TOOLS AND THE SHOP > PROJECTS, ALL EXCEPT VEHICLES

My projects

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bonneyman:
I still labor to find a job - the year of COVID was not nice. And this last year hasn't been any better. All this talk of not being able to find workers, and I send out resumes, fill out applications, and even have a few interviews. Nada.

I've been busy around the house with projects. Keeping occupied and productive. Little things that break or need adjusting, and I've got the time, and don't want to go coo-coo! I figured I'd start a thread of what keeps me busy. Not that I presume to be any better than you guys at fixing things - alot of you guys do things that blow me away! This is just one of my ways of staying connected, with folks who might get an idea from something I do or recommend a better solution.

It'll be an on-going thread, and I'll post pics of my projects from time to time.

First up is a project "holder" inspired by some watch movement holders I bought. The movement holders are fine for small things, but I needed something a bit bigger and beefier. Large enough to hold comfortably with stuff hands, but lighter and more maneuveralbe than a vise. Fabbed out of aluminum rods and ABS, the perfect size for holding a ratchet.

bonneyman:
Had this ratcheting screwdriver with a gearless drive. Very smooth, comfy handle, large bit storage capacity - but no end cap. Took it to Ace and searched the irrigation section - found a suitable poly fitting that would screw into the end. Not perfect, as it will bind after about 4 threads. But close enough! Took a chair leg cap and cut and fit it to the fitting. Almost looks factory! And now I can use the thing.

bonneyman:
While working on another project the Mrs. complained about a door lock being "sticky". No problem - take it out and clean/lube it and she'll be good to go. Only I did a step out of turn and the internal cylinder pulled out, shooting little pins and springs everywhere! Shoot! Well, after my initial almost throwing it out, I sort of remembered how I rekeys locks several years ago. Was able to reinstall the pins in the right order, and hold it together well enough to get the springs reinstalled properly. Whew - that was close! No before pictures on this one, but very satisfying that 4 years on I still remember locks.

bonneyman:
Since getting the bathroom remodeled we've been dealing with the "new and improved" shower head. Only problem is it's one of those water saving 2.5 gallon per minute things that puts out less water than my humidifyer!
Seriously though, I figured I'd swap out the head with the original Shower massage wand we had. Plus the Mrs. could more easily clean the shower with the wand being mobile. But the old plastic connecter broke!
Found another, newer connector at a thrift store (those things are crazy at Ace anymore), but the slotted grip section was too small for out original wand. So I took some CPVC fittings, and made an adapter that fits the new connector but could be modified to grasp the shower wand. I discovered the wand handle was thinner front to back than side to side, so you turn it sideways to remove it and then - when the water warms up - it back in sideways then you rotate it 90 degrees.
A bit higher than I'd like but works and won't rust.

bonneyman:
Finally got over the flu enough to get into the shop and do some fun stuff.

Got the Eclipse pad handle done. Cleaned and polished the case, and made a suitable saw blade by modifying a well-used Sawz-all blade. had to cut it down and shave it to fit inside the handle. Leaving just enough protruding that you can pull it out when needed, though that does leave the pointed tip sticking out. Could also put a partial hacksaw blade in it - but since my Disston saw is set up with a hacksaw blade I'll leave this one as a sheet rock saw.
Really clever design - think I'll toss it in my sheet metal tool box for storage.

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