Stair step for exercise

Wifey requested that i make her a stair step for her preparation of the "trek up the tower" race.

the foot print is 18"x24" with the height being 17".

i thought the saw horse base would look good, keep the weight down and be very stable.

and it is very stable.

pine and cedar keep it under 12 pounds.

Catapult wars

Mac vs me 

two out of three and the first born showed dad who the boss was.

never made it to the third game.

my set up

mac's set up

 had to buy another bag of rubber bands.

made the catapults from scrap wood from an oak pallet.

the catapults are roughly: base 11.5"x5" and the arm length is 10".

i got this design from an online site with free plans. i think it was "crush the castle". i stayed pretty true to their plans. just added a platform to give it a bit more stability.

one of our catapults.

we set up about 10 feet from each other. 

with the bands moved to a lower rung and even more bands added we can easily double the distance.

boy number two is next on the challenge.

Slat clamp

Once again trying to use the whole buffalo.

when making slats from boards there tends to be extras. also when i find myself on a roll i end up with even more extras. 

if the slats were to lay around in a non-compressed form then they will eventually warp. to keep the thinner slats from cupping, bowing, springing or twisting i put them in a slat clamp. 

i do this because it is important not to waste materials nor the efforts used in creating the slats in the first place.

slat clamps are easy to make from scraps of oak pallets and plywood spacers.

i keep the clamps around 18"x1 5/8"x3/4". 

the shorter length will control the clamps themselves from warping.

they are all glued and pinned. the only fact to ensure is that the side grain be on the top and bottom of the clamp. this will also reduce the warping of the clamp.

keeping the winged nutted bolts free moving allows the pressure of the clamping area to be more focused on the slats themselves. 

the back clamps show what to do with longer slats. just adding a third clamp 

when not using they store very compactly.

Length of shower

A refreshing shower:

odell's myrcenary.

this is a favorite big beer. 

what makes this double ipa is so damn good is the big citrus/tropical fruit aroma. it is a welcomed punch to the olfactory receptors, not pungent at all and definitely not too bitter.  another welcomed attribute it that myrcenary is more in the medium body (although almost in the "full") catagory. 

at times, i want big aroma, malt sweetness with a little dough, but not enough to slow down the swallows.

9.3% octane

the following is off of the odell's site:

Hatchet shipping case finished

All of the shipping crates are finished.

i had decided to wait until january first to post for selling so i spaced out the completion of the final touches. 

i was willing to wait because i thought it was a bit scheming to put them out there during the last days of holiday shopping. these axes and hatches need to get out there but not at the expense of seeming that i was trying to profit on last minute purchases.

it also gave me a little time to be satisfied with some of my final decisions.

one side is hinged, while the other has two clasps: a wooden one for keeping securely closed while shipping and one for quick secure if one wants to have suspended on the wall. the back of the case has two eyelets for easy attachment to the wall.

shipping crate with wooden cleat that uses a screw to keep it closed for shipping
the leather clasp is for keeping it closed when it is hanging on the wall 

 i also wanted to to put a thought rocket thank you in the crate too.

the only thing needed now is a buyer and wrapping with padding.

thought rocket thank you will be suspended when hung on the wall

Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

straight from Christmas alton past (pre-jason)

exemplified by grandfather receiving an electric knife set and treating it like world peace

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.