What did you do today

[Tom&Shelly]

Shelly finished aligning our 3D resin printer and printed some doll house items from freeware software

You mentioned that Shelly, did or does doll house furniture, right?
Is that a business she does or just a hobby?

Right now it's a hobby, but she's hoping to turn it into a small business. She wants to advance from the freeware (which she can't sell) to some of her own designs. I have some vintage vacuum tube radios and antique telephones, so one thought is to copy them (1/12 scale) and sell to folks building period doll house sets.

Last Summer we visited several doll house stores in the Northeast and a doll house convention in Connecticut. It'd be really nice if she has enough in a year or two to sell through those stores (all family operations) and maybe rent a both at that, or other, conventions. We might even be able to write off some of the teardrop travel as a business expense! Of course, there are also on-line places to sell, but sometimes it's nice for a customer to see what they're buying.

Tom

[Staryder61]

Wish her the best of luck..
I was curious, I have a G-daughter, 2 years old in May.
So, it's about time to start thinking of a design for a doll house and everything that goes in it.
I do have some time.

[Tom&Shelly]

Wish her the best of luck..
I was curious, I have a G-daughter, 2 years old in May.
So, it's about time to start thinking of a design for a doll house and everything that goes in it.
I do have some time.

Cool!

Turns out a lot of these are for adults, with prices to match! Seems to me like it's a better hobby when trains, or at least model airplanes, are involved, but to each their own!

I've long wanted to build a (full size) log cabin, but will probably never get that chance. But of course, a model log cabin requires many of the same techniques, as long as one uses real branches, and not Lincoln log dowels. So I may try that someday. I suggested to Shelly once that I could sell it to the parents of a young Laura Engels for, maybe, $20. She told me that's an order of magnitude low.

Tom

[TimC]

...

I've long wanted to build a (full size) log cabin, but will probably never get that chance. But of course, a model log cabin requires many of the same techniques, as long as one uses real branches, and not Lincoln log dowels. So I may try that someday.
Tom

Tom, check out this guys youtube videos on dovetail notches and his jig for cutting them.

https://www.youtube.com/c/OnBeaverCreek

I helped a friend build a full scribed log cabin about twenty five years ago and it turned out fantastic. I wanted to do the same but the work to do a full scribed cabin right is daunting. I saw this guy's video on dovetail notches and the jig plan he sells (under 30 bucks) and I'm back dreaming. Maybe just dreaming, but who knows...

[Staryder61]

I've long wanted to build a (full size) log cabin,
Tom

Tom, now that has always been our dream home.. on about 20 to 50 acres somewhere. Self-sufficient.
But the lottery just never hits my way. and so much now for the younger crowd. Without arthritis and bad backs

I had the model trains when I was a kid. Though amazing. I spent more time outside and on my uncle's farm. My dad did the airplanes, balsa wood and stretch paper, when I got older, I too picked up that hobby. Biggest one was a wingspan of 4 feet and carried twin engines, radio controlled.

Tim, The joinery in his video's is amazing.. Have seen those vids in the past.

[TimC]

...
Tim, The joinery in his video's is amazing.. Have seen those vids in the past.

Yup, having worked on my friend's scribing and assembly job I found it to be very beautiful and satisfying. I don't think I'd have the energy to tackle that now. And actually, the way the dovetail joints work out I think they are better looking, just as strong and the fact that water has very little chance to work its way into the joint makes them superior.

[edgeau]

I finally found the time to invest in my work shop area after 4 years in this house. So many projects that would have been easier with a well set up area but had higher priority .
I used scrap to make a weather shield in the car port for a french cleat tool hanging area above but not attached to the workbench. I can hammer away on the bench and not disturb the tools. Now to make lots of tool storage cleats .



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[Staryder61]

...
Tim, The joinery in his video's is amazing.. Have seen those vids in the past.

And actually, the way the dovetail joints work out I think they are better looking, just as strong and the fact that water has very little chance to work its way into the joint makes them superior.

Tim, Yes, makes a great joint, very strong as well.. and looks amazing. More time consuming but adds so much character to the build. Used to do dovetail joints on drawers for some of the higher dollar cabinets I had built in the past.

I finally found the time to invest in my work shop area after 4 years in this house. So many projects that would have been easier with a well set up area but had higher priority .

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edge, that will work out great, always a plus to have everything where you need it and available.
Living in a Travel trailer full time. I don't have a garage or carport. So was very limited to what I could do with all my tools, trying to build anything. Then I was lucky enough to have a friend let me use a Conex box he wasn't using. So, I took advantage of it and have a complete shop set up in it now. Just have to work on my organization skills..

[edgeau]

Now I have some hangers for the most oft used hand tools.
Plenty of space for later when I realize there is something else I want in easy reach



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[twisted lines]

20* outside R Mold & hot wire Test No curf cutting to 1/2" ?

Well it cut's & bends easy enough, I only wanted three pieces though.
On to 3/4 I guess

[TimC]

I finished up putting the new LiFePo4 battery bank into a portable tool box with simple Anderson Powerpole inputs and outputs and a couple ammeters to measure solar production and load. The wife's camper is large enough to have a nice spot in one of the cabinets to keep the bank and easy enough to access to remove the bank to use at my in-laws camp for lighting, fans, charging stuff, etc. FIL is old school and does not want any upgrades (I don't blame him). So I thought I would build an accompanying ammo box distribution set-up to allow for some of those modern niceties!







The distribution box can be used with my teardrop as well to provide more outlets when needed. It has an Anderson Powerpole input (45a) and two outputs (45a as well). It has two LED lights on the ends with switches for each on top. A USB charging port (2 - 2.1a, with a switch to de-energize when not in use... it has an LED). A standard cigarette lighter outlet which I included even though I have found them to be a PITA. Just in case someone has something they want to plug in. Everything is protected with a six circuit fuse block. Fun little project. I have to find some tubing to cover the sheet metal screws inside to keep them from poking a hole in the wiring or my hands.

[Staryder61]

Tim, I'm liking the boxes, so when are you open for orders??
Saw a couple different ones online a couple weeks ago that can be ordered. But, they got really bad reviews.

[Staryder61]

Just a thought on the next boxes, how about using pop rivets instead of the screws?

[TimC]

Just a thought on the next boxes, how about using pop rivets instead of the screws?

Yup, rivets would be a good option. Ran out on my last project. I just used what I had available. Maybe I'll pick up some rivets instead of the vinyl tubing to eliminate the screw points.

Edit: Rivets were the ticket. Remounted all the outlets that used sheet metal screws with 1/8" x 1/8" or 1/4" aluminum rivets. Bought packs of 100 each so I have them around for future needs.

[lfhoward]

Love the portable LiFePO4's, Tim! Great ideas.