A place to self document my projects.
I have continued to test patterns for making wallets. The construction also improves with each revision. You can see from left to right versions one to four. I switched from vertical to horizontal pockets, because it was pointed out to me that cards may fall out.
I continue to work on my pattern making skills by laser cutting pattern pieces. The TitanRF shielding also is being tested as I continue to see walk by exploits on tap to pay in the wild.
Version two of the bi-fold wallet came out a bit thinner which is good. However it is wider/taller. It is still a mess and I need to start taking more care on the edges especially with the glue once it leaks out no edge kote stick very well.
Mostly the same construction with thinner leather. I did only make one bill pocket which depresses me as I loved two so big bills can be “hidden” when getting funds out. I have not broken down and gone all plastic. I could just carry the minimalist card wallet.
I think darker leather is growing on me. The pieces had a great color when we which of course was much less when the tan dye dried. I may order some pre-died Cordovan for the Version three once I decided on a style.
I watched Sailrite’s Market Tote howto which was the basis for the Insulated trix or treat tote bag. The Halloween color scheme was great. You got to have a way to keep the beer cold while your trick or treating.
I had been trying the blue apron meals for recipe ideas. However there was a lot of packaging in getting meal ingredients delivered. It piles up when you don’t have curb side recycling. Well the knock off reflectix was just begging for a project not quite electronics upcycling but recycling is good.
The tote was kind of built on the fly. It is hard to make a pattern when using scraps and recycling materials. It came out pretty nice. A bit crooked on one seam as the faux leatherette slipped a bit. I will need some more projects before I get into the fresh leather. You don’t want to make a mistake in leather and have extra holes.
My interest in Leather Craft had led me get a walking foot sewing machine. I looked at the big commercial units used. However I went for the portable Sailrite LSZ-1. Since I already got the pile of hand me downs machines including the “sweat shop” Singer 241-12, A Sears Kenmore 148.295 from my Mom, and my grandma gave me a Singer 690U, which are all is some need of tuning and repair. I went new and have been having a blast.
I ordered a Box of Fabric for Sailrite to have some things to test before getting into the leather. It has been fun to get the surprise box and there were a lot of fun projects spawned from it. The first was the little lined zipper pouch to keep the tools in for the LSZ-1 made from some faux leather which I suspect is vinyl. I got some duck canvas for the lining which spawned the second project. The roll top stuff sack to keep my fleece sweater in.
Because I love the simplicity of the roll top bag. This led to project number three. I made a insulated market tote with some of the remnants from the box, and some knock off reflectix from the blue apron packaging. It has more of the faux leather/vinyl on the outside to protect the insulation and make it more durable.
I recently re-visited an old project to do some updates that were long overdue. I finally got the battery guard and the USB charging ports installed and setup. It is nice to have a low voltage cutout to protect the batteries from 12 volt attachments. The inverter already had a protection circuit.
Updates always incur some issues with organization. The main box which contains the MPPT solar charge controller and the bus bars that connect the two battery boxes with the box with the inverter charger and transfer switch. Seems to have become a rats-nest of wire now. If I would have know I would have gotten longer copper bars for the bus, but for my desired ampacity it would have cost a small fortune to go up in size. Also the larger size would have been harder to drill as copper work hardens. Finally I can get the polycarbonate shield cut to add extra layer of safety.
Finally the USB ports also proved a easy way to check the battery voltage for overall system status. It will also charge the phones without issues during an power event. Switch on the left enables the Battery Guard, and the one on the right enables both USB ports. I wonder how many times I can charge my phone with a 12V 400+AH battery bank? I know it will run the freezer for 5+ days.
Once I get some extra blade fuses i can add circuits to the Blue Sea connection up to 4 total. I may put in 12 V “cigarette lighter” plug to run the freezer direct without need for the inverter. A final note the folks at donrowe.com were super helpful friendly on top of having great prices on inverter-chargers and accessories.
So I went down another rabbit hole. I have an old wallet that is falling apart, but cannot find one that fulfills my desires, wants, or needs. We all know where this goes…. One starter set of tools later and now I have yet another hobby making things.
I will admit that the tin foil hat protection provided by RF shielding backed by Tyvex liner is nice. I do not know why my bank insist on sending me a debit card with “tap to steal” contacts in it.
I built an NFC /RFC panel just to collect and test that. It is easier than you think and people walk by these readers all the time without thought. I started that paranoia when reading the door access logs at one of my day jobs and seeing CC data in there. Is that system PCI complaint? Now I make wallets with RF shielding built-in because I lack trust. I see people bump their wallet and bags on the readers at offices all the time.
This initial test wallet has to be the thickest and you cannot sit on it for long. I don’t know what I was thinking with 5-6 ounce veg tanned leather, when doubled up it is almost 6mm or about 1/4 inch thick. It will last forever though.
A first for me was using Fiebings Antique Stain in tan to dye the raw leather. I think I got a pretty uniform color that looks great. I am already looking forward to my next revision that will be a touch smaller.
Now that I have a mini bench to work on. More projects arise. I decided I would like some marking gauges, and being too cheap to part with over 20 kongbucks for one. I saw Stumpy Nubs video on homemade marking gauges. Again my monkey see monkey do kicked in. I was out tool shopping and splurged on an 7 kongbuck piece of mahogany. I had some red oak, and a hardwood dowel leftover in the garage from other past projects.
A little glue to get some thicker pieces and some Ryoba saw action to get the 12 inch beams. The pieces were ready for the mortises which I need the practice on if you saw mini bench you know I need the practice.
Well practice practice practice makes you better. I’ll need much more before I can claim good let alone perfect. A few brad nails for the scoring pins and onward to wax and make them feel good in the hand and add a bit more protection than the leftover Danish Oil from my hand’s oil.
Onward to more projects in wood. I’m curious why the oak beam turned out so white while the oak block has the red tint. cut from the same piece of wood. Beautiful contrast either way.
Everyone knows I have too many hobbies working with the lasercutter has caused me to consider woodworking again. I suspect there is a Maslow CNC in my future, but in the mean time. I watched a ton of YouTube and saw this mini bench which started a flurry of copies videos.
Monkey See Monkey do kicked in, and I could not help myself, but I’m a cheap skate so no exotic woods for me. Four x $2.80 “white wood” studs from the orange box store later. I have my version of the mini bench. Why so cheap? Well a newb should not waste precious trees to learn on.
When I did wood working in the past I had a mentor, not now unless you count Essential Woodworking Hand Tools a wonderful book by Paul Sellers. I bought the book and Highly recommend it. He also has a ton of very informational videos sharing his vast knowledge in an easy to understand manner, on YouTube or available at his site https://paulsellers.com/ I only wish his DVD’s came in the US region encoding, but I will survive on internet versions. Much respect for someone who shares their knowledge and life lessons freely. It makes us all better in the end.
I snagged a 6-1/2” Woodworking Vise with Bench Dog for $20 kongbucks to finish of the cheap build. It works great onto of my Kreg portable workstation. I left the sliding tail legs long so it would clamp down on top. A single row of holes in the mini bench work with the vice in a tail position and the portable workstation’s included bench dogs. Now with a place and a way to hold projects let more projects begin.
I learned a ton which is the whole point of making things. Success with the jig to cut sliding dove tails without a table saw, When I revisit this build. I plan to cut them by hand with the lessons I’ve learned. The tails came out straight and uniform. Not so much success for the mortise or pins portion. The make shift fence jig slipped and the gap was ugly in the front. However the overall fit was very snug and took a mallet to get it all the way home.
Since the “white wood” is soft I did a few coats of Danish Oil to help protect it, but expect a work surface to take a beating. Maybe I’ll do southern yellow pine on the next one.
I finally got around to converting the Sriracha yardbird to a rice cooker version. Of course I did not have Sriracha tomatoes, so regular it is.
Measure ingredients carefully by shaking jars at pot until you get just the right amount. Vegetables on top no need to stir. Push the button to cook and let go for 15 minutes. I went and read a book while I waited. Stir and 15 minutes on the warm setting until the chicken was cooked. Pull out chicken and shred in bowl while the sauce is back on cook to reduce liquid. Add the shredded chicken back and 15 more minutes on cook or until the sauce is the thickness you desire. Serve as tacos or on a bolillo roll as a torta with refried black beans or cheese and jalapenos
I have a weakness for donut holes. I like donuts, but if there are holes I would rather eat them. I got a Phillips Air fryer to replace my aging Aroma turbo cooker, and found some donut recipes online. Why make donuts when you can skip right to the holes. It is so easy they will make you fat.
Donut holes
Glaze
Cut biscuits into quarters and add light cooking oil directly on cutting board and toss to coat. Add 1/2 of them to the air fryer on 375 freedom units for 5 minutes or until lightly brown. Turn out onto cooling rack and cook the second 10 bits.
While the first half cooks add powdered sugar, vanilla extract and half-n-half to bowl larger enough to contain all the holes. wisk until smooth.
When the second batch is done throw all holes into bowl and toss to coat.
Enjoy hot or let cool slightly.