Hobby Thread - January 3, 2026 [Angler Rex]

Welcome hobbyists! Pull up a chair and sit a spell with the Horde in this little corner of the interweb. This is the mighty, mighty officially sanctioned Ace of Spades Hobby Thread. We gave the Ace of Spades Wheel of Hobbies (TM) its first spin of the new year and it landed on ice fishing.

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What are you hobbying?

As per usual Hobby Thread etiquette, keep this thread limited to hobbying. All (legal) hobbying is welcome. Discussion of current events can go in the afternoon open thread or hang out here and talk hobbying or switch between. Pants are optional but please fully assess the temperature situation if you choose to go without. As always, puns are welcome and encouraged.

Play nice. Don't be a troll and do not feed the trolls.

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Ice fishing? Apparently ice fishing is a thing for people in cold weather climates. Bundle up, find a frozen pond or lake, drill a hole, drop a fishing line, and wait.

Dino is not wise in the ways of ice fishing and does not enjoy being cold. That means Gray Box wisdom and energy needs to help with this theme (especially if the Horde is talking current events on the open thread).

Are you wise in the ways of ice fishing? If so, please share. If not, contribute your own hobbying interests and projects.

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Gotta start somewhere:

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Underwater camera:

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Ice Thickness Safety Chart: How Thick Should Ice Be for Skating, Fishing and Driving?

Short answer: If you're going skating or ice fishing with a group, stay off ice less than 4 inches thick.

But wait, there's more!

3 inches - A single person on foot
4 inches - Group in a single file line
7 1/2 inches - Passenger Car (2-ton gross)
8 inches - Light truck (2 1/2-ton gross)
10 inches - Medium truck (3 1/2-ton gross)
12 inches - Heavy truck (8-ton gross)
15 inches - 10 Tons
20 inches - 25 Tons
30 inches - 70 Tons
36 inches - 110 tons

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Anything that can be done, can be done with more:

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This is more crafting than ice fishing, but enjoy this project to make a lure. Pretty amazing end result.

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Ice fishing shack and bar in Quebec. Alcohol seems to be a common theme of ice fishing.

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Advice:

20260101-487316216_1081501500686706_2096485840566281898_n.jpg

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Clever cake with an ice fishing theme:

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Horde hobbying with foam - anyone else do hobbying with foam?

From Persnickety to you:

I had to make some gingerbread men for a parade, so I used foamboard sheeting. Seems once you start making gingerbreadpeople, you can't stop. I assume it's the fumes from using a hotwire foam cutter.
So I made big gingerbread men and bigger gingerbread men and a few smallish gingerbread men, than a gnome just to wrap things up.
'Twas fun! I would like to make more whimsical but useless items, but feel it's best that I step slowly away from the hotwire cutter for a bit.

From The Neon Madman:

I've been kind of working aimlessly so far in the shop this winter, but I found myself with a need to cut foam and have always kind of wanted a hot-wire foam cutter, so I made one. Fairly simple and seems to work quite well so far. The wire came from a thrift-store hair dryer, wood was scraps around the shop, and I already had the rest of the bits and pieces.

I experimented with a cutout that I happened to need for a case for one of my cordless hole punchers. The first try is a little messy and rough, but foam is cheap and cloth on top will mask any irregularities (oooh, definitely red velvet).

Dino note - I always appreciate people that can make their own tools. Well done.

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From the theme last week:

Hat tip: JQ

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Did you miss the Hobby Thread last week? We did a Year in review theme. The comments may be closed, but you can re-live the content.

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Notable comments from last week:

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Words of wisdom:

"Because despite all our troubles, when things are grim out in that wide round world of ours, that's when it's really important to have a good hobby." Posted by: tankascribe at June 22, 2024 07:41 PM (HWxAD).

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If you have trouble finding something in the content or comments that resonates with you, contribute your own. Send thoughts, suggestions and photos of your hobbying to moronhobbies at protonmail dot com. Do mighty things.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 05:30 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Welcome Hobbiests

Posted by: Skip at January 03, 2026 05:30 PM (Ia/+0)

2 Ice is for drinks!

Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 03, 2026 05:30 PM (uQesX)

3 Rex did Mis Hum put you up to this?

Posted by: Skip at January 03, 2026 05:31 PM (Ia/+0)

4 Horde hobbying with foam - anyone else do hobbying with foam?

I used to go to foam parties, but today I am a man.

Posted by: Big Marco at January 03, 2026 05:33 PM (uQesX)

5 *arches eyebrow at topic*

*suspects MisHum machinations*

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at January 03, 2026 05:33 PM (zZu0s)

6 No yellows

Posted by: Accomack at January 03, 2026 05:35 PM (IG7T0)

7 ***manners***

Take it to the open thread please.
TRex

Posted by: Mary Cloggistein from Brattleboro, Vt at January 03, 2026 05:36 PM (wXPKd)

8 What is the minimum thickness for walking out on ice to measure how thick it is?

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at January 03, 2026 05:37 PM (8DR9B)

9 I had to make some gingerbread men for a parade, so I used foamboard sheeting. Seems once you start making gingerbreadpeople, you can't stop.

*ahem*

I believe the polite term is Persons of Molasses.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at January 03, 2026 05:39 PM (8DR9B)

10 I haven't been ice fishing since I quit using drugs.

Posted by: davidt at January 03, 2026 05:39 PM (Q+gd/)

11 3 Rex did Mis Hum put you up to this?

Posted by: Skip at January 03, 2026 05:31 PM
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If we say his name three times and mention ice fishing, maybe he'll appear.

Posted by: TRex - chilly willy dino at January 03, 2026 05:39 PM (IQ6Gq)

12 I think trying to smoke a cigar in winter, here in KY, is fairly similar the conditions one would encounter ice fishing.

My fingers are numb.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at January 03, 2026 05:40 PM (NwnyJ)

13 My exFiL did the ice fishing thing but had the hut , heater and cooler. Not too many fish but lots of alcohol consumed.

Posted by: Ben Had at January 03, 2026 05:41 PM (sDNVV)

14 All you need to know about ice fishing can be learned in the documentary "Grumpy Old Men."

Posted by: Pug Mahon, First of his name at January 03, 2026 05:44 PM (0aYVJ)

15 9 I believe the polite term is Persons of Molasses.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at January 03, 2026 05:39 PM
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Lebkuchen enabled

Posted by: TRex - baker dino at January 03, 2026 05:44 PM (IQ6Gq)

16 My limit on ice fishing is poking around in the Walmart frozen fish cabinet, trying to land a 1-lb. package of salmon. They seem to be extinct and only the 2-lb. ones (or larger and more $$$) have survived.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 03, 2026 05:45 PM (wzUl9)

17 Are you wise in the ways of ice fishing?
____________________________

My sum total knowledge as it relates to ice fishing is from the movie "Grumpy Old Men."

Here's the tutorial:

https://tinyurl.com/mr3huw8p

Posted by: Orson at January 03, 2026 05:46 PM (dIske)

18 Even if I had a frozen lake to fo ice fishing on, I doubt I'd be into it. I don't drink, so what would I do while waiting?

This is pretty much my view on regular fishing as well. The activity sounds relaxing, and I hope those who enjoy it continue to do so, but I don't think I'd care much for it.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 03, 2026 05:47 PM (wzUl9)

19 I still am amazed on YouTube when ghey find WWII main battle tanks in ponds sunk since 1940s

Posted by: Skip at January 03, 2026 05:47 PM (Ia/+0)

20 I love the pistol in the foam cutout in its case. Black powder?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 03, 2026 05:48 PM (wzUl9)

21 16 My limit on ice fishing is poking around in the Walmart frozen fish cabinet, trying to land a 1-lb. package of salmon. They seem to be extinct and only the 2-lb. ones (or larger and more $$$) have survived.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 03, 2026 05:45 PM
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A tale of survival. You have seen things...and yet made it back to tell the story.

Posted by: TRex - refrigerated dino at January 03, 2026 05:48 PM (IQ6Gq)

22 I can't see myself ice fishing. I know I'd be drinking to stay warm and then somehow fall into the hole. My husband would keep drinking and rejoice.

I also could not hunt deer as I'd fall off the stand in the same manner as above. Plus, unless hungry, I could not kill a deer. I'd like to kill some squirrels eating berries off of trees that flocks of robins like near our deck, but it is probably against county law.

I could not sit in a duck blind quietly, either. I'd need to shoot something and it would be possibly too early to drink.

Does it count here to have hobbies I have planned for 2026? Plans not yet completed or started? I can and do have hobbies, I have been too scatterbrained for 7yrs to complete them (grandchildren hobby).

I hope to return to painting: watercolors, acrylics and soft pastels. Maybe graduate to oils. Two sewing projects involving a fancy pillow for LR couch, and a fancy silk throw for the same couch. Needlepoint.Stuff I see and think, "I can do that!" I NEED to finish photo albums never started as well. This is just for winter/spring.

Plus losing 30lbs. That should do it! But that involves sports and dieting and not a hobby, but a need.

Posted by: ChristyBlinkyTheGreat at January 03, 2026 05:48 PM (WONhk)

23 I didn't know the gheys were into finding WWII tanks, but I suppose everybody has to have a hobby.

Posted by: PabloD at January 03, 2026 05:49 PM (cFv0u)

24 I did not know checking old battlefields for tanks was a gay thing.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at January 03, 2026 05:49 PM (zZu0s)

25 We have a bunch of glass ornaments, some of them valuable. But neither my wife nor I can, physically, deal with a tree anymore. So we have to find a way to get rid of them, alas.

Posted by: Eeyore at January 03, 2026 05:50 PM (s0JqF)

26 Heh. Pablo beat me to the punch.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at January 03, 2026 05:50 PM (zZu0s)

27 Nice cap and ball revolver, just bought myself a reproduction 1860 Colt

Posted by: Skip at January 03, 2026 05:51 PM (Ia/+0)

28 For all the time I've spent fishing, and it's a lot over the years, I never lived where ice fishing was possible. Salt water doesn't freeze as easily as fresh and movement of the tides doesn't help, even in New England. Florida and Virginia aren't known as ice fishing locales. Wouldn't have minded trying it in younger days when cold didn't bother me and I drank more beer. Nowadays, I'll read about ice fishing and just look forward to April.

Posted by: JTB at January 03, 2026 05:53 PM (yTvNw)

29 I can't see how neon madman heats his wire in that cutter setup. I need him or AOP to explain. Well not really, I would not use a hot wire cutter if someone gave me a commercial one. I did think of buying a hot knife to cut up mattresses that #?*! jerks leave alongside the road and I occasionally get ambitious and move one to my dumpster, I ended up just buying a cheap non heated foam knife.

Posted by: PaleRider at January 03, 2026 05:54 PM (hhkIi)

30 I like fishing. I don't like ice, except in my drink. My idea of fishing is sitting by the creek on a warm day with ice in my drink.

Posted by: fd at January 03, 2026 05:54 PM (vFG9F)

31 22 Does it count here to have hobbies I have planned for 2026? Plans not yet completed or started?

Posted by: ChristyBlinkyTheGreat at January 03, 2026 05:48 PM
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Excellent. Approved.

Posted by: TRex - 2026 enabled dino at January 03, 2026 05:56 PM (IQ6Gq)

32 Ice *fishing*? Bah. Gimme an ice mile: 1 mile swim in water 39 degrees or colder.

Not sure if I've got what it takes, but I'm really intrigued by the idea.

Posted by: Not Enough Lampposts at January 03, 2026 05:57 PM (GSe6k)

33 Why are they putting holes in a skating lake?

Posted by: t-bird at January 03, 2026 05:57 PM (d9i2R)

34 They, or ghey but they don't advertise that usually l on YouTube videos

Posted by: Skip at January 03, 2026 05:57 PM (Ia/+0)

35 19 I still am amazed on YouTube when ghey find WWII main battle tanks in ponds sunk since 1940s
Posted by: Skip at January 03, 2026 05:47 PM (Ia/+0)]

The WWII generation solution to everything, you never know when you might need a tank.

When my aunt died my family were going through the house (that was my grandmother's). Nothing was ever thrown away. I won't go into other things, but not a hoarder of anything but Cool Whip containers (we don't know why) behind a kitchen door.

Anyway, a doorstop to her bedroom was a WWII Japanese grenade. My father, who brought it home from WWII, casually looked at this and said he could not tell if it was still active. Keep in mind I learned to walk as a baby past this very door.

Mother got excited and called the chief of police (her cousin) and asked for the bomb squad to quietly invade and they did and blew it up elsewhere. She did not want to make the news.

My father's solution? To throw it into his lake on the farm. Someday someone was going to catch a big one! My brothers told him no.

Posted by: ChristyBlinkyTheGreat at January 03, 2026 05:59 PM (WONhk)

36 27 ... "just bought myself a reproduction 1860 Colt"

Skip,
Hope you have fun with the 1860 Colt. I like it better even than the 1851 model. If I want/need the most power and accuracy I get out the Ruger Old Army cap and ball.

Posted by: JTB at January 03, 2026 06:00 PM (yTvNw)

37 This is usually the season I hit the painting table. I do have a 1/72 plastic A-10 model I could get working on

Posted by: Skip at January 03, 2026 06:00 PM (Ia/+0)

38 Hobby today? Sorting through a shit ton of guitar parts.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at January 03, 2026 06:00 PM (snZF9)

39 fd, that's the way to do it.

Posted by: Ben Had at January 03, 2026 06:01 PM (sDNVV)

40 I am fascinated that entire YT channels exist that are dedicated to the resurrection of old equipment. Doesn't matter whether tanks or bulldozers are involved, there is a very enthusiastic YT audience.

I respect the labor and knowledge involved to bring old equipment back to life.

Posted by: TRex - scrap yard dino at January 03, 2026 06:02 PM (IQ6Gq)

41 Anyway, a doorstop to her bedroom was a WWII Japanese grenade.

Posted by: ChristyBlinkyTheGreat at January 03, 2026 05:59 PM (WONhk)

Honorary horde member. lol

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at January 03, 2026 06:03 PM (snZF9)

42 My father's solution? To throw it into his lake on the farm. Someday someone was going to catch a big one! My brothers told him no.

Posted by: ChristyBlinkyTheGreat at January 03, 2026 05:59 PM
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Grenade fishing - sounds very Moron.

Posted by: TRex - explosive dino at January 03, 2026 06:06 PM (IQ6Gq)

43 I don't know much about ice fishing, but Mr. Obvious seems to:

https://youtu.be/l6PudFChsS4

Posted by: tankdemon at January 03, 2026 06:06 PM (4kXuG)

44 Tamiya has a really nice 1/72 F-14D Tomcat out. I'll probably build it as a palate cleanser after doing so many Japanese tanks.

Posted by: PA Dutchman at January 03, 2026 06:07 PM (h/O4U)

45 When I got the revolver, I also bought a dirt cheap couldn't pass up ammunition pouch for my Brown Bess, it needs a little work to make it better.

Posted by: Skip at January 03, 2026 06:08 PM (Ia/+0)

46 This week working on a TRC-57. It has a slight problem, VCO is dead. For thermal stability, they encased it in epoxy. If I want it to work, I have to build a new one from scratch. Well, that or use about ten bucks worth of modern parts and make a DDS-VFO for it.

Considering I found a needed vintage through hole part for $38/ea? Yeah, I'll be spending some quality time with the Arduino IDE.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - Z28.310 at January 03, 2026 06:09 PM (lUFok)

47 2 Ice is for drinks!
Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 03, 2026 05:30 PM (uQesX)

I thought it was for deportations.

Posted by: tankdemon at January 03, 2026 06:10 PM (4kXuG)

48 44 Tamiya has a really nice 1/72 F-14D Tomcat out. I'll probably build it as a palate cleanser after doing so many Japanese tanks.

Posted by: PA Dutchman at January 03, 2026 06:07 PM
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Pretty airplane. Do you weather your models or put them in a diorama-type scene?

Posted by: TRex - scale dino at January 03, 2026 06:10 PM (IQ6Gq)

49 I am fascinated that entire YT channels exist that are dedicated to the resurrection of old equipment. Doesn't matter whether tanks or bulldozers are involved, there is a very enthusiastic YT audience.

I respect the labor and knowledge involved to bring old equipment back to life.

Posted by: TRex - scrap yard dino at January 03, 2026 06:02 PM (IQ6Gq)

I had the back yard of the old house leveled out. The dude came with a fully restored 1947 CAT 4 bulldozer. It was a thing of beauty. It used a 2 cylinder gas engine (pony motor) as a starter. It was really cool.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at January 03, 2026 06:10 PM (snZF9)

50 I wanted to talk about the story in the sidebar, and while I have not read that specific article on the squatter remover, I have read others about him, and it's sort of an example of making a hobby pay, since he was already into martial arts, including swords.

It's important to note that his strategy revolves around getting a lease from the property owner, baiting the squatter into leaving, then jumping in and fortifying it. He isn't charging in waving a sword to chase the squatter out; he's defending the property against their return, as the legal resident of record. Swords are just perfect for keeping a low-morale schmuck at bay, with a range of options up to and including (but not only) deadly force.

Posted by: SciVo at January 03, 2026 06:11 PM (Sy6m/)

51 42 My father's solution? To throw it into his lake on the farm. Someday someone was going to catch a big one! My brothers told him no.

Posted by: ChristyBlinkyTheGreat at January 03, 2026 05:59 PM
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Grenade fishing - sounds very Moron.
Posted by: TRex - explosive dino at January 03, 2026 06:06 PM (IQ6Gq)

My husband, from Long Island, is fairly sure there's something in the water there. I can't think of anyone sane at the moment in my family or the neighboring farms. And they all pack heat, so there is not much crime in that section of the county.

Our father was one of the funniest and kindest men I have ever known. He thought I hung the moon from the time I hatched as his first and only girl (and looked like him). Encouraged us to have fun, and the more crazy the better. We miss him as his stories of youth and the Marines were wild. He was one of a kind.

Posted by: ChristyBlinkyTheGreat at January 03, 2026 06:12 PM (WONhk)

52
Pretty airplane. Do you weather your models

Weathered on the driveway with lighter fluid and firecrackers.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at January 03, 2026 06:12 PM (pkeXY)

53 I always do at least a little weathering and I've recently gotten into dioramas. Even a simple scene can take a model to another level and tell a story that anyone can understand.

Posted by: PA Dutchman at January 03, 2026 06:13 PM (h/O4U)

54 Yes, the pistol is an old Italian copy of an 1858 Remington revolver. One of the first guns that I ever bought, mumble mumble years ago.

The hot wire is connected to the output side of a 12.6 volt filament transformer, which is driven off a 120 VAC variac. 55 volts into the transformer gives about 4 volts across the wire, just below where it starts to glow.

Posted by: The Neon Madman at January 03, 2026 06:13 PM (yNfcm)

55 25 We have a bunch of glass ornaments, some of them valuable. But neither my wife nor I can, physically, deal with a tree anymore. So we have to find a way to get rid of them, alas.
Posted by: Eeyore at January

What about an ornament tree, Eeyore? Like this:

https://tinyurl.com/4w7f9w4k

You could put your favorites up. They make them bigger, too, and different styles.

Posted by: Piper at January 03, 2026 06:13 PM (Wmg4n)

56 49 It used a 2 cylinder gas engine (pony motor) as a starter. It was really cool.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at January 03, 2026 06:10 PM
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Love that the old stuff is still being used. I *think* the pony motor design is primarily a Cat or John Deere feature. Cool design indeed.

Posted by: TRex - diesel dino at January 03, 2026 06:14 PM (IQ6Gq)

57 In my youth, I spent a lot of time ice fishing with my Dad. The man was happiest when he had a line in the water. No shelter, we just stood there watching the bobbers or jigging.

Freshwater fish, especially panfish, taste best after ice fishing.

Posted by: mrp at January 03, 2026 06:15 PM (rj6Yv)

58 Wondered about that transformer.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at January 03, 2026 06:16 PM (pkeXY)

59 53 I always do at least a little weathering and I've recently gotten into dioramas. Even a simple scene can take a model to another level and tell a story that anyone can understand.

Posted by: PA Dutchman at January 03, 2026 06:13 PM
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Agree. Have seen some impressive scenes on social media of an airplane on a bombing run over water. The upward splash of an impact hides the support for the airplane. Probably makes more sense for a warbird than an F-14 given the munitions but still like the idea.

Posted by: TRex - dino diorama at January 03, 2026 06:18 PM (IQ6Gq)

60 I'm going to learn the last four figures in Bronze 4 American Tango well enough to actually get on a dance floor and do them with my wife and
-not get laughed at by others on the dance floor or in the peanut gallery.
-Not fall down.
-Not get yelled at by my wife.

Posted by: Fred_Z at January 03, 2026 06:20 PM (VQIqq)

61 You could put your favorites up. They make them bigger, too, and different styles.
Posted by: Piper at January 03, 2026 06:13 PM (Wmg4n)

That's cool!

I was thinking etsy sales in October, but a lot of work. As I am an etsy addict.

I bought old crystal chandelier "icicles" for my tree and am buying more soon. Sparkly. Supposedly from 1910, but I could be lied to a lot and never know.

Martha Stewart, who puts me to sleep if I have insomnia, once had glass round ball ornament wreaths glued onto styrofoam. Which would not last long with my family, but were very pretty.

I need to go be productive for the first time today. Which was my first "day off" in a week or more...have lost count when I was last "off."

Posted by: ChristyBlinkyTheGreat at January 03, 2026 06:21 PM (WONhk)

62 One thing I never understood: why not hire people who knew what they were doing to run the refineries and oil rigs? Obviously for the leaders this was all about the money, so they would make even more if they had people who actually worked.

You'd think this would be a no trainer, even for commies.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at January 03, 2026 06:23 PM (zZu0s)

63 Fred_Z, what a fun endeavor.

Posted by: Ben Had at January 03, 2026 06:23 PM (sDNVV)

64 TRex,
Thanks for including me in the post. As I practice the lessons from that oil pastel class I realize how much repetition is needed to be accurate. (Hint: more than a week's worth.) Trying to get the colors right has led to some 'interesting' looking apples and pears. Suitable for an H P Lovecraft story but not a grocery store.

Posted by: JTB at January 03, 2026 06:23 PM (yTvNw)

65 Shoot, wrong thread. Sorry guys.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at January 03, 2026 06:23 PM (zZu0s)

66 The owners of the local, since bought out, grcery chain here where I live used old cats and deeres as yard ornaments. Except these were all very far from ornaments. They were all maintained in tip top condition. Started every week, etc.
A fire started up there and the forrest service wasn't able to get a dozer behind the neighborhood so the brothers fired up their lawn ornaments and basically saved everybodys house. Rumor has it shit faced drunk.

Posted by: Reforger at January 03, 2026 06:27 PM (gKsV+)

67 I grew up in a small town in Michigan, near Lake St. Clair. Nearly every year there was someone who didn't get their truck or shed off the ice in time, and made the papers when it disappeared beneath the water.

Posted by: Lirio100 at January 03, 2026 06:27 PM (ky7/T)

68 I replaced the storm door on the back door today. Replacing storm doors is tight!

I need to replace the front door but Mrs fd wants to keep the etched oval glass that's in the old one some I'm wondering how hard it is to build a door. A really nice door.

Posted by: fd at January 03, 2026 06:28 PM (vFG9F)

69 Grateful is not interested in anything that involves the outdoors and cold weather. I'm more of a beach girl...

My hobby this week? Trying to come up with rough floor plans for our architect...balancing all the rules and requests and needs...you architect type people have my utmost respect!!!

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at January 03, 2026 06:31 PM (IQ6Gq)

70 I thought it was for deportations.
Posted by: tankdemon at January 03, 2026 06:10 PM (4kXuG)

Unless you're Canadian I guess.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 03, 2026 06:31 PM (uQesX)

71 my one pal (r.i.p.) would tie off to his ice fishing partner as they both walrus bellied their way out from the first thin ice to the thicker further out. the whole bar would gather at the front window to watch these two maniacs slither out to the fish. of course they both received libations upon return- not that they hadn't brought any...
the local sledders enjoyed buzzing the ice sheds until they encountered the punji stakes he would place around his stake.i guess that does a number on the track.

Posted by: wilt the stilt at January 03, 2026 06:39 PM (R11M+)

72 68 I need to replace the front door but Mrs fd wants to keep the etched oval glass that's in the old one some I'm wondering how hard it is to build a door. A really nice door.

Posted by: fd at January 03, 2026 06:28 PM
***
How hard can it be? (Jeremy Clarkson says)

Posted by: TRex - famous last words dino at January 03, 2026 06:40 PM (IQ6Gq)

73 68. F'd what shape is the door in? Is it just weathered on the outside or hardware is on the verge of failing?

I hired a handyman to replace my storm door (then had to tweak it myself) so I certainly wouldn't touch building a door. But your comment made me wonder if one could apply a thin laminate over a door that was only weathered but otherwise in nice shape.

Posted by: PaleRider at January 03, 2026 06:40 PM (hhkIi)

74 71 the whole bar would gather at the front window to watch these two maniacs slither out to the fish. of course they both received libations upon return-

Posted by: wilt the stilt at January 03, 2026 06:39 PM
***
Sounds like the ideal gambling scenario. Who gets back first? Who brings back the most fish?

Posted by: TRex - odds maker dino at January 03, 2026 06:42 PM (IQ6Gq)

75 I replaced the storm door on the back door today. Replacing storm doors is tight!

I need to replace the front door but Mrs fd wants to keep the etched oval glass that's in the old one some I'm wondering how hard it is to build a door. A really nice door.

Posted by: fd at January 03, 2026 06:28 PM (vFG9F)

Not hard, you just need a good router table, or 2, with powerful routers with 1/2" chucks and the right bits to cut all the profiles, tongues, grooves, etc. Then you need to open your ass to buy all the really nice wood, and you also need all the tools to cut the wood accurately before feeding it all onto the router tables.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at January 03, 2026 06:45 PM (snZF9)

76 Ice fishing kind of leaves the Deep South high and dry, so to speak. Oh well, plenty of other hobbies!

Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at January 03, 2026 06:45 PM (bELOb)

77 72 68 I need to replace the front door but Mrs fd wants to keep the etched oval glass that's in the old one some I'm wondering how hard it is to build a door. A really nice door.

---------

With arrow slits and some murder holes it could be a neighborhood attraction.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at January 03, 2026 06:46 PM (JkO4W)

78 fd not easy to start from scratch, but a door made that glass could be put in is easier

Posted by: Skip at January 03, 2026 06:48 PM (Ia/+0)

79 Cats and deeres as lawn ornaments. I thought, interesting typo, until I read on for a clearer understanding.

Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at January 03, 2026 06:48 PM (bELOb)

80 Maybe make the oval glass from the old door into a nice mirror and just buy a new door, I'm sure some companies still make fancy doors with etched glass.

Posted by: PaleRider at January 03, 2026 06:51 PM (hhkIi)

81 Here's a nice build video of the Tamiya F-14D: https://youtu.be/Kdxty2qVWXM

Posted by: PA Dutchman at January 03, 2026 06:53 PM (h/O4U)

82 I tossed the idea around of making all the interior doors here. I have most of the tooling. I found some really nice solid mahogany interior doors, but they're around $500 each, but I know only the center panels are probably solid. The frames are probably veneered, especially for that price. I have to change 9 doors, so thats $4500. I can tool up for maybe $500-1000 depending on how easy I want the job to go, then buy real mahogany. I might only save $1-2000 in the long run, but they would be vastly better doors. Then I think about all that work...

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at January 03, 2026 06:54 PM (snZF9)

83 "what shape is the door in? Is it just weathered on the outside or hardware is on the verge of failing?"

Weathered and badly scratched by a dog who passed years ago. There is a split in one place that get bigger and smaller depending on the weather but other than that it's solid and was pretty nice about 30 years ago.

Posted by: fd at January 03, 2026 06:55 PM (vFG9F)

84 Although I have seen pictures of a frozen lake in Fort Worth - back in the early 1900's), we have never seen one frozen over as long as we have been here (since 1984).

The pictures show people driving their cars on the lake! 😲😲😲

Needless to say, have never ice fished; only fished a handful of times in my childhood - Dad always made us wear life jackets, and those aren't much fun to have on when the temperature (and the humidity) is in the high 90's.

Posted by: Teresa in Fort Worth, Texas, AoSHQ's Plucky Wee One - Eat the Cheesecake, Buy the Yarn. at January 03, 2026 06:56 PM (SRRAx)

85 " fd not easy to start from scratch, but a door made that glass could be put in is easier
Posted by: Skip"

That's what I'm thinking but not sure where I would find a suitable one.

Posted by: fd at January 03, 2026 06:58 PM (vFG9F)

86 quick web search for etched oval glass doors shows offerings for new glass inserts if an old one was broken. So Skip is correct that you can probably buy a door with the same size frame for the glass and keep the old glass.

Posted by: PaleRider at January 03, 2026 06:59 PM (hhkIi)

87 "Maybe make the oval glass from the old door into a nice mirror and just buy a new door, I'm sure some companies still make fancy doors with etched glass.
Posted by: PaleRider"

That's what I suggested but you don't know Mrs fd. I myself would be happy with solid steel door painted gray.

Posted by: fd at January 03, 2026 07:00 PM (vFG9F)

88 Weathered and badly scratched by a dog who passed years ago. There is a split in one place that get bigger and smaller depending on the weather but other than that it's solid and was pretty nice about 30 years ago.

Posted by: fd at January 03, 2026 06:55 PM (vFG9F)

Sounds like the choice is either treat it as a Gozinta door (gozinta the dumpster), or try and restore it. Is the split happening in one of the panels?

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at January 03, 2026 07:02 PM (snZF9)

89 I didn't see these, but there was a report of a tank/tanks in the farmers' lockdown protests in London. It seems to have truly panicked the elites. I am thinking that a vintage tank or two might be a good preppers' rig.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at January 03, 2026 07:02 PM (+mUZM)

90 Re: Trucks through the melting ice. N. Dakota, c.1983. They got a big lake there called Lake Sakakawea (sp) and lotsa ice fishermen/drunks. Each end-of-winter, the Bismarck TV news had a pool for when the first vehicle would plunge beneath the ice. I don't recall the money, but it turned into LOTS. There isn't much to do in N. Dak in the winter/spring.

Posted by: LRob in OK at January 03, 2026 07:03 PM (47diA)

91 "So Skip is correct that you can probably buy a door with the same size frame for the glass and keep the old glass.
Posted by: PaleRider "

That would be perfect. I'll look around. There is a window and door place in town I suppose I could ask.

Posted by: fd at January 03, 2026 07:04 PM (vFG9F)

92 Well having looked at etched glass doors online they wouldn't make mirrors since not clear glass. I'll admit they look very nice. My house is not fancy enough to frame a fancy etched glass door, and I'd probably slip with the pushbroom clearing snow and break the glass. But I can admire them on other houses.

Posted by: PaleRider at January 03, 2026 07:06 PM (hhkIi)

93 89 I am thinking that a vintage tank or two might be a good preppers' rig.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at January 03, 2026 07:02 PM
***
Privately owned vintage tanks are definitely a thing.

Posted by: TRex - armored dino at January 03, 2026 07:06 PM (IQ6Gq)

94 "Is the split happening in one of the panels?"

Yes. It serves as a kind of hygrometer.

Posted by: fd at January 03, 2026 07:07 PM (vFG9F)

95 I think I would skip the ice fishing and go straight to the bar, but I could be persuaded to try it once. The whole ice thing makes me nervous - too many ice rescue videos!
I've only seen a frozen lake once - we (me, DH and the girls) went with two other families to cabins in PA and the lake was frozen solid with lots of activity on it to lead us to trust it.
Thanks for the thread, TRex...

Posted by: Iris at January 03, 2026 07:07 PM (bOJ2I)

96 I have the stuff to learn electronics soldering, so I need to start practicing. I have two projects that involve soldering several wires to a chip. I just want to see if I can do it.

I did buy some sewing patterns and have a project there that I want to do. But the big project is clearing a bunch of clutter and unused items from the house. That will likely wait until spring.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at January 03, 2026 07:08 PM (+mUZM)

97 95 Thanks for the thread, TRex...

Posted by: Iris at January 03, 2026 07:07 PM
***
Hello and good evening!

Posted by: TRex - did anyone bring cake? at January 03, 2026 07:10 PM (IQ6Gq)

98 "Is the split happening in one of the panels?"

Yes. It serves as a kind of hygrometer.

Posted by: fd at January 03, 2026 07:07 PM (vFG9F)

Yeah those panels are supposed to float so that don't happen. They're not supposed to be glued in. Whats probably happening is the panel got tight and as it expands and contracts the panel is getting pulled. I got the exact thing happening with my front door, but not real drastic. I have to restore it because the sun slowly baked the finish and the dude before me kind of let it go. It will be a somewhat easy fix but I have to free that one panel first so it floats.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at January 03, 2026 07:12 PM (snZF9)

99 I have two projects that involve soldering several wires to a chip.

As an experienced electronics technician, I would suggest you look online and find a chip socket of the right dimensions/number of chip leads, etc. and solder to that rather than the chip. I suppose with appropriate heat sinks you could do it, but I wouldn't try.

Posted by: LRob in OK at January 03, 2026 07:12 PM (47diA)

100 Hope you and Grateful had a wonderful holiday.

Pertinent to the Hobby Thread, one of my best gifts was a felted gingerbread nativity made my daughter. She's very talented with felted wool. We have a gingerbread theme for our decorations (love the foam gingerbreads - would love to make them) and she combined it with a nativity for me.

Posted by: Iris at January 03, 2026 07:20 PM (bOJ2I)

101 Soldering is a usefully skill. I taught Mrs fd and she makes wiring harnesses for a custom automotive application kit I sell. I could do a whole hobby thread on that kit. At what point does a hobby become a business?

Posted by: fd at January 03, 2026 07:22 PM (vFG9F)

102 Anyway, now she can solder jewelry and other stuff too and is not afraid of it.

Posted by: fd at January 03, 2026 07:23 PM (vFG9F)

103 Felted gingerbread must taste awful!

Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at January 03, 2026 07:23 PM (bELOb)

104 Not current... because we're far, far away from the left coast, but finding "sea glass" was a thing for awhile.

Sea glass is broken glass bottles of various colors that have been scoured by the ocean for years. Then, washed up on the beach. The shards are worn, typically not sharp, and weathered.

We have several vases filled with this stuff we collected while in Monterey, CA.

It's very pretty. Some make jewelry out of it. If I'm not mistaken, our own, departed Jewells had some pieces done like this.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at January 03, 2026 07:23 PM (NwnyJ)

105 Hi Iris, happy 2026! I just looked and last year this week the Hobby Thread featured Gingerbread!

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at January 03, 2026 07:24 PM (IQ6Gq)

106 Time to say thank you and good night as another edition of the mighty, mighty Hobby Thread comes to a close. Thanks for being here. Tune in next week for another theme.

Write any time with your hobbying. The emailbox is open. See y'all in Club ONT later tonight!

Posted by: TRex - Club ONT pre-opening opening act at January 03, 2026 07:24 PM (IQ6Gq)

107 Even a solid wood door and cutting in glass isn't too hard

Posted by: Skip at January 03, 2026 07:24 PM (Ia/+0)

108 It's Dosdude1's fix for the GPU issue on 2011 Macbookpros. He does actually show something like that, which connects to the chip that is being reprogrammed. These are old computers and not very expensive, so not like I'd ruin a new one. Still, I would love to see that secondary GPU disabled and this seems to be the way to do it.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at January 03, 2026 07:25 PM (+mUZM)

109 I love the gingerbread man designs. But I would prefer it if they were edible. Gingerbread dunked in coffee is a treat.

Posted by: JTB at January 03, 2026 07:25 PM (yTvNw)

110 104 Not current... because we're far, far away from the left coast, but finding "sea glass" was a thing for awhile.

Sea glass is broken glass bottles of various colors that have been scoured by the ocean for years. Then, washed up on the beach. The shards are worn, typically not sharp, and weathered.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at January 03, 2026 07:23 PM
***
Good post. Neat stuff. Maybe we'll do a theme on sea glass someday...

Posted by: TRex - glassy dino at January 03, 2026 07:29 PM (IQ6Gq)

111 103 Felted gingerbread must taste awful!
Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at January 03, 2026 07:23 PM (bELOb)

LOL it would. Fortunately she bakes too.

And I need to stop by the Hobby Thread more often. I missed most thread's.

Posted by: Iris at January 03, 2026 07:29 PM (bOJ2I)

112 "Sea glass is broken glass bottles of various colors that have been scoured by the ocean for years. Then, washed up on the beach. The shards are worn, typically not sharp, and weathered."

My mom collected a whole bunch of that and glued it all over a big glass carbouy that my dad turned into a lamp. It is lit from the inside and has a conventional lampshade light too.

She supplemented her collected glass with glass from a tumbler my dad made from a paint can and a motor from a can opener or something. That allowed her to mix in some colors that were rare to find.

Posted by: fd at January 03, 2026 07:31 PM (vFG9F)

113 Carbouy? Carboy. Cowboy.

Posted by: fd at January 03, 2026 07:32 PM (vFG9F)

114 MOVIE MARQUE IS NOOD

Posted by: Skip at January 03, 2026 07:34 PM (Ia/+0)

115 "Maybe we'll do a theme on sea glass someday...
Posted by: TRex - glassy dino"

I'll get a picture of Mom's lamp next time I am down there. There's more to that story too.

Posted by: fd at January 03, 2026 07:36 PM (vFG9F)

116 Chimney Beach at Lake Tahoe, a popular teen hangout for decades, has millions of shards of lake polished glass. You literally can't set foot on the beach without stepping on some.

Posted by: Reforger at January 03, 2026 07:36 PM (gKsV+)

117 I love sea glass

Posted by: lin-duh at January 03, 2026 07:49 PM (VCgbV)

118 Hit the ModelFiesta Show in New Braunfels today. Scored several good kits cheap! And some useful tools for model tank building. And some interesting pictures. 3 weeks to Winter Blitz in College Station at the Museum of the America GI. Yeah, it's a twofer!!

Posted by: Stacy0311 at January 03, 2026 08:26 PM (N5oPX)

119 Sea glass is broken glass bottles of various colors that have been scoured by the ocean for years.

You can make a very passable copy of sea glass with a cheap rock tumbler and carbide grit. Works best with thick colored glass like the bottom of wine bottles and such.

Posted by: Voters of New York at January 03, 2026 09:17 PM (3nLb4)

120 Crap. /sock

Posted by: Oddbob at January 03, 2026 09:17 PM (3nLb4)

121 "9

*ahem*

I believe the polite term is Persons of Molasses."

Yeah, spent a few hours arguing over 'gingerbreadpeople' vs 'gingerbreadpersons,' but that is a hobby for another week's hobby thread. "Persons of Molasses" never came up, but it's a good 'un. Anybody else into pointless arguments? Can we raise a glass to the Oxford comma? Love me some oxford commas.

Posted by: Persnickety at January 03, 2026 11:49 PM (NXsA/)

122 Hobby? Casting my Anritsu MS2717B upon the RF waters and 'hooking' new and strange signals, be it fedband (164 - 173 MHz) or the 2m ham band (noting drifting signals from who knows what kind of malfunctioning consumer electronics) and even netted a 480 us pulse with a PRT (pulse repetition time) of 532 ms on 445.504 MHz receivable only on the outside gain Diamond (brand) antenna (its not due to anything in the shack; an antenna inside at head level picks up nothing) ...

Posted by: _Jim at January 04, 2026 10:06 AM (UeDIw)

123 3 inches - A single person on foot
4 inches - Group in a single file line
7 1/2 inches - Passenger Car (2-ton gross)

?? No mention of snowmobiles?

We used to watch for two sets of snowmobile tracks going on to the lake - one track going on and a 2nd track with the same pattern track coming back off the lake ...

Posted by: _Jim at January 04, 2026 10:12 AM (UeDIw)

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