Ask HN: What are you working on?(Non-software projects only)
29 comments
A two-sided frame for a pair of posters my late grandfather brought back from Israel in the '60s.
I like them and they remind me of him, but Grandpa glued them to either side of a sheet of OSB. So if I want to hang them in a way that a) Doesn't look tacky and b) Won't damage them, I have to build something custom.
I like them and they remind me of him, but Grandpa glued them to either side of a sheet of OSB. So if I want to hang them in a way that a) Doesn't look tacky and b) Won't damage them, I have to build something custom.
Woodworking. I picked it up during the pandemic and now it's an outlet when I don't want to code any more.
The current project is a beer stein made out of white oak reclaimed from an old whiskey barrel. I'm trying to retain the burnt interior, but make it less fragile and not able to flake off. I'm trying to find a way to evenly coat the walls with resin to smooth things out (it won't be used often, so I don't particularly care about it being food safe or containing BPA). I probably need to keep it spinning while the resin spreads and cures a bit, then pour the rest out.
It's nice to have a different set of rules where I need to plan my order of operations out more carefully. e.g. I can't glue the handle on before I do the resin because it'll make it much harder to spin.
The current project is a beer stein made out of white oak reclaimed from an old whiskey barrel. I'm trying to retain the burnt interior, but make it less fragile and not able to flake off. I'm trying to find a way to evenly coat the walls with resin to smooth things out (it won't be used often, so I don't particularly care about it being food safe or containing BPA). I probably need to keep it spinning while the resin spreads and cures a bit, then pour the rest out.
It's nice to have a different set of rules where I need to plan my order of operations out more carefully. e.g. I can't glue the handle on before I do the resin because it'll make it much harder to spin.
I'm building a half acre permaculture pond.
It's about 10 foot deep at the center. And should hold somewhere between 300k-600k gallons of water.
I dug it out with a backhoe. You wouldn't believe how scary it is driving a backhoe, it feels like you are gonna tip over at any moment.
It's about 10 foot deep at the center. And should hold somewhere between 300k-600k gallons of water.
I dug it out with a backhoe. You wouldn't believe how scary it is driving a backhoe, it feels like you are gonna tip over at any moment.
An illustrated book.
While I still use software to make it, it's quite fun, and a refreshing change.
Can't wait to get it printed and see what it looks like in paper.
I want to build a low cost but comfortable small earthen house in the Sonoran Desert. Currently conducting a series of experiments to discover process that will be effective for my build:
- Comparing lime versus Poland cement for stabilizing poured earth. These mixes have a cure time measured in days and multiple experiments are in progress... - Research into latex cement for panelized wall and roof coverings over exterior insulation, mostly for temporary shelter structures. - Modular forms lined with geotextile fabric to minimize surface cracking in poured walls. - Other techniques to assure reliable performance of earth structures. - small mechanical projects to help make DIY practicable, e.g. auger mixers I can run from my tractor PTO, DIY trommel for grading materials, etc.
- Comparing lime versus Poland cement for stabilizing poured earth. These mixes have a cure time measured in days and multiple experiments are in progress... - Research into latex cement for panelized wall and roof coverings over exterior insulation, mostly for temporary shelter structures. - Modular forms lined with geotextile fabric to minimize surface cracking in poured walls. - Other techniques to assure reliable performance of earth structures. - small mechanical projects to help make DIY practicable, e.g. auger mixers I can run from my tractor PTO, DIY trommel for grading materials, etc.
My fitness. Trying to qualify for boston marathon (gotta run under 3hr). Got a few years to go!
Trying to refurbish a carburetor for an old Japanese bike. I gotta say the long feedback cycles are challenging. With unit tests you get immediate gratification of seeing things work or not. With carbs, you gotta clean 'em, assemble them carefully get them back on the bike, connect the fuel system THEN try to start. Nothing. A multitude of things can be wrong. It's been challenging.
Same, but an old Stihl chainsaw. I disagree with the feedback cycles. If we were using software tests as an analogy starting the engine would be an integration tests. There are many little bits of feedback along the way that are much more satisfying than unit tests.
But then again, I did small engine work as a job function for nearly a decade before getting into software. Usually when I reassemble something there isn't much of a question as to whether it's going to start or not.
Edit: not trying to say it's not challenging, it certainly is a lot of the time.
But then again, I did small engine work as a job function for nearly a decade before getting into software. Usually when I reassemble something there isn't much of a question as to whether it's going to start or not.
Edit: not trying to say it's not challenging, it certainly is a lot of the time.
No worries, I managed to refurb a chainsaw with a gummed up carb but a chainsaw carb is much simpler than a motorcycle one.. mine has two :)
1. I'm upgrading the electrical system in my camper van. Doubling the solar panel wattage and increasing the battery capacity.
2. I'm building a chicken coop in my backyard.
3. As more of a background project, I'm slowly building myself a proper Roubo style woodworking workbench.
2. I'm building a chicken coop in my backyard.
3. As more of a background project, I'm slowly building myself a proper Roubo style woodworking workbench.
Building a chicken yard and coop with fence already done. Not these fancy wooden pinterest coop as there is already an old small brick shed in place but it needs new roof and interior for chickens. The ladies will come living in it later in the summer.
Pulling injectors on a Volvo penta md6b boat engine. Made a slide hammer to pull them. First one came out fine but the second came out with the copper sleeve that holds it so need to work on separating them.
Letting time and gravity mix with penetrating oil for the past couple days
Music, taking a break from software for a bit (I mean, if you discount a couple of hobby projects ;))
Learning Solo Paragliding, Completed P1, P2 and P3 course and flying occasionally in Nepal
I'm making Armenian language course with my teacher, learning Armenian simultaneously! :)
Creating fitness equipment to enhance my workout efficiency and performance
Always the garden. Lot of work
Finally posting my dance photography in an online portfolio at andreimoment.com
A commercial drivers license
Trying to figure out elder care for three aging parents.
College essays for my Education Science bachelor.
building another FPV drone. finally venturing into hdzero aka analog + (digital signal over analog signal)
Does hw+sw count? Robots.
Pilates. I want to become a PT.
Golf
Next project I am planning is a paver patio. I will be renting the equipment and doing the work myself. Just need to draw up plans for the city.
I am wondering what projects you guys are working on outside of software.