My Favorite Projects from 2017

2017 was a  busy year!

Reclaimed Duct Tape Dispenser

Duct Tape Dispenser

I wanted to come up with a better way to dispense tape. Using a automotive masking caddy, I fitted it with threaded rod and a serrated edge for an all-in-one dispenser.

Angor Rot Trollhunters Costume Build

Making an Angor Rot from Trollhunters Costume

As soon as I saw Angor Rot in Trollhunters, I knew it would make a great costume. It's an ambitious project, but every year I try to expand my skill set when building my Halloween costume, though I really needed more time for this. I didn't quite finish in time for Halloween. I've always wanted to do a big costume, and now I have.

Duct Tape Dummy / Make a Mannequin

Make a Mannequin

I'm making a costume for Halloween and needed a replica of my body so I wouldn't have to keep trying on the costume to check the fit. I'll show you a cheap and easy way to create a mannequin of yourself.

Build a DIY Dice Tower

Dice Tower

If you play board games, you've encountered dice rolling off the table or knocking board pieces out of place. This tower keeps the dice in one spot and simplifies rolling.

How to Update Counters, Cabinets, & Hardware

Updating Counters, Cabinets, Doors, & Hardware
I'm going to show you how to update cabinets with laminate finishes on the counter, cabinets, and doors. I'll make new doors with hidden hinges and new hardware.The existing casework was woefully out of date. It used exposed hinges, the cabinets were painted, and the laminate counter was well worn.

Visiting the Danville Braves

Danville Braves

Short Story - Livewire

Livewire
words: 899

Original Photo by Joey Kyber on Unsplash

“If I don’t cool it down, I’ll burn him up out there.” I turned showing the bag of ice on my shoulder. Garcia just nodded blankly and kept walking. I sat on the trainer’s table, trying to be a good teammate and avoid being aloof. Despite my attempts, I just felt further out of the loop. I was just there taking up space. I used to be important. I wanted to show them the hardware, the rings, but it didn’t matter. That was from another time, a different city.

Visiting the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park

Nationals Park

Short Story - Yarbrough & Peoples Don’t Stop

Yarbrough & Peoples Don’t Stop
Words: 696

I pulled the creased card from my pocket yet again. This was becoming some strange dream, but the words hadn’t changed.

KEEP ASKING QUESTIONS

Visiting the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards

Oriole Park at Camden Yards

Door Latch Removal & Repair

More Than You Wanted to Know About Door Latch Removal, Workings & Repair

My truck door latch would lock, but wouldn't always unlock. When I tested the latch outside of the truck it worked perfectly. I finally figured out the problem.

Mobile Laptop Harness

Laptop Harness

I needed to take notes and measurements but I hate writing it down because then I have to keep up with multiple papers and plans. Then, I just have to transfer it to a computer anyway and my handwriting is difficult to read. I like to enter information directly into a laptop even in the field. When drafting in the field, if a measurement is wrong, I'll know it instantly when lines don't meet.

Jewelry Box or Tool Box Organizing Insert

Organize Your Jewelry Box or Tool Box

A drawer without organization becomes a mess quickly.

A Primer on LEDs - The What and the How Tutorial

LEDs, Resistors, Power Supply, & Breadboard

Where do you start with LEDs? I've always wanted to learn how to incorporate LEDs into props I make. It turns out, it's not difficult to get started.

Hydro Dip Painting

Hydro Dip Painting

What do you do with your leftover spray paint cans? Create a psychedelic paint job! This is known as hydro dipping or marbelizing.

DIY Metal Coil Springs

Make Your Own Springs

I needed a spring, but wanted a custom size and shape. I made my own extension and compression springs.

Totally '80s Photo Collage Portrait

Make an '80s Portrait

I painted a wild multi-color frame and needed a photograph for it that exuded class and style.

Under Sink Storage in 20 Minutes

Build a Shelf

Quick Fireplace Upgrade

Quick Fireplace Upgrade

Three years ago I built a fireplace mantle. It went exactly according to plan, but a week later I knew I wasn't quite done.

How to Make a Good Caulk Joint

Good Caulk Joint vs. Bad Caulk Joint

Caulk joints often fail because most joints are packed full of caulk and call it done. That will inevitably lead to failure.

Portable Overhead Camera Mount

Portable Overhead Camera Mount

​I wanted an overhead camera mount that I could disassemble and move around easily, though the final result has slightly more screws than anticipated.

DIY Concrete Counters

Making Concrete Counters

My counters have been ugly since the day I moved in. Granite and solid surface are expensive. Concrete is much cheaper. This was quite the education as I applied self leveling concrete over existing laminate counters.

Short Story - The Pit is a Lie

The Pit is a Lie

Words: 1318

“Kershaw, hurry up!” Arenado watched as his friend wove through the brush, dodging limbs.

Kershaw’s face went slack when he saw it. “You found a cave? How deep is it?”

“I don’t know, I was waiting for you.”

Short Story - Allure of the Laserdisc

Allure of the Laserdisc

Words: 1007

The allure of the laserdisc was too much. Every day after school Eric would weave a path that took him between the aged brick buildings downtown to Archie’s Electronics. He would stare between the painted letters on the window at the gleaming black box in the window with the shiny discs lying nearby. Some days he’d even go inside, but it just didn’t look as mesmerizing as when he was staring through that inch thick glass.