Saturday Hobby, Crafting, DIY and Bodging Thread

Greetings gang. Hope your Saturday is going well. Time once again to head for the basement, garage, shop, studio, crafting room or wherever you can escape for a few hours to get creative, or just create a mess and have fun.

NOTE: This is NOT an open thread to please refrain from politics or anything unrelated to either the content or the subject matter.

What's everyone working on, planning, or just dreaming about?

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at 04:28 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Just finishing up 96 home made plinth blocks ripped from 2x4's and 330 foot of shoe molding in the upstairs.

Looks like it will look good, and I just love the look that plinth blocks bring, to tie the casing and baseboards together.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at January 20, 2024 04:36 PM (hH3Px)

2 I just started stitching a new Mill Hill Bead and Button project. It's a very attractive daffodils and I hope to have it done in a few weeks, just in time for spring. I had planted a few daffodils bulbs behind my bookstore, and they were always so beautiful in the spring.

Posted by: Captain Josepha Sabin -- I stand with Israel and all Jews everywhere at January 20, 2024 04:39 PM (6TzTY)

3 I haven't started yet, but Mrs VIA has mentioned putting casings up around the interior of all the windows, to allow for the proper hanging of drapes.

I see mention of simple casing plans, as well as something to do with finished drywall returns.

So I'm guessing that this could get complicated.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at January 20, 2024 04:42 PM (hH3Px)

4 Welcome Hobbiests
Still plugging along on Artillery horses for my Napoleonic 15mm armies, it takes a lot of hours to finish one and have only been working on the horses and riders. Then will start on the limbers.

Posted by: Skip at January 20, 2024 04:44 PM (fwDg9)

5
No hobbying or crafting this week, just bodging.

*whispers to aide*

"What's bodging?"

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at January 20, 2024 04:51 PM (MoZTd)

6 I see mention of simple casing plans, as well as something to do with finished drywall returns.

So I'm guessing that this could get complicated.
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice
------
Depends on whether you use the aggregation of prebought trim or you actually try to make your own monolithic trim via a router/shaper.

Best not to use plaster, etc. if you ever plan on replacing window sashes.

Posted by: whig at January 20, 2024 04:53 PM (gvoQe)

7 Looks like it will look good, and I just love the look that plinth blocks bring, to tie the casing and baseboards together.
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice
-----
Interesting project and I am guessing you have a classic type house. Did not see your upstream comment so you obviously know your way around a woodshop.

Posted by: whig at January 20, 2024 04:54 PM (gvoQe)

8 Watching painting video, fascinating but didn't seem to explain the paint make up.

Posted by: Skip at January 20, 2024 04:54 PM (fwDg9)

9 I suppose you can buy already decorated plinth blocks at wood supply stores. With rosettes for instance.

Posted by: Skip at January 20, 2024 04:56 PM (fwDg9)

10 Stone barn guy, dang.

Posted by: Eromero at January 20, 2024 04:56 PM (w34GY)

11 Afternoon, all,

I've made a hobby out of shaving. Not so much the process itself, though I've come to enjoy it since I began on the path of the safety razor, brush, and soap or cream. It's the selection of the various elements for an esthetic experience. This morning, I chose one of my two "slant" razors, a vintage German Hoffritz, loaded with an Astra blade; a boar brush; Palmolive cream. Both the Hoffritz brand and Palmolive cream were mentioned in separate James Bond books, so that's fun in itself.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 20, 2024 04:58 PM (omVj0)

12 I just started a new hobby of interacting with the government.

Filed to renew wife's green card.
Filed for early Social Security.
(my minor kid can get a check too!)
Getting ready to file FAFSA form for Pell Grants for older kid
Just got tax forms, need to prepare to file.

Should keep me occupied for a month or two.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 20, 2024 04:59 PM (Angsy)

13 9 I suppose you can buy already decorated plinth blocks at wood supply stores. With rosettes for instance.
Posted by: Skip
-------
Etsy also has a lot of that stuff along with Ebay and Amazon. Then there are the faux types also available which if painted work about as well.

Posted by: whig at January 20, 2024 05:00 PM (gvoQe)

14 And I've received a new vintage pipe, a Butz-Choquin (French make) in the shape called Dublin, lightly bent. It looks so nice I kind of hate to bring a match anywhere near it. Eventually I will; waiting for a good occasion, I guess. Then there will be the choice of what tobacco to try in it.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 20, 2024 05:00 PM (omVj0)

15 hiya

Posted by: JT at January 20, 2024 05:01 PM (T4tVD)

16 10 Stone barn guy, dang.
Posted by: Eromero
------
Requires quite a few mostly forgotten techniques. Not too many true stonemasons around anymore and that is increasingly true of brick and concrete masons as well.

Posted by: whig at January 20, 2024 05:02 PM (gvoQe)

17 12 I just started a new hobby of interacting with the government.
Posted by: OrangeEnt
---------
Hope all works out well.

Posted by: whig at January 20, 2024 05:04 PM (gvoQe)

18 Still doing Bible word searches. I've really come to about the end of the book, when the well known stories, references
or people are gone and what is left is "Joash" and" Naboth", both of which I had to look up because I couldn't recall who they were.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at January 20, 2024 05:07 PM (Ki//m)

19 Lots of outside stuff I want to do but it's cold out

Posted by: Skip at January 20, 2024 05:08 PM (fwDg9)

20 My wife's hobby is currently renovating the master bed and bath and we are nearing completion. Only problem has been weather and today is certainly not a good tile cutting day using a wetsaw.

Built in storage is going to compensate for furniture as we shrank the master bedroom by about one foot to enlarge the master bath. Just finished with drywall work and waiting to install tile before finishing the rest of the bathroom.

Posted by: whig at January 20, 2024 05:08 PM (gvoQe)

21 Lots of outside stuff I want to do but it's cold out
Posted by: Skip at January 20, 2024

***
Yeah, the Buick needs a bath but it's a bit chilly and will be through tomorrow. At Christmastime I bought new rims, and they look great. But since then with rain and then cold, I have yet to do a complete detail on the body, tires, and wheels.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 20, 2024 05:10 PM (omVj0)

22 Starting a new hobby this past week (as if I don't have enough already) - vintage pen restoration. I've always used fountain pens, and older ones always require some maintenance, but this has been my first dive into fully restoring an old junker. I started with a crusty mess, and ended up with a nicely-functioning Esterbrook SJ. Well, I shouldn't say "ended up" since it isn't completely done yet, but it looks pretty good and it works. I then found myself browsing on eBay and bought a couple box lots of old junk fountain pens, so that should keep me busy until spring.

Posted by: Pennsyltucky at January 20, 2024 05:12 PM (Npnb7)

23 No one nooded so left us in the Pet corner.

Posted by: Ciampino - Cat-wrangling is not easy! at January 20, 2024 05:15 PM (qfLjt)

24 I haven't started yet, but Mrs VIA has mentioned putting casings up around the interior of all the windows, to allow for the proper hanging of drapes.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice

So, in other words, you're casing the joint?

Posted by: Tonypete at January 20, 2024 05:18 PM (qoGsy)

25 Just drug all my fishing gear out from under the basement stairs, there is a ton of it. Wife is in favor of this since the living room and kitchen table aren't buried under it now.

Did not realize how much gear I own.

Posted by: irongrampa at January 20, 2024 05:18 PM (KATBx)

26 Built in storage is going to compensate for furniture as we shrank the master bedroom by about one foot to enlarge the master bath. Just finished with drywall work and waiting to install tile before finishing the rest of the bathroom.
Posted by: whig at January 20, 2024 05:08 PM (gvoQe)

Caught a bit of a Bob Vila This Old House. Norm was using biscuit joinery. Don't hear much about those anymore. I guess they don't work well in the long run.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 20, 2024 05:20 PM (Angsy)

27 Requires quite a few mostly forgotten techniques. Not too many true stonemasons around anymore and that is increasingly true of brick and concrete masons as well.
Posted by: whig

The farmhouse at our old homestead had 2 ft. thick stone walls. When it was time to hire a mason to remove the skim coat of cement/plaster and repoint the entire thing, we had to interview 5-6 'masons' to find one that honestly knew what he was doing.

He did a great job and a few years later we had the same outfit take care of the stone ends of the barn. Super expensive but darn well worth it.

Posted by: Tonypete at January 20, 2024 05:22 PM (qoGsy)

28 Lots of talent out there!

Egg Tempera Jesus looks a little chubby and constipated.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at January 20, 2024 05:23 PM (R/m4+)

29 Thanks for including the videos on painting with egg tempera think Andrew Wyeth sometimes used that) and the basics on setting up a small loom. Not sure I have the patience to set up a loom but the process is interesting like many fiber arts matters. Achieving such wonderful results with such simple tools is amazing.

I'll watch the videos later. The thread would be over before I finished them.

Posted by: JTB at January 20, 2024 05:23 PM (zudum)

30 I have used biscuit joinery a bunch and have had great results

Posted by: Ben Had at January 20, 2024 05:24 PM (24bZD)

31 Caught a bit of a Bob Vila This Old House. Norm was using biscuit joinery. Don't hear much about those anymore. I guess they don't work well in the long run.
Posted by: OrangeEnt
-------
They work okay especially if the joint is not under high stress. I prefer dowels, dovetails, and dadoes myself and Festool has a new joinery type of what they call dominos (biscuit joint on steriods).

Posted by: whig at January 20, 2024 05:25 PM (gvoQe)

32 That Madonna and Child reminds me too much of that amateurish attempt at fixing an fresco.

http://tinyurl.com/4ph9ctwu

Posted by: Ciampino - Al Fresco was a restaurant & bar in Durban at January 20, 2024 05:25 PM (qfLjt)

33 25 ... "Just drug all my fishing gear out from under the basement stairs, there is a ton of it. Wife is in favor of this since the living room and kitchen table aren't buried under it now.

Did not realize how much gear I own."

irongrampa,
I'm convinced the fishing gear, like reloading components, reproduce while we aren't looking.

Posted by: JTB at January 20, 2024 05:27 PM (zudum)

34 My hobbies are computing and electronics. This week I did some unplanned and unexpected distro-hopping when my prior Linux rolling release got an update that killed everything.

I've settled on the Xfce version of Mint for the laptop, and so far, everything seems like it's going smoothly.

Posted by: Rusty Nail at January 20, 2024 05:27 PM (5TnFr)

35 The farmhouse at our old homestead had 2 ft. thick stone walls. When it was time to hire a mason to remove the skim coat of cement/plaster and repoint the entire thing, we had to interview 5-6 'masons' to find one that honestly knew what he was doing.

He did a great job and a few years later we had the same outfit take care of the stone ends of the barn. Super expensive but darn well worth it.
Posted by: Tonypete
------------
Sounds beautiful. Thermal mass probably made for pretty comfortable and quiet inside as well.

I've repointed masonry joints but working with stone is unpredictable compared with brick or even concrete block. Takes some experience where to cleave and shape without ruining the stone and adhesion to stone of the mortar can be a problem area.

Posted by: whig at January 20, 2024 05:28 PM (gvoQe)

36 Just got in from cold garage working on the Corvair. Managed to stand it for 4 hours, feets are cold, though 2 pairs of socks. Replaced clutch cable yesterday, didn't even know it was pinched in one spot by a pulley until I could get all the way under in the middle to see it. Cut and installed 3 piece "tunnel" cover that has been missing for who knows how long. Came out nice and neat. I like cutting and messing with sheet metal. I used left over metal roofing material from when I installed it on garage.

Need to finish up a little painting under there and install some rubber bushings on front end. I'll probably go to town to buy some tomorrow. Then, after lubing front end, changing gear oil, I can put on wheels and drop it back down on ground. Progress slow, but sure.

Posted by: Air-cooled Al at January 20, 2024 05:29 PM (V5BDR)

37 I have a biscuit joiner, use it sometimes

Posted by: Skip at January 20, 2024 05:30 PM (fwDg9)

38 I've started again trying to learn Hebrew. It would go better if I wasn't as dumb as the Hebrew word for rock.

Posted by: Northernlurker at January 20, 2024 05:30 PM (kSHhA)

39 I like cutting and messing with sheet metal. I used left over metal roofing material from when I installed it on garage.
. . .
Posted by: Air-cooled Al

You know, the world could use a few more versions of The Muffler Man in front yards.

Just an idea. . .

Posted by: Tonypete at January 20, 2024 05:32 PM (qoGsy)

40 I have a Japanese friend. Maybe she could teach me Japanese.

Posted by: Northernlurker at January 20, 2024 05:32 PM (kSHhA)

41 I have a Japanese friend. Maybe she could teach me Japanese.
Posted by: Northernlurker

You really think so?

hehe

Posted by: Tonypete at January 20, 2024 05:33 PM (qoGsy)

42 14 ... "And I've received a new vintage pipe, a Butz-Choquin (French make) in the shape called Dublin, lightly bent. "

I like the Dublin style partly because it usually has a thicker wall bowl which smokes cool and fits my hand comfortably. Congrats on the Butz-Choquin. I have one in a sort of calabash style and it is is a great smoke. I'm curious what blend you'll use to baptize it.

Posted by: JTB at January 20, 2024 05:34 PM (zudum)

43 >>The farmhouse at our old homestead had 2 ft. thick stone walls. When it was time to hire a mason to remove the skim coat of cement/plaster and repoint the entire thing, we had to interview 5-6 'masons' to find one that honestly knew what he was doing.

My parent's 1st farmhouse was built on a stone foundation with a massive stove chimney in the center of the house. It was so big it had a tunnel through the center to get from one side of the basement to the other. Every room in the original house was built around the chimney and there was a fireplace in every room which was nice since when it was originally built they used corncobs for insulation.

The place hadn't been lived in decades and the foundation and chimney needed a lot of rebuilding and repointing. Took a long time to find someone who knew what they were doing.

Posted by: JackStraw at January 20, 2024 05:36 PM (ZLI7S)

44 I have used biscuit joinery a bunch and have had great results
Posted by: Ben Had at January 20, 2024 05:24 PM (24bZD)

They work okay especially if the joint is not under high stress. I prefer dowels, dovetails, and dadoes myself and Festool has a new joinery type of what they call dominos (biscuit joint on steriods).
Posted by: whig at January 20, 2024 05:25 PM (gvoQe)

I have a biscuit joiner, use it sometimes
Posted by: Skip at January 20, 2024 05:30 PM (fwDg9)

I had read somewhere that after a time, they end up swelling too much and loosen the joint. I remember they were all the rage before, now not so much.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 20, 2024 05:37 PM (Angsy)

45 I've started again trying to learn Hebrew. It would go better if I wasn't as dumb as the Hebrew word for rock.
Posted by: Northernlurker at January 20, 2024 05:30 PM (kSHhA)

Meshugganah!

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at January 20, 2024 05:42 PM (R/m4+)

46 26 ... "Caught a bit of a Bob Vila This Old House. Norm was using biscuit joinery. Don't hear much about those anymore. I guess they don't work well in the long run."

I remember seeing him use the biscuit joiner but when I did woodworking I preferred using hand tools. Learning to cut close fitting dovetails was difficult but they were great when I did it right. I made a number of picture frames using a half lap that could be done with a saw and chisels which have been very stable. Good wood glue is our friend.

Posted by: JTB at January 20, 2024 05:43 PM (zudum)

47 I put together a 3 shelf rolling tray from Harbor Fright.
They were so pleased with my purchase they gave me a
6" hand held grinder. I was going to take the torque wrench
but I have much less occasion to use one than that little grinder.

Posted by: Braenyard at January 20, 2024 05:47 PM (6Tbhy)

48 Since I sold The Toy there's no longer anything to really play with so naturally I've been kinda sorta nosing around the used vehicle market. Surprise, not 5 miles away is a 1943 Willys MB Army jeep for sale. It's in basket case form and the owner waffles quite a bit about price. Been nudging him gently and think finally he might be close to agreeing to my offer.

We had an Army jeep that dad kept until I enlisted so I'm pretty well checked out on them, having done the maintenance on ours growing up.

Another toy to play with.

Posted by: irongrampa at January 20, 2024 05:47 PM (KATBx)

49 The place hadn't been lived in decades and the foundation and chimney needed a lot of rebuilding and repointing. Took a long time to find someone who knew what they were doing.
Posted by: JackStraw
-------
Foundation work and chimney work are some of the most difficult tasks to do right in the first place, let alone in stone.

Posted by: whig at January 20, 2024 05:48 PM (gvoQe)

50 Just got back from the tire shop, got the new rims and KO2's on the Pilot.

Quit a better ride than the old setup.

Its seems I'm futzing with cars more than anything else these days.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at January 20, 2024 05:50 PM (XV/Pl)

51 Just finishing up 96 home made plinth blocks ripped from 2x4's and 330 foot of shoe molding in the upstairs.

Looks like it will look good, and I just love the look that plinth blocks bring, to tie the casing and baseboards together.
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice

I have plinth blocks in my house around the crown molding ande casings. I agree with you, it pops. Plus, you doin't have to mess with the coping saw as much.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory, red heifer owner at January 20, 2024 05:51 PM (R4t5M)

52 I had read somewhere that after a time, they end up swelling too much and loosen the joint. I remember they were all the rage before, now not so much.
Posted by: OrangeEnt
--------
Any joint can loosen over time and with applied loads (like chairs, etc.), but there were also a lot of subpar biscuits being sold of crappy wood that was really porous and traditional wood glues are prone to shrinkage over time.

I use more resin based glues nowadays despite them being pain but got used to them working with gunstocks.

Posted by: whig at January 20, 2024 05:51 PM (gvoQe)

53 have a Japanese friend. Maybe she could teach me Japanese.
Posted by: Northernlurker

You really think so?

hehe
Posted by: Tonypete at January 20, 2024 05:33

How hard would it be for her to teach me cowgirl, doggie and missionary?
I'm sorry. That was inappropriate. We don't have that kind of relationship.

Posted by: Northernlurker at January 20, 2024 05:52 PM (kSHhA)

54 skywatching is kind of a hobby, I can't resist noticing what's going on above me. I'm over in Fort Worth this weekend, always lots of air traffic overhead. Looked up and saw a plane cruising across the city, and knew it was very familiar, so I ran in to look it up - T-38 trainer. But the interesting part was that it had NO markings at all, and was low enough for me to have seen them if it had any. Made me wonder if one of the wealthy around here have purchased a slightly used T-38 just to cruise around in on weekends.

Posted by: Tom Servo at January 20, 2024 05:52 PM (q3gwH)

55 Thanks for the Thread JJ !

Posted by: JT at January 20, 2024 05:53 PM (T4tVD)

56 Just got back from the tire shop, got the new rims and KO2's on the Pilot.

Wolfus, did you get your new wheels?

(Didn't want to say rim job)

Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 20, 2024 05:53 PM (Angsy)

57 I've been watching a YT channel called Classical Odyssey which deals with drawing with a pen. Might be a fountain pen or dip pen. The key is to do a basic drawing in pencil to get a good outline then to trace that in ink and add all the detail. I've experimented enough to appreciate the very different look between graphite and ink. They are both expressive but distinct.

Lot of good tips about the pens, nibs, and inks.

Posted by: JTB at January 20, 2024 05:53 PM (zudum)

58 Surprise, not 5 miles away is a 1943 Willys MB Army jeep for sale. It's in basket case form and the owner waffles quite a bit about price. Been nudging him gently and think finally he might be close to agreeing to my offer.

We had an Army jeep that dad kept until I enlisted so I'm pretty well checked out on them, having done the maintenance on ours growing up.

Another toy to play with.
Posted by: irongrampa
------
The stories that jeep could probably tell.

Posted by: whig at January 20, 2024 05:53 PM (gvoQe)

59 I like the Dublin style partly because it usually has a thicker wall bowl which smokes cool and fits my hand comfortably. Congrats on the Butz-Choquin. I have one in a sort of calabash style and it is is a great smoke. I'm curious what blend you'll use to baptize it.
Posted by: JTB at January 20, 2024

***
JTB, the traditional thought in such things, as I'm sure you know, is to smoke Virginia tobaccos in a Dublin. Supposedly the flavor becomes more concentrated the farther down the bowl you go, because of the gently conical shape. Since I usually don't smoke a bowl all the way to the bottom, and I have the sensitive palate of an ailing groundhog, I wouldn't know.

I could try Capstan Blue, maybe stick with my beloved Sir Walter Raleigh, or go with St. Bruno or Amphora Full Aroma.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 20, 2024 05:54 PM (omVj0)

60 41 I have a Japanese friend. Maybe she could teach me Japanese.
Posted by: Northernlurker

You really think so?

hehe
Posted by: Tonypete at January 20, 2024 05:33 PM (qoGsy)

I think I'm learning Japanese I think I'm learning Japanese I really think so.

Posted by: Tom Servo at January 20, 2024 05:55 PM (q3gwH)

61 47 I put together a 3 shelf rolling tray from Harbor Fright.
They were so pleased with my purchase they gave me a
6" hand held grinder. I was going to take the torque wrench
but I have much less occasion to use one than that little grinder.
Posted by: Braenyard
-----------
Useful for stone and concrete work. Some people can use grinders for all sorts of sculpture work in metal or even wood.

Posted by: whig at January 20, 2024 05:55 PM (gvoQe)

62 >>Foundation work and chimney work are some of the most difficult tasks to do right in the first place, let alone in stone.

My dad found an old Italian mason who had 2 helpers doing the heavy stuff but he was the artist. It was impressive watching him work. Spoke very little English but managed to get his point across to his crew.

My dad and I did a lot of work on the place but stonework was way out of our league.

Posted by: JackStraw at January 20, 2024 05:55 PM (ZLI7S)

63 I have to say that I have been more than happy with the lift table purchased from Harbor Freight.

Posted by: Ben Had at January 20, 2024 05:56 PM (24bZD)

64 The bathroom in the RV garage now has a working toilet.
The sink with faucet had a bit of a setback in that I bought lag bolt that are to short by about 3". DOH!
The small sink in the second kitchen almost has a drain. The tail pipe had a wide part at the top which prevents the nuts from seating. Sigh, straight sided tail pipe ordered.
The rest of the plumbing in 17g chrome looks really nice though!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at January 20, 2024 05:56 PM (hcnLe)

65 I've made a hobby out of shaving. Not so much the process itself, though I've come to enjoy it since I began on the path of the safety razor, brush, and soap or cream. It's the selection of the various elements for an esthetic experience. This morning, I chose one of my two "slant" razors, a vintage German Hoffritz, loaded with an Astra blade; a boar brush; Palmolive cream. Both the Hoffritz brand and Palmolive cream were mentioned in separate James Bond books, so that's fun in itself.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 20, 2024 04:58 PM (omVj0)

One of my brother's hobbies is skincare. He sent me and Little samples of Proraso, an Italian shaving line of preshave and shave cream. Made believers out of us, I'll tell you what!

Posted by: Joe Kidd at January 20, 2024 05:56 PM (NAi0z)

66 Just got back from the tire shop, got the new rims and KO2's on the Pilot.

Wolfus, did you get your new wheels?

(Didn't want to say rim job)
Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 20, 2024

***
Hullo, OE, sure did; my shop was at last able to get me in two days before New Year's. Oil change, tire rotation, and putting the new rims on. They look great and have changed the look of the car -- subtly, but enough that I have occasionally looked at the car in a parking lot at a distance and said, "That's not mine. Wait, it is!"

The brand is Rial, made in Poland. Same 18" size as before.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 20, 2024 05:57 PM (omVj0)

67 Why would a biscuit swell up inside a wood connection? If the wood is getting moisture it's has other issues.

Posted by: Skip at January 20, 2024 05:57 PM (fwDg9)

68 I've been watching a YT channel called Classical Odyssey which deals with drawing with a pen. Might be a fountain pen or dip pen. The key is to do a basic drawing in pencil to get a good outline then to trace that in ink and add all the detail. I've experimented enough to appreciate the very different look between graphite and ink. They are both expressive but distinct.

Lot of good tips about the pens, nibs, and inks.
Posted by: JTB at January 20, 2024 05:53 PM (zudum)

Townsends just posted a new vid about pens a few days ago.

http://tinyurl.com/7jhsanca

Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 20, 2024 05:57 PM (Angsy)

69 One of my brother's hobbies is skincare. He sent me and Little samples of Proraso, an Italian shaving line of preshave and shave cream. Made believers out of us, I'll tell you what!
Posted by: Joe Kidd at January 20, 2024

***
Yes indeed! Proraso (which simply means "For Shaving") is a great brand. I don't care for some of their aftershaves, as those have glycerin in them and leave my face feeling sticky, but they smell great. And the shaving cream from the tube is grand. I need to get some more.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 20, 2024 05:58 PM (omVj0)

70 Very recently used mine at work connecting wood capping for a knee wall, had to connect a few pieces together

Posted by: Skip at January 20, 2024 05:59 PM (fwDg9)

71 >>> It's in basket case form and the owner waffles quite a bit about price. Been nudging him gently and think finally he might be close to agreeing to my offer.
------------------

Great uncle was a...buyer and seller of things. He would take dad, a young lad, with him. Said uncle would make an offer then haggle a little. At the point of no sale he would go across the street, buy a newspaper, stand there and read it. Then he would just stand there.
Said the seller would come across the street and say, 'take it'.

Posted by: Braenyard at January 20, 2024 06:00 PM (6Tbhy)

72 I have to say that I have been more than happy with the lift table purchased from Harbor Freight.
Posted by: Ben Had at January 20, 2024 05:56 PM (24bZD)

My Chicago Industries hammer drill has paid for itself a few times over.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory, red heifer owner at January 20, 2024 06:02 PM (R4t5M)

73 Our vehicles both have towing capacity of 5000lbs and we don't really believe we want to tow a 2500lb camping trailer behind either of them.
So this week we bought a 2012 Toyota Tundra double cab with the 4.6L V8, it has a tow hitch and a 4 pin plug. The camper needs a 7 pin. Hmmm... lots of research this morning and afternoon. I know what to look for now to see if it is prewired or if I really have to go to work. Wish me luck.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at January 20, 2024 06:02 PM (hcnLe)

74 I like the Dublin style partly because it usually has a thicker wall bowl which smokes cool and fits my hand comfortably. . . .
Posted by: JTB at January 20, 2024

***
JTB, this one is not huge, but is shaped interestingly with a kind of crisped edge to the heel. (For non-pipe people, the heel is the bottom of the pipe's bowl. Sometimes it can be flattened so that the pipe will sit upright without toppling.) The pics on eBay made it look orange-ish, but in my lighting it's more of a warm chestnut brown color, with a black stem. Both parts look as if a Tinder Box clerk had handed it to me in the 1980s, brand new, and said, "This is the latest from BC."

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 20, 2024 06:04 PM (omVj0)

75 I am going to be cutting quills into pens. It is a complicated skill, but once you get one, you are on your way to understanding why cursive handwriting is written the way it is.

I got some feathers years ago, and I had tried my hand at dutching them to be useful, but since that ruined them all, I just let them sit for a couple of years to age naturally.

chicken and turkey, I am afraid. I am still trying to source goose quills.

Posted by: Kindltot at January 20, 2024 06:05 PM (D7oie)

76 I could try Capstan Blue, maybe stick with my beloved Sir Walter Raleigh, or go with St. Bruno or Amphora Full Aroma.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 20, 2024 05:54 PM (omVj0)

Aromatics? You could try Old Dublin in your New Dublin

Posted by: mrp at January 20, 2024 06:06 PM (rj6Yv)

77 @58

Problem with the stories those jeeps could tell (bet there were some dillys) is there is very little provenance with them. For the gross number produced, the vast majority of survivors was in the non combat sections. The actual survival rate for the vehicle was 90 days in combat. It's a tribute to the overall quality of them that so many really DID last well into this century.

Posted by: irongrampa at January 20, 2024 06:07 PM (KATBx)

78 Miss Linda should be here in about forty minutes; we're going out to our favorite coffee shop/grill. She's going to want me to walk around looking at the Christmas lights (which might still be up) in the historic district there. I don't think so -- temps are in the 40s and dropping.

The city might well have put up some Mardi Gras lights, which will be different. (People here think purple, green, and gold -- the trad Carnival colors -- go together, and will even eat things those colors.)

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 20, 2024 06:08 PM (omVj0)

79 I can't really "hobby" right now. It's 8 fucking degrees and my ability to deal with it and smoke a tasty cigar and drink tasty Bourbon or Scotch is severely limited.

NOT impossible.

Limited.

There's a difference. And I'm not one to suffer. Although I do most days. For other reasons.

As you were...

Posted by: Martini Farmer at January 20, 2024 06:09 PM (Q4IgG)

80 Aromatics? You could try Old Dublin in your New Dublin
Posted by: mrp at January 20, 2024

***
Peterson's blend, Old Dublin? How strong is that stuff?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 20, 2024 06:09 PM (omVj0)

81 59 ... "I could try Capstan Blue, maybe stick with my beloved Sir Walter Raleigh, or go with St. Bruno or Amphora Full Aroma."

Wolfus,
I normally smoke to the bottom of the bowl but I'm not fanatical about it and my tastes for blends are all over the place. I wonder if a good Navy flake would suit you. My current favorite is the Stokkebye Luxury Navy Flake. It's a VaPer blend with a bit of rum which comes through as the bowl smokes down. Usually costs a bit more so I save it as a treat.

Posted by: JTB at January 20, 2024 06:10 PM (zudum)

82 Yes indeed! Proraso (which simply means "For Shaving") is a great brand. I don't care for some of their aftershaves, as those have glycerin in them and leave my face feeling sticky, but they smell great. And the shaving cream from the tube is grand. I need to get some more.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 20, 2024 05:58 PM (omVj0)

I have a brand new tub of Proraso Green sitting on my soap shelf, ready to go. It's a great soap if one is in a hurry. A couple of swirls with the brush and you're all set.

The "green" aftershave isn't sticky for me. I like the eucalyptus component and the scent is work-friendly.

Posted by: mrp at January 20, 2024 06:11 PM (rj6Yv)

83 Aromatics? You could try Old Dublin in your New Dublin
Posted by: mrp at January 20, 2024

***
I have some Peterson Sherlock Holmes blend, but that stuff is kinda strong for me. I have to mix it with something milder. Maybe their Early Morning Pipe would work.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 20, 2024 06:11 PM (omVj0)

84 Kindltot, I can get you some hawk and buzzard quills if you want?

Posted by: Ben Had at January 20, 2024 06:12 PM (24bZD)

85 It's a tribute to the overall quality of them that so many really DID last well into this century.
Posted by: irongrampa

Talked to a guy out by the Colorado river who belongs to a atv club (they waste fuel by driving all over the desert). They were driving around Patton's WWII tank training area and found the top of a metal windshield sticking up out of a wash.
The went back and exhumed an entire jeep, research actually showed the 2 GIs in the jeep were able to get out safely when a flash flood engulfed the jeep. They gave the jeep to the Patton museum.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at January 20, 2024 06:12 PM (hcnLe)

86 temps are in the 40s and dropping.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius
-----

You people and your fancy Spring weather, luxury.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at January 20, 2024 06:13 PM (XeU6L)

87 Peterson's blend, Old Dublin? How strong is that stuff?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 20, 2024 06:09 PM (omVj0)

Not very strong. I'd say about the same as the Proper English, but I prefer smoking PE.

Posted by: mrp at January 20, 2024 06:13 PM (rj6Yv)

88 I wonder if a good Navy flake would suit you. My current favorite is the Stokkebye Luxury Navy Flake. It's a VaPer blend with a bit of rum which comes through as the bowl smokes down. Usually costs a bit more so I save it as a treat.
Posted by: JTB at January 20, 2024

***
I think I did try a sample of LNF once. I liked their Luxury Twist Flake, though.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 20, 2024 06:14 PM (omVj0)

89 68

Townsends just posted a new vid about pens a few days ago.

http://tinyurl.com/7jhsanca
Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 20, 2024 05:57 PM (Angsy)
----------------

Thank you for that. I have a pile of turkey feathers in my fly-tying toolbox that I'm going to experiment with.

Posted by: Pennsyltucky at January 20, 2024 06:16 PM (Npnb7)

90 Kindltot Amazon has them of course but would try Ben's

Posted by: Skip at January 20, 2024 06:17 PM (fwDg9)

91 My dad found an old Italian mason who had 2 helpers doing the heavy stuff but he was the artist. It was impressive watching him work. Spoke very little English but managed to get his point across to his crew.

My dad and I did a lot of work on the place but stonework was way out of our league.
Posted by: JackStraw
-----------
Makes sense. Italy has a lot of very beautiful stone structures and they require pretty bomb proof stone work due to earthquakes up and down the peninsula.

Posted by: whig at January 20, 2024 06:17 PM (gvoQe)

92 temps are in the 40s and dropping.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius
-----

You people and your fancy Spring weather, luxury.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at January 20, 2024

***
I know; Da Swamp's winter is like most Northern climes' spring. Since I've lost some weight with this keto-like diet, I'm feeling the cold a little more. We stopped at a local coffee shop this morning. It felt as if they still had the A/C running (with an outside temp of 36), and I kept my coat on.

The only plus is that I may feel the heat less. But I plan for this to be The Retirement and Relocation Year, so I may not be here for the entire ten months of SUMMER.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 20, 2024 06:17 PM (omVj0)

93 >>>The camper needs a 7 pin. Hmmm... lots of research this morning and afternoon. I know what to look for now to see if it is prewired or if I really have to go to work. Wish me luck.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron
------------------------

I think you can buy a plug in adapter.

Posted by: Braenyard at January 20, 2024 06:17 PM (6Tbhy)

94 Thank you for that. I have a pile of turkey feathers in my fly-tying toolbox that I'm going to experiment with.
Posted by: Pennsyltucky at January 20, 2024 06:16 PM (Npnb7)

It's a long one. A lot about writing and stuff too, not just making pens. Not even sure if it goes into that. Jon had an earlier vid that does, though.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 20, 2024 06:19 PM (Angsy)

95 Not very strong. I'd say about the same as the Proper English, but I prefer smoking PE.
Posted by: mrp at January 20, 2024

***

On Smokingpipes' site, they have both listed with a strength of three dots out of five. But they said the same about Sherlock Holmes -- and the back of the tin lists it as a four, and it did not agree with me when I smoked it by itself.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 20, 2024 06:19 PM (omVj0)

96 68 ... "Townsends just posted a new vid about pens a few days ago."

Orange Ent,

I think that is a compilation of several episodes Townsends did a few years ago. I think they also offer it as a DVD. There was a LOT of information in those episodes. Writing with a quill is an acquired skill as is cutting one. It's a different feel even compared to a steel dip pen.

I read somewhere that Thomas Jefferson took many dozens of quills, cut to his preference, when he went to France.

Posted by: JTB at January 20, 2024 06:22 PM (zudum)

97 Problem with the stories those jeeps could tell (bet there were some dillys) is there is very little provenance with them. For the gross number produced, the vast majority of survivors was in the non combat sections. The actual survival rate for the vehicle was 90 days in combat. It's a tribute to the overall quality of them that so many really DID last well into this century.
Posted by: irongrampa
----------
If you care to dig around national archives sites in person, quite a bit of material has been found on all sorts of military purchases including individual serial numbers. I remember reading an Ordnance report from the 1890's specifying Swedish Steel be used to make Krag barrels and receivers at Springfield Armory. The military does so love its reports that a lot of the backstory of military arms from the last century has been uncovered through use of archives down to which Krag serial numbers were issued to units going to Cuba in the Spanish American War.

The guy that runs Springfield Research Services has made a career out of tracing out where US firearms from Springfield Arsenal have been.

Posted by: whig at January 20, 2024 06:23 PM (gvoQe)

98 So this week we bought a 2012 Toyota Tundra double cab with the 4.6L V8, it has a tow hitch and a 4 pin plug. The camper needs a 7 pin. Hmmm... lots of research this morning and afternoon. I know what to look for now to see if it is prewired or if I really have to go to work. Wish me luck.
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at January 20, 2024 06:02 PM (hcnLe)

4-pin plugs are used for trailers without electric brakes or anything other than standard trailer lights. 7-pin have a wire for electric brakes from the brake controller in the tow vehicle, plus a ground, and an always-hot wire to charge the trailer's house battery, and break-away device battery, if so equipped.

That sort of thing is right in my wheelhouse, so if you want some assistance, I am available.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at January 20, 2024 06:25 PM (tkR6S)

99 Egg tempera is a wondrous medium.
I've used it to paint ["write"] icons.

Posted by: Question Authority bumper sticker at January 20, 2024 06:25 PM (Rj4/p)

100 The "green" aftershave isn't sticky for me. I like the eucalyptus component and the scent is work-friendly.
Posted by: mrp at January 20, 2024

***
You're right; I noticed the stickiness less with the green aftershave. I have a bottle of the golden stuff, the sandalwood (?), and I use it after I shave but before I hop in the shower. (Yes, I shave first. Peculiar, I know; stipulated.)

After the shower, my aftershave is a mix of Clubman's Special Reserve, the strong brown stuff, and Midnight Stag from Chiseled Face. Then some Clubman powder, and I'm ready for breakfast.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 20, 2024 06:25 PM (omVj0)

101 My g-g-grandfather and g-g-g-grandfather were stone masons in England. It is gratifying that I can poke around the internet and actually see some examples of their actual work.

An amusing aside, for whatever reason, my g-g-grandfather did some work on the roof of the Beverley Stonemasons Guild Hall. Apparently he took advantage of the moment to trace his shoe outline in the lead roofing, signed and dated. Don't recall the date offhand, mid 1800's.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at January 20, 2024 06:26 PM (XeU6L)

102 I think you can buy a plug in adapter.
Posted by: Braenyard

I will if it is wired but not connected, otherwise I have to run wires from battery (engine compartment) and brake controller (inside cab) to the hitch.
I'm really hoping Toyota just deleted the connector harness when they opted for no tow package.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at January 20, 2024 06:27 PM (hcnLe)

103
That sort of thing is right in my wheelhouse, so if you want some assistance, I am available.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon

Thanks, I'll know more after I crawl around and check for existing connectors.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at January 20, 2024 06:28 PM (hcnLe)

104 Ebay has goose quills.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at January 20, 2024 06:28 PM (L8hCM)

105 I think that is a compilation of several episodes Townsends did a few years ago. I think they also offer it as a DVD. There was a LOT of information in those episodes. Writing with a quill is an acquired skill as is cutting one. It's a different feel even compared to a steel dip pen.

I read somewhere that Thomas Jefferson took many dozens of quills, cut to his preference, when he went to France.
Posted by: JTB at January 20, 2024 06:22 PM (zudum)

You're probably write! Heh. I didn't watch it because it was 58 minutes. I know it was featuring someone else. Jon did the other ones, I can't remember. I know he did them on pens, ink, sending letters, etc.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 20, 2024 06:28 PM (Angsy)

106 Mike Hammer, what wonderful memory. I hope you continue to pass it on.

Posted by: Ben Had at January 20, 2024 06:28 PM (24bZD)

107 Kindltot, I can get you some hawk and buzzard quills if you want?
Posted by: Ben Had at January 20, 2024 06:12 PM (24bZD)

I would rather deal with turkey and goose feathers, they are more traditional, and are plenty sturdy when they cure. I also don't feel guilty when I botch one of those.

I used to find turkey buzzard feathers up by the road where the deer got hit by cars, and I admit the feathers are lovely, but still the birds smell off, always

Posted by: Kindltot at January 20, 2024 06:30 PM (D7oie)

108 Ebay has goose quills.
Posted by: Notsothoreau
------
That has the ring of some vague insult, like, 'Your mother wears combat boots'.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at January 20, 2024 06:30 PM (XeU6L)

109 75 ... "I am still trying to source goose quills."

John Neale Books and Paper and Ink Arts both sell goose quills, some are cured, some not and cut or uncut. A cured and cut goose quill seems to cost about 12 bucks. Not cheap but they are intended for artists, not decoration.

Another possibility: do you know any goose hunters?

Posted by: JTB at January 20, 2024 06:34 PM (zudum)

110 Mike Hammer, what wonderful memory. I hope you continue to pass it on.
Posted by: Ben Had
------

I have a photo, shared with the family.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at January 20, 2024 06:37 PM (XeU6L)

111 Ebay has goose quills.
Posted by: Notsothoreau
------
That has the ring of some vague insult, like, 'Your mother wears combat boots'.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at January 20, 2024

***
I first read it as "Ebay has goose pills," and wondered what they were supposed to do for you. Or your geese.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 20, 2024 06:37 PM (omVj0)

112 There are a number of turkey and goose flocks around here, I just need to go ask for them when they slaughter, and ask the backyard chicken people to give me feathers when they shed.

There are a couple of different ways to cut a quill, and I have to figure out which works for me. I have gobs of steel nibs that I have been using, and it is time to "level up"

I have a letter my grandmother wrote my dad and mom, all three of them teachers at one point, complaining that my handwriting in high school was terrible, and she supposed they aren't teaching penmanship anymore

Nope, they weren't. And mine was terrible, then. Then I practiced. Also, ballpoints don't force you go have good penmanship.

Posted by: Kindltot at January 20, 2024 06:38 PM (D7oie)

113 Pig feet cooking on the stove currently. Gift from a friend who will be over shortly to see what I did with them. What I'm doing is frying half of them in my cast iron pan, and baking the rest at 350 with a basic BBQ sauce. This after they've all simmered in seasoned water for about 3 hours on the stove. I've eaten pigs feet before. This is my first attempt cooking them. We'll see...

Posted by: Joe Kidd at January 20, 2024 06:38 PM (NAi0z)

114 I first read it as "Ebay has goose pills," and wondered what they were supposed to do for you. Or your geese.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius
----

Works like grease.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at January 20, 2024 06:38 PM (XeU6L)

115 Personally I would want a pheasant quill. It would have more panache.

Posted by: Ben Had at January 20, 2024 06:38 PM (24bZD)

116 My bodging activity for today was install an electrical box and 2-pole 20-Amp switch on the bandsaw table to control power to the bandsaw. I traced the outline of a metal switch box (salvaged from old wiring in this house) on the side of the metal cabinet, and cut an oblong hole using a half-inch drill at the corners, and the ends and sides cut with a cutoff wheel on my angle grinder. The switch box was a tight fit in the hole, and I pushed it through until the front edge was almost flush, and then tack-welded it at the corners. Wired the switch and installed it in the box; wires go through a bushing. Put a plug on the end of the supply wire. Plugged it in, and it works. Painted the metal switch cover with bright red paint. It looks spiffy now. Next job is to mount the bench grinder and drill press on two of the remaining corners of the table. Drill press will go diagonally opposite the bandsaw, so its column won't interfere with work being cut on the saw. Bench grinder should be low enough for saw work to pass over it.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at January 20, 2024 06:39 PM (tkR6S)

117 Oooh, trotters! You can cut the nails off if you want to be classy.

Posted by: Kindltot at January 20, 2024 06:39 PM (D7oie)

118 My beloved, refined, urbane mother loved pickled pigs feet. Gave me the creeps to watch her gnawing on one of those.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at January 20, 2024 06:42 PM (XeU6L)

119 Ah, the good old days when bars had pickled eggs and pigs feet. Now you get peanuts if you're lucky

Posted by: Ben Had at January 20, 2024 06:45 PM (24bZD)

120 Ah, the good old days when bars had pickled eggs and pigs feet. Now you get peanuts if you're lucky
Posted by: Ben Had
-----

And sausage. Penrose, typically.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at January 20, 2024 06:45 PM (XeU6L)

121 Ktot, they came out of the package pedicured and presplit..

Posted by: Joe Kidd at January 20, 2024 06:47 PM (NAi0z)

122 I'm in the process of re-learning how to play Star Citizen. A steep learning curve.

Posted by: mrp at January 20, 2024 06:49 PM (rj6Yv)

123 How about an ostrich quill?

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at January 20, 2024 06:50 PM (63Dwl)

124
The next round for me to proctor a six hour stretch of slab sawing and cabochon grinding will happen on Monday. As I haven't done it since prior to the holidays, I need to go through my stock of raw materials to have some items to saw into slabs suitable for trying to make an intarsia piece (flat stone pieces shaped and fitted together, then glued to create a "picture". The key is to get the cut width of the slabs thin enough and consistent enough that I won't have to do an extensive amount of grinding the work to get a smooth finished and polished surface.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at January 20, 2024 06:50 PM (xG4kz)

125 How about an ostrich quill?
Posted by: Bertram
--------
Classy.

How about Peacock?

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at January 20, 2024 06:51 PM (XeU6L)

126 120 Ah, the good old days when bars had pickled eggs and pigs feet. Now you get peanuts if you're lucky
Posted by: Ben Had
-----

And sausage. Penrose, typically.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at January 20, 2024 06:45 PM (XeU6L)

And the entire outing, including gratuity, set you back about 25 bucks. Less if it was happy hour...

Posted by: Joe Kidd at January 20, 2024 06:53 PM (NAi0z)

127 My grandfather was a mason and worked on the Chrysler Building in NY. He was killed by a hit-and -run driver on his way home from work.

Posted by: IrishEi at January 20, 2024 06:53 PM (PPLn4)

128 Paul failed to read the rules.
Unexpectedly.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at January 20, 2024 07:00 PM (XeU6L)

129 Apprenticeship was a vital thing .

Posted by: Ben Had at January 20, 2024 07:01 PM (24bZD)

130 Well, I am feeling chilly, and sleepy. I am going to crawl into bed, turn the electric blanket up to "saute", and have a nap.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at January 20, 2024 07:01 PM (tkR6S)

131 I have done very little painting. It's a medium that requires a lot of patience and practice. My friend's dad is a western artist, working with oils.

I am far more in the moment. Lots of pencils and charcoal.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, 3/12 FA at January 20, 2024 07:02 PM (T/Lqj)

132 Apprenticeship was a vital thing .
Posted by: Ben Had
------

I have copies of three generations of apprenticeship papers for my ancients. Actually, they are on file at the East Anglia Archies. My recollection is that the period of apprenticeship was 7 years.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at January 20, 2024 07:04 PM (XeU6L)

133 East Anglia Archies

*Archives

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at January 20, 2024 07:05 PM (XeU6L)

134 Chocolate chip from crumbl cookies X2, por favor!

Posted by: Eromero at January 20, 2024 07:05 PM (w34GY)

135 >>>I have to say that I have been more than happy with the lift table purchased from Harbor Freight.

Posted by: Ben Had

>Harbor Freight is a great resource. Yes, it's mostly cheap Chinese stuff. It's low/medium quality mostly but it's what we buy when we want inexpensive, light duty equipment. Don't go there if you want high quality, heavy duty tools on the cheap.

Plus I never care if somebody steals or breaks any Harbor Freight gear after I'm done using it after my initial purchase. Any further usage is a bonus.

I have a Harbor Freight battery charger/booster that still kicks ass after 20 years and a little electrical tape.

Posted by: Dr. Bone at January 20, 2024 07:05 PM (J3ryZ)

136 The summer house that eventually became the place my folks retired to had a stone fireplace. Over the years, the stones became blackened and they had installed an enclosure that blew heat into the room. Because of the irregular surface presented by the stones, the enclosure didn't really seat properly in the hearth. They finally got a mason to replace the stones with white brick. IIRC, two guys completed the job in about three days.

Posted by: Joe Kidd at January 20, 2024 07:06 PM (NAi0z)

137 Can Paul READ cursive?

Posted by: irongrampa at January 20, 2024 07:07 PM (KATBx)

138 How long to apprentice as a torturer until one becomes a master?

Posted by: TJM's phone at January 20, 2024 07:07 PM (GBKbO)

139 Torquemada level?

Posted by: Eromero at January 20, 2024 07:08 PM (w34GY)

140 I'm on the last phase of making a wall of photos. I may need to make mats because some of the photos are irregular sizes. And by "mats",
I mean ribbon or strips of paper that I weave from edge to edge. I'm not paying another dime for materials!

Posted by: NaughtyPine at January 20, 2024 07:09 PM (xBprd)

141 Just checked the temp, now single digit, 9.9 and falling.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at January 20, 2024 07:10 PM (XeU6L)

142 My beloved, refined, urbane mother loved pickled pigs feet. Gave me the creeps to watch her gnawing on one of those.
Posted by: Mike Hammer

Yeah, my farm-girl mom too. Along with scrapple, souse, hog jowls, red beet eggs and vinegar cucumber salad. I stil l made the red beet eggs.

Her grandpa (Pappy) ran an old time hotel alongside the RR tracks that had a bar and lunch counter on the first floor. He'd let us kids mix birch beer with whatever was on tap about 50/50.

Posted by: Tonypete at January 20, 2024 07:11 PM (qoGsy)

143 How long to apprentice as a torturer until one becomes a master?
Posted by: TJM's phone

Beats me!

Posted by: Tonypete at January 20, 2024 07:12 PM (qoGsy)

144 Yes, it's mostly cheap Chinese stuff. It's low/medium quality mostly but it's what we buy when we want inexpensive, light duty equipment. Don't go there if you want high quality, heavy duty tools on the cheap.

Posted by: Dr. Bone

You might want to check the pieces you're buying at HF. The last time I checked the tool I was buying was from Taiwan, and I'll buy there stuff (even their cheap stuff) in a heartbeat.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at January 20, 2024 07:12 PM (hcnLe)

145 4.5 inch lag bolts are now inhouse and the RV garage sink will go in tomorrow morning.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at January 20, 2024 07:15 PM (hcnLe)

146 How long to apprentice as a torturer until one becomes a master?
Posted by: TJM's phone at January 20, 2024 07:07 PM (GBKbO)
---
You've read Gene Wolfe...You tell us!

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 20, 2024 07:17 PM (BpYfr)

147 My recent "hobby" has been trying to cleanse my new (since sept) apartment.

Cleaning is one thing. Cleansing is another.

I'm trying to do both, but it is proving to be a challenge. There was a lot of confusion and torment here before me. I can feel it.

Oh well. Orange oil, Palo Santo, sage and some good old fashioned scrubbing are the tonic for today.

Posted by: nurse ratched at January 20, 2024 07:17 PM (VoSvm)

148 148 My recent "hobby" has been trying to cleanse my new (since sept) apartment.

***

Holy water and blessed salt

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 20, 2024 07:20 PM (TX2EM)

149 >>> I've made a hobby out of shaving.

My passive shaving hobby is keeping my 30 year old Schick Injector fed... for a while no blades were available, but I found a lab supply company had them. Now they are out again. Got another ten year supply for less than a month's worth of the five blade whatever they are.

Nice thing about the Schick, you can take off a week+ without jamming it up. Also eats the army camo no problem.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at January 20, 2024 07:21 PM (cOq4q)

150
Hmmm. Paul Pelodi is here ... need a hammering, Paul?

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at January 20, 2024 07:22 PM (xG4kz)

151 I gave up my shaving hobby and now have a mustache and beard.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at January 20, 2024 07:23 PM (hcnLe)

152 I don't know of any ostrich ranchers locally, I think there are some rheas, but the last time I saw any were a decade ago.
What really got my attention was they guy who said he used African porcupine quills to cut pens. Porcupines are rare around here, but if I could find one, I would try the quills.

But the cost, the whole point is to make cheap quills to write with, that was why people used them after all.

Posted by: Kindltot at January 20, 2024 07:23 PM (D7oie)

153 Vmom
Did the holy water and blessing over the door.

It was a man and his two older (high school) daughters. Very progressive. Very confused. You wouldn't believe some of the words I heard exchanged.

Posted by: nurse ratched at January 20, 2024 07:24 PM (WYTai)

154 nurse, Feng shui be real.

Posted by: Ben Had at January 20, 2024 07:25 PM (24bZD)

155 My major project goal for this year is doing the information and illustration for my Materia Medica so I am finally doing plant sketches again. It was very comforting to find that, even though I hadn't done a sketch since August, the practice from last year had mostly stayed with me.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at January 20, 2024 07:25 PM (nC+QA)

156 Porcupines are rare around here, but if I could find one, I would try the quills.

But the cost, the whole point is to make cheap quills to write with, that was why people used them after all.
Posted by: Kindltot

North America fishers eat porcupines so they might be harder to find in your area.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at January 20, 2024 07:26 PM (hcnLe)

157 132 I have done very little painting. It's a medium that requires a lot of patience and practice. My friend's dad is a western artist, working with oils.

I am far more in the moment. Lots of pencils and charcoal.
Posted by: Pug Mahon, 3/12 FA at January 20, 2024 07:02 PM (T/Lqj)
---------------------------
If I could choose one talent, it would be painting. Every time I've seen someone painting I always think how wonderful that would be, especially as something to do in retirement. I recently signed up for a watercolor class next month at the community college as part of their "adult ed" program, and I'm looking forward to it, but I don't yet know if my lack of talent is a surmountable obstacle.

Posted by: Pennsyltucky at January 20, 2024 07:28 PM (Npnb7)

158 Ben Had,
I have a couple books. Trying to incorporate as best I can.

Plus, I'm trying to declutter to the point of basics. My dining area is pretty empty, save a table and chairs. My bedroom has a bed and an end table, a dresser and my trunk full of wool blankets. A couple pictures of my boys.

It's hard. The energy is very confused.

Posted by: nurse ratched at January 20, 2024 07:29 PM (WYTai)

159 Oh well. Orange oil, Palo Santo, sage and some good old fashioned scrubbing are the tonic for today.
Posted by: nurse ratched at January 20, 2024 07:17 PM (VoSvm)

salt and vinegar for the counters, and murphy's oil soap for the woodwork, and floors.
Dawn and water and vinegar for washing the walls, those seem to be the things that get the greases and oils off the surface
bleach works well on vinyl flooring like bathrooms and kitchens.

Posted by: Kindltot at January 20, 2024 07:29 PM (D7oie)

160 154 Vmom
Did the holy water and blessing over the door.

It was a man and his two older (high school) daughters. Very progressive. Very confused. You wouldn't believe some of the words I heard exchanged.
Posted by: nurse ratched at January 20, 2024 07:24 PM (WYTai)

Oooh, probably vegans. Bad juju. You want to put a prime rib roast in the oven. 5 pounder oughta do it. Fry up some bacon too. Enough to get the smoke detector going. You should be fine after that..

Posted by: Joe Kidd at January 20, 2024 07:29 PM (NAi0z)

161 North America fishers eat porcupines so they might be harder to find in your area.
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at January 20, 2024 07:26 PM (hcnLe)

we don't have fishers either. I think they just don't grow around here. You want to go down to Southern Oregon to find porcupines.

Posted by: Kindltot at January 20, 2024 07:32 PM (D7oie)

162 You want to go down to Southern Oregon to find porcupines.
Posted by: Kindltot

heh, I'm a desert rat and only travel to your neck of the woods in very temperate weather.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at January 20, 2024 07:34 PM (hcnLe)

163 nurse, it's where you put it. I have had horses that didn't want to eat where Iput their feeder. I let them change it and they were happy..

Posted by: Ben Had at January 20, 2024 07:34 PM (24bZD)

164 Mrs. Paco and I made a (futile) attempt to do some downsizing, going through boxes stored in the attic and the upstairs bonus room. We discovered that we must have been collectors of PEZ dispensers at some time in the distant past, because we found a couple of boxes filled with scores of the things.

Posted by: Paco at January 20, 2024 07:34 PM (njExo)

165 http://tinyurl.com/ms4c866s
20 Tweets from Bad Blue

Wish I could pull out #15
Reminder that the purpose of art was once not to shock or disturb but to elevate the soul

Though #20 is the Patriot Front is marching again

Posted by: Skip at January 20, 2024 07:34 PM (fwDg9)

166 Oooh, probably vegans. Bad juju.

Posted by: Joe Kidd

It's funny you say that. As far as I can tell, by the shared garbage cans, they never did any cooking. Always a ton of take out and Uber eats and fast foot garbage in the car when I take out the kitty turds every morning. And now that he moved into my old studio downstairs, he's been complaining about the meat and fish and cooking odors. Like. Wtf.

Posted by: nurse ratched at January 20, 2024 07:34 PM (WYTai)

167 Ah, interesting that you should mention porcupines. We had some for dinner tonight.

You are talking about meatballs stuffed with rice and cooked in tomato sauce, aren't you?

Posted by: Paco at January 20, 2024 07:38 PM (njExo)

168 Pennsyltucky,

It's great fun! Watercolor is a tricky medium. Always let yourself be a beginner. It's how you learn, by making crazy mistakes.

I highly recommend going to the store and buying fruits and vegetables to draw and paint. They are simple shapes, so the drawing part goes quickly. Then you can play with paints. I do think artist quality paints are worth the money but get what you can afford. Good luck!

Posted by: Notsothoreau at January 20, 2024 07:39 PM (L8hCM)

169 Or find a few of the Art Thread pictures and try and copy them

Posted by: Skip at January 20, 2024 07:41 PM (fwDg9)

170 >>>Hmmm. Paul Pelodi is here ... need a hammering, Paul?

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM)

>Sometimes remodeling the homestead requires a little blood and pain to get to the next level. Part of the process of learning is to get the right tool for the job. A claw hammer is mostly the go-to tool when working with wood, but a peening hammer is more versatile when carpentry isn't involved.

Posted by: Dr. Bone at January 20, 2024 07:41 PM (J3ryZ)

171 The stepdaughter sent me a necklace with a rock pennant that she makes for her shop. It's labradorite in a cloud shape, with with beads and an opal teardrop for rain. It's an interesting stone with an irridescent blue streak to it.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at January 20, 2024 07:56 PM (L8hCM)

172 Posted by: Notsothoreau at January 20, 2024 07:56 PM (L8hCM)

Sounds lovely. Those are my favorite stones. Any idea how much she charges for something similar?

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at January 20, 2024 08:01 PM (nC+QA)

173 One of my hobbies in 3-D modeling/printing. I've used an older 'hobbyist' version of Autodesk Inventor for years. Now they want to charge $600+ a year for the hobbyist version, and I'd probably be forced to upgrade due to getting a new computer in a few weeks (need some more cycles to try playing with AI and machine learning stuff).

So the week's endeavor has been to migrate to / learn another 3D platform, FreeCAD. Which has a rather complex and clunky interface and is constraint based which takes a different way of thinking. More like code, less like tinkering.

I managed to crank out a simple riser block for a rifle front sight earlier this week. Today I battered my way through designing a parametric small bore ammo loading block, which is printing right now. I'm working on reloading some .223 while keeping an eye on the print - spring will come eventually.

Posted by: Pat*'s Hubbie at January 20, 2024 09:04 PM (y4ng/)

174 Working on re-building our house that was the home of three sets of kids - we are now empty nesters. We have already donated two broken couches, a pool table, carpet, and about $3K in pizza over the years. And it was worth every fucking penny. All of these kids are PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS OF SOCIETY and I love it and all of them very much.

Bathroom #1 rebuild is under way while it is 0F outside. Oh, and a whiskey at night...

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Posted by: litton at January 21, 2024 04:29 PM (tjQi2)

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