The Dad Advice Thread

Lisnaholic · 03-15-2022, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WWWP

this image made my day in its absurdity

Thanks WWWP ! I'm glad I could make you smile.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plankton

Spoiler for the inspiration for the middle brace:

Very interesting photos, Plankton, plus your carefully worked out sketch. Of course, there's no way all those clean alignments could've happened without all the details being worked out first.
Some professional-quality woodworking going on in your garage! For some reason there is something especially satisfying in the way you split and notched the (blue) mid-rail to receive the white rails. - and of course your now-famous endcaps!!

Guybrush · 03-16-2022, 02:53 AM

I'm nearly a complete novice when it comes to carpentry, woodworking and the like. I have some small projects behind me, like a shelf, built a carport with my dad (he drew it, I just sawed and lifted and put screws in things), made a ramp for the lawnmower, etc.

A couple of years ago, I bought a proper saw so I could make a shelf for my daughter's room. The room has a sloped ceiling so it's hard to fit furniture and making some means lots of angular cuts, hence the saw. I wanted a double sided bookshelf walling in a bed so that it's easy to reach books from the bed and you could place a lamp in it etc.

Here's a during and after.

I drew it myself and it's not fancy and even a little crooked, but all in all it's turned out to be a very useful piece of furniture that adds a lot to the room imo (and good luck to the next owners if they want to get rid of it).

The cross-cutting saw (I think you call it) which I bought for this is amazing. I can't quite understand how I got by without one for so many years. I definitely should have had it for the carport.

Plankton · 03-16-2022, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisnaholic

Thanks WWWP ! I'm glad I could make you smile.

Very interesting photos, Plankton, plus your carefully worked out sketch. Of course, there's no way all those clean alignments could've happened without all the details being worked out first.
Some professional-quality woodworking going on in your garage! For some reason there is something especially satisfying in the way you split and notched the (blue) mid-rail to receive the white rails. - and of course your now-famous endcaps!!

Best deals in town!

lol

Thank you my friend.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guybrush

I'm nearly a complete novice when it comes to carpentry, woodworking and the like. I have some small projects behind me, like a shelf, built a carport with my dad (he drew it, I just sawed and lifted and put screws in things), made a ramp for the lawnmower, etc.

A couple of years ago, I bought a proper saw so I could make a shelf for my daughter's room. The room has a sloped ceiling so it's hard to fit furniture and making some means lots of angular cuts, hence the saw. I wanted a double sided bookshelf walling in a bed so that it's easy to reach books from the bed and you could place a lamp in it etc.

Here's a during and after.

I drew it myself and it's not fancy and even a little crooked, but all in all it's turned out to be a very useful piece of furniture that adds a lot to the room imo (and good luck to the next owners if they want to get rid of it).

The cross-cutting saw (I think you call it) which I bought for this is amazing. I can't quite understand how I got by without one for so many years. I definitely should have had it for the carport.

Thats an outstanding build GB! I love the flooring too and how it accents the angles and paint with some contrast.

Miter Saws are a great tool to have handy.

Lisnaholic · 03-16-2022, 08:15 AM

That's a piece of shelving to be proud of GB! I like the way your end-panel is inset just a little with a frame around it - also, the way your top shelf comes at just the right height to line up with the roof slope and the vertical support. You've got full-depth and half-depth shelves going on too. That's very neatly making the most of the space.
- and yeah, I have always found it very difficult to saw accurately at any angle other than 90°. Well done!

Guybrush · 03-16-2022, 04:35 PM

Thanks, guys! Miter saw was just the word I was looking for

They're not in the picture, but I built the bottom full space area so that it could hold these relatively big IKEA containers. She has one with costumes and another with plush toys.

Plankton · 03-17-2022, 01:19 PM

^ I love the molding too. Frames it out nicely.

Here's one that was more paint than anything else. It started out as a potato bin, falling apart at the bottom from not having any 'feet' and resting on it's wooden frame. I reattached the bin portion, added some rubber feet and new hardware and painted it to match my lady friends other piece of furniture:

I started out brush painting it, but after one coat and some seriously bad and noticeable brush lines I decided to sand it all down and spray it.

Now I'm just waiting on getting a new home so I can tackle my next project.

I hope these examples fuel the fire for Fletcher and anyone else looking to do some furniture restorations.

FETCHER. · 03-18-2022, 09:45 AM

They are amazing, a serious well done to you both!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by WWWP

Another fine thread created by wwwp

This is my new favourite thread

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plankton

I hope these examples fuel the fire for Fletcher and anyone else looking to do some furniture restorations.

I am inspired! My dining room is currently full of random furniture that I refuse to bin (all good condition just need some love

). I have 2 side tables, 2 bedside tables and a tv unit

Guybrush · 03-18-2022, 12:18 PM

Nice, Plankton! Such a cool and creative build

Lately, I've been wondering about getting some outboard mic preamps and a lot of these units are made for racks. I don't have a rack and they're often weirdly expensive, so I might build one myself.

It would be sweet if I could find an old piece of furniture similar to your garage disposal with a roughly 19''' width. Might have to rummage through some thrift stores

WWWP · 05-27-2022, 11:38 AM

Dad,

All motor oil is pretty much the same right? I can grab whatever from the gas station?

SGR · 05-27-2022, 11:55 AM

Kinda but not really.

You're typically dealing with either conventional motor oil or synthetic motor oil.

The latter costs more, but it has advantages - it lasts longer and resists oil breakdown more efficiently, it's better at extreme temperatures of both ends, reducing engine wear, and it's less like to build up sludge - older engines were more prone to this issue.

In addition, synthetic oil is better for the environment since it lasts longer and used motor oil is pretty harmful to the environment.

But in terms of practicality, as long as your owner's manual doesn't specify that synthetic oil needs to be used, you can get by perfectly fine with regular old motor oil.

03-16-2022, 02:53 AM	#82 (permalink)
Guybrush Juicious Maximus III Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scabb Island Posts: 6,525	I'm nearly a complete novice when it comes to carpentry, woodworking and the like. I have some small projects behind me, like a shelf, built a carport with my dad (he drew it, I just sawed and lifted and put screws in things), made a ramp for the lawnmower, etc. A couple of years ago, I bought a proper saw so I could make a shelf for my daughter's room. The room has a sloped ceiling so it's hard to fit furniture and making some means lots of angular cuts, hence the saw. I wanted a double sided bookshelf walling in a bed so that it's easy to reach books from the bed and you could place a lamp in it etc. Here's a during and after. I drew it myself and it's not fancy and even a little crooked, but all in all it's turned out to be a very useful piece of furniture that adds a lot to the room imo (and good luck to the next owners if they want to get rid of it). The cross-cutting saw (I think you call it) which I bought for this is amazing. I can't quite understand how I got by without one for so many years. I definitely should have had it for the carport. __________________ Something Completely Different

03-16-2022, 08:15 AM	#84 (permalink)
Lisnaholic ...here to hear... Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: He lives on Love Street Posts: 4,444	That's a piece of shelving to be proud of GB! I like the way your end-panel is inset just a little with a frame around it - also, the way your top shelf comes at just the right height to line up with the roof slope and the vertical support. You've got full-depth and half-depth shelves going on too. That's very neatly making the most of the space. - and yeah, I have always found it very difficult to saw accurately at any angle other than 90°. Well done! __________________ "Am I enjoying this moment? I know of it and perhaps that is enough." - Sybille Bedford, 1953

03-16-2022, 04:35 PM	#85 (permalink)
Guybrush Juicious Maximus III Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scabb Island Posts: 6,525	Thanks, guys! Miter saw was just the word I was looking for They're not in the picture, but I built the bottom full space area so that it could hold these relatively big IKEA containers. She has one with costumes and another with plush toys. __________________ Something Completely Different

03-17-2022, 01:19 PM	#86 (permalink)
Plankton Just Keep Swimming... Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: See signature... Posts: 7,766	^ I love the molding too. Frames it out nicely. Here's one that was more paint than anything else. It started out as a potato bin, falling apart at the bottom from not having any 'feet' and resting on it's wooden frame. I reattached the bin portion, added some rubber feet and new hardware and painted it to match my lady friends other piece of furniture: I started out brush painting it, but after one coat and some seriously bad and noticeable brush lines I decided to sand it all down and spray it. Now I'm just waiting on getting a new home so I can tackle my next project. I hope these examples fuel the fire for Fletcher and anyone else looking to do some furniture restorations. __________________ See location...

03-18-2022, 12:18 PM	#88 (permalink)
Guybrush Juicious Maximus III Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scabb Island Posts: 6,525	Nice, Plankton! Such a cool and creative build Lately, I've been wondering about getting some outboard mic preamps and a lot of these units are made for racks. I don't have a rack and they're often weirdly expensive, so I might build one myself. It would be sweet if I could find an old piece of furniture similar to your garage disposal with a roughly 19''' width. Might have to rummage through some thrift stores __________________ Something Completely Different

05-27-2022, 11:55 AM	#90 (permalink)
SGR No Ice In My Bourbon Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: /dev/null Posts: 4,326	Kinda but not really. You're typically dealing with either conventional motor oil or synthetic motor oil. The latter costs more, but it has advantages - it lasts longer and resists oil breakdown more efficiently, it's better at extreme temperatures of both ends, reducing engine wear, and it's less like to build up sludge - older engines were more prone to this issue. In addition, synthetic oil is better for the environment since it lasts longer and used motor oil is pretty harmful to the environment. But in terms of practicality, as long as your owner's manual doesn't specify that synthetic oil needs to be used, you can get by perfectly fine with regular old motor oil.