I was chatting with some folks at work the other day about one of my favorite topics - buildin' stuff - and it reminded me of a project from a few years ago. ​​ ML sent me some links for a DIY shelving solution for a small wall in the dining room (back when we were living in our old house), and it looked do-able so I gave it a shot. I sketched it out and spent a good while in the middle of the aisle in the big-box hardware store dry-fitting all the peices. The pipes were a

I needed a wood surface treatment for a few projects. I wanted a natural look but didn't like any of the tiny jars of wood stain that were collecting dust in the basement. A quick search yielded a recipe using things I already had around the house, didn't involve nasty chemicals, and sounded more permanent than other options that could be rubbed or scratched off. There are a lot of sources for this so I won't cite any particular one, but the basic premise is this: mix a qua

Aside from being objects that (to me) represent endurance, quality, and comfort, cast iron cookware comes with the kind of ritualistic care I tend to latch onto. ML and I cobbled our collection together mostly from antique and thrift stores, two were found on the street in Brooklyn in pretty poor condition. Over the years I've tried a few methods for completly rehabbing cast iron surfaces, but a good friend turned me on to a technique that I now believe is the only way to go

This was one of things ML saw on Pinterest or something and said to herself, "I bet if I showed this to R he could make that". So she did. And I did. Naturally, I couldn't pass up an opportunity to 3D print custom dowel caps with our son's initials, and rings to keep the supports from sliding around. We also got the chance to use some of the Mario Bros. themed felt hanging toys a good friend sent us. #diy #3dprinting

Tinkering with my 3D printer has taught me a lot about small electronics, but it's all been very specific to this one application. I wanted a better understanding of circuits, resistors, capacitors, etc... and how they work on a very basic level. So I picked up an Arduino and a bunch of components, and that's kept me well occupied for the last few weeks. So far the Arduino's been tethered to a computer to get power from the USB port. That's been ok for now, but I have a fe

I have a standing desk at work, and thought that converting to a standing desk at home would help me save space. It would also let me move my home office into the walk-in closet of what would soon be a nursery. It was the first lesson in something I've come to understand very well since: baby trumps everything. My previous desk was cobbled together out of IKEA parts, which included adjustable legs so I was able to try the new height for a few weeks before really committing.