Tools to solve a common problem

[Windows]

These should solve a woodworking-related issue I keep having:

 

[Mike]

Losing your glasses?

 

[Phil]

Not sure about woodworking.
You can tie it around the nether equipment, let end hang out, easy to find!

 

[duke]

These should solve a woodworking-related issue I keep having:

View attachment 33025

How are they going to help you?

 

[Steve Maskery]

I bought a packet of balloons once.

In a previous life I was a magician. Yes really. Rabbit out of the hat, money from behind the ear, sawing a lady in half. All thet stuff. (Well not the bisection at children's parties, that was for cabaret, but you get the picture).

I don't know if it still is, but it was popular then to have balloon modelling. A few long, thin balloons and I could make anything from a sausage dog to an elephant to the Crown Jewels (or any other spoils of Imperial oppression).

There were some balloons called Rocket Balloons which could be released into the air and would fly slowly and gracefully across the room, farting as they went. Such fun. The photo above looks just like them. Insert a tube into the end to inflate, remove the tube and let go. The flabby end acted as a sphincter, hence the biological analogy.

All was well until I was booked to do a show in a church. Full congregation. I had a new pack of Rocket Balloons, a brand I'd not used before. This particular brand had a modified design, where the front end was, shall we say, rather bulbous. But I didn't know that untill I'd blown it up. And so I set off a giant inflatable willy across the church, to a mixture of delight, hilarity, shock and eternal condemnation to the fires of Hell.

I never did it again.

S

 

[Windows]

They do look like balloons, but Mike recognised them as sport straps for glasses. Not so much because I have trouble finding my glasses, but more to stop them flying off my face. They’re slightly elastic neoprene bands. You shove the arms of your glasses in each end of the band and everything stays in place by friction. Can still push my glasses up on to my head, but now the glasses stay there. Game changer.

 

[BentonTool]

I also have many of these... on most of my "cheaters", which are TNTC (too numerous to count).
I make my own using bits of rubber roofing material (left over from the shop roof... glad that's over!) and some paracord.
The commercial ones are a bit short for me. They have to be long enough to get past my beard!

 

[Guineafowl21]

I also have many of these... on most of my "cheaters", which are TNTC (too numerous to count).
I make my own using bits of rubber roofing material (left over from the shop roof... glad that's over!) and some paracord.
The commercial ones are a bit short for me. They have to be long enough to get past my beard!
View attachment 33034

I like the corncob pipe, and antler tamper!

They remind me of my neuroscience lecturer, who used to smoke pipes in his office. No tamper, just a calloused finger end, and a white computer keyboard which was stained black and brown all over from the tar.

I enjoy the occasional pipe. There’s something mindful about chuffing away, tending the baccy to keep it alight but not too hot, that allows you to cogitate properly, Sherlock Holmes-style.

 

[BentonTool]

I like the corncob pipe, and antler tamper!

I enjoy the occasional pipe. There’s something mindful about chuffing away, tending the baccy to keep it alight but not too hot, that allows you to cogitate properly, Sherlock Holmes-style.

Aye, me also...

 

[Cabinetman]

I haven’t smoked a pipe in nearly 40 years but I could start again tomorrow, so relaxing, used to smoke an aromatic Danish tobacco, smelt wonderful even to non smokers - they said so!

 

[Guineafowl21]

A public thank-you note to @BentonTool who very kindly posted me an antler tamper, made by him, all the way from Benton, Pennsylvania to Nairn, Scotland:


Pictured alongside is the utilitarian ‘pipe tool’ that works, but isn’t a joy to use like a handmade item.

Pipe is a Peterson bent rustic, my usual. Baccy is Wilsons of Sharrow Majestic. Table is by me, cabriole legs and birch top.

I’ll have this later. It’s just after lunchtime now and if I start with that, I’ll not get anything done for the rest of the day!

 

[BentonTool]

A public thank-you note to @BentonTool who very kindly posted me an antler tamper, made by him, all the way from Benton, Pennsylvania to Nairn, Scotland:
View attachment 33226

Pictured alongside is the utilitarian ‘pipe tool’ that works, but isn’t a joy to use like a handmade item.

Pipe is a Peterson bent rustic, my usual. Baccy is Wilsons of Sharrow Majestic. Table is by me, cabriole legs and birch top.

I’ll have this later. It’s just after lunchtime now and if I start with that, I’ll not get anything done for the rest of the day!

Thank you for the post. Glad to see it arrived safely. To date, my tracking link still does not work!
All that remains now, is perhaps the application of some stain, to get the antler to match the color of your Peterson...
Perhaps a bit of light sanding and/or solvent first, as I may have applied some wax to the antler (not sure).
Best wishes, Brother!
(P.S. I like the choice of refreshment, but sadly, I had to give that stuff up... )

 

[Guineafowl21]

All that remains now, is perhaps the application of some stain, to get the antler to match the color of your Peterson...

Never thought of staining antler. I use it for tool handles sometimes, because it’s comfortable and tough. Would a normal oak stain work?

P.S. I like the choice of refreshment, but sadly, I had to give that stuff up... )

What, uisge beatha, the water of life? Surely not!

 

[Alasdair]

Have to admit that I too like a wee Jura every now and then.

Slàinte mhath

 

[BentonTool]

Never thought of staining antler. I use it for tool handles sometimes, because it’s comfortable and tough. Would a normal oak stain work?


What, uisge beatha, the water of life? Surely not!

Have to admit that I too like a wee Jura every now and then.

Slàinte mhath

Yes... gentlemen... a few things to consider...

Perhaps you Scots do not realize the incredibly good fortune that you have living in Scotland...
(and near Ireland as well as Irish Whiskey is a very close second IMHO)...

You live in the home of the finest tools ever made... in the home of the finest whiskey ever made...
There is only one true "uisge beatha", and (again IMHO) it is a single malt, and it is (by definition) made only in SCOTLAND!
So... for various reasons, uisge beatha is extraordinarily expensive here in the Colonies!

I found myself excessively fond of your uisge beatha... and as American Whiskey is generally unpalatable...
and as I was getting a bit older... and as I was packing-on a few extra pounds... I had to give it up (for now!).
The last thing I needed was an appetite stimulant... (on a diet I have managed to drop 44 lb. thus far).

On the topic of staining antler, a pigment stain may work (not sure) and is easily removed from all but the pores with solvent if you are not pleased with the result. However, I suggest using a wood or leather dye for the task. Dyes can generally be topped-over to change the colors as needed, and will take to the antler better, not rub off as easily, and give a more uniform appearance.

Slàinte mhath, Brothers!

 

[Guineafowl21]

Same here regarding the weight gain, sadly. For me, it’s too much ale because, having recently moved here, I’ve now finally re-established the microbrewery* and am making up for lost time.

* with a batch size of only 19L, it’s probably a femtobrewery, or something.

Apologies for the thread derailment.

 

[BentonTool]

Same here regarding the weight gain, sadly. For me, it’s too much ale because, having recently moved here, I’ve now finally re-established the microbrewery* and am making up for lost time.

* with a batch size of only 19L, it’s probably a femtobrewery, or something.

Apologies for the thread derailment.

My apologies to you!
In the prior list of the best of Scotland, I entirely left out the brews (beers and ales)!
Here again, Scotland has the BEST...
I hope there will be no arguments on this!

P.S. I admire those who can brew their own!

 

[SamQ aka Ah! Q!]

There is only one true "uisge beatha", and (again IMHO) it is a single malt, and it is (by definition) made only in SCOTLAND!

I can think of a high number of Irish, North and South, that would smile gently, and shake their heads at that....poteen - usige beatha - is nigh on a religion in some places here, never mind the likes of Black Bush. Slàinte!

EDIT: Third run!!!