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Given that today is my birthday, Melanie and Dane got me a little present. My old shop vac has been great, but it's on it's last legs. Since it was a wet/dry, it has done yeoman's work sucking up the last of the water when I've had to pump out the boat.

Since the motor and bearings seem about shot, its now been replaced. read more »

In my last post I mentioned calling GMC Tools to see about getting planer blades. Monday a representative of theirs called me back and left contact information on my answering machine... from Australia!

I've been quite sick and didn't make the return call yet. Well, just a few minutes ago he followed up and reached me. That is really above and beyond the call, to me. read more »

OK, not strictly boat related, but a recommendation based on my own experience...

But a decent flashlight and carry it... all the time. You would not believe how handy it is. Looking behind things, under things, around things... it seems the more you have it handy, the more often you find a need to use it.

If you do decide to carry a light, I would recommend spending a little more (but not a ton) and buy a decent LED light that will last. The LED's now are bright, last "forever" and won't die when (not if) you drop the light.

I've most recently been carrying a Fenix L1T that I bought from Fenix-store.com (who I also recommend). I like a belt holster, but this is certainly small enough for your pocket. Its two levels of brightness (I rarely use the low level) and although not a extremely long distance throw, its certainly adequate for most of what I do...

Its small, runs on a single AA which you can find anywhere, and goes a LONG time of intermittant use.

If you decide to get into the flashlight world, you can feed your addiction (no, you're not the only one that likes these things) at Candle Power Forums.

As usual, no association except as a satisfied customer!

Alex Christie, moderator of the Origami Boats mailing list, recently put together a little video review of a Switchable Magnetic Ground Clamp. Looks like it could be quite handy if you're welding, especially metal plates.

Note that Alex also produced what is supposed to be a very nicely done DVD package showing the build sequence of a Brent Swain Origami boat. I haven't seen it, but plan to order it:

...there is still available the 3 hour DVD set detailing the construction of an origami boat from flat sheet to bare hull, cabin and decks. $54 USD, shipped worldwide.

Contact me at achristie@shaw.ca for further details if interested!

Alex Christie

One of my most popular posts has been the pointer to the "build your own sandblaster" information... read more »

In the previous article on home made Kort nozzles, the author made mention of using what he called a Spirometer... read more »

Yeah! Santa (actually my parents) upgraded my woodworking abilities considerably. 

I now have a table saw! This is a big upgrade from having to do everything with a skil (circular) saw. read more »

A recent discussion on the Origami mailing list concerned the use of MIG vs. stick welding. The general consensus seemed to be that stick was preferred for their boatbuilding application due to ease of getting a good weld, and the ease of finding materials/equipment in out-of-the way places. Brent Swain has also made instructions available in the past for building a stick welder yourself out of just a few components. read more »

If building in steel, you come to the point of needing to prepare the hull and fittings for some manner of coating. Often times this means sandblasting. By all accounts a miserable job.

You can buy sandblasting equipment, rent it, or, as Tom points out in a recent Origami Boats thread, build it. read more »