tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79642006181405218022024-03-13T10:32:21.046+10:30Vincent Creative BlogD - I - YVincenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02827754747352106291noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964200618140521802.post-39999162764141691382013-01-21T03:25:00.000+10:302013-01-21T03:25:00.830+10:30Turning a floppy disk in to a Starship.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bv3dT-t9lrw/UPwcyI88vyI/AAAAAAAAdfI/LwakR-U72hw/s1600/IMG_0730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bv3dT-t9lrw/UPwcyI88vyI/AAAAAAAAdfI/LwakR-U72hw/s400/IMG_0730.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I had this old floppy disk left over and on a website I saw how to make a Starship out of it. So I wanted to give it a shot. All you need is the floppy disk and a pair of scissors.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4G01m7NoHTE/UPwcyjDOWvI/AAAAAAAAdfU/q_nBsKAW4Tk/s1600/IMG_0732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4G01m7NoHTE/UPwcyjDOWvI/AAAAAAAAdfU/q_nBsKAW4Tk/s400/IMG_0732.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Start by taking the floppy disk apart. Do not bend the metal cover.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2nnRtawCTtg/UPwczPhfNrI/AAAAAAAAdfg/bLOxYDbOI2I/s1600/IMG_0734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2nnRtawCTtg/UPwczPhfNrI/AAAAAAAAdfg/bLOxYDbOI2I/s400/IMG_0734.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Cut the cover like this.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0f4-MEq9qFQ/UPwczmh3O0I/AAAAAAAAdfs/Rvhj0UvpIJU/s1600/IMG_0735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0f4-MEq9qFQ/UPwczmh3O0I/AAAAAAAAdfs/Rvhj0UvpIJU/s400/IMG_0735.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Now fold the wings outwards. You can also fold the wingtips up.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mzR98HgoUkY/UPwc0S51UqI/AAAAAAAAdf4/-kgbBth61gE/s1600/IMG_0739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mzR98HgoUkY/UPwc0S51UqI/AAAAAAAAdf4/-kgbBth61gE/s400/IMG_0739.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Remove the "floppy" part to keep the metal disk.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-geEiMrjKa7U/UPwc8oF2XKI/AAAAAAAAdgE/aYNpQUR-lfY/s1600/IMG_0740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-geEiMrjKa7U/UPwc8oF2XKI/AAAAAAAAdgE/aYNpQUR-lfY/s400/IMG_0740.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The metal disk will become the "saucer". Hold it next to the rest to see where to cut away bits of the "neck".<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pa1o-zH_GLY/UPwc86sm6gI/AAAAAAAAdgQ/s63AN-P5HwE/s1600/IMG_0741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pa1o-zH_GLY/UPwc86sm6gI/AAAAAAAAdgQ/s63AN-P5HwE/s400/IMG_0741.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The cut "neck".<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4CXWzZ44tuc/UPwc9-hcehI/AAAAAAAAdgc/U93Z8oHMlkY/s1600/IMG_0742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4CXWzZ44tuc/UPwc9-hcehI/AAAAAAAAdgc/U93Z8oHMlkY/s400/IMG_0742.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Put the saucer on...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PQ1K3ULgyVM/UPwc-HNtujI/AAAAAAAAdgo/1HSEZfr_Ui8/s1600/IMG_0743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PQ1K3ULgyVM/UPwc-HNtujI/AAAAAAAAdgo/1HSEZfr_Ui8/s400/IMG_0743.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
... and fold the metal strips around it to hold it in place.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q0M6gRvnk24/UPwc-uChhPI/AAAAAAAAdgw/HHabdD7E36I/s1600/IMG_0749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q0M6gRvnk24/UPwc-uChhPI/AAAAAAAAdgw/HHabdD7E36I/s400/IMG_0749.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Voila, there's your starship! :-)Vincenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02827754747352106291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964200618140521802.post-21086419959002750152012-04-29T01:22:00.001+09:302012-04-29T01:22:37.006+09:30Putting up blinds (IKEA Lindmon)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eXv-tpSxl-U/T5wOV-rdijI/AAAAAAAAW78/AaAtmNrifhw/s1600/IMG_7698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eXv-tpSxl-U/T5wOV-rdijI/AAAAAAAAW78/AaAtmNrifhw/s400/IMG_7698.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(Click to enlarge)</span><br />
I wanted to replace my see-through white curtains with some blinds. Nice wooden ones. I got them at Ikea.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CdsRba1turw/T5wOWa-AIMI/AAAAAAAAW8I/XxMJXGnqWss/s1600/IMG_7696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CdsRba1turw/T5wOWa-AIMI/AAAAAAAAW8I/XxMJXGnqWss/s400/IMG_7696.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(Click to enlarge)</span><br />
These are the contents of 1 packet of Ikea "Lindmon" blinds.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HHkyQw-S9lc/T5wOXENSo1I/AAAAAAAAW8U/sCzizHTpSvk/s1600/IMG_7702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HHkyQw-S9lc/T5wOXENSo1I/AAAAAAAAW8U/sCzizHTpSvk/s400/IMG_7702.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(Click to enlarge)</span><br />
Putting up blinds is no rocket science. These 3 parts are as difficult as it gets. They need to be side or top mounted and then you can just put the blinds in.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l3Xty-dQ5kA/T5wOXt6x6AI/AAAAAAAAW8g/uPABeu9VpQE/s1600/IMG_7703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l3Xty-dQ5kA/T5wOXt6x6AI/AAAAAAAAW8g/uPABeu9VpQE/s400/IMG_7703.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Make sure you do not hang them too close to any grips.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JTVIoL7W1XU/T5wOYJLmN8I/AAAAAAAAW8s/yPaObw2e0cg/s1600/IMG_7708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JTVIoL7W1XU/T5wOYJLmN8I/AAAAAAAAW8s/yPaObw2e0cg/s400/IMG_7708.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Once you know the correct measurements you can start screwing everything on to the wall/ceiling, in my case the top.<br />
<br />
TIP: add 3mm to the required space between these holders. This is because the holder's hinges face inwards. This is really bad design that I overlooked and I had to cut 3mm off the rails :-(<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UsymHSOSMkY/T5wOiUHCQ8I/AAAAAAAAW84/rbjwFlQT1wQ/s1600/IMG_7710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UsymHSOSMkY/T5wOiUHCQ8I/AAAAAAAAW84/rbjwFlQT1wQ/s400/IMG_7710.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(Click to enlarge)</span><br />
So anyway, you should end up like this.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-veoLmWbhaD4/T5wOihl1AgI/AAAAAAAAW9E/k8zAQmH8tfc/s1600/IMG_7728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-veoLmWbhaD4/T5wOihl1AgI/AAAAAAAAW9E/k8zAQmH8tfc/s400/IMG_7728.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(Click to enlarge)</span><br />
Now you can simply put the rails with the blinds hanging in to the holders and close those holders.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U7rniwH0Elg/T5wOjEhvGbI/AAAAAAAAW9Q/sQNjn_JpXj8/s1600/IMG_7720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U7rniwH0Elg/T5wOjEhvGbI/AAAAAAAAW9Q/sQNjn_JpXj8/s400/IMG_7720.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(Click to enlarge)</span><br />
1 window done.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_3fzZh0R6Y8/T5wOjseEXFI/AAAAAAAAW9Y/2sLMx2a6Olc/s1600/IMG_7726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_3fzZh0R6Y8/T5wOjseEXFI/AAAAAAAAW9Y/2sLMx2a6Olc/s400/IMG_7726.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(Click to enlarge)</span><br />
Two windows done :-)Vincenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02827754747352106291noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964200618140521802.post-62304869076907270852012-01-13T08:46:00.000+10:302012-04-29T01:02:07.448+09:30Making a shop counterYou know, everybody is going to need a shop counter in their life at some point. So pay attention! Coz I'm about to show you how to make one!<br />
<br />
It's nothing fancy really. Very cheap. But it looks quite good! Like a proper counter actually :-)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EkE6ZzSMqLI/Tw9UOqxHOZI/AAAAAAAAVR8/Hjqy7oAYAP0/s1600/IMG_6768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EkE6ZzSMqLI/Tw9UOqxHOZI/AAAAAAAAVR8/Hjqy7oAYAP0/s400/IMG_6768.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Get wood. This counter will be 250x92x60 cm. The wooden frame we'll start with however is 231x72x55 cm. I got 6 pieces of 300x69x44 cm.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PzEA8FXvwfE/Tw9UOtU7CZI/AAAAAAAAVSM/hHHx7-0jDow/s1600/IMG_6769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PzEA8FXvwfE/Tw9UOtU7CZI/AAAAAAAAVSM/hHHx7-0jDow/s400/IMG_6769.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Saw in to bits.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-29CWa-ygUjI/Tw9UPJegXXI/AAAAAAAAVSU/KJD6JBoJz5c/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2012-01-07%2Bat%2B4.14.31%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-29CWa-ygUjI/Tw9UPJegXXI/AAAAAAAAVSU/KJD6JBoJz5c/s400/Screen%2Bshot%2B2012-01-07%2Bat%2B4.14.31%2BPM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
I made drawings first using <a href="http://sketchup.google.com/">Google Sketchup</a>. This is what the first step should look like.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u1IiNOkvW0o/Tw9UPSCWfgI/AAAAAAAAVSc/JR3GsqKehLk/s1600/IMG_6771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u1IiNOkvW0o/Tw9UPSCWfgI/AAAAAAAAVSc/JR3GsqKehLk/s400/IMG_6771.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Not a bad start.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wN_IJCOAiME/Tw9UPUJc4tI/AAAAAAAAVSo/OxQHojCNzZA/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2012-01-07%2Bat%2B4.38.39%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wN_IJCOAiME/Tw9UPUJc4tI/AAAAAAAAVSo/OxQHojCNzZA/s400/Screen%2Bshot%2B2012-01-07%2Bat%2B4.38.39%2BPM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
Next put on the smallest beams.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WT-NWQZBIpo/Tw9UfriUqXI/AAAAAAAAVS4/jVnbPVLR2WE/s1600/IMG_6772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WT-NWQZBIpo/Tw9UfriUqXI/AAAAAAAAVS4/jVnbPVLR2WE/s400/IMG_6772.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Voila. I used the counter top as a working surface because it's actually more even than the floor ;-)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8kfzSnXUsvw/Tw9Uf_GNXxI/AAAAAAAAVTE/qiBiaiRfWhQ/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2012-01-07%2Bat%2B5.41.27%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8kfzSnXUsvw/Tw9Uf_GNXxI/AAAAAAAAVTE/qiBiaiRfWhQ/s400/Screen%2Bshot%2B2012-01-07%2Bat%2B5.41.27%2BPM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
Next up are the legs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0oRatG5Jzqo/Tw9UgbCqgUI/AAAAAAAAVTU/N628ouToufU/s1600/IMG_6774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0oRatG5Jzqo/Tw9UgbCqgUI/AAAAAAAAVTU/N628ouToufU/s400/IMG_6774.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
There they are. The shop was out of white ones so I used black ones for the back since customers won't see those.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3RnOUirTfQI/Tw9Ug4TzYUI/AAAAAAAAVTc/ucZN_i_bqYU/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2012-01-07%2Bat%2B6.23.43%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3RnOUirTfQI/Tw9Ug4TzYUI/AAAAAAAAVTc/ucZN_i_bqYU/s400/Screen%2Bshot%2B2012-01-07%2Bat%2B6.23.43%2BPM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
Then the sides and top need to be put on.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pqYYMq-CA8c/Tw9UhL6ZWII/AAAAAAAAVTs/xHRvjbHbw44/s1600/IMG_6775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pqYYMq-CA8c/Tw9UhL6ZWII/AAAAAAAAVTs/xHRvjbHbw44/s400/IMG_6775.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I actually put the sides on while the frame was still lying on the top. That way everything is straight. Then I turned it upright.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-svPXtLN7_VY/Tw9UxJlmkgI/AAAAAAAAVT4/-qCHbaRp0dc/s1600/IMG_6779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-svPXtLN7_VY/Tw9UxJlmkgI/AAAAAAAAVT4/-qCHbaRp0dc/s400/IMG_6779.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Attach the top and you're done!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3_2cjZ4G7Zc/Tw9UxYa9DfI/AAAAAAAAVUE/k57du-QgLPI/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2012-01-07%2Bat%2B6.24.24%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3_2cjZ4G7Zc/Tw9UxYa9DfI/AAAAAAAAVUE/k57du-QgLPI/s400/Screen%2Bshot%2B2012-01-07%2Bat%2B6.24.24%2BPM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
This is the rear-view.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oxgfYEhWY7I/Tw9Ux6JauSI/AAAAAAAAVUQ/LgRXthEMImk/s1600/IMG_6776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oxgfYEhWY7I/Tw9Ux6JauSI/AAAAAAAAVUQ/LgRXthEMImk/s400/IMG_6776.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Even that looks as designed ;-)Vincenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02827754747352106291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964200618140521802.post-26776634533050945442011-09-12T06:53:00.000+09:302011-09-12T16:31:15.017+09:30Making a gateThis post is about making a gate.<br />
<br />
I wanted a small gate to close off the entry to my door. My dad had some leftover wood he "rescued" from being thrown away by someone. I'm glad he did because it's a high quality wood that is probably not allowed anymore these days.<br />
<br />
So let's begin.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xUMFHF7zdX0/TmzxxK960EI/AAAAAAAATOs/LQ49KO554NE/s1600/IMG_4461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xUMFHF7zdX0/TmzxxK960EI/AAAAAAAATOs/LQ49KO554NE/s400/IMG_4461.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(Click to enlarge)</span><br />
The wood. High quality, straight planks. More or less painted. Good stuff.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RNNiCy7mhMY/TmzxxCXO4EI/AAAAAAAATO0/zgy9gCCvd60/s1600/IMG_4467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RNNiCy7mhMY/TmzxxCXO4EI/AAAAAAAATO0/zgy9gCCvd60/s400/IMG_4467.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I used a sawing bench since it's a fair bit of work. I used it to cut the pieces the right length and also to cut the tips.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0bK1hI_2aYI/TmzxxvV3gMI/AAAAAAAATO8/6i-ayI9kUUM/s1600/IMG_4472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0bK1hI_2aYI/TmzxxvV3gMI/AAAAAAAATO8/6i-ayI9kUUM/s400/IMG_4472.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Quickly put together after it was cut. Looks promising.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-avUURQ_-EZM/TmzxxmljcxI/AAAAAAAATPE/xdmHv3apgx8/s1600/IMG_4710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-avUURQ_-EZM/TmzxxmljcxI/AAAAAAAATPE/xdmHv3apgx8/s400/IMG_4710.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(Click to enlarge)</span><br />
Back home I have a tiled floor. The lines between the tiles come in handy. I used the lines to make sure everything was on a 90 degree angle.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yizjdcWPXQM/Tmzxx1cAItI/AAAAAAAATPM/1rQVXCbRqW8/s1600/IMG_4711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yizjdcWPXQM/Tmzxx1cAItI/AAAAAAAATPM/1rQVXCbRqW8/s400/IMG_4711.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
The result of putting in a zillion screws. Well, not really a zillion, OK... The top 2 horizontal pieces and the bottom one have 2 screws on each intersection of wood. The diagonal piece has 2 screws at the ends and 1 everywhere else. You can see the screws reasonably OK in the next picture.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Prmvt0Xn7k/Tmzx7WW3_lI/AAAAAAAATPU/lb-7IMObmbg/s1600/IMG_4860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Prmvt0Xn7k/Tmzx7WW3_lI/AAAAAAAATPU/lb-7IMObmbg/s400/IMG_4860.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(Click to enlarge)</span><br />
The diagonal bit is crucial to making a solid gate. Without it, the gate would collapse after it was put on the wall. It is important that the bottom end of the diagonal bit is on the side where it is mounted against the wall.<br />
<br />
So I painted the back of it first. That way I could paint the front after mounting it to the wall.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zVLtuATt_W4/Tmzx7lRYcZI/AAAAAAAATPc/SfvJe_2Vckg/s1600/IMG_4861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zVLtuATt_W4/Tmzx7lRYcZI/AAAAAAAATPc/SfvJe_2Vckg/s400/IMG_4861.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(Click to enlarge)</span><br />
You can see the separate piece of wood here as well. That's to put on the wall. The gate will then be mounted on this piece of wood.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oZHFVbh28Dk/Tmzx74_r1OI/AAAAAAAATPk/Z3X90CqOKmA/s1600/IMG_4877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oZHFVbh28Dk/Tmzx74_r1OI/AAAAAAAATPk/Z3X90CqOKmA/s400/IMG_4877.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
To put it on the wall I needed some big screws and matching plugs. I wanted to know exactly where the holes needed to be so I drilled hole in the wood first, held it against the wall and then drilled holes in the stone with a small drill-bit, just to mark where the holes needed to be.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YHyDXBstoQE/Tmzx77WMepI/AAAAAAAATPs/PVlY4nFUqUE/s1600/IMG_4878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YHyDXBstoQE/Tmzx77WMepI/AAAAAAAATPs/PVlY4nFUqUE/s400/IMG_4878.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
It needs to support a fair weight so I put in quite a few screws. Starting to look good there!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dpxD8xIV1nY/Tmzx8BhJNII/AAAAAAAATP0/aHwDfSu18Tw/s1600/IMG_4886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dpxD8xIV1nY/Tmzx8BhJNII/AAAAAAAATP0/aHwDfSu18Tw/s400/IMG_4886.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Next up are the hinges. I bought the biggest ones I could find. Since the wood is hard, I pre-drilled the holes for the screws to prevent wood-splitting. You have to be very careful though not to drill through the wood!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jIvEYmywjBo/TmzyIVXcXhI/AAAAAAAATP8/U_mQbCeT6BY/s1600/IMG_4891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jIvEYmywjBo/TmzyIVXcXhI/AAAAAAAATP8/U_mQbCeT6BY/s400/IMG_4891.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(Click to enlarge)</span><br />
I sat the gate on a small piece of wood to lift it off the ground a bit. It happened to have exactly the right height. This made it easy to mount the gate on the wall.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zp0GlYhhqA0/TmzyIn8DSuI/AAAAAAAATQE/Zh8vjGEqMQc/s1600/IMG_4893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zp0GlYhhqA0/TmzyIn8DSuI/AAAAAAAATQE/Zh8vjGEqMQc/s400/IMG_4893.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(Click to enlarge)</span><br />
Yay!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N3VFVHjpXxg/TmzyIo7y4xI/AAAAAAAATQM/Fq2kpUFxcdg/s1600/IMG_4896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N3VFVHjpXxg/TmzyIo7y4xI/AAAAAAAATQM/Fq2kpUFxcdg/s400/IMG_4896.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
I don't want it to be smacked against the wall by the wind when it's open so I made a hook to hold it still.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xBNajzHkR30/TmzyI4-LtjI/AAAAAAAATQU/Zg9OmKHeYVs/s1600/IMG_4939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xBNajzHkR30/TmzyI4-LtjI/AAAAAAAATQU/Zg9OmKHeYVs/s400/IMG_4939.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
I painted the front of the gate as well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JeiAqhAEA2U/TmzyI883GRI/AAAAAAAATQc/5YD0R6wegP8/s1600/IMG_4941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JeiAqhAEA2U/TmzyI883GRI/AAAAAAAATQc/5YD0R6wegP8/s400/IMG_4941.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Not bad I think :-)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BCJEM6gQReo/TmzyQ4aqzqI/AAAAAAAATQk/-p8ftstak9g/s1600/IMG_5211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BCJEM6gQReo/TmzyQ4aqzqI/AAAAAAAATQk/-p8ftstak9g/s400/IMG_5211.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I had to think about how to lock the gate for a while. There's a gate and a pole. Hmm... In the end I decided to make a sliding lock that slides in to the pole. Except the pole is made of solid metal and the hole needed to be 1cm in diameter. I drilled the hole by using 3-, 4.5-, 6-, 8- and 10 mm drills. I had to use my power drill for the last 2 bits.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6crfn_ZwAH0/TmzyRKvV7QI/AAAAAAAATQs/uQsKy6XCyhA/s1600/IMG_5213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6crfn_ZwAH0/TmzyRKvV7QI/AAAAAAAATQs/uQsKy6XCyhA/s400/IMG_5213.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
After that it was a simple matter of putting the lock on my gate. I did this by holding it on the gate with the slide in the hole. Then I pre-drilled the holes for the screws and screwed it on.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-otX3TiA3T1M/TmzyRNPwBlI/AAAAAAAATQ0/EEMPFee1v9A/s1600/IMG_5214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-otX3TiA3T1M/TmzyRNPwBlI/AAAAAAAATQ0/EEMPFee1v9A/s400/IMG_5214.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(Click to enlarge)</span><br />
And so the gate got finished. This is the view from my hall way. I like the result very much.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rU4qVXEJg5c/TmzyRXa-FzI/AAAAAAAATQ8/w8U1qeOLcUQ/s1600/IMG_5218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rU4qVXEJg5c/TmzyRXa-FzI/AAAAAAAATQ8/w8U1qeOLcUQ/s400/IMG_5218.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(Click to enlarge)</span><br />
And there is the all finished gate from the front. It was a very satisfying bit of work and I enjoyed making it.<br />
<br />
Mission accomplished :-)Vincenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02827754747352106291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964200618140521802.post-31777271243769248972011-09-06T07:33:00.000+09:302011-09-06T07:33:15.175+09:30Fixing outside plasterI am preparing my little patio at the back so I can put up a small shed. The wall that the shed will be standing next to needs fixing and painting. The weather was reasonably OK so I took my chance.<br />
<br />
Plastering is difficult and requires a fair bit of skill. This was my first time ever and even though I'm pleased with the result, a proper craftsman would've done a much better job.<br />
<br />
Anyway, this is what I did:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JcKjkU5u62U/TmVEsEmbHMI/AAAAAAAATKY/-sNH7DRCDWA/s1600/IMG_5105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JcKjkU5u62U/TmVEsEmbHMI/AAAAAAAATKY/-sNH7DRCDWA/s400/IMG_5105.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>The bad part of the wall. I wanted that big hole and the crappy corner edge fixed. I cleaned it so it would be reasonably dust-free.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qRXIj08U3mA/TmVEsMk82JI/AAAAAAAATKg/VtrW6hU49sw/s1600/IMG_5107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qRXIj08U3mA/TmVEsMk82JI/AAAAAAAATKg/VtrW6hU49sw/s400/IMG_5107.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>I bought stuff particularly suited for this kind of work. I have no idea if there's a special name for it in English though...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GvjsJa1C0kM/TmVEseo9qRI/AAAAAAAATKo/38hU0MWpFyE/s1600/IMG_5108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GvjsJa1C0kM/TmVEseo9qRI/AAAAAAAATKo/38hU0MWpFyE/s400/IMG_5108.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>It said 3.7 litres of water on 20 kilo of cement. I only needed 2 kilo of cement so I added 370ml but that was too much, the mixture stayed to runny. I think I ended up putting an extra half kilo of cement in.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-avJdUudvf4E/TmVEsf2YX8I/AAAAAAAATKw/CEkckZHjgDs/s1600/IMG_5109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-avJdUudvf4E/TmVEsf2YX8I/AAAAAAAATKw/CEkckZHjgDs/s400/IMG_5109.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>With a simple spatula I put the cement in the hole and other places.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vj2AbC7654M/TmVEsuQyWUI/AAAAAAAATK4/U_lJ5kGm0kM/s1600/IMG_5110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vj2AbC7654M/TmVEsuQyWUI/AAAAAAAATK4/U_lJ5kGm0kM/s400/IMG_5110.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>The result is quite rough but a bit of sanding will do the trick. It's not smooth and flat but it's a lot better than it was before :-)Vincenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02827754747352106291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964200618140521802.post-40615410979416908162011-08-20T05:39:00.001+09:302011-08-27T17:00:02.375+09:30Straightening out plantsNot really any serious DIY but a small chore to do around the house anyway is doing up your plants. These plants have been bugging me for ages. It's too much plant and they're not standing straight up. Rubbish collects underneath them which attracts vermin.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IE9cp9uZ3kU/Tk7CAP-ggMI/AAAAAAAAS8M/Ov81kwnMXj8/s1600/IMG_4706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IE9cp9uZ3kU/Tk7CAP-ggMI/AAAAAAAAS8M/Ov81kwnMXj8/s400/IMG_4706.JPG" /></a></div>So it needed a quick face-lift.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ki2VHj09erw/Tk7CAE_JKuI/AAAAAAAAS8U/5BsEBKef0Tk/s1600/IMG_4707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ki2VHj09erw/Tk7CAE_JKuI/AAAAAAAAS8U/5BsEBKef0Tk/s400/IMG_4707.JPG" /></a></div>I put one of these in the wall behind each plant and tied them to it with a bit of metal wire.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fHyCNztfR9U/Tk7CAT7GtBI/AAAAAAAAS8c/sbX_6WGC99E/s1600/IMG_4709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fHyCNztfR9U/Tk7CAT7GtBI/AAAAAAAAS8c/sbX_6WGC99E/s400/IMG_4709.JPG" /></a></div>I also trimmed them down a lot and now it's a lot more presentable. They'll also withstand the winter storms a lot better this way.<br />
Vincenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02827754747352106291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964200618140521802.post-84945608270877525142011-08-14T21:23:00.000+09:302011-08-14T21:23:54.795+09:30Another sensor lightHere's a quick explanation of how I put up another sensor light outside of my front door.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fejyLU7A1fc/TkezbKkBP9I/AAAAAAAASz8/UFUqsh8L8hk/s1600/IMG_4439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fejyLU7A1fc/TkezbKkBP9I/AAAAAAAASz8/UFUqsh8L8hk/s400/IMG_4439.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>At the back of my light were a few places where the plastic was very thin for you to cut a hole. These are the holes used for mounting it to the wall.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8qEmOljYG8w/TkezbTPaeJI/AAAAAAAAS0E/a8v4-jXRDKU/s1600/IMG_4442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8qEmOljYG8w/TkezbTPaeJI/AAAAAAAAS0E/a8v4-jXRDKU/s400/IMG_4442.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Because I wanted to put it up in a corner I needed to create a bit of surface so I cut a 45 degrees angle on a block of wood.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a5md6uIDdcU/TkezbTG_BFI/AAAAAAAAS0M/OT2oYldZl00/s1600/IMG_4443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a5md6uIDdcU/TkezbTG_BFI/AAAAAAAAS0M/OT2oYldZl00/s400/IMG_4443.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The wood is hard which means it has a higher chance to split when you put a screw into it. So all the places where a screw needs to be were going to be pre-drilled with a very small drill 1/2 to 1/3 of the thickness of the screw. Also the wood needs to be removed where the power chord comes out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qOwpTyjJZ9Q/Tkezbt-jMII/AAAAAAAAS0U/7SH2eGCRg8M/s1600/IMG_4447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qOwpTyjJZ9Q/Tkezbt-jMII/AAAAAAAAS0U/7SH2eGCRg8M/s400/IMG_4447.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>3 holes for screws and 1 showing where to cut away some wood for the chord.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B_l7p3--Nqc/TkezjTLBPRI/AAAAAAAAS0k/dMDSI-xiMzs/s1600/IMG_4487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B_l7p3--Nqc/TkezjTLBPRI/AAAAAAAAS0k/dMDSI-xiMzs/s400/IMG_4487.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>This is the corner it will be in.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-INov1TWu0GU/TkezboKpOMI/AAAAAAAAS0c/1dUXnhEqnnY/s1600/IMG_4483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-INov1TWu0GU/TkezboKpOMI/AAAAAAAAS0c/1dUXnhEqnnY/s400/IMG_4483.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>To fix our "surface" well, I drilled 3 holes for long screws to fit through.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l6oxCez2lHU/Tkezjjkd15I/AAAAAAAAS0s/FQ1TJ49TQro/s1600/IMG_4489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l6oxCez2lHU/Tkezjjkd15I/AAAAAAAAS0s/FQ1TJ49TQro/s400/IMG_4489.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>This is the idea...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qbfOIXxDZOI/Tkezjl2tAAI/AAAAAAAAS00/jVB9doWIdIA/s1600/IMG_4490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qbfOIXxDZOI/Tkezjl2tAAI/AAAAAAAAS00/jVB9doWIdIA/s400/IMG_4490.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>... After fixing the wood we have a solid surface for mounting the light.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JnhFcgA86ZA/TkezmGE4QLI/AAAAAAAAS08/TcZtq5QH4ZQ/s1600/IMG_4491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JnhFcgA86ZA/TkezmGE4QLI/AAAAAAAAS08/TcZtq5QH4ZQ/s400/IMG_4491.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Wire the light. Be sure to switch off electricity for safety reasons.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xEA_irmRF_A/TkezmbGWWdI/AAAAAAAAS1E/R0IubPGeoxU/s1600/IMG_4492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xEA_irmRF_A/TkezmbGWWdI/AAAAAAAAS1E/R0IubPGeoxU/s400/IMG_4492.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>And mount the light. Voila, all done.Vincenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02827754747352106291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964200618140521802.post-58272566901709091602011-06-27T03:07:00.000+09:302011-06-27T03:07:43.548+09:30Creating an Urban Micro Garden.In the city where I live, Amsterdam in the Netherlands, it is very crowded. Like most major cities really. People live in apartments where only the person in the bottom apartment may have a garden and sometimes the people all the way at the top have a roof terrace. However, even the garden that some people have are usually very small. Mine is 10 square metres for example but it gets zero sun. So it's good for storage but nothing else. The front of my house gets sun from the early morning till late afternoon. So that's where I want my garden! But since it's a bit anti-social to use up all of the sidewalk (and a bit illegal, too ;-) it has to be small, very small... Other people had the same problem and the idea of urban micro gardens (or sometimes urban micro "farms" if they actually grow food!) was born.<br />
<br />
This blog post shows how I made mine.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DruU3jZsTjs/TgdiRYw5qbI/AAAAAAAASN0/CqzVUWzDgCc/s1600/IMG_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DruU3jZsTjs/TgdiRYw5qbI/AAAAAAAASN0/CqzVUWzDgCc/s400/IMG_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Last weekend I went to a garden centre and bought the borders and proper dirt. It's actually all quite inexpensive. Check your local garden centre for prices. I needed 6x50cm and 10x8cm pieces and 160 litres of dirt. I also bought some plants.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YVZSC_IUTsU/TgdiRbMOu9I/AAAAAAAASN8/WyX9UAMClTY/s1600/IMG_3633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YVZSC_IUTsU/TgdiRbMOu9I/AAAAAAAASN8/WyX9UAMClTY/s400/IMG_3633.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>This is the "before" picture. Pretty ordinary. But that's about to change :-)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TirwhJhypuo/TgdiRrMkaeI/AAAAAAAASOE/E_zrL5d0jvk/s1600/IMG_3635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TirwhJhypuo/TgdiRrMkaeI/AAAAAAAASOE/E_zrL5d0jvk/s400/IMG_3635.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Clean the place up a bit. It will make working nicer.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GX1bCLzt5dY/TgdiR803YpI/AAAAAAAASOM/eIyp4ygWujc/s1600/IMG_3636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GX1bCLzt5dY/TgdiR803YpI/AAAAAAAASOM/eIyp4ygWujc/s400/IMG_3636.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I placed the border around the windows to see where it needed to go exactly and which tiles needed to be taken out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d9i3YQk0JOs/TgdiSJvolQI/AAAAAAAASOU/ffNlJT3vcMU/s1600/IMG_3637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d9i3YQk0JOs/TgdiSJvolQI/AAAAAAAASOU/ffNlJT3vcMU/s400/IMG_3637.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>One tile in the middle was easily removed so that's where I started.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HvN9FsfUkbo/TgdiahLlhxI/AAAAAAAASOc/jSdv40ewbdE/s1600/IMG_3638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HvN9FsfUkbo/TgdiahLlhxI/AAAAAAAASOc/jSdv40ewbdE/s400/IMG_3638.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>All the tiles have been removed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dW4UNFvE1Rw/Tgdiapxql0I/AAAAAAAASOk/qc81ke6bCtI/s1600/IMG_3639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dW4UNFvE1Rw/Tgdiapxql0I/AAAAAAAASOk/qc81ke6bCtI/s400/IMG_3639.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The next step is to dig a big hole. I made mine about 20cm deep. In the middle I made it about 35-40 deep though because I'm going to plant a big rose there which needs more dirt than the smaller plants.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jmy4k3s4oZs/TgdibV0SivI/AAAAAAAASOs/tEBKx1sR61A/s1600/IMG_3641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jmy4k3s4oZs/TgdibV0SivI/AAAAAAAASOs/tEBKx1sR61A/s400/IMG_3641.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Make sure the "bottom" is as flat and straight as possible and then start by putting in the side and continue all the way round. I used a piece of brick that came out of the ground as a measure to make sure all the parts stuck out evenly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3PThhtfOM-U/TgdibU2Cv0I/AAAAAAAASO0/6m2v98UbDc0/s1600/IMG_3642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3PThhtfOM-U/TgdibU2Cv0I/AAAAAAAASO0/6m2v98UbDc0/s400/IMG_3642.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Create the whole border this way. Be accurate, it saves you from having to do things again.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RvkXF8ZtZxU/Tgdib0SDlAI/AAAAAAAASO8/NP6yULmjwJU/s1600/IMG_3643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RvkXF8ZtZxU/Tgdib0SDlAI/AAAAAAAASO8/NP6yULmjwJU/s400/IMG_3643.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Fill it up with dirt.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eSShDs3tNjQ/TgdiklSC_OI/AAAAAAAASPE/dV3vf4N8Xro/s1600/IMG_3646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eSShDs3tNjQ/TgdiklSC_OI/AAAAAAAASPE/dV3vf4N8Xro/s400/IMG_3646.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>It's a bit tricky putting the tiles back because there may not be enough that fit. I barely made it. A few holes had to be filled up with sand here and there.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MWc15W_cUec/Tgdik9wHQjI/AAAAAAAASPM/drq1HjQvD-Y/s1600/IMG_3675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MWc15W_cUec/Tgdik9wHQjI/AAAAAAAASPM/drq1HjQvD-Y/s400/IMG_3675.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The next day I put up this grid for the rose to grow on.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MITQaCCkWGs/TgdilMSirKI/AAAAAAAASPU/EBAA5hxgF9Q/s1600/IMG_3677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MITQaCCkWGs/TgdilMSirKI/AAAAAAAASPU/EBAA5hxgF9Q/s400/IMG_3677.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Now it is finally time for the fun part! The planting :-)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Ix8z8vesk8/TgdimNGYntI/AAAAAAAASPc/V_08xG5A26I/s1600/IMG_3681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Ix8z8vesk8/TgdimNGYntI/AAAAAAAASPc/V_08xG5A26I/s400/IMG_3681.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(Click to enlarge)</span><br />
And here it is, an Urban Micro Garden!Vincenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02827754747352106291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964200618140521802.post-43578872271870216222011-06-20T01:16:00.001+09:302011-06-20T01:20:55.000+09:30Pimping IKEA BISSASo... I needed a shoe cupboard. Where do we look for a cheap shoe cupboard? IKEA, right. €19,95. But it fits 8 pair of shoes (well, kids sizes, not mine! but anyway...) and I only need it to store 3-4 pair, that's a waste of storage space!<br />
<br />
And hence I turned the the top shoe drawer in to a door with a shelve behind it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7eTtbFw2aMQ/Tf3tdTOWj4I/AAAAAAAASFU/lWGzCoHvLR4/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7eTtbFw2aMQ/Tf3tdTOWj4I/AAAAAAAASFU/lWGzCoHvLR4/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Start by purchasing yourself a BISSA at IKEA.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XXUBMyWy6xk/Tf3td-IR6LI/AAAAAAAASFc/76Nopk8nfXE/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XXUBMyWy6xk/Tf3td-IR6LI/AAAAAAAASFc/76Nopk8nfXE/s400/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>You'll need a few more things. Handles will make the cupboard look a lot better but it also makes it very clear how to open the door or drawer. Without them you'll get people pulling down your door thinking it's a drawer. I bought TAG handles at IKEA.<br />
<br />
You need to be careful with the hinges. <b>The BISSA cupboard fronts are positioned "inside" the cupboard and not covering it.</b> Most hinges that you buy (including ALL the hinges you can buy separate at IKEA!) are for front panels that are positioned to cover the whole cupboard, like the ones in your kitchen probably.<br />
<br />
Oh, and you need wood for a shelve later on...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sPRj7UK8Jio/Tf3tebWJsiI/AAAAAAAASFk/L9flEaQexIM/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sPRj7UK8Jio/Tf3tebWJsiI/AAAAAAAASFk/L9flEaQexIM/s400/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>This is what IKEA thinks the BISSA should look like. Well, I'm going to replace that top drawer with a door and put a shelve behind it. If you're curious to see what that looks like, scroll down to the bottom of this post.<br />
<br />
We need to pretend we're IKEA engineers now, doing the work that they usually do for us: thinking of where holes need to be etc.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GI5YNrEwxhE/Tf3tehKVgdI/AAAAAAAASFs/RuP5aXnjJkU/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GI5YNrEwxhE/Tf3tehKVgdI/AAAAAAAASFs/RuP5aXnjJkU/s400/4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Opening the box gives us a heap of things. Most of it we need.<br />
<br />
Now, clear a work space and get a tape measure ready!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YQwGb96SrCw/Tf3tezdFufI/AAAAAAAASF0/STxfUUOtdzA/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YQwGb96SrCw/Tf3tezdFufI/AAAAAAAASF0/STxfUUOtdzA/s400/5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Place the left side of the cupboard on the work space and also the 2 fronts, like in the picture above. Put the plastic parts of the drawers on it too. Position them where they need to be then align the holes in the fronts with the holes in the plastic parts.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vGK_EyRw3Zs/Tf3tqFI8o5I/AAAAAAAASF8/_XQYhKEXGbw/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vGK_EyRw3Zs/Tf3tqFI8o5I/AAAAAAAASF8/_XQYhKEXGbw/s400/6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Positioning the hinges kinda correctly is crucial. Be as accurate as possible. So while everything is aligned, lay down the top hinge and find a place where there are no holes that can be in the way of the ones that we need. I found 6cm from the top of the front to be a good place.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bdcP_MLQZ8k/Tf3tqiah6OI/AAAAAAAASGE/ajhC9-7gTg4/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bdcP_MLQZ8k/Tf3tqiah6OI/AAAAAAAASGE/ajhC9-7gTg4/s400/7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>For the bottom hinge these 2 holes were a little bit in the way. Well, potentially anyway.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wG6x9L5HsxQ/Tf3tq4gABsI/AAAAAAAASGM/XqzMfRC3Sdk/s1600/8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wG6x9L5HsxQ/Tf3tq4gABsI/AAAAAAAASGM/XqzMfRC3Sdk/s400/8.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>So I positioned the bottom hinge on top of these holes. More precisely; I positioned the hole in the side panel in between the 2 holes in the hinge. The big hole that is required in the door panel overlaps with the little hole already there so that will be cut out. Perfect plan! ;-)<br />
<br />
I was a bit stupid and forgot to get the bottom of the panel in the picture but the 50cm mark is indicating that the centre of the hinge gets aligned 10cm from the bottom of the panel.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I9cFl0oT3bc/Tf3trUbu7VI/AAAAAAAASGU/OTbA17zl96s/s1600/9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I9cFl0oT3bc/Tf3trUbu7VI/AAAAAAAASGU/OTbA17zl96s/s400/9.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The holes for the hinges in the door panel need to be 35mm in diameter and 4mm away from the edge of the panel. So the holes' centers are 21.5mm away from the edge. <b>Be accurate!</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Qm4wY0INdw/Tf3trjSbiCI/AAAAAAAASGc/LIEoi0GiNxc/s1600/10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Qm4wY0INdw/Tf3trjSbiCI/AAAAAAAASGc/LIEoi0GiNxc/s400/10.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Now, the panel for the door is 15mm thick. The hole for the hinge needs to be 10mm deep minimum. The centre tip on the drill is 4mm. <b>Panic!</b> So, you want to make very sure not to drill to deep or you will be looking in to a hole from the front. This is nearly undoable by hand so I advise you use a drill-stand with a depth setting. It's a bit close but it can be done, if only you are patient and accurate enough.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X8kj5rQQ7d4/Tf3t58IGT8I/AAAAAAAASGk/qqwEmfzciKQ/s1600/11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X8kj5rQQ7d4/Tf3t58IGT8I/AAAAAAAASGk/qqwEmfzciKQ/s400/11.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>I did a pretty good job drilling those holes I have to say. Exactly 1cm deep, 4mm from the edge. Enough to fit the hinges.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WibdHzWY870/Tf3t6O8gOuI/AAAAAAAASGs/WWVciqyyfDg/s1600/12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WibdHzWY870/Tf3t6O8gOuI/AAAAAAAASGs/WWVciqyyfDg/s400/12.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The door with the fitted hinges. Just for show, no need to fix them yet.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ohw8gFvF9m4/Tf3t6Y9wcQI/AAAAAAAASG0/k4RddNOfT-0/s1600/13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ohw8gFvF9m4/Tf3t6Y9wcQI/AAAAAAAASG0/k4RddNOfT-0/s400/13.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Now, position everything on the work space like before, but add the right side of the cupboard as well now.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sUa66dARBIk/Tf3t7H6lviI/AAAAAAAASG8/cmwP9JKWPDI/s1600/14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sUa66dARBIk/Tf3t7H6lviI/AAAAAAAASG8/cmwP9JKWPDI/s400/14.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Align things properly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ag72iG3Yhfk/Tf3t7ZnxkJI/AAAAAAAASHE/Xi42ouCkWKQ/s1600/15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ag72iG3Yhfk/Tf3t7ZnxkJI/AAAAAAAASHE/Xi42ouCkWKQ/s400/15.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The positions for screws need to be marked so there can be little holes pre-drilled for the screws. Position the door against the plastic part and determine how far the holes for the hinge need to be away from the edge. In my case it was 58mm. Keep in mind that we have already measured the center-line of the hinges. Remember? 6cm from the top and 10cm from the bottom.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S_aYGVnIGog/Tf3uEnJpBRI/AAAAAAAASHM/ipJon3_ylTU/s1600/16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S_aYGVnIGog/Tf3uEnJpBRI/AAAAAAAASHM/ipJon3_ylTU/s400/16.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Measure the distance between the holes in the hinge. In my case 3cm is OK. So 1 hole will be 1.5cm above the center-line and 1 hole will be 1.5cm below the center-line. Mark those holes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LW4Xy0r4LY0/Tf3uExibX8I/AAAAAAAASHU/HU1_86f_9lo/s1600/17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LW4Xy0r4LY0/Tf3uExibX8I/AAAAAAAASHU/HU1_86f_9lo/s400/17.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Also mark all the holes in the door.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OLJ2nBQrD_c/Tf3uFI3OfMI/AAAAAAAASHc/EOK4Q6qBvRs/s1600/18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OLJ2nBQrD_c/Tf3uFI3OfMI/AAAAAAAASHc/EOK4Q6qBvRs/s400/18.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>After marking everything for fixing the door, let's think about the shelve for a bit. First we need a small shelve. I happened to have a few shelved of the IKEA PAX system lying around so I took one of those and cut it to the right size using a jigsaw. You figure out the right size by measuring the inside of the cupboard when it gets put together later. So just put the wood for these shelves aside for later now.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XwF8_AgJRQE/Tf3uFsrecwI/AAAAAAAASHk/XMoquGFa3XM/s1600/19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XwF8_AgJRQE/Tf3uFsrecwI/AAAAAAAASHk/XMoquGFa3XM/s400/19.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The shelve needs to be somewhere close to the bottom of the top front panel but not too low otherwise big shoes might get stuck behind it. So with the tape measure it seems that 40cm from the top of the side panel seems a good idea.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-khU06rwY6hQ/Tf3uF_lki0I/AAAAAAAASHs/GlHjufAy8J0/s1600/20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-khU06rwY6hQ/Tf3uF_lki0I/AAAAAAAASHs/GlHjufAy8J0/s400/20.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Pretending to be IKEA engineers for a bit longer we have to mark the places where the shelve-holders will be. Do this in both the left and the right-side panels. I thought 1 at 4cm from the back of the panel and 1 at 21cm from the back of the panel would be fine.<br />
Again: be accurate or the shelve will not position well!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rhEJZon6xKo/Tf3uUTycLyI/AAAAAAAASH0/qR4k9TLdXts/s1600/21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rhEJZon6xKo/Tf3uUTycLyI/AAAAAAAASH0/qR4k9TLdXts/s400/21.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Now get some drill bits and start drilling! Be careful not to drill all the way through though. That would be a real pity for all the effort that gets put in ;-) The size of the drill depends on the size of the screw you're using. These holes only exist to make it easier for the screw to go in but it needs to leave sufficient wood for the screw to hold itself on to.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U7fJeYxNeEU/Tf3uU5SGaiI/AAAAAAAASH8/b2mdfhzdJ7I/s1600/22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U7fJeYxNeEU/Tf3uU5SGaiI/AAAAAAAASH8/b2mdfhzdJ7I/s400/22.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The holes for the hinges go only in the left panel.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-00vX-N4U33o/Tf3uVQNwhpI/AAAAAAAASIE/FOQ9x9PF_XU/s1600/23.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-00vX-N4U33o/Tf3uVQNwhpI/AAAAAAAASIE/FOQ9x9PF_XU/s400/23.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Because I opened a pack of PAX shelves I happened to also have these shelve holders. I didn't want to use the "pluggy" bit so I cut that off.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F_nPcpOcoLE/Tf3uVyRhv_I/AAAAAAAASIM/fe8IqvDhBBA/s1600/24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F_nPcpOcoLE/Tf3uVyRhv_I/AAAAAAAASIM/fe8IqvDhBBA/s400/24.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>This is what the side panels look like with all the holes drilled and the shelve holders screwed on. Circled is an extra shelve holder that is actually positioned in a way to serve as a door-stop :-)<br />
<br />
We are now done with pretending to be IKEA engineers. We can become plain old IKEA customers again and start putting things together now ;-)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uza_AYeBHv0/Tf3uWGc31YI/AAAAAAAASIU/7iFhUWEUfFM/s1600/25.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uza_AYeBHv0/Tf3uWGc31YI/AAAAAAAASIU/7iFhUWEUfFM/s400/25.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>First put the cupboard together exactly like the included guide explains but do not put together the top drawer.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FKp9LfrZqRw/Tf3uegRX2MI/AAAAAAAASIc/WL-fuSx9f-o/s1600/26.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FKp9LfrZqRw/Tf3uegRX2MI/AAAAAAAASIc/WL-fuSx9f-o/s400/26.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Fix the hinges according to the holes we pre-drilled. Then mount the door and also make yourself a shelve to go on the shelve-holders you used.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-en0PPz-jC74/Tf3ue2bswiI/AAAAAAAASIk/srwiFwGPRVs/s1600/27.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-en0PPz-jC74/Tf3ue2bswiI/AAAAAAAASIk/srwiFwGPRVs/s400/27.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>With the door closed you should not be able to tell the difference between what it's supposed to look like.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TrMtmhJ3JbA/Tf3ufQXEkUI/AAAAAAAASIs/Cmgm3klhRhs/s1600/28.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TrMtmhJ3JbA/Tf3ufQXEkUI/AAAAAAAASIs/Cmgm3klhRhs/s400/28.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>But wait! What's that? A shelve?! WOW! ;-)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kc7nCo1tlC4/Tf3uftLibiI/AAAAAAAASI0/cYQa7e8aypQ/s1600/29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kc7nCo1tlC4/Tf3uftLibiI/AAAAAAAASI0/cYQa7e8aypQ/s400/29.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>As a finishing touch, mount the handles. It looks better and everybody will open the door or drawer the right way.<br />
<br />
So there's a pimped IKEA BISSA with a shelve instead of a drawer. Good stuff!Vincenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02827754747352106291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964200618140521802.post-12306738450487121692011-01-12T03:52:00.001+10:302011-01-12T03:54:24.213+10:30The IKEA Bjurön<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TSyRKh7EraI/AAAAAAAARXo/EhgyxYfmVVw/s1600/IMG_1600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TSyRKh7EraI/AAAAAAAARXo/EhgyxYfmVVw/s320/IMG_1600.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This is a packaged IKEA Bjurön. It's a round piece of wood with 3 wheels. You can use it to put a big plant on for example. That's what I'm using it for anyway. You can't really call this DIY because it makes even LEGO look like more work!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TSyRLP3uX6I/AAAAAAAARXs/I-Ks2iImipE/s1600/IMG_1601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TSyRLP3uX6I/AAAAAAAARXs/I-Ks2iImipE/s320/IMG_1601.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Like I said; a piece of wood and parts to mount 3 small wheels.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TSyRLt8obnI/AAAAAAAARXw/jo6VXiTNUJw/s1600/IMG_1606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TSyRLt8obnI/AAAAAAAARXw/jo6VXiTNUJw/s320/IMG_1606.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>This is how each wheel is put together.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TSyRMDi_46I/AAAAAAAARX0/00lDWRaK96Y/s1600/IMG_1608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TSyRMDi_46I/AAAAAAAARX0/00lDWRaK96Y/s320/IMG_1608.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Still a round piece of wood but now it has wheels on it...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TSyRMUFKf3I/AAAAAAAARX4/UYNYAlUhnCw/s1600/IMG_1609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TSyRMUFKf3I/AAAAAAAARX4/UYNYAlUhnCw/s320/IMG_1609.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Very handy! :-)Vincenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02827754747352106291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964200618140521802.post-21826196677619351612010-12-31T07:35:00.000+10:302010-12-31T07:35:12.927+10:30A small IKEA Lack shelf<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TRzzD5qP1RI/AAAAAAAARTI/yoXLz8R8YXo/s1600/IMG_1481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TRzzD5qP1RI/AAAAAAAARTI/yoXLz8R8YXo/s320/IMG_1481.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Here's an empty wall. You have to drill two holes in it for this tiny Lack shelf that I'm mounting. The holes need to be very accurate or the shelf will not fit well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TRzzEC1QbcI/AAAAAAAARTM/RC3w406hkLg/s1600/IMG_1482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TRzzEC1QbcI/AAAAAAAARTM/RC3w406hkLg/s320/IMG_1482.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I'm actually holding it upside down, sorry. The shelf is placed over 2 screws and should fix itself when pressed down over the screws.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TRzzEuDqweI/AAAAAAAARTQ/z98t_SP2JQQ/s1600/IMG_1486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TRzzEuDqweI/AAAAAAAARTQ/z98t_SP2JQQ/s320/IMG_1486.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The end result.Vincenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02827754747352106291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964200618140521802.post-62397325719025151922010-11-15T03:18:00.000+10:302010-11-15T03:18:37.931+10:30A security-strip on your door.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TOAOwsBw1oI/AAAAAAAARBQ/nuGYa_ifF1k/s1600/IMG_0878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TOAOwsBw1oI/AAAAAAAARBQ/nuGYa_ifF1k/s320/IMG_0878.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>To put security strips on your door, start by cutting them at the right length.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TOAOw0FxL3I/AAAAAAAARBU/AVvPIk_i2xs/s1600/IMG_0880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TOAOw0FxL3I/AAAAAAAARBU/AVvPIk_i2xs/s320/IMG_0880.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>If you like to work neatly, use a file to smoothen the edges. Do your nails while you're at it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TOAOxMNOFBI/AAAAAAAARBY/rceSqT8PvHA/s1600/IMG_0883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TOAOxMNOFBI/AAAAAAAARBY/rceSqT8PvHA/s320/IMG_0883.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Put on the door strip first. Mark the edge of the door frame on the door.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TOAOxrvzFnI/AAAAAAAARBc/6zNIiwIBvSc/s1600/IMG_0884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TOAOxrvzFnI/AAAAAAAARBc/6zNIiwIBvSc/s320/IMG_0884.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Depending on the kind of strip you use you need to position it on the door, in my case the strip has to be 2mm away from where I marked.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TOAOx4ZNmTI/AAAAAAAARBg/XRivSbcRJWA/s1600/IMG_0885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TOAOx4ZNmTI/AAAAAAAARBg/XRivSbcRJWA/s320/IMG_0885.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Fix the strip with only 2 or 3 screws.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TOAOyY2pCHI/AAAAAAAARBk/M9uC2VDnYzE/s1600/IMG_0886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TOAOyY2pCHI/AAAAAAAARBk/M9uC2VDnYzE/s320/IMG_0886.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>See if the door still closes (don't forget your keys!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TOAOyh6VopI/AAAAAAAARBo/SkIPswBxiTc/s1600/IMG_0889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TOAOyh6VopI/AAAAAAAARBo/SkIPswBxiTc/s320/IMG_0889.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>If it looks fine, get the other strip and mark where it needs to be.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TOAOy8pwYzI/AAAAAAAARBs/AFLhR9YPH-4/s1600/IMG_0891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TOAOy8pwYzI/AAAAAAAARBs/AFLhR9YPH-4/s320/IMG_0891.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Screw that strip on with 2-3 screws as well and check to see if the door still closes. If it does, put in 20 more screws and it's done!Vincenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02827754747352106291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964200618140521802.post-77893286365018198992010-09-19T00:44:00.002+09:302010-09-19T00:58:01.929+09:30Mounting a TVThese days most people have flat TV's. It saves a lot of space over the old CRT monsters we used to have. Another advantage is that these TV's can be mounted on the wall. Mine was standing on my (tiny) dining table and I really need the space so it needed to go on the wall.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TJTXugKBC_I/AAAAAAAAQsU/wnHvPzgoZMg/s1600/IMG_0128.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TJTXugKBC_I/AAAAAAAAQsU/wnHvPzgoZMg/s400/IMG_0128.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518272637341600754" /></a>So I bought this wall mounting kit from Vogel's.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TJTXuI9DBUI/AAAAAAAAQsM/zhqVgNREJSU/s1600/IMG_0129.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TJTXuI9DBUI/AAAAAAAAQsM/zhqVgNREJSU/s400/IMG_0129.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518272631113188674" /></a>The contents. Almost everything you need apart from the drill, drill bits and screw driver.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TJTXmoa5WtI/AAAAAAAAQsE/HzD2FlY8Jk8/s1600/IMG_0130.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TJTXmoa5WtI/AAAAAAAAQsE/HzD2FlY8Jk8/s400/IMG_0130.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518272502120930002" /></a>First you attach the brackets to the back of your tellie. Yes, in the picture you can see I had accidentally screwed one a bit higher than the other. I found out when I was hanging it on the wall, very frustrating. OOPS!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TJTXmdOpqzI/AAAAAAAAQr8/tkzx0MnZdzA/s1600/IMG_0132.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TJTXmdOpqzI/AAAAAAAAQr8/tkzx0MnZdzA/s400/IMG_0132.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518272499116780338" /></a>Put together the part that goes on the wall.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TJTXl24BtjI/AAAAAAAAQr0/Ow6fIjFbAWA/s1600/IMG_0133.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TJTXl24BtjI/AAAAAAAAQr0/Ow6fIjFbAWA/s400/IMG_0133.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518272488821339698" /></a>Drrrrrrrrrrrill holes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TJTXl-uM5WI/AAAAAAAAQrs/EgalDuiji0c/s1600/IMG_0134.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TJTXl-uM5WI/AAAAAAAAQrs/EgalDuiji0c/s400/IMG_0134.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518272490927613282" /></a>Mount the wall-part. Vogel's come with a little water-bubble to see if it's horizontal. Now I know my table is not ;-/<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TJTXlas_uYI/AAAAAAAAQrk/wZOwSs9XWHY/s1600/IMG_0142.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TJTXlas_uYI/AAAAAAAAQrk/wZOwSs9XWHY/s400/IMG_0142.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518272481258879362" /></a>And then hang your TV on the wall-part. All done.Vincenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02827754747352106291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964200618140521802.post-24059725531153666812010-06-20T03:25:00.004+09:302010-06-20T03:34:31.553+09:30Making a fly screen.I hate mosquitos. But I like fresh air from an open window. So I need fly screens.<br /><br />Here's how to make a simple fly screen:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TB0FFlw5jlI/AAAAAAAAPzM/NV1TtMyDCnk/s1600/IMG_5604.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TB0FFlw5jlI/AAAAAAAAPzM/NV1TtMyDCnk/s400/IMG_5604.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484545514801827410" /></a>For a simple rectangular from we need 4 pieces of wood, the corners cut on a 45 degree angle. Mark the wood.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TB0FGezv9CI/AAAAAAAAPzc/-orKtM4tJpM/s1600/IMG_5600.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TB0FGezv9CI/AAAAAAAAPzc/-orKtM4tJpM/s400/IMG_5600.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484545530114602018" /></a>Cut the wood.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TB0FF6pCZuI/AAAAAAAAPzU/ezvV_jt5KA8/s1600/IMG_5603.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TB0FF6pCZuI/AAAAAAAAPzU/ezvV_jt5KA8/s400/IMG_5603.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484545520405997282" /></a>And see to it that things fit nicely.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TB0FFV8IMzI/AAAAAAAAPzE/reNsS2R2tuA/s1600/IMG_5609.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TB0FFV8IMzI/AAAAAAAAPzE/reNsS2R2tuA/s400/IMG_5609.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484545510553957170" /></a>Then get some metal corners and screws.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TB0FE8_-4JI/AAAAAAAAPy8/IUONOPL7384/s1600/IMG_5610.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TB0FE8_-4JI/AAAAAAAAPy8/IUONOPL7384/s400/IMG_5610.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484545503859237010" /></a>Mark the holes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TB0E9mHAnrI/AAAAAAAAPy0/xvcGRHlciVI/s1600/IMG_5614.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TB0E9mHAnrI/AAAAAAAAPy0/xvcGRHlciVI/s400/IMG_5614.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484545377455611570" /></a>And pre-drill the holes for the screws a little bit so that the wood doesn't split when screwing in it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TB0E8z6ReaI/AAAAAAAAPys/JI0gP2fIao4/s1600/IMG_5615.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TB0E8z6ReaI/AAAAAAAAPys/JI0gP2fIao4/s400/IMG_5615.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484545363980417442" /></a>Put on the 4 metal corners.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TB0E8jvAljI/AAAAAAAAPyk/FXK_YOYD4LA/s1600/IMG_5616.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TB0E8jvAljI/AAAAAAAAPyk/FXK_YOYD4LA/s400/IMG_5616.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484545359638206002" /></a>Get your mesh and a tacker (staple gun).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TB0E7xFEqfI/AAAAAAAAPyc/6HB6_zif9Vk/s1600/IMG_5617.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TB0E7xFEqfI/AAAAAAAAPyc/6HB6_zif9Vk/s400/IMG_5617.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484545346040539634" /></a>Attach the mesh and there you go, a fly screen!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TB0E7OVyI7I/AAAAAAAAPyU/GJyPSjxgL0A/s1600/IMG_5620.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/TB0E7OVyI7I/AAAAAAAAPyU/GJyPSjxgL0A/s400/IMG_5620.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484545336715387826" /></a>Works in prison cells as well! ;-)Vincenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02827754747352106291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964200618140521802.post-54127201859094074782009-11-21T07:16:00.005+10:302009-11-21T07:45:27.936+10:30The IKEA BESTA<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcApFnN8RI/AAAAAAAANcU/_5erDNlG8kQ/s1600/IMG_0688.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406290583562875154" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcApFnN8RI/AAAAAAAANcU/_5erDNlG8kQ/s400/IMG_0688.jpg" /></a> Today I put two Bestas together. It is the simplest piece of IKEA furniture I have seen so far. I wanted two, one to put my TV on and one to put my printer on.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcApAh4MLI/AAAAAAAANcc/RztZJEucSRY/s1600/IMG_0687.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406290582198300850" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcApAh4MLI/AAAAAAAANcc/RztZJEucSRY/s400/IMG_0687.jpg" /></a> It comes in one box only. Easy peasy.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcAkfiniyI/AAAAAAAANcM/DrrJvEXKA4I/s1600/IMG_0690.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406290504623557410" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcAkfiniyI/AAAAAAAANcM/DrrJvEXKA4I/s400/IMG_0690.jpg" /></a> There is of course the standard IKEA Allen key included but I had no use for it. I did need these guys though; a flat screw driver and a Phillips screw driver.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcAkeCdUgI/AAAAAAAANcE/R6cewyNokjA/s1600/IMG_0692.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406290504220234242" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcAkeCdUgI/AAAAAAAANcE/R6cewyNokjA/s400/IMG_0692.jpg" /></a> Start by screwing these guys in the top piece. You need six.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcAkMXwYXI/AAAAAAAANb8/QGTkzjYxNA0/s1600/IMG_0694.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406290499477725554" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcAkMXwYXI/AAAAAAAANb8/QGTkzjYxNA0/s400/IMG_0694.jpg" /></a> Then place the sides and fix them.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcAkNrEboI/AAAAAAAANb0/MbPfX-mZ840/s1600/IMG_0695.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406290499827166850" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcAkNrEboI/AAAAAAAANb0/MbPfX-mZ840/s400/IMG_0695.jpg" /></a> The short ones are used for the sides, the long ones are for the thicker middle part.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcAj2XXwLI/AAAAAAAANbs/V5u1O1DmSyg/s1600/IMG_0698.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406290493570531506" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcAj2XXwLI/AAAAAAAANbs/V5u1O1DmSyg/s400/IMG_0698.jpg" /></a> Sides and middle part attached.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcAcYFy4LI/AAAAAAAANbk/_VVmeiTP1gU/s1600/IMG_0700.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406290365184663730" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcAcYFy4LI/AAAAAAAANbk/_VVmeiTP1gU/s400/IMG_0700.jpg" /></a> Slide in the back pieces.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcAcJ4BblI/AAAAAAAANbc/UL8W8znFku8/s1600/IMG_0701.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406290361368800850" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcAcJ4BblI/AAAAAAAANbc/UL8W8znFku8/s400/IMG_0701.jpg" /></a> Then screw the remaining six fixation points in to the bottom part (recognisable by the extra, smaller holes)<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcAcGFbNCI/AAAAAAAANbU/3JdchqDaysk/s1600/IMG_0702.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406290360351274018" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcAcGFbNCI/AAAAAAAANbU/3JdchqDaysk/s400/IMG_0702.jpg" /></a> Turn the cupboard on its side.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcAb5f9y4I/AAAAAAAANbM/tGKk1HM18ic/s1600/IMG_0705.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406290356972931970" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcAb5f9y4I/AAAAAAAANbM/tGKk1HM18ic/s400/IMG_0705.jpg" /></a>To mount the bottom piece, place it next to the cupboard and fix one side first.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcAbsBwiyI/AAAAAAAANbE/wPfg9rtCLPU/s1600/IMG_0706.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406290353356573474" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcAbsBwiyI/AAAAAAAANbE/wPfg9rtCLPU/s400/IMG_0706.jpg" /></a> Then fix the remaining points.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcAThS92rI/AAAAAAAANa8/W1NhiLXDQtM/s1600/IMG_0707.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406290213037005490" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcAThS92rI/AAAAAAAANa8/W1NhiLXDQtM/s400/IMG_0707.jpg" /></a> The Besta standard comes with these little feet.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcATdYxkUI/AAAAAAAANa0/pCsUCz6KiDw/s1600/IMG_0709.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406290211987624258" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcATdYxkUI/AAAAAAAANa0/pCsUCz6KiDw/s400/IMG_0709.jpg" /></a> I bought the higher legs for it though.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcATYi1C6I/AAAAAAAANas/Nf9HAzzYNGw/s1600/IMG_0713.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406290210687617954" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcATYi1C6I/AAAAAAAANas/Nf9HAzzYNGw/s400/IMG_0713.jpg" /></a> They are easy to attach. (And you will get 4 Allen keys of the same size...)<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcATANUGzI/AAAAAAAANak/-ONQIS0qeZQ/s1600/IMG_0715.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406290204154927922" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcATANUGzI/AAAAAAAANak/-ONQIS0qeZQ/s400/IMG_0715.jpg" /></a> And there it is.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcAS_guK5I/AAAAAAAANac/RPr5ruV64oA/s1600/IMG_0718.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406290203967892370" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SwcAS_guK5I/AAAAAAAANac/RPr5ruV64oA/s400/IMG_0718.jpg" /></a> The cupboard in place.Vincenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02827754747352106291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964200618140521802.post-73139485031565273832009-01-18T23:23:00.003+10:302009-01-18T23:47:10.153+10:30Test Track II (N scale)Before starting a project as big like the coffee table model railroad, I want to make sure certain things will work. Therefore I am now making a little test lay-out that allows me to test all the things that could potentially block creating the coffee table track.<br /><br />It's also my introduction to digital railroading so it is also good to try it out like this first in that respect.<br /><br />Before anything can be tested, three phases have to be completed:<br /><ol><li>Construction of the lay-out<br /></li><li>Wiring the lay-out<br /></li><li>Writing software to operate the lay-out<br /></li></ol><br />This blog post describes phase one: Constructing the lay-out.<br /><br /><div>First the plans. It will be a two level lay-out. This is the bottom part:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SXMmuUblvmI/AAAAAAAAJpU/o4nX98XQOKc/s1600-h/TestTrackBottom.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 199px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SXMmuUblvmI/AAAAAAAAJpU/o4nX98XQOKc/s400/TestTrackBottom.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292616564290731618" /></a>A simple reverse loop which is entered after driving down the spiral through the inside track.<br /><br /></div><div>This is the top part:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SXMmuPg3_rI/AAAAAAAAJpM/syi-GuRJLzA/s1600-h/TestTrackTop.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 199px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SXMmuPg3_rI/AAAAAAAAJpM/syi-GuRJLzA/s400/TestTrackTop.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292616562970721970" /></a>When arriving at the top level the train can run through the loop and go down again or it can enter the station where the loco can be driven to the front of the train again if necessary.</div><div><br /></div><div>I used the spiral parts that I created before. For tips on how to create one, look at <a href="http://vincentcreative.blogspot.com/2008/05/test-spiral.html">this blog post</a>.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">NOTE: The reverse loops must be isolated from the rest of the track otherwise you will get an electric short cut!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SXMmuE19dAI/AAAAAAAAJpE/-wWtnbnl1vw/s1600-h/DSCN2365.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SXMmuE19dAI/AAAAAAAAJpE/-wWtnbnl1vw/s400/DSCN2365.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292616560106370050" /></a>I got a 100 x 54 cm piece of wood. Well, MDF. Mark the holes for the threaded rods for the spiral.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SXMmt9YXXcI/AAAAAAAAJo8/9JkrbjOTRTE/s1600-h/DSCN2375.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SXMmt9YXXcI/AAAAAAAAJo8/9JkrbjOTRTE/s400/DSCN2375.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292616558103190978" /></a>After the holes are drilled we can start.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SXMmt5UYl3I/AAAAAAAAJo0/wvaJAPZqW-w/s1600-h/DSCN2402.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SXMmt5UYl3I/AAAAAAAAJo0/wvaJAPZqW-w/s400/DSCN2402.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292616557012752242" /></a>Laying out track is not very hard. Here I'm up to the first level in the spiral. I put a little piece of double sided tape underneath the track in some places so the track lies nice and sturdy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SXMmfOle5mI/AAAAAAAAJos/V4uUYWH1ENE/s1600-h/DSCN2403.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SXMmfOle5mI/AAAAAAAAJos/V4uUYWH1ENE/s400/DSCN2403.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292616305023575650" /></a>Here the spiral is finished.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SXMmfKrvPII/AAAAAAAAJok/6iK_E7C0VA4/s1600-h/DSCN2405.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SXMmfKrvPII/AAAAAAAAJok/6iK_E7C0VA4/s400/DSCN2405.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292616303976070274" /></a>I cut another piece of MDF. This one had a size of 54 x 50 cm. I attached it with threaded rods as well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SXMmezs8dRI/AAAAAAAAJoc/YUsKvReG_3Y/s1600-h/DSCN2407.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SXMmezs8dRI/AAAAAAAAJoc/YUsKvReG_3Y/s400/DSCN2407.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292616297807115538" /></a>Then bridge the gap between the spiral and the top level and lay out the rest of the track.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SXMmejs-0pI/AAAAAAAAJoU/edWkWDZPdtQ/s1600-h/DSCN2408.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SXMmejs-0pI/AAAAAAAAJoU/edWkWDZPdtQ/s400/DSCN2408.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292616293512303250" /></a>Spiral view.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SXMmeVXKLaI/AAAAAAAAJoM/08EgNwyIi_c/s1600-h/DSCN2410.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SXMmeVXKLaI/AAAAAAAAJoM/08EgNwyIi_c/s400/DSCN2410.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292616289662676386" /></a>Top view. Ready for wiring.</div>Vincenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02827754747352106291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964200618140521802.post-56142336885802763492008-12-24T20:36:00.008+10:302011-07-04T07:09:02.872+09:30Installing Windows from USB on the Asus Eee pc 1000HAs a new owner of an Asus Eee pc 1000H one of the first things I wanted was to install Windows XP my self. I didn't like how it had loads of stuff pre-installed. But because the device does not have an optical drive the only external device I could boot it from was a USB stick. I never created a bootable USB stick and getting the Eee pc to boot from it was not easy either. Then there is the issue of Asus only providing an image of the factory installed system so that you can really only get it back to the factory 'cluttered' default state. You can not do a clean install from that dvd.<br />
<br />
But there are tricks. Tricks that allow you to start a proper Windows XP installation from a USB stick. A Windows XP installation that was created from the factory installed Windows XP on your Eee pc. I'll outline everything in this blog post.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Disclaimer</span><br />
Everything described in this post worked for an "out of the box" Eee pc 1000H (with finished setup) using a 4GB Kingston DataTraveler USB stick (slider version).<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Performing the above actions CAN result in failure with your computer's harddrive being wiped withough having a working installation of Windows on it.</span><br />
<div><br />
<strong>Entering the BIOS</strong>.<br />
First things first. It's hard to enter the BIOS of the Eee pc. To make it easier, once you manage to get in by keeping the F2 key pressed whilst booting, find the "<strong>Boot Booster</strong>" setting and disable it. This will make the booting a bit slower but it will allow you to enter the BIOS or the boot menu a lot easier. Which brings me to the next issue.<br />
<br />
<strong>The Boot menu</strong>.<br />
The Eee pc can boot from USB devices such as USB sticks or optical USB connected devices. Even though you can set the boot order in the BIOS to look for a USB device first, it never worked for me. But then I found out that <strong>pressing ESC while booting takes you to the boot menu</strong> where you can select any connected USB device.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Creating a bootable USB stick that starts the Windows XP setup.</span><br />
First off you need to download some <a href="http://files.extremeoverclocking.com/file.php?f=196">Windows 98 DOS files here</a> and unzip them in a directory anywhere. Also, just incase, <a href="http://files.extremeoverclocking.com/file.php?f=197">download the USB Disk Storage Format Tool here</a>.<br />
<div><br />
<div>Now you need to install a little tool called WinSetupFromUSB on your Eee pc. This tool will use your existing Windows installation to create setup files with. You can <a href="http://www.datafilehost.com/download-288440e0.html">download it from here</a> and you find <a href="http://www.msfn.org/board/install-USB-WinSetupF-t120444.html">more info on it here</a>. After installing you can run it from the Windows Start menu and this is what it looks like:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SVMMRkrG_sI/AAAAAAAAJQg/s7nFGFwoSBs/s1600-h/WinSetupFromUSB.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283580283877523138" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SVMMRkrG_sI/AAAAAAAAJQg/s7nFGFwoSBs/s400/WinSetupFromUSB.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 353px;" /></a>With the top-most Browse button, locate the folder that has the I386 folder in it and select that folder. With the second Browse button, select your USB stick.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>If you haven't prepared your USB stick yet, click the HP Format Tool button. This will start the USB Disk Storage Format Tool from Hewlett-Packard. You may need to install this previously.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The USB Disk Storage Format Tool has the following interface:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SVMMRU5FsZI/AAAAAAAAJQY/sARBjQn8P0Q/s1600-h/Formatting+tool.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283580279641190802" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SVMMRU5FsZI/AAAAAAAAJQY/sARBjQn8P0Q/s400/Formatting+tool.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 303px;" /></a>After setting the interface's properties like above, hit the Start button. It will create a Windows 98, DOS-mode bootable USB stick.</div><div><br />
</div><div>When this is finished, you return to the WinSetupFromUSB screen. When you hit the Go button it will start creating a Windows XP setup on the USB stick for you. This may take a while. Maybe go watch some Family guy episodes or something.<br />
<br />
<div><strong>Installing Windows XP<br />
</strong></div><div>When the setup is created and you reboot your machine, keep the ESC key pressed to select your USB stick to boot from.<br />
Select the first part of the setup. This will start the text based part of the Windows XP setup. After a reboot (leave the USB stick) press ESC again to boot from the USB stick and this time select the second setup-stage which is the GUI part.<br />
If you forget to press ESC the Eee-pc will boot from the hard disk and complain it can't find the file HAL.DLL.</div><div><br />
From here onwards you just follow the Windows XP setup.</div><div><br />
</div><div>When Windows is installed you will need to install all the drivers manually. You can find those in the Drivers directory on the Asus provided dvd. Copy them on a USB stick and install them one by one.</div></div></div></div></div>Vincenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02827754747352106291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964200618140521802.post-58045616039243951572008-09-20T17:49:00.003+09:302012-02-18T18:59:25.369+10:30Finishing the drawersOK, it's taken a while but you know, I'm a busy guy...<br />
<br />
To finally finish the drawers, all that needed to be done was putting on a nice front and knob. The fronts I made from plywood panels, 4 mm thick. The knobs I bought at the hardware store.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SNSylYFqbvI/AAAAAAAAFtI/8a0cLxcQCs0/s1600-h/DSCN1560.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248015820984577778" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SNSylYFqbvI/AAAAAAAAFtI/8a0cLxcQCs0/s400/DSCN1560.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>I measured the size quite precise. Then the panels were cut and glued on to the drawers. Use a glue that dries fast so that you don't have to keep it pressed for hours. You wouldn't enjoy that, trust me.<br />
<br />
In the picture you can see that I stuck a little piece of paper in between two panels. Like wise I also had one stuck under the bottom drawers at some point. This is to make sure the panel doesn't move down. You know, gravity and such.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SNSylTF_55I/AAAAAAAAFtQ/g-evenXuuIs/s1600-h/DSCN1825.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248015819643807634" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SNSylTF_55I/AAAAAAAAFtQ/g-evenXuuIs/s400/DSCN1825.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>After they dried I drilled a hole in the front where the knob would come. Screw the knob on and it's done.<br />
<br />
Finally this project gets the status "closed".Vincenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02827754747352106291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964200618140521802.post-72887356444270803072008-09-20T17:34:00.003+09:302008-09-20T17:48:24.100+09:30A simple monitor standWhen you are looking at a computer screen eight hours a day, it is important to have them at a correct height otherwise you will screw up a few muscles here and there. Mine seem to get a bit unhappy at the moment so I made this monitor stand to elevate my screens. Another benefit is that you will be able to put the keyboard underneath it, creating room for papers and books etc.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SNSuyvBmsPI/AAAAAAAAFtA/_UB4JG2wA84/s1600-h/DSCN1816.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SNSuyvBmsPI/AAAAAAAAFtA/_UB4JG2wA84/s400/DSCN1816.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248011652433359090" /></a>Introduction: Meet Ms. table leg and Mr. shelf.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SNSuqsOk2dI/AAAAAAAAFsg/Bm8RmQSr8iY/s1600-h/DSCN1819.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SNSuqsOk2dI/AAAAAAAAFsg/Bm8RmQSr8iY/s400/DSCN1819.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248011514243504594" /></a>The table leg can (in my case) be screwed apart. That way we have the leg and the leg-plate. "Leg-plate" is probably not the correct name but I don't know what is. If you do, please let me know.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SNSuqZ4c4eI/AAAAAAAAFsY/uBR-PDDlG7Q/s1600-h/DSCN1818.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SNSuqZ4c4eI/AAAAAAAAFsY/uBR-PDDlG7Q/s400/DSCN1818.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248011509318869474" /></a>Use the leg-plate to draw circles where it will be screwed on the wood.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SNSuqqgvZ2I/AAAAAAAAFso/tCbqdFIekuE/s1600-h/DSCN1820.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SNSuqqgvZ2I/AAAAAAAAFso/tCbqdFIekuE/s400/DSCN1820.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248011513782822754" /></a>After drilling the holes (make sure NOT to drill all the way through!), mount the leg-plates on the wood.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SNSuq3RchAI/AAAAAAAAFsw/3HDTm5gnaqE/s1600-h/DSCN1821.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SNSuq3RchAI/AAAAAAAAFsw/3HDTm5gnaqE/s400/DSCN1821.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248011517208331266" /></a>When all leg-plates have been screwed on the wood, screw on the table legs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SNSus3uLZKI/AAAAAAAAFs4/bhPThUMgaVg/s1600-h/DSCN1822.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SNSus3uLZKI/AAAAAAAAFs4/bhPThUMgaVg/s400/DSCN1822.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248011551688582306" /></a>And there she is, a beautiful, simple but elegant, monitor stand.Vincenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02827754747352106291noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964200618140521802.post-14365579725847461302008-08-31T20:15:00.004+09:302008-08-31T20:32:27.374+09:30Making a drill press standA while ago I found a drill press in our shed, wrapped in plastic. It didn't have a stand or anything though so I put it on the work bench. Recently, a frame became available after the bird cage that it was supporting was seriously <a href="http://vincentcreative.blogspot.com/2008/08/creating-bird-cage-roof.html">upgraded</a>. I quickly put the pieces of this simple puzzle together and hence this blog gets a new entry!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SLp2gepdJMI/AAAAAAAAFYI/y87bvst-WQ0/s1600-h/DSCN1555.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SLp2gepdJMI/AAAAAAAAFYI/y87bvst-WQ0/s400/DSCN1555.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240631416753824962" /></a>So there were a drill press and a frame. I also found a piece of 4 cm thick wood. Just chipboard but really strong. It had a workable size already, I didn't even have to cut it. How convenient is that?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SLp2gQgGxGI/AAAAAAAAFYQ/nmF-aRIWoQw/s1600-h/DSCN1556.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SLp2gQgGxGI/AAAAAAAAFYQ/nmF-aRIWoQw/s400/DSCN1556.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240631412956513378" /></a>These are the only things I had to buy: 6 angle brackets and 2 M10 nuts and bolts.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SLp2guJ7ubI/AAAAAAAAFYY/XBCQ6dcj5Fs/s1600-h/DSCN1557.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SLp2guJ7ubI/AAAAAAAAFYY/XBCQ6dcj5Fs/s400/DSCN1557.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240631420916578738" /></a>Use the 6 angle brackets to firmly mount the wood to the frame and you end up with a table.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SLp2gkLojdI/AAAAAAAAFYg/4BRomOW9oh8/s1600-h/DSCN1559.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SLp2gkLojdI/AAAAAAAAFYg/4BRomOW9oh8/s400/DSCN1559.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240631418239356370" /></a>Then use the M10 nuts and bolts to fix the drill press on to the table and you have a nice drill press stand.Vincenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02827754747352106291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964200618140521802.post-90139403672418108212008-08-23T19:30:00.004+09:302008-08-23T19:43:25.596+09:30Creating a bird cage roofWe got two new bird cages for outside but they don't come with a roof. So we make some ourselves! The roofs are made out of scrap wood except for the panels. I reckon you may have some panels lying around as well though.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SK_gFFQXtzI/AAAAAAAAFQg/b4g-o9ATaSg/s1600-h/DSCN1521.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SK_gFFQXtzI/AAAAAAAAFQg/b4g-o9ATaSg/s400/DSCN1521.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237651269569984306" /></a>The roof is a simple, 90 degree model. Start by making the legs for the frame. Cut one side at a 45 degree angle. You need 4 per roof.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SK_f-snR_EI/AAAAAAAAFP4/pxpBdi1f1cU/s1600-h/DSCN1524.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SK_f-snR_EI/AAAAAAAAFP4/pxpBdi1f1cU/s400/DSCN1524.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237651159875976258" /></a>A fancy connection is not required so just put pairs in a vice, drill a hole for the screw and screw the two parts together.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SK_gFggvfnI/AAAAAAAAFQo/GquOGZ9RlY8/s1600-h/DSCN1522.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SK_gFggvfnI/AAAAAAAAFQo/GquOGZ9RlY8/s400/DSCN1522.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237651276886408818" /></a>The result should look like this.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SK_f-npioKI/AAAAAAAAFQA/p5A_ww3rYus/s1600-h/DSCN1528.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SK_f-npioKI/AAAAAAAAFQA/p5A_ww3rYus/s400/DSCN1528.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237651158543278242" /></a>Add a few more pieces of scrap wood like in this photo and you got your frame.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SK_f-zWlpTI/AAAAAAAAFQI/HV1LHwut6oI/s1600-h/DSCN1529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SK_f-zWlpTI/AAAAAAAAFQI/HV1LHwut6oI/s400/DSCN1529.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237651161685009714" /></a>Put the panels on. Don't worry if your frame is a bit wobbly. After the panels have been screwed on it will be completely steady.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SK_f-_ITG_I/AAAAAAAAFQQ/FkrxeNkods0/s1600-h/DSCN1531.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SK_f-_ITG_I/AAAAAAAAFQQ/FkrxeNkods0/s400/DSCN1531.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237651164846300146" /></a>Paint.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SK_f_GEvfUI/AAAAAAAAFQY/g_zkyZ2GicI/s1600-h/DSCN1533.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SK_f_GEvfUI/AAAAAAAAFQY/g_zkyZ2GicI/s400/DSCN1533.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237651166710431042" /></a>And place on top of the cage.Vincenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02827754747352106291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964200618140521802.post-50767706872217510612008-08-03T19:44:00.004+09:302008-08-03T19:56:59.452+09:30power supply (now 0.75-30V / 2.7A), part 5.One last part is needed to put the wires together. Just incase it needed to be taken apart (maybe because things can screw up sometimes? ;-P ) I wanted to be able to de-solder the wires leading to the heat sink from the print board. Therefore I cut out a piece of plexi-glass (I cut a semicircle), drilled some holes in it and mounted solder lugs on them. One for each wire to be connected. After this it was testing time (basically a check to see if nothing explodes ;-).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SJWFLjvdZWI/AAAAAAAAFCA/YI5_KKBo3KI/s1600-h/DSCN1514.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SJWFLjvdZWI/AAAAAAAAFCA/YI5_KKBo3KI/s400/DSCN1514.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230232975880054114" /></a>The piece of plexi-glass is at the front here. Click the picture for a slightly larger, but much clearer version.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SJWFLZVs8PI/AAAAAAAAFBw/bzVcRx-JZN8/s1600-h/DSCN1512.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SJWFLZVs8PI/AAAAAAAAFBw/bzVcRx-JZN8/s400/DSCN1512.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230232973087666418" /></a>The finished back.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SJWFLWN-JJI/AAAAAAAAFB4/okim54j-gNw/s1600-h/DSCN1513.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SJWFLWN-JJI/AAAAAAAAFB4/okim54j-gNw/s400/DSCN1513.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230232972249932946" /></a>The finished front.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SJWFL6pNDLI/AAAAAAAAFCI/Et7vn1FCgDs/s1600-h/DSCN1516.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SJWFL6pNDLI/AAAAAAAAFCI/Et7vn1FCgDs/s400/DSCN1516.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230232982027832498" /></a>Finished from above.<br /><br />Project completed successfully!Vincenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02827754747352106291noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964200618140521802.post-89829884253385763872008-07-27T20:50:00.003+09:302008-07-27T21:18:29.763+09:30Power supply (now 0.75-30V / 2.7A), part 4.Mounting the transistors on the heat sink is a yucky job. You have to put paste in between the transistors and the heat sink to help conducting the heat. I used one with silver in it, it conducts heat better. Unfortunately , because of the silver it also conducts electricity better.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SIxbRO8TGzI/AAAAAAAAE8Y/mNLto9GHXvc/s1600-h/DSCN1498.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SIxbRO8TGzI/AAAAAAAAE8Y/mNLto9GHXvc/s400/DSCN1498.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227653619097213746" /></a> I first put a thin layer of paste on the heat sink. And thin means THIN. It's only purpose is to fill up microscopic holes to flatten the surface more for better contact.<br /><br />Then I put the mica insulating washers in place. I actually made the holes for the transistor pins a lot bigger because I don't want the pins to come in contact with the paste due to the paste's electrical conductivity.<br /><br />After this I put another very thin layer of paste on the bottom of the transistor and placed them on top of the mica washer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SIxbRNGzK8I/AAAAAAAAE8g/FW06YpASNBM/s1600-h/DSCN1506.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SIxbRNGzK8I/AAAAAAAAE8g/FW06YpASNBM/s400/DSCN1506.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227653618604387266" /></a>After this the transistors have to be screwed on to the heat sink. The casing of the transistor will actually carry 34 Volts but I didn't want to put 34 volts on the whole heat sink, hence the mica washers. One of the screws was isolated from the transistor and is simple to use. The other one was in contact with the transistor because it will serve as the +34V contact of the transistor. It therefore is screwed directly on the transistor and the screw is shielded from the heat sink by little plastic cylinders inside the hole in the heat sink. Put a solder lug on it and fix it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SIxbRS2tNDI/AAAAAAAAE8o/chhn_Lf_hZU/s1600-h/DSCN1507.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SIxbRS2tNDI/AAAAAAAAE8o/chhn_Lf_hZU/s400/DSCN1507.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227653620147500082" /></a>The end result of today's DIY.<br /><br />PS: A note on the mica washers. The ones you buy can be pretty thick, some times more than 0.25 mm. This influences the thermal conductivity, you want them to be thinner. With a sharp knife and some patience you can "slice" them in thinner ones. The one I bought were 0.1 mm and I sliced them in half.Vincenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02827754747352106291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964200618140521802.post-64567721117264668892008-07-22T22:09:00.003+09:302008-07-22T22:18:54.445+09:30Power supply (now 0.75-30V / 2.7A), part 3.The power supply does need a fair bit of heat sink. Possibly later on a fan will need to be mounted but I'm not doing that yet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SIXVDNPAsuI/AAAAAAAAE4Y/7vi0Oa9zDbc/s1600-h/IMAGE_00259.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SIXVDNPAsuI/AAAAAAAAE4Y/7vi0Oa9zDbc/s400/IMAGE_00259.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225817193702273762" /></a>To work with chunky metal it's handy to be able to use a drill press. It's very stable and it's also safer then drilling from the hand.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SIXVDt6eVkI/AAAAAAAAE4g/AYQKP__jqHs/s1600-h/IMAGE_00262.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SIXVDt6eVkI/AAAAAAAAE4g/AYQKP__jqHs/s400/IMAGE_00262.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225817202474505794" /></a>I had the vice screwed to the table. This was to prevent it from being lifted while drilling which could cause danger. The holes for the transistors are 4 mm wide. The four outer holes were drilled with a 4.5 mm drill to make M5 screw thread in them. I think actually you need to drill an even smaller hole for M5...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SIXVD3onyDI/AAAAAAAAE4o/GilWbQoords/s1600-h/IMAGE_00268.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SIXVD3onyDI/AAAAAAAAE4o/GilWbQoords/s400/IMAGE_00268.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225817205083981874" /></a>After the holes are drilled, the four outer ones needed to get screw thread in them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SIXVD8CscQI/AAAAAAAAE4w/dBBU8KJOacs/s1600-h/IMAGE_00269.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SIXVD8CscQI/AAAAAAAAE4w/dBBU8KJOacs/s400/IMAGE_00269.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225817206267080962" /></a>Et voilá, the heat sink with beautiful holes in it, ready to be used.Vincenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02827754747352106291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7964200618140521802.post-77556974850850144632008-07-20T22:23:00.005+09:302008-07-20T22:35:17.521+09:30Power supply (now 0.75-30V / 2.7A), part 2.The past few weeks I have redesigned the circuitry a few times and this is the "latest and greatest". Also I have bought a new transformer with 2x12V coils. Because of this I can use less power when using a lower voltage. This is good because it makes the transistors less hot. The power supply will have two voltage ranges: 0.75 - 7V and 5.5 - 30V. The maximum current will be around 2.7A<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SIM1YrPJXNI/AAAAAAAAE1w/Xo0fVqYIMnY/s1600-h/power+supply.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SIM1YrPJXNI/AAAAAAAAE1w/Xo0fVqYIMnY/s400/power+supply.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225078690719292626" /></a>The new schematics. Click picture for a larger version.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SIM1Y8CPDXI/AAAAAAAAE2A/CoYQKXH68TE/s1600-h/DSCN1486.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SIM1Y8CPDXI/AAAAAAAAE2A/CoYQKXH68TE/s400/DSCN1486.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225078695228542322" /></a>The board with it's components. A heat sink may be added here and there in a later stage.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SIM1Yzjmb9I/AAAAAAAAE14/SG09oqkAoRI/s1600-h/DSCN1483.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_fFztVkUEee4/SIM1Yzjmb9I/AAAAAAAAE14/SG09oqkAoRI/s400/DSCN1483.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225078692952567762" /></a>This is the power supply close to it's current phase. At the moment the board is connected to all front-side controls. The transformer is wired too. Now the board needs to be hooked up to the transformer and the transistors need to be mounted on the heat sink and wired. That will be done soon.Vincenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02827754747352106291noreply@blogger.com0