Week of May 21st

        So I have been using the sewing machine and have done lots of practice.  Just doing small things building my skills with stitching various stitches, measuring and cutting, working with the materials for the goal project.  I found that the mesh you see in the second picture I planned on using as the back of the cushion isnt going to work. It is a rubbery thick material that binds up in the machine.  Although some of the small things I made with it turned out ok, taking it to the larger size didn't work at all.  So in the pictures you see in the fore ground a cooler cushion used a seat on the boat.  I reproduced this with a vinyl and mesh I got at Joann fabrics.  They actually carry a better quality vinyl (rated for marine use), but I found a better material online for a better price.  The mesh I found online too that is more like the target mesh, not rubbery but a smoother thin material.   The hard parts with this is attaching the boxing and the zipper. The boxing is the vertical band (2") that runs around the 4 sides of the cushion. I finally figured it out on some smaller test pieces.  The zipper was tough in that the material (rubber mesh) gets doubled up and it was almost impossible to move through it.  I got it, but it told me this isn't the right material for this job.  Obviously it isn't finished without adding the foam.  That is also something I'm going to need for the big job, so I need to do some more research and find the appropriate material.  

The second item I actually made is using nylon webbing that I will need on the goal project to hold the cushions in place on the boat.  This is an "Easy Walk" harness.  We have these for the dogs.  Actually we have one now that Chance ate his, but we use Chase's on him when we take him alone, because it works pretty well.  The real one has 4 adjustments to accommodate a range of dog sizes.  This new one is custom sized for Chance (but can fit Chase).  It has one adjustment to handle girth changes (weigh and hair).  Also you see the color a mil-spec khaki color which is a better look for him considering the store bought one is pink... I am also making another one for Chase, olive drab green to match her leash. I got all the webbing, stainless hardware and buckles from Strapworks (great prices).  

So far I've accomplished: 

Getting all the tools (machine, scissors, seam ripper, various measuring and marking items, etc) 

Learning how to use the machine (basics, threading, bobbin winding). 

Needle and thread size as well as which to use in the target materials  

How to sew a zipper

How to make a box cushion

Sewing nylon strapping

Researched all the materials and choose them (except foam)

found vendors for the materials 

As of this week I ordered all the fabric to make the caoming pads.  I am tempted to get a quote from a boat interior shop on how much they would charge.  As seen on some of my earlier posts it is never cheaper to do it yourself, but some times it is worth it (if you know what I mean).  

In other news I actually went fishing for the first time last weekend.  I caught lots of little ones, but it was a good start.

Also took a look at this bike, I need something a little more comfortable in my old age.

CB-1000R

May 19th 2001

Wife

I couldn't find a card that says what I wanted to say.  Each card wasn't quite right.  Sure they're some lovely sentiments, but they aren't from me.  So instead i'm going to do my best to write what I feel. While I don't say it; you know how I feel.  I'm not big on hugs and kisses, but you know it.  I appreciate all that you do, taking care of the house and the dogs.  I know I don't do near as much as you do and you don't give me a hard time.  I feel i'm lucky to have you and I don't say it enough, but you know.
Simply put: I love you.

Frank

Dear Husband,
Thanks for all the kind words. Never, think that you do not do enough. You're the best husband in the world and I love you more than words can say. So thanks for being the Man that you are.
With all my love,
Chanda

Occupy?

I heard a report today that the Occupy Chicago folks are protesting the NATO conference going on there.  Now let me get this straight Occupy started to protest "against financial greed and corruption". An economic statement about the distribution of wealth and the the unbalanced power/influence in this country. amirite?  Today I hear they are protesting the oppressive warmongering ways of our country.  Oh they said it was the 1% who are doing this and causing untold suffering and bringing death to the civilians in the countries where we are at war.  So I guess that 1% is the tie in?  I'm sorry I don't buy it.  I am starting to think that this group is just a bunch of new hippies that want to use the momentum marketed as occupy to protest and voice the complaints of the far left.  Actually I think they just want to protest for fun.  Lets get back to protesting NATO. Now this is a group of counties formed to provide mutual support against a group of countries bent  on the destruction of our country and our way of life. Now in the current situation NATO is banding together to fight against not other countries but against terrorists committed to our destruction.  Hmmmm, I wonder how Occupy would advise our country respond to 9/11?  Maybe give them flowers and have them talk out their differences with us?  I don't think they are facing the reality of the world we live in.  Is it in their utopian world everyone just wants to get along and live as a big happy family?  When has that ever been the case in the world, ever?  I don't think anyone wants to make war, but as long as people are bent on our destruction we must be prepared to fight them where ever they are.  

Week of May 7th

So in my endless quest to improve my skill set and spend all the money; I bought something that I have been thinking about for a year or so.  It all started when I noticed my boat cushions were dry rotting.  Having dealt with boat upholsters I knew this would be an expensive repair.  So that spurred to think: I can do it myself. Well as I should know by now that never is cheaper, quicker or better than going to the professional, but I never learn.  I did however contemplate this venture for more than a year so I knew what I was in for.  Usually I make snap expensive decisions that I regret later, but in this case it was a long decision that I will see if I regret. I bought this:





My plan is to work up to the actual cushion replacement job (2-3 months).  I am starting out by working with the target material (outdoor vinyl) and doing drills learning the machine and techniques.  I plan on doing research and simple projects (cooler cushion, other cushions). These have many videos online.  In my research and thinking about this I think the first product wont be a vinyl cushion but custom dog harnesses (I don't like the color of the ones we have) and it looks pretty easy.  Again this is just all about learning the best practices and refining the techniques.

Other than that I hope the boat will be in the water this weekend....

Week of April 30th

So after checking into a hotel the clerk stops you and informs you the fitness center is on the 4th floor. Does that mean they observed your build and decided: A. you obviously work out and would be interested in the gym or B. you need to work out because you are so out of shape?

Today it was pretty warm. That being said riders were out.  Passing through Delaware, I noticed 10% of the riders decided to wear a helmet. Is there a point of flirting with certain death? Is it more fun?  Or do you hate the poor state highway worker that will have to scoop up pieces of your cerebral cortex?  It makes me uncomfortable to even see them riding like that.  I did see a guy on a scooter wearing a leather riding jacket, but no brain bucket. This is one thing I am glad the government regulated, just so I don't have to be uncomfortable seeing here in MD.  

Stand your Ground Racist?

Ok so the outcry about the Trayvon Martin killing has gone a certain way I don't understand.  I have been hearing in the last few days that people outraged by the killing are protesting the stand your ground laws.  They have pressured corporate sponsors to stop funding a legislative action group that promoted these laws calling them racist.  Just because it is assumed that Zimmerman is benefiting from that defense doesn't invalidate this as a worthwhile law.  The known facts of the Martin killing don't reflect on stand your ground laws as I understand them. It seems to me this killing is polarizing the public into liberal versus conservative agendas and includes all aspects of these various political views however much on the periphery of the event it is.  Liberals will blame lax gun laws as the reason this person died.  I say its not lax gun laws, but racism pure and simple.  Its easy to fix gun laws.  Fixing hearts is next to impossible.  I have always said you can't legislate morality or outlaw hate.     

The pics from the Garage Project

So here are the pictures from the pulley mounting system project.  I actually put up another one on the other side of the garage and it is holding a Mercedes Flag right now.  You may ask why I put up another one I mean you would have had to rent another ladder and spend way more money than necessary on building it as opposed to buying a kit? Well the reason is safety.  What I realized was this system has single point failure modes. If the rope breaks or the cleat holding the rope comes off the wall or the pulley mounting rail comes out of the ceiling; crash! So a back up system is needed to prevent the suspended heavy item from falling on the expensive vehicles parked under them.  So I got the ladder and instead of a simple mount and ropes I installed a second pulley system and incorporated mounting points for safety backup ropes. These pictures are from the first system only. 

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