because it's all my fault. But I'm blaming the garage.
Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 23, 2023 05:23 PM (Q4IgG)

Garage doors are known ambush predators.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at December 23, 2023 05:31 PM (tkR6S)

14 LASue, Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Posted by: Ben Had at December 23, 2023 05:34 PM (dec0Z)

15 Welcome Hobbiests
Still finishing Bavarian draft horses for limbers in 15mm Napoleonics

Posted by: Skip at December 23, 2023 05:37 PM (fwDg9)

16 Because it's all my fault. But I'm blaming the garage.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 23, 2023 05:23 PM (Q4IgG)

Within the past three years I've dinged my right rear finder to the tune of $900.00, my left front finder - $700.00 and my right front - $400.00. All happened in parking garages. I blame old man neck. I try to stay out of garages now.

Posted by: javems at December 23, 2023 05:37 PM (RkmKf)

17 I would have assumed that someone with Martini for a first name would be quite familiar with minor and major dents and dings-and maybe, rollovers.

Posted by: Rum Dum at December 23, 2023 05:41 PM (V5BDR)

18 Last week I mentioned that film photography is becoming more popular, mostly for hobbyists and a very few professionals. As I read about the reasons I was struck by the similarities with why people are attracted to muzzleloading versus modern firearms. More hands-on. It's a slower process to get results making them appreciate each shot (film or round ball). Choosing the F-stop, film speed, shutter speed, etc., is like choosing the powder charge, patch thickness, ball size, flint material and so on. Then there is the satisfaction of learning these factors to get a good result. It is all down to the individual's knowledge and not dependent on technology to do the work.

There can be some nostalgia for older hobbyists but for many it's an appreciation of well-designed mechanisms that can do the job even after many decades. And, perhaps, a desire to get away from software driven, electronic dependence. In some ways I suspect the growing interest in fountain pens and manual typewriters has the same attractions.

Posted by: JTB at December 23, 2023 05:42 PM (7EjX1)

19 A few wood shims, some white glue and presto!
Destroy to enjoy parrot chew toys!
The humble present I wrapped looks like a wild cat tried to wrap it. Appropriate, it's for the neighbor who feeds the feral cats in the yard.

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenkoism in solidarity with the struggle to maintain Moron standards at December 23, 2023 05:43 PM (8qH0t)

20 the growing interest in fountain pens and manual typewriters.

In 2005 you could find affordable vintage fountain pens. The good old days.

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenkoism in solidarity with the struggle to maintain Moron standards at December 23, 2023 05:45 PM (8qH0t)

21 Oil changes and tire rotations today. Is that a hobby? At what point does automotive maintenance merit hobby status?

We were supposed to start working on changing the rear end in #1 son's Mustang today but his lazy butt slept to 11 and then he took off to see friends. He's supposed to be here all next week but he's thinking this is only going to take a few hours and it ain't gonna be like that.

Posted by: fd at December 23, 2023 05:46 PM (vFG9F)

22 8 ... "JTB, Merry Christmas to you and the Mrs. I look forward to you hand drawn Christmas card collection for next year.."

Merry Christmas, BH. My attempts at the cards for this year weren't good enough. But I have a number of ideas to try for next year. Whether they work out is secondary to the fun (and humor) of trying.

Posted by: JTB at December 23, 2023 05:47 PM (7EjX1)

23 Building a Proxmox cluster out of mini PC's. Because I can.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - Z28.310 at December 23, 2023 05:50 PM (dZVON)

24 Bodging on the Corvair stopped about a week ago as I have daughter, SIL, and two grandsons coming for a five day stay, needed to do light and deep cleaning, moving beds around, dealing with all my leaves and neighbors leaves, etc.

Interior of Corvair is complete, convertible top done, carpet installed, seats put back in. Next comes replacing master cylinder for brakes, replace voltage regulator and clean up wiring, then working on the very underneath to treat, prime, paint everything flat black. Everything I can reach from the fender wells is done, but have to get it up good and high on jackstands to get the underneath middle. Went through this on the VW Bus a year ago, so I know I can do it, though it's a pain. Wish I had a lift!

Posted by: Air-cooled Al at December 23, 2023 05:50 PM (V5BDR)

25 I'm perusing all my cocktail books and magazines for an appropriate New Year's potion. Maybe something sparkly and bubbly? Or do I want one that is cold, bracing, and pine-y like you've walked through a wardrobe and into Narnia?

Mom is watching PBS in the next room. There is nothing that Beer Summit professor loves more than finding slave owners in a white celebrity's genealogy. "How does that make you feel?"

Posted by: All Hail Eris at December 23, 2023 05:50 PM (+RQPJ)

26 fd, Thank you again for all your patience and knowledge this morning.

Posted by: Ben Had at December 23, 2023 05:51 PM (dec0Z)

27 My hobby this week involved noticing that the spa barely keeps up its temp without running constantly. So checking the spa for the thickness of built-in insulation I found almost none. Ascertaining the available space and buying 2 32' rolls of 3.5" kraft faced R13 pink insulation. Now I have to carefully pull all the screw head covers so I can reuse them and take the 4 sides off, insert 2 levels of the insulation and close it back up.
And of course it has been raining since Wednesday. Sunday is supposed to be clear so I should be able to get it done then.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 23, 2023 05:51 PM (ifs1q)

28 Hope you have a grand Christmas Ben Had!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 23, 2023 05:52 PM (ifs1q)

29 Oil changes and tire rotations today. Is that a hobby? At what point does automotive maintenance merit hobby status? . . .

Posted by: fd at December 23, 2023

***
When with each change you try a new oil or filter, or both, and log any change in gas mileage or oil burning/leakage? In other words, you try something new "just to see"?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 23, 2023 05:53 PM (omVj0)

30 This is a hobby, but it also adds to my work. I look up the background of every single writer of the hymns we sing if I don't know it. I also try to discern what made them choose the theology they were trying to emphasize and phrases from the Scriptures that are related to the hymns if I know that. Some people tell me that has increased their appreciation of the hymns to know this info.

I didn't always share this information and I find it increases my appreciation of the hymns too.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 23, 2023 05:53 PM (RSbhh)

31 > Last week I mentioned that film photography is becoming more popular, mostly for hobbyists and a very few professionals.
____________

I have an old Pentax ME Super with the "normal" lens it came with, a wide angle, and telephoto along with a flash and some filters. It hasn't seen the light of day in 30 years.

I also have an antique Leica 35mm that's probably 100 years old.

And a box or 3 of photos taken with both but mostly the Pentax.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 23, 2023 05:56 PM (Q4IgG)

32 That's interesting, FenSpoke. I would imagine it does increase appreciation for specific hymns.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at December 23, 2023 05:56 PM (OX9vb)

33 No time for hobby stuff, it's cleaning day. Tried to watch the watercolor vid, but kept falling asleep.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 23, 2023 05:57 PM (Angsy)

34 "In other words, you try something new "just to see"?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere"

One time I tried something new just to see and spun a rod bearing. You have to be prepared to pay the price for experimenting.

Posted by: fd at December 23, 2023 05:57 PM (vFG9F)

35 You are welcome Ben Had. I am glad to help.

Posted by: fd at December 23, 2023 05:59 PM (vFG9F)

36 20 ... "In 2005 you could find affordable vintage fountain pens. The good old days."

Fortunately, there are affordable, excellent fountain pens these days. The Lamy Safari, usually under 30 bucks, is a good example. They aren't 'classic' looking but they let folks get started with fountain pens and their particular needs and the satisfaction of using a wonderful writing instrument. I'm not aware of any manual typewriters being made these days that can come close to the quality of the 1930s through the 1960s.

Posted by: JTB at December 23, 2023 05:59 PM (7EjX1)

37 Wolfus, since one of your hobbies is looking for a new place to live, maybe this is appropriate here. Have you heard of or considered Columbus, Indiana? I've only recently become aware of it and it seems to be a very cool place. Beautiful architecture, public and private, even the jail is attractive. Many parks and nice public places. Cummins Diesel has a big facility there. Don't know about cost of living or housing prices, but it looks like a hidden gem.

Posted by: Air-cooled Al at December 23, 2023 05:59 PM (V5BDR)

38 AZdeplorable, Thank you. Glad tidings to you and the lovely Mrs.

Posted by: Ben Had at December 23, 2023 05:59 PM (dec0Z)

39 Another time I tried something new and blew up a transaxle. I really thought that weld would hold.

Posted by: fd at December 23, 2023 06:00 PM (vFG9F)

40 This is sort of book-threadish, but in the novel Directive 51, after a few misguided individuals bring about an apocalyptic nightmare, it is hobbyists that get the country running again.

Printing press aficionados, ham radio operators, steam engine guys--fun hobbies when things were good, but essential skills and knowledge when it all went to hell.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at December 23, 2023 06:01 PM (OX9vb)

41 Bodging (full name chair-bodgering[a]) is a traditional woodturning craft, using green (unseasoned) wood to make chair legs and other cylindrical parts of chairs. The work was done close to where a tree was felled. The itinerant craftsman who made the chair legs was known as a bodger or chair-bodger. According to Collins Dictionary, the use of the term bodger in reference to green woodworking appeared between 1799 and 1827 and, to a much lesser extent, from 1877 to 1886 and from 1939 to present.[2]

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 23, 2023 06:01 PM (RIvkX)

42 Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at December 23, 2023 05:56 PM (OX9vb)

It's also helpful for me to know as well as others that many hymns came not out of happy circumstances but of very difficult situations It is well with my soul " was composed after the writers children had drowned when a boat sank. His wife who was with them survived. There's another one/ name escapes my aged at the moment when ghere was plague and starvation in a walled city in the 30 years war and the pastor who composed the hymn was the only pastor left and he was performing 30 funerals a day. That was a prayer he had with his children in the evening.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 23, 2023 06:04 PM (RSbhh)

43 A chair-bodger would probably welcome the addition of a rudimentary lathe, as we all would.

Posted by: Turn, Turn, Turn... at December 23, 2023 06:04 PM (V5BDR)

44 fd, did you get a plasma cutter?

Posted by: Ben Had at December 23, 2023 06:04 PM (dec0Z)

45 A chair-bodger would probably welcome the addition of a rudimentary lathe, as we all would.
Posted by: Turn, Turn, Turn..

Heh. Doesn't Roy Underhill craft a chair in that manner sometimes?

Posted by: Tonypete at December 23, 2023 06:06 PM (x7plP)

46 I also have an antique Leica 35mm that's probably 100 years old.

A couple of years ago, I picked up a Leica III (G, I think) in an antique shop for cheap. As I expected, it needs some major work and I just haven't bothered to find out where to get that done yet. The interesting thing is the the top plate is marked "DBP" for Deutsche Bund (German State) Patent when according to the pre-war serial number, it should be marked "DRP" for Deutsche Reich (German Empire) Patent. I surmise that it was sent to the factory some time post-war and they made a new top plate with the same serial number in order to disown the association with the Third Reich.

Posted by: Oddbob at December 23, 2023 06:07 PM (sNc8Y)

47 Choosing the F-stop, film speed, shutter speed, etc., is like choosing the powder charge, patch thickness, ball size, flint material and so on. Then there is the satisfaction of learning these factors to get a good result

All the same ^2 when you do your own darkroom work. I have a bunch of hand made prints of girls with missing clothes from a phase when I was really into chemical photography and also persuasive.

Posted by: Bandersnatch at December 23, 2023 06:07 PM (CnLzB)

48 18 Last week I mentioned that film photography is becoming more popular, mostly for hobbyists and a very few professionals. As I read about the reasons I was struck by the similarities with why people are attracted to muzzleloading versus modern firearms. More hands-on. It's a slower process to get results making them appreciate each shot (film or round ball). Choosing the F-stop, film speed, shutter speed, etc., is like choosing the powder charge, patch thickness, ball size, flint material and so on. Then there is the satisfaction of learning these factors to get a good result. It is all down to the individual's knowledge and not dependent on technology to do the work.
Posted by: JTB at December 23, 2023 05:42 PM (7EjX1)

When we lived in Africa I started developing black and white film in a spare bathroom just for fun. I had, still have, a 35mm SLR. Made me feel all artsy. Eventuality got a 2/14 format camera and did some passport photos for friends.

Posted by: javems at December 23, 2023 06:10 PM (RkmKf)

49
Many years ago, there was a rather forgettable film entitled "I Am a Camera." The most memorable thing about it was a review, which was arguably the greatest review ever. Just two words:

"No Leica."

Wish I could remember who the reviewer was!

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at December 23, 2023 06:10 PM (x0n13)

50 Merry Christmas, Bandersnatch.

Posted by: Ben Had at December 23, 2023 06:10 PM (dec0Z)

51 All the same ^2 when you do your own darkroom work. I have a bunch of hand made prints of girls with missing clothes from a phase when I was really into chemical photography and also persuasive.
Posted by: Bandersnatch

Weren't you the curator of the "In The Shadow of The Bush" exhibit?

Jk - I was the gofer for the guy that really was. All B&W - great stuff.

Posted by: Tonypete at December 23, 2023 06:10 PM (x7plP)

52 " fd, did you get a plasma cutter?
Posted by: Ben Had"

No, not yet. The next time I need one for a project I'll probably get one though. One can never have too many tools.

Posted by: fd at December 23, 2023 06:11 PM (vFG9F)

53 J.J. Merry Christmas and thank you for everything you do.

Posted by: Ben Had at December 23, 2023 06:11 PM (dec0Z)

54 Choosing the F-stop, film speed, shutter speed, etc., is like choosing the powder charge, patch thickness, ball size, flint material and so on. Then there is the satisfaction of learning these factors to get a good result
------

It also makes a considerable difference in 'composing' a photo. Much more thought is given to that compared to a point-and-click digital camera. Also, all of those things affect the quality of the photo itself, and must be born in mind.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at December 23, 2023 06:14 PM (XeU6L)

55 olfus, since one of your hobbies is looking for a new place to live, maybe this is appropriate here. Have you heard of or considered Columbus, Indiana? I've only recently become aware of it and it seems to be a very cool place. Beautiful architecture, public and private, even the jail is attractive. Many parks and nice public places. Cummins Diesel has a big facility there. Don't know about cost of living or housing prices, but it looks like a hidden gem.
Posted by: Air-cooled Al at December 23, 2023

***
No, hadn't heard of it, but a quick glance shows me 50K people and houses in what I call a normal range. Nowhere near as many listings right now in Columbus proper as with Evansville or Owensboro, KY, but the ones on Realtor look good. Outlying areas like Shelbyville and Edinburgh are good prices too. Thanks!

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 23, 2023 06:14 PM (omVj0)

56 fd, I ask because all my most visible swittch plates are stylised Indian figures. I would like some more.

Posted by: Ben Had at December 23, 2023 06:14 PM (dec0Z)

57 31 ... "I have an old Pentax ME Super with the "normal" lens it came with, a wide angle, and telephoto along with a flash and some filters." ..."I also have an antique Leica 35mm that's probably 100 years old."

I still have the gear we used for our film photography, mostly vintage Pentax stuff and some early Canon EOS film cameras. It all still works, I assume, but haven't used it in a long time. Any Leica has value but an early one would be fun to use if it still works. And rangefinder cameras have some advantages.

Posted by: JTB at December 23, 2023 06:15 PM (7EjX1)

58 It also makes a considerable difference in 'composing' a photo. Much more thought is given to that compared to a point-and-click digital camera. Also, all of those things affect the quality of the photo itself, and must be born in mind.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at December 23, 2023 06:14 PM (XeU6L)

Get closer to the subject.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 23, 2023 06:15 PM (Angsy)

59 I'm not aware of any manual typewriters being made these days that can come close to the quality of the 1930s through the 1960s.
Posted by: JTB at December 23, 2023 05:59 PM

They're "Aesthetic" typewriters. I have two Royals that are over 70 years each with little problems, but they beat the new typewriters hands-down.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at December 23, 2023 06:19 PM (gJoNf)

60 53 Posted by: Ben Had at December 23, 2023 06:11 PM (dec0Z)

Thank you, and to you and yours.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at December 23, 2023 06:21 PM (x0n13)

61 I have Minolta 35mm camera and a far assortment of lenses, haven't touched them in decades, and use to carry a camera everywhere

Posted by: Skip at December 23, 2023 06:21 PM (fwDg9)

62 I have an old Nikon F2 body and Nikkor lenses somewhere laying about. I haven't used it much since the late 90's. In college I had a class with a prof that loved high-speed exposure work. He toned it down for our class so, lots of balloon bursting (actually, they usually tear) and small scale firework photographs.

Some of the guys didn't have the equipement to support super fast shutters so we did alot of work with blacked out rooms, sound activated strobe lighting, and wide open shutters.

Lots of garbage photos to get a few exceptional ones. Great fun.

Posted by: Tonypete at December 23, 2023 06:21 PM (x7plP)

63 Any Leica has value but an early one would be fun

The great Rudy Ling in SoCal had a Leica shop, factory trained, could freaking build you a Leica from scratch.

As a teenager, I made a pinhole camera with a 126 cartridge, aluminum foil, and a clipped out picture of a Leica from a photo magazine. Worked!

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenkoism in solidarity with the struggle to maintain Moron standards at December 23, 2023 06:22 PM (8qH0t)

64 >>> At what point does automotive maintenance merit hobby status? . . .

Posted by: fd

>At what point does someone transition from sommelier to hobo? Tell me, what wine pairs well with squab?

Posted by: Dr. Bone at December 23, 2023 06:22 PM (9v1kn)

65
I had all sorts of photographic equipment I acquired over the years. A full darkroom with enlarger and stuff to develop and print up to 16 X 20 inch prints from negatives and slides. Also the ability to develop negatives and slides. My son asked me if I would sell it to a girl he was friendly with. I basically gave it away to her for .10 on the dollar. I hope she did something with it. I did have fun with it.

But sometimes you want the next generation to pick up where you left off and take things further. Sometimes you don't always get what you want. But if you try sometimes, well, you just might find you get what you need.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at December 23, 2023 06:23 PM (enJYY)

66 62 Posted by: Tonypete at December 23, 2023 06:21 PM (x7plP)

The F2 was a phenomenal camera, but heavy as all get out. Loved the Nikkormat as well.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at December 23, 2023 06:23 PM (x0n13)

67 They're "Aesthetic" typewriters. I have two Royals that are over 70 years each with little problems, but they beat the new typewriters hands-down.
Posted by: NaughtyPine at December 23, 2023

***
My ancient pre-1957 Underwood, I suppose, I will never have repaired. It's not really a portable unit and I know of no repair people here. Maybe I should look around on hobbyist sites for a portable from the same era?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 23, 2023 06:23 PM (omVj0)

68 The F2 was a phenomenal camera, but heavy as all get out. Loved the Nikkormat as well.
Posted by: J.J. Sefton

I loved that beast but terrible for wildlife shots - the shutter 'click' was like a door slamming. Heh.

Posted by: Tonypete at December 23, 2023 06:25 PM (x7plP)

69 My ancient pre-1957 Underwood, I suppose, I will never have repaired. It's not really a portable unit and I know of no repair people here. Maybe I should look around on hobbyist sites for a portable from the same era?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 23, 2023 06:23 PM (omVj0)

Look for vids and repair it yourself.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 23, 2023 06:26 PM (Angsy)

70 The great Rudy Ling in SoCal had a Leica shop, factory trained, could freaking build you a Leica from scratch.

A quick Bingle of "Rudy Ling Leica" returns no good hits so I presume "had" is the operative word here? If not, I would appreciate any info you have. My email is in the nic. Thx.

Posted by: Oddbob at December 23, 2023 06:27 PM (sNc8Y)

71 There was a time you could find and afford old Hasselblad bodies and film magazines. I haven't check in years but I imagine folks now have really bid them up.

There was an old bellows type camera in the Western Electric building in Columbus OH back in the 70's that was so large, the film plate ran on a set of tracks in the floor. The bellows were easily 5'-6' feet high. I wonder what it was used for.

Posted by: Tonypete at December 23, 2023 06:29 PM (x7plP)

72 Maybe I should look around on hobbyist sites for a portable from the same era?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 23, 2023 06:23 PM (omVj0)

Any antique mall nearby? I've been seeing manual typewriters at the antique stores with increasing frequency lately.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at December 23, 2023 06:31 PM (OX9vb)

73 48 ... "When we lived in Africa I started developing black and white film in a spare bathroom just for fun."

Part of the attraction of film versus digital for people is photos can be made with little technology and the results can last for over a century. There are some family photos from about 1917, taken by my grandfather and developed and printed in their bathroom. One is my aunt in her high chair. Another is one of my great great grandmother a a bunch of her cronies sitting in the backyard. She's smoking the hookah in it that I inherited. Kinda cool.

I doubt the gazillions of digital snap shots taken today will be viewable in a hundred years.

Posted by: JTB at December 23, 2023 06:32 PM (7EjX1)

74 There is a typewriter shop in New Orleans. There is a shop in North Carolina that does repairs. You just need to look

Posted by: Notsothoreau at December 23, 2023 06:33 PM (L8hCM)

75 OddBob, Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Posted by: Ben Had at December 23, 2023 06:34 PM (dec0Z)

76 OK, cluster is built. Now I've got to figure out what to do with it.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - Z28.310 at December 23, 2023 06:35 PM (dZVON)

77 OddBob, Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Thank you and back at cha! Next year's MoMe will be a 14 hour drive for me instead of 4 but I'm going to try to be there if I can.

Posted by: Oddbob at December 23, 2023 06:36 PM (sNc8Y)

78 http://tinyurl.com/ymzmp8hk

The shop in Portland OR is called The Blue Moon. Typewriters are a bit like treadle sewing machines in that they just need oil. I really should get new ribbons for mine.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at December 23, 2023 06:36 PM (L8hCM)

79 There used to be a good Yahoo group, with folks that still did repairs and sold parts. But I don't know if the group moved to Groups.io like most did.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at December 23, 2023 06:39 PM (L8hCM)

80 59 ... "They're "Aesthetic" typewriters. I have two Royals that are over 70 years each with little problems, but they beat the new typewriters hands-down."

The newest typewriter I have is from the early 1960s, most are from the 40s and 50s and they all work fine. My favorite is a Royal KHM made before WW II. It had been serviced once almost 70 years ago. It still works like it just came from the factory. That kind of reliability really matters to me.

Posted by: JTB at December 23, 2023 06:40 PM (7EjX1)

81 OK, cluster is built. Now I've got to figure out what to do with it.
Posted by: Blanco Basura

Heh, heh, heh, I really wondered what the end goal was too!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 23, 2023 06:41 PM (ifs1q)

82 The Pentax Takumar lenses were/are probably the best value for the money. The first thing one needs to check on the old film SLRs are the shutters. That's usually the first thing that fails. And check the batteries to make sure the contacts are clean.

Posted by: mrp at December 23, 2023 06:42 PM (rj6Yv)

83 I recall my early employment days.... working for what we called a "Beltway Bandit." A defense contractor of one sort or another. This was back in the mid - late 80's.

My drive from suburban Maryland into NOVA took me either through the capitol city or around the 'Beltway.' Sometimes I'd branch off and drive into Arlington, VA on some parkways, back streets, etc.

Many times I had my Pentax ME Super with me. I have (somewhere) old photos taken in the very early mornings of the moon rising over the Lincoln, Washington or Jefferson Memorials with little or no traffic. Little known side streets lined with 150 year old row houses. And so on. The National Cathedral, Iwo Jima Memorial, etc.

I have some photos of fireworks on the 4th with most of those landmarks too.

The old photos were awesome. Probably lost to age now.

If I ever get motivated I'm going to try and find, and resurrect those.

The photos on my flicker page illustrate some of my work. Mostly amateurish attempts to mimic photographers much better than I.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 23, 2023 06:43 PM (Q4IgG)

84 The Pentax Takumar lenses were/are probably the best value for the money. The first thing one needs to check on the old film SLRs are the shutters. That's usually the first thing that fails. And check the batteries to make sure the contacts are clean.
Posted by: mrp

I still have my Asahi Pentax spotmatic F, the shutter failed (when we were still using film) and I took it to Tempe Camera.
They repaired it quickly and the price was reasonable (way back then).
I just checked and Tempe Camera still exists and they still do repairs...

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 23, 2023 06:45 PM (ifs1q)

85 There is a typewriter shop in New Orleans. There is a shop in North Carolina that does repairs. You just need to look
Posted by: Notsothoreau at December 23, 2023

***
Yes, shipping a boat anchor like this Underwood to NC would be cost prohibitive. I did see a listing for a typewriter repair guy, but he didn't seem to be open on Saturdays. Maybe I'll check again and see if we can set something up.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 23, 2023 06:46 PM (omVj0)

86 67 ... "My ancient pre-1957 Underwood, I suppose, I will never have repaired. It's not really a portable unit and I know of no repair people here. Maybe I should look around on hobbyist sites for a portable from the same era?"

Wolfus, There are any number of excellent manual portable typewriters out there. My preference is for Olympia SM 4 or SM 9 machines. They are solid and have a wonderful, responsive touch. Many will only need a new ribbon to work like new.

Posted by: JTB at December 23, 2023 06:49 PM (7EjX1)

87 On the truck solar/DC power generation front, the CIGS solar panels are installed and working. i got together with the mechanic to plan out the cable connections for the starter battery side of the DC-DC charger system. The components to be installed are the 60A ANL fuse, the circuit cut-off switch, and the Voltage Sensor Relay. The VSR automatically opens and shuts the charging circuit based on the raised voltage after ignition. When the ignition is switched off, the voltage drops and the VSR opens the circuit. This prevents the starter battery from draining after the engine stops.

Posted by: mrp at December 23, 2023 06:50 PM (rj6Yv)

88 Mine are mid 60s Smith Coronas. Got most from Craigslist except for the Skywriter. It strengthens your hands to type on them.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at December 23, 2023 06:52 PM (L8hCM)

89 82 ... "The Pentax Takumar lenses were/are probably the best value for the money."

I have a Super Takumar 1.4 50mm lens on a Cosina CSM. It's the screw mount style. It took wonderful shots. I especially liked it for B and W film.

Posted by: JTB at December 23, 2023 06:53 PM (7EjX1)

90 I keep calling the VSR the "Voltage Sensor Relay" (because it is), but the technical reference is "Voltage Sensitive Relay", because it is, too.

Posted by: mrp at December 23, 2023 06:56 PM (rj6Yv)

91 I remember doing a paper in junior high on an Apple IIe that we had. Two floppy drives... one for the OS the other for whatever app you were running. My parents also had a printer (some sort of Apple dot matrix) attached to it.

The first paper I wrote on it and handed in got an "F."

Because the teacher believed "the computer wrote it."

It took about a month of back and forth meetings with this dingbat, the school administration, and my parents to rectify this.

I still received a C-. Mostly out of spite.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 23, 2023 06:57 PM (Q4IgG)

92 Managed to squeeze in a 10 mile, 1300' elevation gain hike this morning in local mountains. Destination was California Historic Site # 217 - Black Star Canyon Indian Village site. All that's left is some indentations where they ground acorns in the rocks. But a good workout hike on a fireroad. The week's rains left the ground wet but mostly not muddy. Perfect hiking weather - mostly cloudy and cool temps in the upper 50's.

It was a good day with a pleasant MeetUp group of about 20 peoples.

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at December 23, 2023 06:58 PM (QGaXH)

93 I found the watercolor guy actually quite good - he talks about values and prep techniques that I've tried successfully. But it's the drawing in all painting - whether oils or watercolors - that matters most.

I prefer to water the paper first and then let it dry before watercolor painting. Draw the image first in pencil - the whole image. You can tape the paper down first to prevent warping. Then paint always using the smallest size brushes you can. Light to dark with watercolors.

Anyway - this tutorial is one of the first I liked, and thought was spot on here.

Posted by: Boswell at December 23, 2023 07:00 PM (K+UlC)

94 I have a Super Takumar 1.4 50mm lens on a Cosina CSM. It's the screw mount style. It took wonderful shots. I especially liked it for B and W film.
Posted by: JTB at December 23, 2023 06:53 PM (7EjX1)

My favorite lens for my Pentax K2 (long stolen) was the Takumar 100mm F4 Macro lens. Absolutely superb for portraiture and close-ups of flowers and insects. On the used market, it is still very expensive, but worth every penny.

Posted by: mrp at December 23, 2023 07:02 PM (rj6Yv)

95 @41 Certainly old-time bodgers already know of it: the "modern classic" on green woodworking is "Make A Chair from A Tree," 1978, still in print in its later editions.

A surprising amount of door-panel and chair-rung features, that we take to be just classic design, were ways to accommodate the green materials available to most makers.

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at December 23, 2023 07:05 PM (FCs/J)

96 Wolfus, There are any number of excellent manual portable typewriters out there. My preference is for Olympia SM 4 or SM 9 machines. They are solid and have a wonderful, responsive touch. Many will only need a new ribbon to work like new.
Posted by: JTB at December 23, 2023

***
JTB, I expect I would not really use them for writing anything other than letters, and maybe not even that. It would just be nice to have them for addressing envelopes.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 23, 2023 07:08 PM (omVj0)

97 I found the watercolor guy actually quite good - he talks about values and prep techniques that I've tried successfully. But it's the drawing in all painting - whether oils or watercolors - that matters most.

I prefer to water the paper first and then let it dry before watercolor painting. Draw the image first in pencil - the whole image. You can tape the paper down first to prevent warping. Then paint always using the smallest size brushes you can. Light to dark with watercolors.

Anyway - this tutorial is one of the first I liked, and thought was spot on here.
Posted by: Boswell at December 23, 2023 07:00 PM (K+UlC)

That's why I painted the Ross method. I can't draw for crap. Who wants a painting full of stick figures, except some anorexic.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 23, 2023 07:08 PM (Angsy)

98 I even wonder if I got new batteries for camera if it would work, guess it should

Posted by: Skip at December 23, 2023 07:08 PM (fwDg9)

99 Lad has been working on getting his Ender 3 Max running....

3d printing is the cat's jammies.

Posted by: sven at December 23, 2023 07:08 PM (X0I7i)

100 97 Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 23, 2023 07:08 PM (Angsy)

Paint

https://youtu.be/K9TX-6HyuOc?si=LR2DZvf9uCYzUghe

Posted by: sven at December 23, 2023 07:09 PM (X0I7i)

101 I still have my mother's typewriter, which she bought while in nurse's training for her RN. It's a Royal Quiet Deluxe portable that she bought in the early 1950s. I had it re-conditioned in the 80s. Probably needs a new ribbon

Posted by: mrp at December 23, 2023 07:12 PM (rj6Yv)

102 That's why I painted the Ross method. I can't draw for crap. Who wants a painting full of stick figures, except some anorexic.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 23, 2023 07:08 PM (Angsy)

----------

You know who else was crappy at drawing human figures?

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at December 23, 2023 07:17 PM (d42j3)

103 Posted by: sven at December 23, 2023 07:09 PM (X0I7i)

Meh, don't know if it's meant to insult Ross or not. A student taking fame from the teacher. Same as Ross and Alexander.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 23, 2023 07:17 PM (Angsy)

104 You know who else was crappy at drawing human figures?
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at December 23, 2023 07:17 PM (d42j3)

Picasso.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 23, 2023 07:18 PM (Angsy)

105 Hey a-rogue you must live close to me
I'm in N. Pomona

Posted by: MAxIE at December 23, 2023 07:18 PM (twxj3)

106 Because the teacher believed "the computer wrote it."

----------

Hah! Everyone knows the Apple IIe wasn't competent to compose anything above the fourth grade level.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at December 23, 2023 07:19 PM (d42j3)

107 I was watching a video reviewing microwave kilns, a low temperature kiln that you power with your microwave. They use them for low temperature ceramics, melt glass and similar things.

It struck me as a fascinating process

Posted by: Kindltot at December 23, 2023 07:20 PM (D7oie)

108 Is this microwave still food usable or do you get one for arts and crafts?

Posted by: Skip at December 23, 2023 07:27 PM (fwDg9)

109
I got one hobby that's on the Pet Thread and one hobby that's on the occasional Music Thread. Maybe I should just shut up.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 23, 2023 07:27 PM (MoZTd)

110 I may not have much to contribute, but i enjoy this thread.

I've never been been sure: is webworking* a hobby? Craft? Maybe it's blodging, whatever that is? Or maybe this is just off-topic?

In any case, as i said on the Friday cafe, muse, health, and tech glitches have limited my webworking in recent years, but the nic link goes to a 2022 page that links to all my past Christmas webworks. Try the comic "Journey to Bethlehem," or the Webworkshop Christmas video. Or not.

Have a happy, y'all.

Posted by: mindful webworker - *anything that can go on the web at December 23, 2023 07:29 PM (rp6pY)

111 I may not have much to contribute, but i enjoy this thread.

I've never been been sure: is webworking* a hobby? Craft? Maybe it's blodging, whatever that is? Or maybe this is just off-topic?

In any case, as i said on the Friday cafe, muse, health, and tech glitches have limited my webworking in recent years, but the nic link goes to a 2022 page that links to all my past Christmas webworks. Try the comic "Journey to Bethlehem," or the Webworkshop Christmas video. Or not.

Have a happy, y'all.

Posted by: mindful webworker - *anything that can go on the web at December 23, 2023 07:29 PM (rp6pY)

112 James Gurney is one of favorite artists..

Here he is painting Super Mario.

http://tinyurl.com/yvmdmykk

Posted by: Thomas Bender at December 23, 2023 07:34 PM (XV/Pl)

113 Sorry for double-posting. Not sure how it happens or why Pixy doesn't seem to catch 'em anymore.

Posted by: mindful webworker - post key stutters at December 23, 2023 07:37 PM (rp6pY)

114 Moviegique's posted.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 23, 2023 07:41 PM (Angsy)

115
There was an old bellows type camera in the Western Electric building in Columbus OH back in the 70's that was so large, the film plate ran on a set of tracks in the floor. The bellows were easily 5'-6' feet high. I wonder what it was used for.
Posted by: Tonypete

That's for when you need to see The Big Picture.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at December 23, 2023 07:43 PM (63Dwl)

116 AOP,

What mini mill did you get?

Posted by: pawn at December 23, 2023 08:04 PM (QB+5g)

117 103 Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 23, 2023 07:17 PM (Angsy)

A strange film, lovingly mocking Ross I think, mocking PBS to a degree, and the alphabet.

Just thought I would share it.

Posted by: sven at December 23, 2023 08:11 PM (X0I7i)

118 fd, I ask because all my most visible swittch plates are stylised Indian figures. I would like some more.
Posted by: Ben Had at December 23, 2023 06:14 PM (dec0Z)

American Indians or 7-11 Indians ?

Posted by: JT at December 23, 2023 08:40 PM (T4tVD)

119 Υou really make it appear realⅼy easy together with your preѕｅntation however I in finding this toрic to be really something
which I think I would by no means underѕtand. It kind of feels too complex and extremely large for me.
І'm looking forward in your subsequent publish,
I'll attempt to get the hold of it!

Posted by: update at December 25, 2023 09:19 PM (tWtxa)

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