LabFiles at LightningRod Labs

I have a great shop, it is kept comfortable year around. my tools are there, I spend a lot of time in it. One of the best things is nobody complains when I make a mess even if something explodes. I have had a computer out there of course, with one shortcoming. I couldn’t reach my network as I was about 120 feet from my router in my house office . Digging a cable in is possible but hard work. Being the shop building is metal sheathed Wireless would work only if I stood in front of the only window. Not handy for doing much work. My son the wizard came up with the solution. Two Belkin wireless G+ routers. The first picture is in my house office and The second is in my shop. Note both are by windows, also they are in line of sight. The third picture shows the mounting material I used, an old clear plastic clipboard about 1/4 inch thick.

This was chosen not only because it was on hand but it wouldn’t interfere with the signal on the window mount. Picture 4 shows the clear mount sheet in place. this allows the router to be mounted so the front is visible and the signal has a clear path. picture 5 shows the 50 feet of cable to get to my work bench. picture 5 shows distribution router on the shelf above my work bench.

The system works great, I understand the two wireless routers need to be identical. The only thing I bought was the wireless routers, the rest was salvage.The additional router by my bench allows me to plug in a laptop or a computer I’m working on.

I want to thank my Son the wizard for the technical knowledge that made this possible

As most of you know a good supply of compressed air is essential in the shop. The compressor I have been using I purchased new in 1975. It was a made in USA, a Sandborn 6.5 CFM with a 30 gallon air tank on wheels. It was the biggest 110 volt compressor I could buy and even had a pressure regulater so you could dial down the pressure for paint spraying. The unit has served me well over the years, I have painted cars and tractors and run many different air tools. I even got used to waiting for the air tank to catch up.

The last couple of years I have had trouble with small air leaks that were increasingly difficult to solve. That meant keeping the compressor shut off unless you were actually using air. At my wife’s urging ( she tired of my complaints) we priced new bigger compressors. I figured I needed close to 15 CFM to handled my sand blaster and paint gun. I priced compressors and found they were much higher priced than I had anticipated. I than called Greg at Surplus Warehouse in Willmar, (actually my wife dialed the phone and handed it to me). (http://www.swrecycling.com

Greg had a 14 CfM with a 90 Gallon tank by Sanborn MFD. listed at $729.00. Now I have known and done business with Greg since the 1980’s. I have great respect for him, He is a person you can do business with on a handshake without fear. Now Greg did cut me a deal and I won’t brag as you have to do your own bargaining.

The nicest thing was when I discovered it wouldn’t fit in my van or enclosed trailer Greg offered the use of his truck to haul it the 15 miles to the farm, then went along to help unload it. When asked about payment for his efforts, he just smiled and said he needed to get away from the office for a few minutes, then asked when I was going to start on a Rat Rod.

It sure is nice to have plenty of air on hand again. The tank stays pumped up for days with compressor shut off. Its nice to be able to blow the dirt off something without waiting and I’m sure I am saving money on electricity. Below is a picture of the unit.

Here are some pictures of the railing in construction. One nice thing about Iron is you can fill gaps by welding and grinding. It is very different from wood, as you can easily fill a 1/8 to 1/4 inch gap with the weld. As a matter of fact a gap in the joint makes the weld stronger as the space insures that the metal is bonded totally rather than just on the surface. If the gap is bigger just use some scrap iron. The last picture shows the finished railing.
Unfortunately I didn’t check codes and we won’t be able to use it.

There won’t be enough steel for the whole railing, but there will be enough to substantially contribute.

While most people look at Holidays as a chance to relax and drink beer, we here at LightningRod Labs view it as a chance to save the environment.

Okay, maybe we drink beer while we’re doing it, too. Regardless of that, for 2008, we decided to document the easy way to sharpen a reel mower — potentially saving you $60+ over a professional sharpening, while still making the mower every bit as sharp. Click here for more.