!!!! SEPP to Boot: Stephen's Experience (BEL)

BRK #434

A new Boot week has begun, and with it new tasks and continued projects.

Dez and I visited the sawmill today. I enjoyed this task so much that Cat and I went up again later in the day and cut a few more. Curiously enough, now that the weather is below freezing for most of the day, using the sawmill becomes easier. Since we have the Wooden Box Day Half Assed Holiday later this week, we wanted to make sure that we had some raw material to work with. 3/8" panels were on the agenda and we processed quite a few.





We noted some peculiarities related to the power switch on the sawmill. It seems like sometimes when it's run, the power switch will de-energize and then to power-up the sawmill again, one has to hold the power switch in for a few seconds. After that it runs fine. We checked-out all the connections and nothing seems amiss. Maybe it's something mechanical with the switch? I have no idea.



More cob was done today, in particular the Cob Cape at the Bun Warmer. Cat and I added a few more inches to the project before we gave up the ghost. It's a challenging project because if you build too much, then it all collapses and needs to be built again...! Seems like it doesn't want to stay upright (though I wouldn't call it lazy... Perhaps "vertically challenged") We didn't overdo it, and instead concluded our day at the sawmill. But here's a record of our progress on the Cob Cape.





That's all for now. Thanks for reading, and make the most of your week...!

We noted some peculiarities related to the power switch on the sawmill. It seems like sometimes when it's run, the power switch will de-energize and then to power-up the sawmill again, one has to hold the power switch in for a few seconds. After that it runs fine. We checked-out all the connections and nothing seems amiss. Maybe it's something mechanical with the switch? I have no idea.

Some such switches have a solenoid to make or break the contacts so power fluctuations or vibration can be an issue with unexpected actions.  There appears to be an internal switch on the switch. Does that change the sensitivity or action?  

Hans Quistorff wrote:Some such switches have a solenoid to make or break the contacts so power fluctuations or vibration can be an issue with unexpected actions.  There appears to be an internal switch on the switch. Does that change the sensitivity or action?  

Oh heck, I have no idea.

Maybe ambient temperature has something to do with it? Maybe power load has something to do with it? We've discovered work-arounds for the time being, so we'll still be able to work with the sawmill until someone with some electrical knowledge comes around.

BRK #435

Happy Taco Tuesday to you...!

It was a frosty farm morning. It's always interesting to see the frost-covered hayfield across the street. Maybe 30 minutes after the sun hits it however, the grey-silver gives way to the golden brown of the stalks.



Early in the day, Cat reported that the felines were able to bump open the door of the Cattyshack: one of the indoor cat houses we've built here. So I decided to create a stopper for the door. Here's the general idea:



The cat's arm would hold the door closed, while the cat's head would provide sufficient weight to hold it in place despite kitties pressing against the door. Finally, the cat tail would provide a stopper for the entire thing when someone pulls it back to deliberately open the cat house.

Both Cat and I designed and then fashioned pieces with the band saw. "That's like, my favourite shop tool," mused Cat.



Here's the first prototype:



We mounted it on top of the Cattyshack, and were dismayed to learn the arm would be pushed out of the way too easy. A slight curvature modification to the arm didn't quite help. So we're back to the drawing board, but hopefully we won't have to throw out the entire design. I kind of like it and hope it can stay.



That's all for now. Thanks for reading, and enjoy your day...!

Cat latch idea...  Move it down and in front of the window.  Have it pivot on a peg (black circle) attached to the bottom edge of the window.  Add a stub (also a black circle) on the hinged door that the cat latch's arm hooks around.  When you swing the cat up the door is then free to lift.  

If I understand how the door opens, that is.....