Chronodex week 7 and 8 - dimensional chronodex

The chronodex can take from 10 minutes to more depending on how much time i need to plan or reflect on my thoughts. i can say that the more time i am willing to spend at the chronodex stage the better the execution of the project (or the more clear my thoughts are). 

i have become very fond of using the more dimensional chronodex to extend my thinking time. a rewarding product of this preference comes a pocket notebook that is looking more and more like a pop-up book. i have always been a big fan of the pop-up book.

2.15.2015 chronodex
"choppy seas chronodex"
TWSBI mini with a 1.1 stub
esterbrook clip #20
pilot hi-tecpoint .7 green
battleship
doane pocket notebook
nock co dot dash index cards

2.17.2015 chronodex
"pop-up chronodex"
TWSBI mini
morning glory mach 3 .38
ticonderoga red checking pencil
hunt clip
doane pocket notebook
nock co dot dash index card

detail of the 2.17.2015 dimensional chronodex

 here are the three easy components to the pop-up chronodex.

this takes a bit more time so is reserved for those occasions when i need more time to think.

2.17.2015 chronodex pre-assembly

 there are times when i finish and think to myself, "what the hell".

i left my color senses when i made this VERY late night organizational tool.

2.18.2015 chronodex
"colors chronodex"
doane pocket notebook
nock co dot dash index card

 Keeping the springy pocket notebook under control with the amazing Inspector 2.0 made by Recycled Firefighter.

2.20.2015 chronodex
"Inspector 2.0 chronodex"
doane pocket notebook
nock co dot dash index card
TWSBI mini
fisher space pen
morning glory mach 3
esterbrook clip number 20
recycled firefighter's Inspector 2.0

2.22.2015 chronodex
doane pocket notebook
nock co dot dash index cards
esterbrook clip no 20
grid ruler
sharpie stainless steel 

Chronodex week 15 and the Easter TWSBI

Maybe it because i rarely dress up

but

when the occasion "arises",  I do enjoy getting a bit formal.

Easter Sunday was just such an occasion.

Instead of hiding out in my trousers pocket, i displayed my TWSBI Mini 580 as some vest flash.

Easter dress and the TWSBI Mini 580

there really wasn't a theme to this weeks chronodex.

some weeks i prefer not to be too planned.

Chronodex 4.14.2014 and the TWSBI Mini 580

 Day 2 of a three day work push

Chronodex 4.15.2014 and the kaweco al sport

chronodex 4.18.2014 and the TWSBI  Mini 580

The pliers sheath reviewed after 3 months of use - a success!

Around November 1, 2013 i posted a leather pliers sheath design i had made.

wet formed around my favorite old Cee Tee pliers, i was hopeful to come up with a durable sheath that would be much more dependable and better looking than what can be purchased locally.

as the crap hardware store pliers (on the left) ages, the thin leather stretches and deforms starting at the loop. the poor quality also dries out extremely fast. 

for my holder i purposely chose a thicker 6-8 ounce leather.  the back is two full layers thick with the leather's underside cemented together, never exposed. this has proved very reliable. 

handmade leather pliers sheath vs a poorly made store bought one
image when first made 3 months ago

the wet forming keeps the pliers in place very well and still does. there be no falling out if working on one's side or upside down for that matter.

below is the sheath as of this morning. leather and threading in great condition after three months. 

the handmade leather pliers sheath after 3 months of use

after that last photo i did apply a very light coating of neatsfoot to keep this sheath in its optimal shape. while i was there i gave it a quick polish and buff, too. i want the tool sheath to be as maintenance free as possible, but the fact remains that all leather needs attention.

especially if the leather is a real working leather, exposed and abused (as it should be).

the handmade leather pliers sheath after 3 months of use and a light coating of neatsfoot, then polish & buffed

this has been a very successful project. 

later this spring, i will probably be making some for sale on my Etsy shop.

i have purchased some great quality vintage pliers that i will sell with them, a sort of complete package.

Sharpen a pencil and 4 easy to stash pencil sharpeners

The time is now to sharpen that pencil is now

and

then in a few moments now, again.

out of all the tools i use, the pencil is always present and demands the most "sharpening" attention.

as the tool is important, so is the act of sharpening. this process optimizes the tools performance and thereby helps maximize our potential. one can never have too many sharpeners!

with that said, i probably have pencil sharpeners in every room of our house. every room except wifey's bathroom, officially banned from that room. in fear of more banishment i keep to the premise that the lower the sharpeners footprint, the better.

here we have 4 such easy to stash pencil sharpeners. there is one long lead maker, two medium lead makers and one short lead maker.

the "ratcheting" one is new and sort of initiated this post.

4 easy to stash pencil sharpeners. the pencil is the most consistently used tool that requires point/blade tuning;  beating out the saws, knives, chisels, scrapers, hatchets, axes, shovels, ex cetera. 

each task/duty/project requires a different lead length, usually based on the coarseness of the material marked on and the thickness of line desired. i have three general lead lengths: long (for smooth surfaces), medium (for general) and short (for coarse surfaces).

of the 4 here is the long lead and the short lead makers.

maybe a bit overdone, but these considerations actually make a big difference when it is time to make a mark. proper layout is absolutely invaluable.

Chronodex week 2 2014

A week 2 in visual review:

as the "work" week amped up, i had been able to manage my open time to the greatest effeciency.

a few surprises did arise, but with expectations at bay, i was better able to tackle them.

orange is such a good highlight color. whether on a tool so it doesn't get lost on the workbench or on the paper to highlight caution.

chronodex week 2 2014

 a week highlight (with projects) of making a neck pen holder from scrap leather.

chronodex week 2 2014

the highlight was raised when i found a purpose for the old western style leather belt (late 1970s). reformed into a neck pen holder that i can use everyday. 

chronodex week 2 2014

Last week reviewed via chronodex

I have been wanting to do some sort of visual review of my week and thought the chronodex would be a fitting avenue. 

i already use this visual planning aid everyday that i work. 

as i have stated before this system is perfect for me me to temper my overloading of daily projects.

chronodex for 12.22.1013

even the act of making the chronodex more ornate is apart of the process for prioritizing the day.

after finishing a day's design, i have often found myself taking a quick image of it with the tools i used. i enjoy not only the end product but the layers of means it took to get to this visual end. 

chronodex for 12.24.2013

if the chronodex is the Capitalized first word, then the tools used become a sort of punctuation at the end of the planning sentence.

Happy New Year, Boot sliver and long shifts

Letting everyone who had to pull long shifts during the Christmas to New Year transition

or 

still in the middle of the fray:

 HAPPY NEW YEAR & KNUCKLES UP!

it doesn't matter what the job is, nor if you really like your post, really long sessions take a toll

and 

it always takes time to recover.

i am not much for new years resolutions but if i were to make one then i pledge to afford myself

more recovery time. we are all stronger afterwards.

my most memorable moment from this past week was when by boot had a sliver.

double shifts and steel toed boots with slivers

2014 will hopefully see me making rough drafts before i hit "post" or "update".

Similarities between my worn field notes and crows feet

The similarities between my worn "drink local" field notes

and

 crows feet. 

the field notes worn into crows feet

i am really pleased with how the stout aged. i would rank this as the most visually interesting when finished. the white lines were very pronounced and shot out from the binding like lightning bolts in the black of my beer.

i am ready to switch this stout edition with a "cold horizon" book.

switching from the field notes "drink local" edition to the "cold horizon"

and

hoping for some potential in the pages.

Warrior dash 2013 and the railhead trousers

A damn fine time.

we had a blast, but couldn't believe how cold it was for june.  the cold was amplified constant rain, rain that was fairly driving at times and even moments of SLEET.

even for nebraska, that is notable (for june).

the railheads did the job as always! 

i make sure to put a good layer of scotch guard.

do not scotch guard the pockets. also one modification is necessary, put a small hole in the pockets for drainage. reinforce it with some stitching so it doesn't expand. this gives the pocket fuzz a place to escape with persuasion. watch out though or wifey (or whomever you are with) will tell you to stop playing with your self. 

Humboldt trouser knees

Knees on pants wearing out,

Knees wearing out.

this pair of humboldts wearing well.

Cigar case

I had been looking on ebay for some time now for a deal on a leather cigar case i can carry my design implements in.

found one, won the bidding, patiently waited and then found my leather cigar case

was in fact, not leather.

only cost a few dollars so the monetary pain is dull,

i just really dislike vinyl.

i will still use it until i find another one. 

i think the oldest boy would enjoy this one when that day comes.

Stormy Kromer

A flash of day time cooler weather.

yesterday's high was about 20 degrees cooler than today but at least the mornings are 

consistently in the mid-20's.

any excuse to wear the stormy kromer.

today's temp much warmer and no wind.

Polishing boots

As durable as leather is conditioning is required.

the best boots are the leather uppers that fit PERFECTLY around the feet.

also seeing a well worn boot shine from a good polishing tells one of the individual.

show pride and take care of you possessions.

not to mention that this fits in the catagory of individuals whom maintain the everyday have an air of self reliance and dependability to them.

my general boot care starts with having two main sets of work boots. 

boots only get undesirable if one does not do the following:

1. wash their feet

2.  change out their boot liners

3.  change their socks

4.  rotate your footwear

it is more expensive in the short run, but keeping feet healthy is a major priority.

(keeps one more socially acceptable too).

SO BOYS, DONT SHORTCUT THE SHOWER AND WASH YOUR BARNEY RUBBLES!

to be efficient i polish both set of boots at the same time.

i keep it simple, which would probably give some dismay to a proper shoe man.

make sure boots are clean (fairly clean)

apply a higher quality cream or paste

let sit for a few minutes

buff with a boar's brush.

buff like you have never buffed before.

work boots sitting on my shoe shine box

 nice and shiny. 

looking sharp in my unrefined sort of way. 

my shoe shine box has all the parts i need to keep my footwear going.

according to the bottom written in pencil:

it was was originally mailed and delivered to the soldier relief commission in 1924, 

boone county nebraska.

it is made from an 1800's oak baseboard mitred and lidded.

i lined the inside with a copper floor basin so creams or protectants do not ruin the bottom paper board.

soldier relief commission, 1924

shoe polish is one of those great smells. ranks right up there with the smells of the barbershop.

Bend your bill

Simple pleasures

simply pleasured

pleasured simply

the old hat is not visually in bad shape, 

but even after multiple washings has a slime feel that just isn't right.

the nice thing about camo hats is that unless it is grease they do not show age and soil as solid color hats.

the first task before putting on any hat is to make sure the bill gets bent.

right down the middle. 

this improves side protection and yet the arch opens up visibility when looking forward. 

also makes it easy to put in back pocket.

after the middle bend flare out the very end of the sides (about an inch from the skull).

this will keep the hat bill from hugging too closely to your eyes.

now your proper.

the old hat just had some sweat stains and that rip underneath. sweat made the material weaken and then the bill plastic snapped. after that it was only a matter of time before friction made the rip.

Railhead trousers

Finished the papillion extreme run (a mud run) and was very pleased. the staff was well placed and very friendly. a short run with enough obstacles. 

the more obstacles the better it breaks the monotony of the run. 

ran in an older pair of railhead trousers 

they served me very well.

it is very easy to run in trousers and the leg coverage is nice, especially on the natural obstacles (hay, creek runs, ect). 

the key is that the pants need to be snug, two coats of scotch guard and suspenders.

railhead trousers and the mud run

the real muddy challenges happen at the very end of the race 

(slip & slide mud hill and a mud/silt crawl).

according to gentlemen's emporium

these are tougher canvas pants. 

my favorite work pants!

Ludlow trousers

Another pair of pants that have been relegated to work.

these pants are durable and comfortable. 

from the gentlemen's emporium site.

Humboldt trousers

One of my favorite trousers. 

i have many different Y-backs, but for $50 this one cant be beat for light denim work pants. 

they hold up well and are very color strong.

standing next to the workbench

from the gentlemen's emporium. they have victorian and cowboy shooter clothes.

very good customer service.