Rollerbald

I found this crusty square shank screwdriver with a wood handle for $2 at a secondhand store. Here is how I cleaned it up, straightened it and put it back into service. Or at least put it back into ‘display’ service.

Here is my version of a saw blade ULU. It’s a very simple design and it was created ‘on the fly’ in my garage with basic tools. It will be obvious that I’m not a skilled knife maker – just a guy who like to play in the garage. The ULU works just fine. I hope you like the video.

I needed the five pin S-meter plug for the Hallicrafters S-20R that I am working on. I checked for availability, but did not have much luck. I decided to make one as it would be used only during the alignment process. Here is how I did it.

This is a short video about a Singer model 15 sewing machine that was left in the street for trash pickup. I saved it from the landfill and was able to make it usable again. This is a rescue, not a full restoration. I just wanted to make it look halfway decent and functional – not necessarily like new again. There are a couple of parts of the cabinet that I cannot identify. These are shown toward the end of the video. If anyone can help me identifying these parts please leave a comment. Sorry for the shaky camera work. I will try to do better.

Part 2 of the rescue of a rusty, crusty, mistreated Hallicrafters S-20R communications receiver purchased for $5.00. Stripping, sanding and refinishing the cabinet and final testing before alignment. Another one saved from the landfill.

Part 1 of the rescue of a rusty, crusty, mistreated Hallicrafters S-20R communications receiver purchased for $5.00. Initial testing, cleanup and some electrical repairs and restoration.

I saved this little three-drawer night stand from being sent to a landfill. Watch to see the makeover process. I hope you like it. It was a fun and rewarding project.

This Craftsman wood router was given to me when a friend was cleaning out his garage. The base has a large piece that is missing, so I decided to try to repair it.

When this Autostar mount failed I decided to re purpose it with a simple remote control.

Nothing fancy - just an exercise in Arduino programming with a servo. Housed in a 'quick and dirty' built box. It was a fun project - I hope you like it.

I needed to rout some grooves in some ¾” X ¾” strips of wood. A router table would be ideal for this job, but I did not have one. I made a very simple one out of scrap plywood. It’s just a no frills, no cost, no hassle, ultra-simple, not pretty router table that works. Not much else to say – it just does what it’s supposed to.

I made this display case for my pocket watches, but it could be used for anything. Its velvet lined and uses small cylindrical magnets to hold the see through lid closed.

This electric blanket controller is pretty old and it became erratic in operation. Here is how I repaired it. WARNING! This is for entertainment only. Do not attempt something like this unless you follow all safety rules. Do not work on devices with possibly lethal voltages unless you are experienced doing so. If you attempt to do a repair like this you do so at your own risk.

Single lever keyer paddle made from an old disk drive and some scrap aluminum. I have always been fascinated with the precision that disk drives are made with. The motor bearings make for a very smooth action in this keyer paddle.

Roller inductor that will be controlled remotely with an Arduino based motor control unit. I hope to use this at the base of a vertical antenna for a loading coil.

I made some antenna wire winders for a portable amateur radio antenna I am working on. Made from a piece of molding and a ¼” dowel. Nothing fancy, just cheap, easy and effective.