Life, Liberty and DIY

BudDIY Podcast – Episode 82 – Sawmill and Milling Basics

//  by //  4 Comments

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.

BudDIY Podcast – Episode 77 – Cooling Your Shop on Hot Days

//  by //  2 Comments

It is going to be a hot year this year, much like every year. It always seems when we get to summer we want to figure out ways to stay cool in the shop. Or to at least not have the shop as hot.

I recently made some changes that will effect the future of my shop, and force me to deal with the heat in the shop for a longer period of time. So I have spent some time researching how to keep the shop cool.

In this episode I discuss several ideas on how to keep your shop cool. Many of these things can work together to make your life a lot easier. I think my shop was build the worst way possible, so I am going to have to employ several of them.

BudDIY Podcast – Episode 60 – Building an Air Quality Monitor

//  by //  Leave a Comment

Everyone should really have an Air Quality Monitor in their workshop so they can stay safe and healthy.

Unfortunately, they can be pretty expensive to buy off the shelf. However, there is an alternative to an expensive machine. Just make one yourself.

In this episode I talk about what I did to make one, future development plans I have, and the quality difference from the research I did.

I also talk about the future plans I have to help others make their own.

Links

  1. Arduino Uno
  2. 22AWG Silicone Hook Up Wire
  3. 500pcs Electrolytic Capacitor
  4. Crystal Resonators Oscillator Assortment Kit
  5. 18pF Disc Capacitors
  6. 22pF Disc Capacitors
  7. Atmega328P-PU with Bootloader
  8. Gikfun Solder-able Breadboard
  9. KEYESTUDIO Pm2.5 Dust Sensor
  10. Kaisi Heat Insulation Silicone Repair Mat

The Best Mechanical Pencil You Will Use

//  by //  Leave a Comment

This pencil doesn’t break its lead like almost every other mechanical pencil. I hated using mechanical pencils until I saw this one in action.

There are a lot of different pencils that exist out there for using with woodworking. While this isn’t directly meant to work with woodworking, it is excellent for it.

The Pentel GraphGear 1000 is a great pencil you should add to your arsenal.

About the Pencil and What I Like

I think the feature of this pencil that stands out above all other mechanical pencils is the retraction of the tip does. When you open up the back clip to put it in your shirt or apron the tip retracts. This helps to protect the led from breaking.

Another great feature is the lead comes out at a slower rate. So every click pushes out less graphite than most other penciles. This is great for not overusing graphite and wasting it.

A feature the manufacturer doesn’t talk about, which I like, is you can take it apart and clean it. I get sawdust in there at times and need to blow it out, and I can get all of it out.

Cons

There are a couple of different problems with the pencil that you should be aware of before you buy.

The first problem is the pencil seems to break easily if it falls just right. I accidentally dropped it on the concrete floor and it broke the retraction ability of the pencil.

My experience with the eraser has been terrible with the 2 that I have owned. I don’t know what it is about some erasers, but it just seems to smear the graphite. My dads pencil seems to erase fine, but mine suck.

Conclusion

I know I mentioned that these pencils can break easily, and the eraser isn’t that great. However, I also went and immediately bought another pencil when it broke. That is how much I like these pencils.

I also think the small feature where it pushes out just a little bit of graphite at a time is one of the key reasons I haven’t had to replace the graphite since I have bought it. I was expecting to replace it regularly, as that is what I remember from high school.

I totally recommend the Pentel GraphGear 1000. Check it out I think you will like it too.