View Full Version : The DIY Thread!
fidgiegirl
7-26-12, 7:13pm
Hey all, I'm gettin' even more into DIY around here.
Today we went to a place and combed through all these window screens (we think the bank's agent threw ours out, not to be found anywhere) and didn't find what we needed. So I thought . . . can we make our own replacement screens? Well hot diggity dang, we can. Easily. So I'm gonna! We'll go to Menards tomorrow for the stuff.
I broke the heat dial on DH's car, so that's the next piece of research. Also how to fix his A/C possibly.
And tomorrow, or maybe RIGHT NOW, I'm gonna go replace the cabin air filter in my car. Found a nifty YouTube for how to do it and finally going to get it done.
Had an unsurprisingly unsuccessful attempt to buy a discounted back-up swimsuit tonight. I have a weird body shape so it's a miracle when I find one. DH joked that I should sew one. I said . . . well, actually, I have an old one I could take apart to make a pattern - now my little brain is a'workin' on that project, too!
What DIY successes have you had lately?
Tussiemussies
7-26-12, 9:15pm
Kelli, that is great that you are so self-sufficient! It's really admirable!
fidgiegirl
7-26-12, 11:34pm
Thanks Tussiemussies! I enjoy it very much. It's a creative outlet of types, I guess.
I'm surprised there haven't been a few more responses to this thread. Maybe when I get so excited about something I assume everyone else must be just as excited! :) I'll give it at least overnight, I suppose . . . ;)
try2bfrugal
7-26-12, 11:45pm
Our latest DIY projects - my husband fixed the mini-fridge I use for overflow produce. It had been collecting water in the bottom and we found instructions on the web how to fix it. I coaxed on of my kids into baking banana bread from scratch instead of buying dessert and I made my own dish soap this week from natural ingredients.
Since we work less these days we have more time for quite a few DIY projects but these are the latest ones.
fidgiegirl
7-26-12, 11:59pm
Yeah, try2bfrugal! Excellent score on the fridge project, and now the kids can make dessert every week :)
try2bfrugal
7-27-12, 1:26am
Yeah, try2bfrugal! Excellent score on the fridge project, and now the kids can make dessert every week :)
It was a $100 small fridge from Sam's so it would have cost more for the repair call than it would have to replace the fridge, so we were glad he could fix it. I like to stockpile long storage life produce like apples and onions when they are on sale and extra fridge space.
I have been checking out books from the library like Making It - Radical Home Ec for a Post Consumer World for ideas on lot of DIY projects. Each week I try to add a few new DIY or money making projects to our routines. Making my own beeswax candles is up next. A couple of months ago it was DIY terrariums from thrift shop containers. Some of those were total fails and some turned out really cute. I have several big boxes of books from library book sales on all sorts of DIY stuff -at home spa treatments, herbal remedies, lots of cook books, garden projects, terrariums, gift baskets, cleaning supplies, and related stuff. It has been kind of wild how much money we have saved so far off our expenses and we still have a huge list of projects on our backlog list.
rosarugosa
7-27-12, 5:16am
Kelli: I find this topic of great interest, but I was disappointed that I couldn't really think of much to post. I would like to claim more in the way of large, glamorous projects like the hardwood floor installations we did in the past, or the shelves we've done in some of our rooms, or our major landscaping projects with fieldstones, etc.
Recently it's been small stuff, but still somewhat noteworthy. I did make a couple of terrariums earlier this year (thanks for the reminder T2BF), and I have been making cleaning products that I'm pretty pleased with. I'll post again if I think of more!
1) We made our own trellis to hang the cucumbers on by buying a few very cheap stakes and a couple of horizontal strips that we attached with screws to the vertical stakes. Didn't save a lot, maybe $15, but it was a "custom" job ;)
2) A couple of months ago, we laid down our floating floor in the family room and hallway. Probably saved us up to $1000.
3) DH helped DS change his brake pads, saving DS about $300
Go, Kelli!
Most of my creative energy is going to the garden these days. I'm using what I have to improve both yard and vegetable garden in the way of plantings and trellises.
I think that your DIY projects are great.
Lately I'm not doing anything. Oh wait--I do have home decor sewing projects going--window treatments and pillows and a screen to stand in front of the tv. BUt those are on hiatus until winter.
I don't do any fix it projects. I don't know how to fix things, I am hopeless that way. But DH is a professional handyman and so he fixes the stuff around here.
I routinely buy clothes at the thrift store and alter to my taste. Last week, I purchased several pair of pants for $2 each and made into capris. I also shortened the sleeves on a blouse. Took a huge tropical plant my boss gave me and made it into three plants. On my insistence, DH recently took the dishwasher apart since it had stopped cleaning and fixed it. He also built a wood enclosure for the garbage cans. Seems like one can find any info on the web on how to fix things, so there is no excuse not to at least try - unless it is inherently dangerous. I can't imagine not being resourceful.
Our latest DIY was to block off a corner of our (finished) basement with curtains so we didn't have to look at the stored boxes, etc. The catch was that it had to be two sides of a rectangle and free-standing at the corner. A wander around BigBox Home Improvement Center yielded PVC pipe in enough sizes and lengths. A little cutting, a can of spray paint, some closet-support hardware we had hanging around, and a (used) deck-support block later, and we have an attractive visual barrier to our storage area. And spent maybe a little over $20 in the process.
My wife also bought some fabric to make a quilt -- well, more like a quilt cover -- to enclose a comforter that DD has had since she was a little girl but which has suffered the ravages of time and use. We had to buy a new sewing machine (hers was terminal, and we're using the new one for other things), but a test project went together neatly, so the "real thing" was a piece of cake. Cheaper than buying a new comforter if you look at time spent shopping around for one that would look like this one, plus the sentimental value is preserved.
The other DIYs really aren't spectacular; more in the realm of stuff we used to pay to have done when I was working. Trading time for money, y'know! :laff:
fidgiegirl
7-27-12, 9:17am
Lovin' it, all! Let's keep it goin' . . .
This is a minor one, but I fixed my can opener yesterday. A kid had gotten a hold of it and unscrewed all the little washers and cutting pieces and after some trial and error I managed to get them put back together in the right order.
Zach is doing a lot of the DIY lately, mostly finishing up our DIY remodel of the basement. He has saved us a ton of money doing that himself.
I am thinking of ways to entice my FIL to visit because I have a lot of carpentry projects I want to tackle. FIL is a carpenter and Zach is an electrician so when they get together they can wipe out quite a lot of my honey-do list.
fidgiegirl
7-27-12, 11:45am
Well I did the cabin air filter. GROSS!!!!! Easy, tho, and now I know how for next time (which will before another 96,000 miles).
Try2befrugal, I really like the Making It book. Just got it from the library. What are your favorite projects so far? Anyone else tried some projects?
So far, I've found some new to me info on herbs. And even better, we are growing most of the ones mentioned in the projects.
Candles: Any recommendations for sources for frugal wax for candlemaking?
Stella
but I fixed my can opener yesterday. A kid had gotten a hold of it and unscrewed all the little washers and cutting pieces and after some trial and error I managed to get them put back together in the right order.
Was thinking that child might enjoy learning watch repair. It takes a lot of patience to take something like a canopener with all those little fiddly bits apart. Not to mention as you know, putting it back together!
I don't do any fix it projects. I don't know how to fix things, I am hopeless that way. But DH is a professional handyman and so he fixes the stuff around here.
I wish I had a handy DH 'cause I have lots of projects I could give him to do. I was just saying the other day that I would like to find a class for women on how to do simple electrical repair, plumbing, use of tools, etc. I just don't know how to do that stuff. :help:
try2bfrugal
7-27-12, 11:52pm
Try2befrugal, I really like the Making It book. Just got it from the library. What are your favorite projects so far? Anyone else tried some projects?
So far, I've found some new to me info on herbs. And even better, we are growing most of the ones mentioned in the projects.
Candles: Any recommendations for sources for frugal wax for candlemaking?
I have not made any of the projects in the Making It book yet. I will probably not have time for any new projects before I have to return the book to the library, so I might just end up buying it. I have a Barnes and Noble gift card leftover from Christmas I need to use up anyway, so I might as well use it on a book that will help me save money in the long run. I have been trying to use up my gift cards on sustainable living purchases like rechargable batteries or washable produce bags, since I am trying not to buy too much junk anymore.
The cheapest 1 pound beeswax I have found in on Amazon. I have found it cheaper per pound in 5 pound sizes, but I don't want to buy that much to start out in case my candle making attempts end up like some of the terrarium fails. :)
That is cool that you are growing your own herbs. That is a project I would like to get around to eventually.
fidgiegirl
7-28-12, 12:43am
So cool, everybody!! I hope this thread will keep going for a long, long time, with examples of everyone's DIY successes.
Polliwog, we've learned a lot through YouTube. And we learn it as we need it. Right now I'm working on convincing DH that we can tackle his car's air conditioner. :)
When we tiled the bathroom, we watched videos over, and over, and over, and over until we felt confident. We went to the tile store. We did a free class they offered. But if we didn't need to tile anything at that time, we wouldn't have done all that research, or if we had, we wouldn't have remembered by the time it was time to tile. So timeliness is important. Plus, you can't do it all at once, anyway. So learn it as you need it.
But I think the biggest thing is to realize that you CAN learn it.
In the past - maybe people will laugh at this, but I'm serious - I used children's books when I was very new to something. Take electricity. If I didn't even have a base concept of how it worked, a children's nonfiction would be a great place to start. But that's been replaced for me by sites like About.com, eHow, etc. Often they are really thorough and basic for the beginner.
It would be nice if you had a mentor of some kind! Another lady who bravely does these things, or a man who won't be condescending/impatient about it.
What would be the first project you'd do if you felt you had the knowledge?
I have a bunch of new files arriving Monday. I need handles for them. I forgot to order handles, thinking I had some, oops.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IHuUBGr8tpM/UBNxnc0NYhI/AAAAAAAAGAQ/VlBZhFPV2bg/s640/Awesomized.jpg
Well, hmmph.
Hey, I've got a whole pile of alder from 9 trees I cut down earlier that might be dry-ish by now...
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZkDjh_orxNM/T3d2Cf80QnI/AAAAAAAAE1c/b5Y0Sk1EFd8/s640/IMG_0589.JPG
I bet I could take an axe to a chunk, and produce something of about the right size:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ce5FarnFZm4/UBNxr_mIcKI/AAAAAAAAGAo/EOeZF3WRLa8/s640/Awesomized.jpg
Indeed, and 2 minutes on the lathe, and a piece of firewood is almost ready to cut into blanks:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--11gMSoVimw/UBNxqOEK38I/AAAAAAAAGAg/Jt84fWmK6vU/s640/Awesomized.jpg
Dig up some scrap steel or copper tubing to turn into ferrules tomorrow, and I can make a mountain-o-handles in about half an hour, it seems.
Who needs Home Depot anyways?
Tussiemussies
7-28-12, 1:45am
Great going Bae!
Tussiemussies
7-28-12, 1:52am
We are planning to get rid of our landline phone. So DH is the technology expert( self-taught) and he set me up with Skype . Today he set me up with what I believe is google phone where I can make free calls to any number from the iPad. As soon as the contract is up, we will get rid of the phone and cable TV.
DH is really a Great fix it guy, I'm really thankful that he has the expertise.
rosarugosa
7-28-12, 7:48am
Hey Bae: I read about this guy (Adam Simha) in a magazine yesterday and thought of you. I can't find the article online, but here's a link to his website:
http://www.mksdesign.com/adam-simha-bio.html
I got a kick out of the bike handle repurposed as knife grip.
Simpler at Fifty
7-28-12, 8:14am
DH replaced the innerds on our bathroom faucet that was dripping. He did the same thing to the kitchen faucet earlier this year. He is a fix it guy and can truly fix anything.
fidgiegirl
7-28-12, 11:34am
bae you are the KING OF DIY!!!!
SteveinMN
7-28-12, 11:41am
Wow, bae! Have you ever thought of making that a cottage industry? Bespoke file handles; customer's choice of wood and a few different shapes. There are people who do that for shaving gear (http://www.ultimatependesigns.com/Shaving.html).
iris lily
7-28-12, 11:43am
Once our washing machine was kaput and DH bought a part that literally cost $.25 and fixed it for another couple of years.
Wow, bae! Have you ever thought of making that a cottage industry? Bespoke file handles; customer's choice of wood and a few different shapes. There are people who do that for shaving gear (http://www.ultimatependesigns.com/Shaving.html).
I've been tempted to start making a selection of small hand tools like that, using fun woods for the handles and hand-forged blades: birdcage awls, scratch awls, marking knives, chisels, froes, drawknives, woodcarving knives, and things of that nature. Apparently there are guys who are woodworkers who like nice tools, but don't do metalworking, and it's very difficult to purchase quality hand tools these days. I suspect they would sell well at our Farmer's Market during the tourist season.
Along these lines:
http://www.chestertoolworks.com/images/4AWLS.jpg
http://www.chestertoolworks.com/images/4knives.jpg
http://czeckedge.com/store/images/dt-chisels-series2.jpg
OK, today's project was less awesome.
I went downstairs to get something from my office right after lunch, and noticed a really....septic smelling...odor.
Now, sometimes when this happens, it is because the gas trap on the shower down here has dried up, because that shower is almost never used, so I happily went into the bathroom to refill it. And noticed the shower enclosure was full of....septic stuff.... that had backed up.
Yuck. And it's the weekend, and the tourist season, there won't be a plumber or septic guy for days, at best.
So, I went and popped open the tank part of the system, inspected the pump and floats for functionality - and they were fine. The sewer pipe flowing into the first tank was only draining a little teeny bit of water. Hmmm, perhaps a blockage.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zd0tcstH6zc/UBReyZGWrzI/AAAAAAAAGBU/YZN2PjsLdtw/s640/Awesomized.jpg
So I hauled out my antique drain snake, and tried to fix it. No joy at all, I could feel the blockage in about 5-6 feet, but the snake wasn't up to the task at all.
Nearest Home Depot is a day's round trip, and the hardware store here won't have anything....
So, I cut down a nice flexible 15 foot sapling with the Bowie knife on my belt, trimmed it up, and rooted out the problem in about 2 minutes. Sometimes the old ways are the best ways. Note to self: forge up some linked iron bars and a handle, in case this happens again, that's what the Romans used to use for this situation.
I also diagnosed the cause: lots of teenagers have been over the past month while my daughter and friends are composing and practicing a couple of pieces of music. Some of them seem to have missed the "here's what you can put down this kind of plumbing" lecture. I shall post notices in the guest bathrooms.
So, a pair of rubber gloves, slightly stuffed up nose from whatever is blooming this week, a knife, and a sapling, and several hundred dollars of service call averted and the weekend saved.
Yay.
OK, today's project was less awesome.
I went downstairs to get something from my office right after lunch, and noticed a really....septic smelling...odor.
Now, sometimes when this happens, it is because the gas trap on the shower down here has dried up, because that shower is almost never used, so I happily went into the bathroom to refill it. And noticed the shower enclosure was full of....septic stuff.... that had backed up.
Yuck. And it's the weekend, and the tourist season, there won't be a plumber or septic guy for days, at best.
So, I went and popped open the tank part of the system, inspected the pump and floats for functionality - and they were fine. The sewer pipe flowing into the first tank was only draining a little teeny bit of water. Hmmm, perhaps a blockage.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zd0tcstH6zc/UBReyZGWrzI/AAAAAAAAGBU/YZN2PjsLdtw/s640/Awesomized.jpg
So I hauled out my antique drain snake, and tried to fix it. No joy at all, I could feel the blockage in about 5-6 feet, but the snake wasn't up to the task at all.
Nearest Home Depot is a day's round trip, and the hardware store here won't have anything....
So, I cut down a nice flexible 15 foot sapling with the Bowie knife on my belt, trimmed it up, and rooted out the problem in about 2 minutes. Sometimes the old ways are the best ways. Note to self: forge up some linked iron bars and a handle, in case this happens again, that's what the Romans used to use for this situation.
I also diagnosed the cause: lots of teenagers have been over the past month while my daughter and friends are composing and practicing a couple of pieces of music. Some of them seem to have missed the "here's what you can put down this kind of plumbing" lecture. I shall post notices in the guest bathrooms.
So, a pair of rubber gloves, slightly stuffed up nose from whatever is blooming this week, a knife, and a sapling, and several hundred dollars of service call averted and the weekend saved.
Yay.
That is a great fix, and you killed a tree in doing it! my hero.
And yes, that's a common teenage girl thing. sorry.
fidgiegirl
7-28-12, 6:27pm
I think it's even MORE awesome, truth be told ;)
Both the nice tool handles and the McGyver-ish fix are pretty impressive, bae!
Bae, I've been looking at your picture of yourself here, which reminded me of another man, but couldn't figure out who it was, until I saw a picture of Karl Marx today. You are the spitting image of him, although I know you are not Communist, in fact the opposite of one.
It's quite a startling likeness.
fidgiegirl
7-29-12, 11:54am
Well, everyone, I pulled the heater knob off the Honda. And it's broken. However, the REASON it's broken is what's more mysterious. I will continue to do some investigation. DH is warming up to the idea of letting me open the hood (did I say that another problem is the hood latch?) I pointed out that it's better to let me mess around with the car when I'm home from work (thus two vehicles) than waiting until I'm back to work and he's home, I do it in the evening, can't get the hood closed again, and he's stuck with no car.
We forge ahead! Today we will go to the auto parts store to check on the knob (not confident they'll have it, think I'll have to order one, but will try) and some PB Blaster and grease to lube up the hood latch. Some people recommended that as a first step, though I think the hood release cable is in some way related to the issue.
Amazing what I've learned in just a few short days (though not a few short hours) of reading about these problems online! Hopefully we'll see results!!
My dear sweet hubbie is very good at fixing things...I however am better at saving money doing something else, for example staying out of his way while he's fixing something!
Bae, beautiful tools and good save on the plumbing.
I think those tools would go over well. Also if you make some of the handles for different size hands that could be a good bonus. One thing we could use in our area is quality flat-bladed D-handled shovels that are of a good size for 6-10 year olds to use.
For a fun challenge, some people are replicating the tools in the Mästermyr tool box find, and then experimenting with using them to make other things.
On the plumbing if you also get each bathroom a stainless steel trash can with the foot operated lid, line it with a bag and then put a sign about putting feminine hygiene products in the can, that would let everyone know where things go.
Tussiemussies
8-1-12, 12:15am
Don't know if anyone else posted this but there is a website, www.doityourself.com that is supposed to be great. Haven't tried it out myself but though you might like to look at it...
P.S. just scroll down and to the left side is the automotive section!
Don't know if anyone else posted this but there is a website, www.doityourself.com (http://www.doityourself.com) that is supposed to be great.
And, on that note, there is iFixit.com (http://www.ifixit.com/) for electronic stuff. I've used iFixit to upgrade my laptop and to see how complex it would be to swap a broken screen out of another laptop (we farmed that out because I was working and it would have been an antique before I had the time to do it).
Just finished painting the fascia and underneath the soffit on the part of the roof the tree hit last year during the last hurricane of the summer. Started painting it about 2 weeks ago and just now put the second coat on. Painting the roof fix saved me $250 off the cost of fixing the roof and it wasn't that hard.
I have compiled a list of (mostly home maintenance) items I want to complete by the end of the summer and if I finish it I'm going to allow myself to purchase something I've been wanting. But if I don't finish the list, no prize. And to get the prize I'm going to compile a new list for the fall to try again. So there is no point in doing anything on the list (with the exception that it actually keeps my haus from falling down around me) if I don't complete the list. This is like my third item checked off. So I'm motivated!
Needed a small amount of decent lumber for a wee project.
Too lazy to drive to hardware store (20 mins) and sort through their expensive bad wood to find some suitable bits.
Grabbed a hemlock log off the to-be-split pile, took wedges, hammer, crosscut saw, removed a reasonable sized chunk, broadaxe, drawknife and some more sawing, and BAM, lumber. Total cost: $0 Total time: 0 hours, I included this under part of today's "exercise" allotment.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r8WD5s7mPcs/UBnWCV4kW7I/AAAAAAAAGFo/_T-8cC6f1Yk/s640/Awesomized.jpg
fidgiegirl
8-2-12, 12:28am
bunnys, love the reward idea. I'd need that. If I didn't have DH to kick my butt, I don't know if I'd do half the projects that have been done around here! Are you willing to share your reward? Just ignore me if not ;)
bae, your DIY never ceases to amaze. Pretty incredible what living rural motivates you to do to save on being in the car. First the sapling down the sewage hole, now this. :)
And, on that note, there is iFixit.com (http://www.ifixit.com/) for electronic stuff. I've used iFixit to upgrade my laptop and to see how complex it would be to swap a broken screen out of another laptop (we farmed that out because I was working and it would have been an antique before I had the time to do it).
and for a totally different take, this link. http://thereifixedit.failblog.org/
My hubby isn't much of a fix it person. For a fix it man, he's a pretty good guitarist! ;)
So I usually do the little odd jobs around the house, basic plumbing, drain cleaning, door knob fixing, etc... I love re-wiring lamps! I avoided it for so long but then decided I should do this myself so I looked on line and watched videos on how. simple simple! In the past I have built patios and raised beds and such, but need help as my age inclines and my knees decline! Haven't done much lately except fix a couple of garden hoses my man and his machine ran over. This is the next thing I want to do!
http://www.remodelaholic.com/2011/01/amazing-plank-look-plywood-flooring-tutorial/
Although I'd love to do this in the workshop/cider house/outbuilding/party space, that would be impractical for a first project as it's about 30X50
But, I've been dying to do something with the master bath floor! Maybe....
For a fix it man, he's a pretty good guitarist
DIY music is good!
fidgiegirl
8-3-12, 10:28pm
Made one of the 10 screens we need, and it's in the bedroom right now. On a hot day like today, it was welcome to be able to open the window.
I learned a few things, and expect the next nine (!) to be a lot easier. :)
I might even write up a blog post about it!
Each screen will cost us roughly $10 each, compared to $20+ to have the hardware store make them and God-only-knows how much to order them from Pella.
DH and my dad are wiring in under-counter lighting in the kitchen today (and unfortunately, tomorrow). It's been one of those jobs where you wish you weren't DIYing. Oh well!! It'll be awesome when it's done, even if all the cupboards are emptied out all over the d*** house and we're tripping over the Shop Vac at the back door for a day or two.
fidgiegirl
9-23-12, 5:50pm
One DIY success today and one fail.
A friend from work wanted two lamps to be combined into one working lamp, so I offered up my DH for this job. But turns out the job is more complicated that we thought, so they are going in the garbage. Oh well, at least they were garage sale lamps to start with.
I fixed the pedestal to my mom's table that I have to give back. We were going to use it but don't need it any more. It involved those wood nails/little mini dowels, drilling, wood glue, clamps. We'll take it back up next weekend.
How 'bout you? Any recent DIY successes? I love love love reading about people's DIYs. It's one of the most empowering part of simple living for me.
My daughter lost a nut off of her viola shoulder rest the other day, I measured the threads on the bolt, cut off a small piece of metal stock, drilled and tapped it, and filed the outside to be nut-shaped. This saved 50 cents, and perhaps a whole day or so of bother.
fidgiegirl
9-23-12, 7:17pm
But bae, not just anyone can fabricate their own nuts. :D
Fidgie: My reward was to buy a new TV--as I currently don't have one. But I only got about 2/3rd done so no reward. But now that I think about it, I don't really want the reward so obviously it wasn't that much of a motivator.
Actually, I'm finding that the reward thing is not really working for me. The reason is that I don't want material possessions that much and I can't think of other stuff to reward myself with as I don't want to spend money on a reward. Also, the reward of having an afternoon to do whatever I want is not a reward because I already do everything I want all the time, anyway.
So either rewards aren't going to work for me any longer or I'm not imaginative enough to come up with a reward that's out of the box enough to work for me.
This weekend I roasted chiles (from our garden) and made pesto from homegrown basil. Didn't want to buy pine nuts so I used some roasted pepitas instead. Couldn't tell the difference.
Continuing my painting project whenever I have a free hour or more. Many more projects waiting to be done, but this one is temperature-dependent so it will be finished first.
bae I love reading about your DIY efforts! You remind me of my grandpa. When he accidentally sawed off his thumb he was most unhappy with his prosthetic one and its banjo picking abilities, so he fashioned himself a new one specifically for that task. Somehow I think you two would get along. :)
Making my own table numbers and escort cards for the wedding.
Doing my own makeup for the wedding instead of hiring a makeup artist!
Have two chairs and a bench to make over in the garage.....I cannot wait to start them!
We will be making our own kitchen island and eating nook this winter :)
I am working on the DIY family room remodel today. With five kids underfoot. By myself. Because I am insane.
bae I love reading about your DIY efforts! You remind me of my grandpa. When he accidentally sawed off his thumb he was most unhappy with his prosthetic one and its banjo picking abilities, so he fashioned himself a new one specifically for that task. Somehow I think you two would get along. :)
Well, it doesn't sound like our taste in music would be all that different. Here's the corner of my office: :-)
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oVJMtGgyvsM/TEzZiQp6CCI/AAAAAAAAD8U/QAlNxE4f68Y/s640/gse_multipart2522218395509202013.tmp.jpg
fidgiegirl
12-12-12, 2:34pm
Let's hear some more DIY, all!!!
With the help of some people over at the MMM forums, I have hooked up DH's really nice (I didn't know they were really nice at the time, I just wanted to use them or get rid of them) receiver, CD player and speakers to be able to play Pandora through my iPhone. I feel super techy and when he gets home I am going to have him help me find the spool of speaker wire to rig up antenna so we can get MPR through the receiver and not have to burn up iPhone battery streaming it.
I might get a used iPod Touch and digitize all his CDs. That might make a nice Xmas gift - we could then use all his CDs without storing them (he has a medium sized collection) AND streaming music on a device that we leave over there in the corner all the time. But still thinking about that one - we each have an iPhone, each have an iPad from work, and a laptop between us. So it seems kind of unnecessary, even though it would be convenient. It would really be because of the digitized CDs needing a storage vehicle - all of the other devices are the smallest size available. LOL of course, since I hooked up the CD player we could just put them in there, you know, old school. ;) Thoughts are welcome.
Tussiemussies
12-12-12, 4:21pm
We moved into our new home and the kitchen needs a whole re-haul. DH is going to paint the cabinets and they will look like an updated style in white. He has been doing all the little projects along the way so far. The previous owner's cat scratched through just about every screen in the house so he has been replacing them successfully. He also replaced turns on windows that were stripped. He is so handy plus being good at his work, a one of a kind type of guy ! Oh, he also installed a new toilet for us too.
fidgiegirl
12-12-12, 4:46pm
Awesome, tussie! Such a huge savings to DIY those kinds of things, and such an improvement in the quality of life. How did the move go?
Tussiemussies
12-12-12, 5:13pm
Hi Kelli, Thanks for asking! The move went well but in order to stay within our moving budget we had to leave things there that we are picking up at night and a one time cleaning. Not a big deal though. The movers were very nice people and SO much cheaper than our last move.
Thanks! Christine
fidgiegirl
12-12-12, 5:17pm
Awesome. It can be so stressful - you'll be glad when everything is all wrapped up. Congrats on the house.
Gardenarian
12-12-12, 7:17pm
I am working on the DIY family room remodel today. With five kids underfoot. By myself. Because I am insane.
Stella - what does your remodel involve? (aside from trying to avoid stepping on children?)
Gardenarian
12-13-12, 6:39pm
Oh my, wasting more time on Pinterest - but this page (http://pinterest.com/sarahpetrey/diy/)has a lot of neat DIY projects, including this nice magazine holder made from a cereal box:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y75/readaboutit/magholder.jpg
fidgiegirl
12-13-12, 8:16pm
Cool, Gardenarian . . . followed it!
Gardenarian. My heart is going pitter-patter over the sight of the picture you posted! I LOVE Better Homes & Gardens magazine!
fidgiegirl
12-29-12, 10:17pm
I am fixing tents for Girl Scouts today. I'm up to about 15 tents total, though right now I have three and supposedly more are waiting for me (since September!!). Mainly it is an issue of crimping the zipper slider, though now I've taken to replacing them outright since I figure a crimp will loosen up again at some point (plus Eureka sends me the sliders for free). But I've taken to doing some harder fixes, too, like tears . . . it's been fun. I feel like I'm really saving some money for the Council - money that can be used for other purposes, like camperships - plus honing my own skills. Though I would like to instruct them on tent care!!! In all fairness, it only takes a few people to not pay attention and put away wet tents to end up with mildewed tents, and that's hard to remedy. :(
Tussiemussies
12-29-12, 10:19pm
I am fixing tents for Girl Scouts today. I'm up to about 15 tents total. Mainly it is an issue of crimping the zipper slider, though now I've taken to replacing them outright since I figure a crimp will loosen up again at some point (plus Eureka sends me the sliders for free). But I've taken to doing some harder fixes, too, like tears . . . so it's been fun. I feel like I'm really saving some money for the Council, plus honing my own skills. Though I would like to instruct them on tent care!!! It only takes a few people to do it wrong to end up with mildewed tents, and that's hard to remedy. :(
That is nice Kelli that you are helping out the Girl Scouts...:)
fidgiegirl
12-29-12, 10:25pm
I am a longtime Girl Scout and had so many great experiences I doubt I could ever tip the scales as far as me really truly helping them, but I try. I am still recovering from my classroom days so have yet to take on a girl group. Maybe someday. I'll do this little bit now and enjoy it, too.
As an interesting side note, the camp director who most utilized my offer this last summer had the girls make me thank you cards. You'd think I was a Sewing Goddess. ;) But that really reminded me of how special a genuine thank you card can be, and as I was stitching tonight I was thinking of those cards and picturing those girls out camping, even though I think I already recycled them. I have the message in my heart, as corny as that sounds. :)
Tussiemussies
12-29-12, 11:16pm
I am a longtime Girl Scout and had so many great experiences I doubt I could ever tip the scales as far as me really truly helping them, but I try. I am still recovering from my classroom days so have yet to take on a girl group. Maybe someday. I'll do this little bit now and enjoy it, too.
As an interesting side note, the camp director who most utilized my offer this last summer had the girls make me thank you cards. You'd think I was a Sewing Goddess. ;) But that really reminded me of how special a genuine thank you card can be, and as I was stitching tonight I was thinking of those cards and picturing those girls out camping, even though I think I already recycled them. I have the message in my heart, as corny as that sounds. :)
That is so sweet Kelli. I too was a Girl Scout for many years going into the Juniors, which might be called something else now.
It's great that you are fixing those tents, they probably don't have a budget for new ones and this will allow them to go on camping trips...Thanks Kelli!
:)
KevinOKane
8-31-13, 5:04am
It is just amazing how Bae becomes the DIY king. The guy is a genius when it comes to thinking about various ideas of DIYs! One of my staff is also like him – everyone goes to him about DIY at home. He is an all-around guy in the office, apart from being an experienced water and gas plumber. The mothers loved his DIY ideas when it comes to children’s room organization.
Fun thread--and inspiring, too. I've been reading a lot of frugality lately and one book I stated that a lot of things our parents and grandparents did for themselves we now assume professionals must do. That got me fired up! I love the idea of being more self-sufficient (New England upbringing, likely) but often feel overwhelmed and don't want to waste time/money trying something only to have it fail. But I forget about step-by-step tutorials available online, books, and asking people who've done a similar project before.
Here are a few of our recent DIY projects:
1) Seal coated the driveway (if anyone ever tells you this is "fast" or "easy" do NOT believe them). But it does look nice.
2) Hubby painted and installed all the baseboard trim himself.
3) I have been ultra careful with cooking from scratch, including bread, and we've been on or below our grocery budget for weeks. Plus my freezer is building up a nice supply of leftovers for future last-minute dinners.
4) Hosted a fabulous "fashion swap" (not exactly DIY but along the same lines) and secured some great new-to-me wardrobe items for fall.
Next on my list: hemming pants and making a curtain for the bathroom window. My husband brought home some great plywood from work and I'm hoping I can talk him into making it into a fort (complete with ladder) for our son. He'd LOVE that!
Anyone have any other favorite books on the subject? How about websites?
Oh, and I'm also working on the cover for my second novel. Of course, the program does most of the work, but I do have to use an artistic eye to make it look good. And creepy.
Today's DIY projects involved some antenna design experiments I'm working on for ham/emergency services radios. I'm coming up with some simple antennas that can be thrown up into trees and such, for quick deployment for emergency communications.
Sometimes during these experiments, you can end up with RF energy sneaking back down your coax, getting inside your radio room, and zapping you with nasty high voltage RF, feels like beestings. Not good for you, or the electronics.
Now, you can buy commercial devices to filter this sort of stuff out. But I wanted to make progress today.
So, with a little math, and *no* work at all, let me present an ad-hoc air-wound RF choke, made up of extra coax. Stops the problem cold, while allowing me to pretend I didn't have too long of a piece of coax messily sitting around:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3w8chBcLvrg/UiPjjQ6i5FI/AAAAAAAAIkY/-5FakGPdt5c/s720/Awesomized.jpg
Note also the high-end temporary grounding solution:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yCw8KJCVDU0/UiPjejPiA4I/AAAAAAAAIkQ/Vf5vuFM3v2U/s720/Awesomized.jpg
Yes, a railroad spike. Seems to work fine.
And of course, what better to use to rig up one end than a light-bulb-changing-pole:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-R5uvG93MMzc/UiPjWb88P4I/AAAAAAAAIkA/uDavjo_4gIQ/s640/Awesomized.jpg
fidgiegirl
9-2-13, 10:17am
Hi Joyous_5, nice to hear from you, it's been a while! I'm happy to hear the novel is progressing!!! Wouldn't a fort be awesome?!
I really do like YouTube, but also am using Pinterest quite a bit to search for resources. Sometimes they point right back to YouTube, but often to individuals' blogs. I do have a few books, but pretty much the only one I reference on an ongoing basis is Better Basics for the Home (http://www.amazon.com/Better-Basics-Home-Simple-Solutions/dp/0609803255/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378131399&sr=8-1&keywords=better+basics+for+the+home), a book that talks about all manner of less toxic home cleaning, arts & crafts, body care, etc. I have learned so much from that book.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/518JPD8J76L._SX260_PJlook-inside-v2,TopRight,1,0_SH20_.jpg
ETA: bae, of course, always in awe of your DIYs, even when I only have a marginal understanding of what the heck you're even trying to do! :laff: You ever go on Instructables (http://www.instructables.com/index)? Seems like your cup of tea.
I have that book, too - and though many have been published since (I've read them from the library's collection), it remains the best in my opinion.
ToomuchStuff
9-5-13, 4:42pm
Bae, have you messed with settiing up a fractal antenna? (does that work for ham frequencies?)
Bae, have you messed with settiing up a fractal antenna? (does that work for ham frequencies?)
They should work, however the basic design is all covered by current patents held by someone who plays their cards close to their vest and has a lot of lawyers, which has slowed down the amateur community doing much more research in the area.
I'm concentrating my efforts for the moment on far more primitive designs that can be constructed from "found" materials in emergency situations. I made a quite serviceable antenna the other day using a pair of lawn chairs, and a Jules Verne-era antenna tuner which contains huge mechanical inductors and variable air capacitors, with gears and such. No electronics as-such :-)
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-x69wX9BizM8/UiUwLuRsRoI/AAAAAAAAIl8/ukaq1wepAmI/s720/Awesomized.jpg
http://static.dxengineering.com/global/images/prod/large/pas-at2kd.jpg?rep=False
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.