Life, Liberty and DIY
Some weeks are good, some weeks go crazy, and other weeks you get both in just two days.
This last week I completed my second week of welding classes, and got a 50 year old tractor.
The welding class is going great, and I am learning a lot. The tractor sent me to the ER.
If you are interested hearing about my successes and failures this week give this episode a listen. I also talk a bit about what I learned and how I can apply that in the future.
Sometimes life can be going along and seem fine, then bam, all of the things that have been weighing you down just hit you and you have to start solving your problems.
This last week I was off work to work on a project, and ended up need to work to solve some personal issues. Mentally I have had a lot of baggage because of letting things go in life and not concentrating on them.
In this episode I talk a little bit about what some of the problems I have been having and a few of the ways I plan to start solving them so I can get past a barrier I have in front of me.
The robots are here, and there are more on the way. The landscape and life is going to change in crazy ways over the next decade. From autonomous cars to autonomous chefs.
It is important to understand what is coming, and how to adapt to it so we can stay prepared for the future. Paying attention gives us the opportunity to not only survive the changes, but to thrive.
In this episode I talk about what I see coming in the places I can predict, and areas that automation is staring to creep in and the effects they are going to have. Some you might not have known about. I know I didn’t until recently.
As a maker and DIYer 3d printers seem to be a tool of the future we will all eventually get. To that end I purchased a new Prusa 3d printer, and got it put together.
I have always thought 3d printers are the wave of the future for small scale manufacturing, and amazing niche businesses for people. To that end I have always wanted to develop a product and get one.
Now armed with a few product ideas, and some motivation I took the jump to get a 3d printer. Listen along with this episode to hear my thoughts on the assembly and how it went. More on why I got one, and what the next steps are.
If you have never worked in a machine shop or done metal working you have no idea what is there, and what it can do. needless to say over the last few weeks of me learning I am impressed.
In this episode I go over some of the tools a hobbiest or small business might have doing metal and machine work. I also discuss some of the things that they might do with those tools as well.
Coming from a background of doing no DIY then falling down the crater that is woodworking, and then on to metal working. Learning all of these new things has expended my mind of possibilities of projects.
So if you would like a summary of some of the things in a machine shop give this episode a listen as it is a decent start, especially if you, like me, have never explored this area before.
When traveling, especially by yourself, one of the best things that can happen is it breaks you out of your normal routine. It forms new neural connections in your brain. It allows you to consider things you had not considered before.
On my drive to and from a business trip I had a lot of time to think, and a lot of time to just enjoy where and what I was doing. It re-invigorated in me what I am doing, and why I am doing it.
Along those lines I made a few decisions that will affect the next 8 to 12 months of things I am going to do. So in todays episode I discuss those things and more.
One of the prerequisites to building a trailer and a bandsaw mill is to be able to weld. It is also a good idea to know about metal as well. These are all new topics for me as I have about 30 minutes of welding experience.
If you have something you want to learn and are not sure if you should take a class or try it on your own. Give this episode a listen as I discuss 5 reasons I have decided to take a class. I believe it could be a good framework for deciding for yourself as well.
Some weeks are just out there, and packed full of crap and busy work. This last week was that week for me. If you are interested in the craziness of the week I had. Here you go.
I talk about everything from my batter backup dieing to a new power supply for my ham radio, even some truck features I plan to do. It is a whirlwind of an episode that goes all over the place.
And then stay tuned for the end for a well done phishing attempt.
You may have grown up around chainsaws, but do you really know about them or how to use them? This was my life. I would go out and help my dad and others clear trees, but since we were always in a hurry or in a group I did the clearing. I never learned about or how to use chainsaws.
I did pick up a lot of things through observation and logic, but it really doesn’t compare to actual experience. So, much like a lot of the rest of my journey with this homestead, here is an introduction to chainsaws.
If you are in my position definitely give this episode a listen as I start with the basics of chainsaws, tools you probably need, and some safety equipment you will need. I thought I had a good handle on the basics until I started actually learning them.
When you are doing woodworking or homesteading or DIYing you are probably going to use some wood. What is interesting is learning where your wood comes from, and how you get what you buy.
If you have ever been interested in some of the basics around a sawmill and milling wood. What some of the terms are or even some of the tools. As well as a little bit of the processes then I go over what I have learned in this episode.
Next year we will start a bandsaw build so it is imperative to actually understand something about this part of the industry so I am sharing what I have learned so far. I hope it not only helps you in your woodworking to understand what is going on before you, but also to have a greater appreciation for the things you create.
One of the interesting things about milling would is it can help give your work more of a story. This is not only more fun to show it off, but if you sell the work you can command a higher price for it.
So join me in this episode as we start the process of learning about sawmills and milling.