The Do-it-Yourself Thread: A Home for Handymen and Artisans - General

[QUOTE=KillerTele;40701095]I'd really recommend getting one. They're extremely useful.[/QUOTE] This. A basic MIG welder is just about the most useful thing in the world.

[QUOTE=fox '09;40696618]Sorry about the size. I got my multiplier working, output is over 100,000 volts. Just broke it sadly, my diode chain failed. 10 Microwave oven 12kv diodes in series, should of put them under oil because one stage arced to the other. [url=http://postimg.org/image/8w1a3sfib/full/][img]http://s13.postimg.org/5p6qk5v2f/IMG_0572.jpg[/img][/url] I also took x-ray photos at about 60kv, actual energies are probably lower. my scintillation detector is only capable of higher energies, otherwise I could find that out. [url=http://postimage.org/][img]http://s23.postimg.org/pfljhhudn/tube.jpg[/img][/url] Portable blacklight.[/QUOTE] What are you using as a tube? I've got an xray tube and transformer lying around

[QUOTE=download;40710426]What are you using as a tube? I've got an xray tube and transformer lying around[/QUOTE] Just using a 2X2A tube. Emission current is below 50uA. Cold cathode obviously... But even at some point it starts to conduct in a rather continuous fashion, and the tube gets extremely hot. I plan to put mine under oil since It arcs over sometimes, the tube isn't very big obviously. It also should help with cooling and filtering out low energy x-rays.

Been off the DIY thread for a while. Didn't have inspiration for projects as I just got to experience divorce. But I have started creating again. Today, I did another trash project. And by trash I mean someone threw away a 14" section of cabinet grade 3/4" plywood. And two sheets of it at that. And I also found a broom handle missing the end. I set to work making a leg portion... for a 4ft wide coffee table [URL=http://s43.photobucket.com/user/serj22/media/CAM00808_zps28500d9c.jpg.html][IMG]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e356/serj22/CAM00808_zps28500d9c.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s43.photobucket.com/user/serj22/media/CAM00807_zps48329521.jpg.html][IMG]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e356/serj22/CAM00807_zps48329521.jpg[/IMG][/URL] And then finally a magazine shelf and top for it. The legs are set out 22* and the upper magazine section are set 10* off level. It's slight on the magazine side, but the effect is there. Stapled, glued, and filled/sanded. Next comes stain, edging and clear. Total time : 45 minutes so far. [URL=http://s43.photobucket.com/user/serj22/media/CAM00809_zps35c5919d.jpg.html][IMG]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e356/serj22/CAM00809_zps35c5919d.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Really nice work

[QUOTE=Ruzza;40675199]Top right is definitely an Australian plug.[/QUOTE] New Zealand too.

Hey Garry I bet you thought it'd be cool to build your own kitchen table but it turned out to be more trouble than it was worth.

[QUOTE=garry;40722051]Really nice work[/QUOTE] Thank you. I got the first two stains dug in. Started with a fire engine ed stain that I made, and wiped that off, and sanded in some red oak. Turned out kind of like a reddish walnut. [URL=http://s43.photobucket.com/user/serj22/media/CAM00810_zpsbc79aee8.jpg.html][IMG]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e356/serj22/CAM00810_zpsbc79aee8.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s43.photobucket.com/user/serj22/media/CAM00811_zps48231276.jpg.html][IMG]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e356/serj22/CAM00811_zps48231276.jpg[/IMG][/URL] I have some skins that will go on it as well. It will be kind of two-toned.

Hey, does anyone do wall work/tiles? Soon, I might have to go install some floor trim like this: [img]http://images.meredith.com/diy/images/2009/03/p_SCF_156_03.jpg[/img] I'm assuming all I need to do is scrape off the old glue, apply new and just paste the new trim?

[QUOTE=Jacinth;40671594]did you say yes?[/QUOTE] No but she did so it's all good.

[QUOTE=Serj22;40735595]Thank you. I got the first two stains dug in. Started with a fire engine ed stain that I made, and wiped that off, and sanded in some red oak. Turned out kind of like a reddish walnut. [URL=http://s43.photobucket.com/user/serj22/media/CAM00810_zpsbc79aee8.jpg.html][IMG]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e356/serj22/CAM00810_zpsbc79aee8.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s43.photobucket.com/user/serj22/media/CAM00811_zps48231276.jpg.html][IMG]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e356/serj22/CAM00811_zps48231276.jpg[/IMG][/URL] I have some skins that will go on it as well. It will be kind of two-toned.[/QUOTE] It's fascinating how much wood can change when stained. The smell of it really does suck though :v:

[QUOTE=Ruzza;40740199]It's fascinating how much wood can change when stained. The smell of it really does suck though :v:[/QUOTE] Stain shouldn't smell after applied if you use it right. Wax on, wax off, sand in - etc. You can leave it dripping and wet, but it creates inconsistent color and smells like oil. I went ahead and glued a skin to the top surface. I was using all my clamps so I had to resort to heavy things. [URL=http://s43.photobucket.com/user/serj22/media/CAM00820_zps07c822e1.jpg.html][IMG]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e356/serj22/CAM00820_zps07c822e1.jpg[/IMG][/URL] The color of the door skin works well with the dark base, and I routed a cove into the edge. It's looking cool so far. [URL=http://s43.photobucket.com/user/serj22/media/CAM00821_zpsa9deb691.jpg.html][IMG]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e356/serj22/CAM00821_zpsa9deb691.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[QUOTE=Serj22;40747553]Stain shouldn't smell after applied if you use it right. Wax on, wax off, sand in - etc. You can leave it dripping and wet, but it creates inconsistent color and smells like oil. I went ahead and glued a skin to the top surface. I was using all my clamps so I had to resort to heavy things. [URL=http://s43.photobucket.com/user/serj22/media/CAM00820_zps07c822e1.jpg.html][IMG]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e356/serj22/CAM00820_zps07c822e1.jpg[/IMG][/URL] The color of the door skin works well with the dark base, and I routed a cove into the edge. It's looking cool so far. [URL=http://s43.photobucket.com/user/serj22/media/CAM00821_zpsa9deb691.jpg.html][IMG]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e356/serj22/CAM00821_zpsa9deb691.jpg[/IMG][/URL][/QUOTE] How sturdy is that design? Do you think it could be upscaled to desk sizes? It looks like what I'm looking for, and I could probably handle that if I went over to my grandfather's and used his woodshop.

[QUOTE=woolio1;40748093]How sturdy is that design? Do you think it could be upscaled to desk sizes? It looks like what I'm looking for, and I could probably handle that if I went over to my grandfather's and used his woodshop.[/QUOTE] Well, to glue it down, I used 3 buckets. Two of them were filled with 40 lbs of wall mud, the other was a 60lb bucket of Black Jack roofing patch. Also 4 gallons of paint, 2 skill saws, some flat bar and rebar and anything else I could pile onto it. It was holding about 200lbs about. I'd say it's plenty sturdy. If you do not add the strut at the bottom between the legs though - would fall apart with minimal weight. The idea of the design is to keep the legs in tenstion, rather than compression. It's fairly functional, and incredibly simple. The same shape would also work as a bench easily, to upscale it to a desk would be possible. To get to that height, you would need to widen the top significantly to be able to cut the legs to that angle. I would also use two pieces of 3/4" together for the legs and lower rack supports. IT would work just fine.

How high is it off the ground?

[QUOTE=Ajacks;40748347]How high is it off the ground?[/QUOTE] About 24". I based the height off my old table.

I want to build a table now... I need a new table in my living room, the current one is too narrow The problem is, I don't have anything to work with or anywhere to work...

[QUOTE=Serj22;40748370]About 24". I based the height off my old table.[/QUOTE] That seems a bit high, all the coffee tables I've made were 18" which I've found is the standard height across the board.

Actually i was thinking wrong since the legs are kicked put. Its 17 3/4 " high

[QUOTE=Ldesu;40750018]I want to build a table now... I need a new table in my living room, the current one is too narrow The problem is, I don't have anything to work with or anywhere to work...[/QUOTE] Got any family that does woodworking? I'm using my grandfather's woodshop until I get some tools of my own. If not, see if there's a local makerspace or carpentry guild in your area, as they might have some workshops they'd be willing to let you use.

[QUOTE=woolio1;40757047]Got any family that does woodworking? I'm using my grandfather's woodshop until I get some tools of my own. If not, see if there's a local makerspace or carpentry guild in your area, as they might have some workshops they'd be willing to let you use.[/QUOTE] Or look up a local carpenter's union. they will have a workshop. volunteer some time and they will likely volunteer some space.

I recently moved some small turtles I have been keeping outside to my pond and so had an empty tank. I have decided to turn it into a vivarium with a small stream running down to a pool. The tank is 4 feet long, 1 foot wide, and 1.5 feet tall [IMG]http://i44.tinypic.com/2cr2hkw.jpg[/IMG] I started with a base layer of fish gravel and put in my pump, then added multi-purpose gravel to add height. [IMG]http://i40.tinypic.com/16krhy.jpg[/IMG] Then I cut and placed my plastic to form the base of the stream and added some rocks and moss [IMG]http://i42.tinypic.com/145vh5.jpg[/IMG] I made two mesh lids; then added some other plants, snails, water bugs, fish, frog eggs, and a frog. [IMG]http://i39.tinypic.com/33w6psw.jpg[/IMG] I will continue tweaking it and adding things, but I am happy with the way it is coming together. [IMG]http://i43.tinypic.com/33bg10h.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i42.tinypic.com/rjf5lj.jpg[/IMG] I will only be keeping native species, and as things outgrow the tank they will be released into the wild.

I used to have a turtle. When we moved house we decided to put it in the outside pong as it was much bigger that its tank. Lasted about 2 years before disappearing. Unlikely to have been a bird as it was a big turtle

A little toy car my father made. Everything is functional: [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/U2uGpdu.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/Ph4icqc.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/cGV9lyK.jpg[/IMG] The Wii steering wheel is upside down :v: : [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/BOYz4MA.jpg[/IMG]

[QUOTE=Lomme;40776038]A little toy car my father made. Everything is functional: [/QUOTE] Is that an electrocution hazard I see? I like it!

[QUOTE=woolio1;40781158]Is that an electrocution hazard I see? I like it![/QUOTE] Can't shock shit with 12v.

[QUOTE=Lomme;40781250]Can't shock shit with 12v.[/QUOTE] I was joking, but okay...

[QUOTE=Lomme;40781250]Can't shock shit with 12v.[/QUOTE] Go lick a car battery and tell me it wasn't painful. 12V from a few AA batteries attached together isn't shit, it won't hurt you if you lick it (like a 9v battery doesn't...) Yeah you can say licking it is different to touching it, but it's nothing to do with voltage. It's a combination of both voltage and amps that can make something dangerous, a thousand volts at 0.01 amps isn't gonna hurt you.

[QUOTE=Lomme;40776038]A little toy car my father made. Everything is functional: [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/U2uGpdu.jpg[/IMG] The Wii steering wheel is upside down :v: : [/QUOTE] Someday...I'll do something like this. I don't know why, but whenever I see DIY motorized things like this I ache to be able to make one myself. I know nothing about welding or motors, or any other gearhead stuff so the furthest my dreams go are watching videos on YouTube :v: I actually found a little electric scooter in storage at my dad's plaza last week that one of his business friends gave us, I rode that thing around until the battery ran out. I remember when I was a lot younger I'd beg my parents for a quad or something, I rode one at a friend's house when I was around 10, except where I live there's no trails to ride or anything. Now I've been hoping I can get a motorcycle permit this Summer and maybe a Ninja 250/300 so I have some way of getting around and also save money on fuel.

[QUOTE=Lomme;40781250]Can't shock shit with 12v.[/QUOTE] Yeah that's not how electricity works, current is what causes more severe electric shocks. Not really a good idea to leave the terminals exposed like that were young children will be around it. Go drop a spanner on some car battery terminals then try and pick it up if you think you are right about 'not being able to shock shit with 12v'.