Recent posts

#1

Architecture / Re: That 'big project' I've be...

Last post by James Harrison - November 10, 2025, 05:38:12 PM

Well, it's very simple! You can avoid getting trapped in a corner by following the Greystoke Method:

Just install a temporary system of cables or ropes attached to ceiling rafters (Clayton Harness), and you can move in or out of the zone,Tarzan style!

Normally I would suggest a Jet pack, but given the likely result with the presumed fumes from the stain, perhaps a small trebuchet to fling yourself to and from the bed would suffice?

I tried pole vaulting, but it didn't go well 

#2

Metaphysical / Re: Aerial Kraken Defense Thre...

Last post by Felscor - November 10, 2025, 09:20:54 AM

You make a distinctive point, melee contact with the aerial Krakens is sure death! Ditch the flamethrowers and spikes, unnecessary weight, and increase the harpoon cannon barrel length. Maybe if we could attach a rocket to the back of the harpoons... Hmmm

#3

Architecture / Re: That 'big project' I've be...

Last post by Madasasteamfish - November 10, 2025, 07:57:58 AM

This week my focus has been on the floorboards. Some patches of the floor (mostly along the edges) had been done in stages as I finished each wall, but obviously that still leaves the big section in the middle. 

I started with the patch in front of the fireplace, sanding this (and as far under that side of the bed as I can reach) and then staining it. 



Then I did a similar strip on the other side of the room.



I didn't go under the bed here because I didn't have the space - everything that was stored on the fireplace side had had to be relocated to this side.  In any case, my goal in doing this particular bit wasn't to get as much done as possible in one or two nights, but rather to reach a point where some loose floorboards on this side could finally be screwed down. 

And then with those two bits stained, I realised I'd managed to literally paint myself into a corner.  I've stained all around my bed, with a woodstain that takes anywhere between 12 hours and 2 days to fully dry.  At 7 o'clock in the evening.  Err... now how to get into bed without traipsing through that lot...

When it had all dried out I moved into the newly- uncovered corner and sanded that down, and then started staining. 



At this point my tin of woodstain ran out, and although I bought new tin of exactly the same brand, the new tin seems a lot thinner and runnier.  Tonally the two match, but in terms of actual colour, I think it's going to need at least two and probably more like three coats.  Luckily most of what needs to be stained now  is not my only means of access to any given part of the room. 

Well, it's very simple! You can avoid getting trapped in a corner by following the Greystoke Method:

Just install a temporary system of cables or ropes attached to ceiling rafters (Clayton Harness), and you can move in or out of the zone,Tarzan style!

Normally I would suggest a Jet pack, but given the likely result with the presumed fumes from the stain, perhaps a small trebuchet to fling yourself to and from the bed would suffice?

#4

Architecture / Re: That 'big project' I've be...

Last post by J. Wilhelm - November 09, 2025, 05:58:28 PM

This week my focus has been on the floorboards. Some patches of the floor (mostly along the edges) had been done in stages as I finished each wall, but obviously that still leaves the big section in the middle. 

I started with the patch in front of the fireplace, sanding this (and as far under that side of the bed as I can reach) and then staining it. 



Then I did a similar strip on the other side of the room.



I didn't go under the bed here because I didn't have the space - everything that was stored on the fireplace side had had to be relocated to this side.  In any case, my goal in doing this particular bit wasn't to get as much done as possible in one or two nights, but rather to reach a point where some loose floorboards on this side could finally be screwed down. 

And then with those two bits stained, I realised I'd managed to literally paint myself into a corner.  I've stained all around my bed, with a woodstain that takes anywhere between 12 hours and 2 days to fully dry.  At 7 o'clock in the evening.  Err... now how to get into bed without traipsing through that lot...

When it had all dried out I moved into the newly- uncovered corner and sanded that down, and then started staining. 



At this point my tin of woodstain ran out, and although I bought new tin of exactly the same brand, the new tin seems a lot thinner and runnier.  Tonally the two match, but in terms of actual colour, I think it's going to need at least two and probably more like three coats.  Luckily most of what needs to be stained now  is not my only means of access to any given part of the room. 

Well, it's very simple! You can avoid getting trapped in a corner by following the Greystoke Method:

Just install a temporary system of cables or ropes attached to ceiling rafters (Clayton Harness), and you can move in or out of the zone,Tarzan style!

#5

Architecture / Re: That 'big project' I've be...

Last post by James Harrison - November 09, 2025, 03:57:21 PM

This week my focus has been on the floorboards. Some patches of the floor (mostly along the edges) had been done in stages as I finished each wall, but obviously that still leaves the big section in the middle. 

I started with the patch in front of the fireplace, sanding this (and as far under that side of the bed as I can reach) and then staining it. 



Then I did a similar strip on the other side of the room.



I didn't go under the bed here because I didn't have the space - everything that was stored on the fireplace side had had to be relocated to this side.  In any case, my goal in doing this particular bit wasn't to get as much done as possible in one or two nights, but rather to reach a point where some loose floorboards on this side could finally be screwed down. 

And then with those two bits stained, I realised I'd managed to literally paint myself into a corner.  I've stained all around my bed, with a woodstain that takes anywhere between 12 hours and 2 days to fully dry.  At 7 o'clock in the evening.  Err... now how to get into bed without traipsing through that lot...

When it had all dried out I moved into the newly- uncovered corner and sanded that down, and then started staining. 



At this point my tin of woodstain ran out, and although I bought new tin of exactly the same brand, the new tin seems a lot thinner and runnier.  Tonally the two match, but in terms of actual colour, I think it's going to need at least two and probably more like three coats.  Luckily most of what needs to be stained now  is not my only means of access to any given part of the room. 

#6

Tactile / Re: Victorian Boombox Mark IV

Last post by J. Wilhelm - November 09, 2025, 06:36:17 AM

The gift that keeps on giving _{(you headaches)}.

Congratulations on your perseverance.

Thank you, Sir Henry, but when it comes to perseverance, I stand in awe when witnessing Mr. James Harrison's perseverance.  I'll gladly take second place in that department.

I think that all computers will give you headaches.  The trick is being able to minimize said headaches.

I've got the boombox working again, but it's not quite as polished as it was before with Win 10 (small details like auto detection of Bluetooth devices and software availability. I can probably massage the OS until it's polished again.

I've been thinking about creating a bootable ISO from my Linux installation when all the bells and whistles are finally fixed, but I have to be careful with the installation of proprietary codices and software that for legal reasons are normally installed by the end user. And then I have to think about maintenance using this current issue of Linux.  If every time you install new audio software you're breaking the sound, then you're passing the problems to someone else, and I don't want to do that.

#7

Metaphysical / Re: Aerial Kraken Defense Thre...

Last post by Dragon Scientist - November 07, 2025, 09:45:45 PM

If it is black and oily, it might contain tar, which is not only a horribly sticky mess that is near impossible to remove, but it may also add extra weight to your dirigible and in the worst case throw it off balance. Always keep a safe distance!

#8

Architecture / Re: That 'big project' I've be...

Last post by James Harrison - November 07, 2025, 10:22:56 AM

Looking Good

Thank you!

Looking good indeed! Well done.

Being of a generally silly disposition, I would look at putting a framed Muybridge still in each of the panels on the wall, making up a complete cycle. 

That's a really good idea (and one I hadn't thought of).  I have one or two thoughts about the panels but nothing definite yet, I might add that one to the list of possibilities.

#9

Tactile / Re: Victorian Boombox Mark IV

Last post by Sir Henry - November 07, 2025, 08:53:08 AM

The gift that keeps on giving _{(you headaches)}.

Congratulations on your perseverance.

#10

Architecture / Re: That 'big project' I've be...

Last post by Sir Henry - November 07, 2025, 08:50:48 AM

Looking good indeed! Well done.

Being of a generally silly disposition, I would look at putting a framed Muybridge still in each of the panels on the wall, making up a complete cycle.