Storage Project and a new tool

  We closed on the purchase of our new home a couple of weeks ago.  We now have to begin  serious 'down sizing' . We will have wonderful living space and nearly the same amount as this house, what we will lose is storage space.

   A while ago I got two galvanised storage boxes, 60x20x20 cm. They have been sitting in a corner, one has had handles added and so I thought it was time to put it to use. 

  I did some spray painting and added a label.  This box is to store my various art supplies. These are the things I am glad I have but don't use regularly.  So they can live in the basement.  There is paint and pallets and various mediums, all of which I use, sometimes.

  First I put all the stuff into the box. Then I tried to figure out the best way to use the space effectively without stacking to many things on top of other things.  This is another, 'isn't great to have a shop moment.'  I cut out some dividers and screwed and glued them in place.  The quality of modern glues is out standing. Many of these glues will glue wood to metal with ease. Boom, a couple of light weight dividers in the box and everything is secured and handy.

The most recent addition to my shop is a new bench vise.

  I bolted the vise to an oak board so that it can be moved/removed as I need it.  This vise's jaws rotate so that I have flat jaws and jaws designed to hold round objects as well as turning on it axis.  The vise will hold out of position pieces when I am carving or cutting with a coping saw. 

  

It has been a relaxed time in the shop, so I guess I need to get going on some projects now.

cheers ianw

A New Year and a New Challenge

    Last week we took possession of a new house. Rather a new house for us, in reality an older bungalow in a small town an hour away, very near Eva's extended family. The house is ripe for some up dates and renovations.  So that house is why I haven't posted yet in 2023.  There were many trips to see the house, see the real estate person, see the lawyer etc.  Once we closed, last week the have been a couple more trips to explore and imagine.

  We will be holidaying, as usual shortly so there has been a rush to arrange a short term house sitter and there remains several trips to move somethings into the house as well as do something to make it more livable.

  Today's project is a make it livable project.

   In the garage there is a lighting problem.  The light switch is in the back away from the door and the light fixture is really improvised.  While there is no car in the way I am going to make a change.

  I bought a basic motion sensor light fixture. 

  This is the cheapest fixture I could find. Normally it wires into a box in the wall or ceiling. 

 This is a two wire connection.  I have wired a cord and plug to the fixture and now it can be mounted where I want it.  I put a ten foot cord on the light  so I will be able to put it anywhere I want in the garage and move it later if I change my mind.

 

  I don't mess with electrical wiring on a regular basis but I am comfortable and confident in a minor modification like this. It was a cheap trick because I had a length of 'two wire' available. I got my wire from someone's dead vacuum clearer that had been kicked to the curb, I clipped and saved  cord.

  I have made a door stop to go in the patio door slide already for the house and pulled out about one hundred nails and screws that have been spread around the garage and basement walls.  I don't know what the previous owners did with them selves but I know they hung lots of stuff on random nails.

  Since we are moving to a small place, I have promised my local grand kids a full tool chest of basic tools.  I have a variety of duplicate tools and they will now have a new home.  Where my really good tools will go one day....I have no idea.  I do hope one of the Grand kids will have use for them.

The other shop thing is another reason to have a shop.

  Modern glues are great. I am gluing and clamping a piece of leather onto the  back of a wrist watch strap that is falling apart.  Clamps of all sizes and shapes are a must.  A house needs a toaster and a bunch of clamps for sure. 

cheers ianw