The Frugal World of Doc

I'm all stuck up...

2011-11-17T13:29:00.002+10:30

...Ah, ha, ah ha! <--looks nothing like how I said it!

Okay, shoppers, I've been away from frugal, cyber space for a while so thought I would get back into the swing of things by sharing some of those useless tips that change your outlook on life forever!

I use tubes of those 'liquid nails'(TM)-type stuff.

You find them at your local hardware shop in convenient sizes like more than enough to stick a 20 tonne truck back together or nearly enough to reattach false eyelashes.

Invariably, this means you buy the size to do the job and hope you don't have too much left over.

Well, for those of us who do have too much left over, here are a couple of things you may want to try using the glue for.

For those who have never used liquid nail/no more nails or whatever TM names it goes under, it is a special glue in a cartridge and it dries as hard as, erm, nails!

So. When you have finished glue nailing your plasterboard to the bathroom ceiling or whatever, what sort of things can you do with the leftovers?

How about making Doc's knobs of all sizes to suit your knob requirement (sounds rude)?

Waddleyaneed:
Big tube/cartridge of leftover Liquid Nails (TM)
Clicky thing to squish said leftover glue -you know what I mean - you have to buy a new one each time because you never remember where you put the old one. I have six at the moment!
Bottle lids of many sizes
Bolts of many sizes to suit your needs
Wooden clothes pegs

Step 1
Get all the stuff together so you can take a neat photo and give people a better idea of what the hell you are on about.

Note the blue clicky thing with the glue cartridge in it.

Step 2
Grab a lid and fill it with the liquid nails glue stuff from your clicky thingy and whack in a bolt.

Step 3
Repeat step 2 as required and whack in another bolt, held securely(ish) with a wooden peg if it won't stand up by itself.

Step 4
When completed, allow to dry (a few days to get hard - fwaar!) then stand back and reflect the important question of life...Why did I do this?

I have arthritic hands (seriously!) and have used these knobs as an aid to help me unscrew bolts from some of my woodwork machines - lathe, drill press, scroll saw and the like.

They dry hard (the glue not my hands) and I find they are easier to grip.

You may think of a multiple of uses for these knobs eg drawers knobs.

If you can think of more than five uses, you probable need to get out more!

Okay.

We still have not used up all our glue (who'd have thunk it). So what else can we do?

How about a great, easy-to-make, Doc's storage container for all those nice, easy-to-handle knobs you made.

Waddleyaneed:
A DVD/CD pack thingy
Hacksaw/sharp knife/good teeth
Some more of that hard as nails glue stuff
The clicky thing that squirts the glue out
Room under a shelf

Step 1
Grab your CD/DVD pack and take apart thusly:

Step 2
Cut the sticking out bit off with the implement of your choice.

Step 3
Under the shelf where you are going to attach the container, apply a couple of dobs of the glue from the clicky thing and stick the base to the underneath of the shelf.

Step 4
Allow to dry - the glue not you -(it wasn't that much hard work) and when dry attach the other part of the CD/DVD pack and fill with useful items such as the knobs we made previously.

Note how the dust already in situ under the shelf remains in place.

Obviously the cleaner had not been into my workshop immediately prior to me taking the photo.

Step 5
Ponder the logic of now having a single container permanently stuck to an area under a shelf that you can not actually get to with ease!

Oh well, somebody might find it a useful tip.

Anyhoo, got to get back to making more toys before I run out of the hard-as-nails stuff.

Doc ;-)

Doc's New Wooden Toy blog

2011-07-18T19:58:00.003+09:30

Hi all

Due to popular demand (ie my kids and Scarecrow asked for it!) I have set up a separate blog for the sale of my wooden toys over here.

I thought it would make it a bit easier for people who want to purchase them rather than the current to and fro emailing that is happening here at the moment - although I do like getting mail.

So if you are interested and want to purchase some toys go check the site out.

Be warned, though, I hope to be adding more as often as Scarecrow leaves me alone - currently about every second Friday, but I'm working on that!

Of course, if you are not interested, stay here because I will still be baffling and bedazzling people with my frugal, politically incorrect, who-cares-anyway-don't-fret-life's-too-short blogging style.

In fact, I have a couple of projects coming up soon that involve me getting my hands dirty and, no, having just unblocked the bloody (ooh! can I say that on a blog?) septic (fair dinkum!) that's not what I meant.

So, as my music teacher used to say, stay tuned.

Thank you all for your support.

Be nice to each other

Doc

Thank you blogger:

2011-06-03T08:59:00.004+09:30

I would just like to thank Blogger and all those associated with it for somehow losing all the comments on my posts.

You people don't happen to work for the Australian government do you. They seem to be about as competent with the interwebs as you guys!

How am I supposed to remember which jokes I used

Now I have to go back to the real world and play.

Thanks to all my followers for following. I will post something less melodramatic when I can.

Doc

Apparently light travels faster than sound - this explains why some people appear bright until they open their mouth.

.

More, more more...

2011-01-17T17:32:00.001+10:30

How do you like it?

Hi all.

Have been unwell so thought that whilst I'm still alive instead of blah-ing on <---new word there, I reckon, I would post some more piccies of some toys I made for sale and/or the grand-twins.

All made from scraps. Enjoy.

First a legal warning:
Please be careful looking at these toys.

Some of the pictures have sharp corners.

Some of them contain parts that could be swallowed by a child. Especially if that child has a mouth capable of pigging out on something the size of its own head.

Bear this in mind if you copy any of the designs.

They also are finished in a child safe oil which can cause injury when the 5 litre can containing the oil is bumped with a bare foot.

Do not ask me how I know this.

No electrons were harmed in the posting of these pictures and only stunt cats were used and no harm was done to them. Much. Well, maybe a little bit but accidents happen.

A special family by request.

Another special family living in a 300mm tall house with no stairs!

It's a pair of rattles I made for the you-know-whos. Ninja the nosey cat doing what she does best - bugger all but get in the way (anybody want a cat).

Another wheeled vehicle about 200mm long. No. Wheely, it is.

The goddess calls this the roadster, I think. Or maybe it was rooster. Also about 200mm long. The roadster/rooster not the goddess.

My first noisy pair of toys for the grand-twins. The balls make an irritating ping-ponging noise bouncing around inside their 'cage'.

Grandparenting is all about revenge.

Drumming up some business for when the twins get older.

Lots of wheels on this dude and is almost half a metre long. Maybe I should just say it is wheely long. Sure get tyred making wheels.

Should keep the punsters happy for a while.

Doc

BTW
Happy New Year

Wicked Wicking Beds for the witless

2010-10-12T22:18:00.009+10:30

Scarecrow (AKA the goddess - think: adore, worship, love, pedestal - you get my drift) suggested that I might like to do a tutorial on making wicked wicking beds so here it is.

Wadjaneed
Some stuff for the sides
Some other stuff for the ends
More stuff to join them all together - lots of stuff at my place!
Some plastic to line the bottom of the bed(s) with
(or you could just use an old freezer or other suitable receptacle that would hold soil and worms)
Some 2" slotted agricultural drainage pipe to get water into the bed
Some soil and stuff (see Scarecrow for more details)
Worms - not those of a personal nature, but the ones you grow in your worm farm. Everybody has a worm farm, don't they?
A spirit level <---betcha never thought I had one of them!
Sand or fine loamy soil
Mulch to cover the bed when you have finished

First of all, some points about wicking beds, so listen up.
1 Wicking beds are useful in an environment that does not have much rainfall. If you get plenty of rain and water is not an issue then maybe you should simply look at having raised garden beds.
We are not that far from a desert.

2 Wicking beds allow water to get to the area the plant needs (the roots, so the goddess informs me) by, you guessed it, WICKING!

Think of an oil lamp with a wick in the container that moves the fluid from the bottom of the container (the wicking bed) through the wick (the soil) to make the flame (or plant) at the top grow <--see what I did there. I believe the process is called capillary action, go look it up somewhere if you want.

3 The concept and application is as easy as it looks. Do not overthink the idea or you will never get the job done.

4 The total soil depth is about 300mm and water is poured into the pipe until the pipe sounds full then the water will 'wick' up into the surrounding soil. It is 'normal' for the topsoil to feel dry, since it is. The moisture is at the roots where it is needed.

If you don't believe me, ask Scarecrow. She knows these things.

5 Any excess water (yeah, right) in the bed will simply leak out over the 100-150mm plastic layer at the bottom. If you are using an old freezer drill a drain hole 100-150mm from the bottom of the unit to allow drainage.

6 If your bed seems to be constantly wet (and you have sought medical advice!), re-read point 1 a bit more slowly.

7 Be nice to your critter helpers in the garden

In the example within the goddess' garden, I have used some old galv iron that was lying around (actually, it was neatly stacked in my storage area within the garden, but you get the picture) and some scrap 4X4 timber supports from a friends veranda that blew down during a nasty storm.

You use whatever you have around or go steal from a neighbour.

Step 1
Cut everything to size. Use whatever you have (this is a frugal site, after all) but try to limit the width to something you can comfortably reach over from one side to the other without needing medical treatment later.

You can see several in the process of being made, here. The goddess thought I looked too quiet and happy in my workshop.

Step 2
Join the cut pieces together using whatever is available.

Step 3
With help from your lovely, though a little bossy (!!), assistant, carry the bed(s) to their final destination.

Check for roominess, right way around-ness, knee-banging-ness, whether or not your barrow fits between-ness etc etc

Ensure management approves of the process. I do not like cats.

Step 4
Find a willing volunteer and start the process of levelling the ground under where you are going to place your wicking bed(s). This is a very important part because the site must be level for water to move properly through the bed.

Step 5
Carefully line the base of the bed with your plastic and smooth it to fit (without tearing). This can be trimmed to allow a depth of approximately 100-150mm.

You can place a little sand around the bottom of the plastic to hold it in place whilst you smooth and cut it.

Check the levels of the bed again.

Step 6
Measure, cut and lay your 2" ag drainage pipe (or equivalent) along the bottom of the bed and carefully cover with sand.

Keep checking your levels, this is important. One end of the pipe will be bent 90* and run up the end of the bed to allow you to pour the water in whilst the other end is blocked off.

Step 7
Once the pipe is covered, you are ready to start putting in some nice soil, complete with worms to bring the bed up further ready to plant into.

In the bottom of the piccy you can also see where the water will be poured in.

Step 8
Get out of the way as Scarecrow pushes her way through to plant some spuds in this particular bed.

These were planted, covered with soil and then covered in a layer of mulch.

Extras
Because I think the spuds are a little shy, Scarecrow fitted the bed with net curtains so they could have a little privacy whilst they do the growing thing.

Either that or it offered some protection from the plague of locusts that are expected within our area any time soon.

Yeah, that would be the reason, probably.

If you want to grow something up a trellis you can carefully place an appropriate trellis within the bed thusly and lay a couple of bits of wood across the base of said trellis to prevent it blowing over.

Clever, hey!

Fill with your nice soil mix but be careful not to upset your levels.

Make sure it looks tidy, too.

Voila.

Righty ho, any questions, you know how to get hold of me.

A couple of caveats (sounds like a foreign dish), though.

I can tell you all about building the beds but the goddess is the one to ask about what to grow and when. It's her job to grow the stuff, my job is to just cook it so don't ask me if now is a good time to plant <insert stuff here> or not.

Anyhoo, til next time, I'm off to hide.

Love, peace and mung beans.

Doc

Feed the birds...

2010-09-12T18:09:00.007+09:30

...tuppence a bag - yeah, I'm sure Mary Poppins fans will be crying into their soup about now.

Anyhoo, here are a couple of cheap and easy(ish) feeders/troughs for your feathered friends - chooks/chicks/chickens/fowl <--just helping out search engines.

They are made from stuff that I had lying around but I am sure you could probably rustle up some similar stuff or else steal it from somewhere.

The goddess (Scarecrow) requested that I make our chooks something nice to eat out of.

Obviously I just never look busy enough.

Being the dutiful 'henpecked' hubby (not really, but thought I could squeeze in a chook joke) this is what I came up with.

Wadjaneed
Some PVC pipe of some diameter or other about the length you need
Some wood for the ends
Hammer or mallet for, erm, hammering or malletting(?)
A drill or drill press <---Legal Warning: Fast, sharp thingy
A saw for, erm, sawing <---Another legal warning: Fast(ish) sharp, thingy that bites
Some gadget for making big round holes in wood (also called hole saws)
About half an hour (but you can drag it out if you need to impress)
Some chooks to try it out on - the feeder not the hole saw

This piccy shows the gear needed to make two feeders/troughs.

Step 1
Using your hole saw, cut about a third into the wood to make a shallow, groovy circle in your wood.

Step 2
Carefully measure (yeah, right) to cut the circle in half on each piece of wood.

Please note, this piccy was staged. I've never used a measuring implement to do this in real life.

Step 3
Cut circles in half, carefully <---watch out for pinkies.

Step 4
Take time to admire your handiwork and wonder how much longer you can look busy before you're sprung for another task.

Step 5
You now have two ends for each trough almost ready to rock and roll.

Step 6
Cut the PVC pipe down the middle (don't forget the sharp, fast thingy warning). This can be done with a hand saw if you do not have a bandsaw.

Step 7
Become awed at your greatness as you stare at the collection of bits that you have now made.

Step 8
With your hammering device, knock the wooden ends onto the end of the PVC pipe. If it doesn't fit, you can carefully sand or file the edge of the pipe to get it into the groove.

Repeat this for all ends.

Watch your pinkies - mallets hurt - don't ask me how I know this.

Step 9
Bung the end product on the concrete so you can show everybody the completed project.

Step 10
Bask in the praise of the goddess and allow her to make a fuss of you. Sorry. You are not getting any pictures of that.

Well, there's another ten step program for you to try.

Break a leg <----Wonder if you can say that in the States or will somebody sue you

Peace.

Doc

Crunchy granola...

2010-08-22T15:49:00.007+09:30

...sweet

Righty ho, Neil Diamond fans. Here comes Doc's Ish Crunchy Granola.

You will notice that the main ingredient in my recipe is Ish. What is Ish, I hear you say (must be time to up my meds) well, let me tell you.

It is a form of measurement used to accurately(ish) determine quantities of a substance used to make up a recipe in amounts that are not really all that critical.

It can also be applied to the measurements for the handyperson when millimetres (or inches for those in the third world) are just waaay too precise.

You can see why NASA did not ask me to design their space shuttles, they want accuracy.

Anyhoo, this can be made up of pretty much whatever you have in your cupboard/store room/pantry etc

WARNING: Not suitable for people without teeth or incomplete control of their teeth - babies, toddlers, grand parents, drunks, politicians. Also, (when you add nuts), IT MAY CONTAIN NUTS so if you are allergic maybe don't add nuts - duhh.

Doc's ish crunchy granola
3 cups-ish rolled oats
1 cup-ish rolled wheat/rye/barley flakes
1/2 cup-ish wheatgerm
1/2 cup-ish bran
1/2 cup-ish sesame seeds
1/2 cup-ish crushed nuts
1/2 cup-ish sunflower seeds
1/2 cup-ish shredded coconut
1/4 cup-ish oil of your choice but not motor oil <---somebody will try it. Why do you think we have lawyers!
1/4 cup-ish honey

Preheat oven to 100*c (ish) (quite low) or if you have a cob oven, move the coals out of the way and kick the cat off the top of it.

This can also be cooked on top of a stove in a frying pan but keep the heat low and the pan moving and stir the stuff constantly whilst cooking.

You can also choose to eat this in the raw (the recipe not you).

I have done this but it is not for everybody (eaten the stuff raw, not eat it naked). In fact, I was not really all that impressed.

Step 1
Whack it all in a bowl and mix it up.

Step 2
Dollop onto trays. Spread it out in trays.

Step 3
Cook until golden brown or just before it starts to smell burnt.

Usually about half an hour but stick around so you can keep an eye on it.

When cool (the granola, not you) add as much as you want of chopped dried fruit: dates, apple, sultanas, bananas, more nuts, whatever, yadda yadda etc etc

If you look carefully and have a magnifying glass, you can see all the goodness in this mix.

This can be stored in an airtight container in a cool place for god knows how long and even longer in the freezer.

I wack it all in a great big zippy bag and stick it in the freezer.

I usually use it up within a month or two from the freezer. Pour in a bowl, add cows milk, goats milk, soy milk, water or beer <<----it all counts as liquid.

Should keep you pretty regular, too, I'm guessing

Until next time, remember those famous Neil Diamond words:

Deede-ee deet deet deet deet
deet deet deedle dee dee

(If that did not make any sense, you are probably a lot younger than I am. Google can be your friend).

Love, peace and mung beans

Doc

Wooden it be nice...

2010-08-04T19:34:00.010+09:30

...Oh, no. Not another lot of scraps from the Docs Wood Den.

Yep.

Aussie, Aussie Aussie, Oi, Oi,Oi and another Aussie!<---added an extra 'coz there are four. (New Aussie National Anthem)

Now, this guy has been dogging me for a while.

Do these stripes make me look tall?

Do these stripes make me look fat!

OMG...Aliens!!! (Looks sooo like a nativity scene to me). And they have stripes.

You've heard of a one knight stand, yes? He's on the left.

Animal magnetism. Can't see the attraction, myself.

Do these stripes...oh forget it.

Why hygiene is important to elephants.

What did he write about us?

The one that got away was this big.

It's knot stripes I have to worry about

Typical rabbit. Start off as a three piece...

...in no time at all you end up with more

Time to sleep on it.

I'm too cute to worry about stripes

Sorry about all that. It is said every pun has its just reword!

Thought I would chuck these up whilst I had a few minutes before the Goddess finds me.

Peace

Doc

More, more, more, how do you like it...

2010-06-16T18:05:00.011+09:30

Just some more of the same.

I have been busy lately with a few projects so you will have to have a bit of a wait for some more upcoming frugal stuff.

Coming soon:
Converting an old sewing machine to a treadle sewing machine
Making your own building mud bags or whatever they are called
More about rocket stoves
How to make a spinning wheel
Making a motorbike or rocking horse for the soon to be here grand kids
Even some stuff Scarecrow has not told me about yet

Meanwhile have a look at some more of my stuff from my toy shop.

Model T for 2, anybody?

We live in Pair 'o dice:

Local lawyer helping to make insurance premiums stupidly high:

Plane sailing. Without the sailing

Somebody putting in a good word for me - as if

On ya bike.

Keep on truckin'

Just chillin'

Mysterious, rarely seen, drop-bear relatives.

If I had this earlier I would have completed a whole lot more. My round tuit.

Hot stuff

The person in charge of fixing the biggest oil spill in the world.

My old science and maths teachers.

Just a puzzle for a mate

Just dragon his feet

A set of mini dinosaurs

Some grown up ones. They don't wear specs, I do.

A gift for a friend who likes alpacas.

A very industrious, hard working, talented and keen young man at work.

Just kidding, it's just me and my Excalibur scrollsaw with a gift beanie from a dear friend.

Yes, even I have friends. Who'd have thunk.

And that is my own hair under it, complete with ear ring.

Gotta go, now, Scarecrow has just found out where I have been hiding.

Hooroo.

Doc

Got me covered...

2010-04-28T13:53:00.010+09:30

Okay, indulge me a while.

Scarecrow made a nice new apron for me to replace one that I have worn out over the last 15 years.

I don't know, nothing seems to be made to last these days.

Anyhoo, here t'is.

It has toys on it, looks cute, is backed and has big pockets with a flap over the larger one to keep the sawdust out of my sandwiches.

It goes down to me toes, by my request.

If you want to know more about how it was made, ask me and I will ask Scarecrow and maybe I could put up a pattern or something.

To give it a workout I spent a day sitting at my new scroll saw cutting out a few bits and pieces.

So indulge me and have a squizz at some of the gear from my PIW (project-in-waiting) box (sometimes called a scrap wood box).

Enjoy.

I found this dude horsing around:

This fella just joined the army. Or was that the leggy?

Found in a small puddle. Only needeep, needeep.

Got Scarecrow to pose for this one after she stopped biting her toenails:

This is my round tuit. Everybody needs one of these so we do those jobs when we get a round tuit.

This gruff griff used to work for the public service. Sorry for using work and public service in the same sentence.

This bloke was fired for dragon his feet.

Just like the government policies on greenhouse gases. Have wings, primed and ready to fly.

My high school science teacher.

For when I go off the rails

For the love of my life. She's allergic to roses.

Okay, slow news day, off to check out this boobquake stuff whilst Scarecrow isn't looking.

Nothing to do with frugal, heaps to do with a man's stupidity.

Just my style

Love, peace and mung beans

Doc

I'm stuck on you...

2010-04-05T12:07:00.007+09:30

May have you finally pegged.

Ever needed to stick a note somewhere safe along with another note?

Me neither, but if you did, this quick project would be just the thing for you.

Whatjaneed
Some pegs
Some glue - I usually have CA glue (supaglue) or a hot glue gun sitting around the toy/work shop
Magnets or magnetic strip - grab from craft supplies, probably
Metal to attach your display to when completed

WARNING
To all the idiots who have caused every activity to become a potentially lethal, mitigation, help the lawyers get rich scenario: HOT glue is - wait for it - HOT!!!

This means ouchy, burny, no-touch-me stuff. Get it on your pinkies or your privates and it will do the hurty thing. Be careful.

Also, CA glue sticks things - who'd have thunk it - so watch where you dribble it.

HINT: The sticker should not hold the stickee in his or her hand whilsts dribbling aforementioned sticky stuff onto the subject matter.

To the rest of the more sensible world, take appropriate care if children are around especially around any glues.

Step 1
Get your gear together. A few pegs and your magnets or, here, some magnetic strip.

Step 2
Put a couple of drops of glue on one side of ya peg. You may have to allow supaglue to dry and reapply a coat. Then attach your magnet.

Hot glue just needs you to put a couple of blobs on and quickly attach your magnets or strip.

No, you don't strip. I mean attach your magnetic strip.

Step 3
When all is dry, you have a note holder. You know where to stick it.

Step 4
If you are bored or sell things at craft markets where people seem to get really excited about such things, you can cut out and attach all sorts of shapes. These are from my farm animal template collection.

Step 5
Wanna see Scarecrow naked?

Step 6
And for the really bored but sell to people who are really excitable about these things you can paint them.

This project could probably single handedly save the world from recession if we all made these little pegs to hang our notes on.

Doc

Luckydog has died...

2010-03-31T08:38:00.006+10:30

...long live Luckydog.

Luckydog, our very friendly, very old, very blind, very deaf but lovely dog has died in her sleep.

She was a waggly sort of dog - the kids loved the way her tail would be three times more excited than the rest of her body.

She was well loved and will be missed by all who knew her or who ever had the privilege of having their butt sniffed by her.

Scarecrow has a much better pictorial valediction to the dog than I could ever come up with over here.

Life goes on.

Will miss you.

Vale Luckydog

A sad Doc

There's a hole in my bucket, dear..

2010-03-06T11:36:00.006+10:30

...Scarecrow, dear Scarecrow.

But don't worry, it's supposed to be there!

Sprouting grain for the egg-layers

This tutorial is about creating an easy container set up to sprout grain for the chookens in your life. You could probably do this for your family, too, but being only two of us now, we use a smaller set up for that - the old jar and stocking jobby, but that's another story.

Anyhoo, the boss lady likes to feed the chookens (poultry, hens, chickens, chooks, fowl, ferals <--- just helping out search engines) a variety of sprouted grains - wheat, barley, oats, alfalfa etc. Apparently, these are really good for them. Must be, they are all healthy, mad and provide great entertainment around the place.

Wadjaneed
A couple of buckets - plastic is easier to make holes into
A drill and bit or a candle and sharp implement for hole making
'nother couple of buckets to put your holy buckets into - you'll see what I mean
Five minutes between other projects

Important warning
If you are an idiot: Do not attempt any of the following because it involves sharp things and spinning things. Idiots should not access either of these things.

If you are sensible: Watch out for flying sprue whilst drilling because it could get you in the eyes and hurt.

Here are two buckets.

Keeping up so far?

With your low speed, rechargeable drill or sharp, pointy implement, make holes in the bottom of the buckets.

Try not to drill holes that might look like some sort of secret message otherwise you are bound to offend some bunch of weirdos somewhere in the world.

Place your, now, holy bucket (wait for the Yellow Bucket Worshippers to surface) in an unholy bucket (?agnostic bucket).

Bung in a couple of scoops of wheat and cover with water. Cover and leave for 24 hours. The bucket, not you.

Drain and rinse twice a day - the bucket, not you. Save the water for the garden

When sprouts are visible, feed to chooks but anytime after the initial 24 hour soak is fine.

They have sprouted when the grain develops little tails, usually after a couple of days, depending on the weather, temperature, toxins in the water, phase of the moon or whatever.

Don't leave them too long without rinsing the grain or it ferments.

If you want to see what chooks look like after getting drunk on fermented grain sprouts, just watch your local members of parliament debate important environmental issues.

You will never see more dodging and weaving to avoid obstacles in your life.

Anyhoo, back to my other projects.

Til next time.

Regards

Doc

In the year 2525...

2010-01-19T10:27:00.004+10:30

Doc's Post-carbon digital calculator

Those people who know me know that I make toys, spinning wheels and accessories, gadgets, soap moulds, crafty stuff etc etc etc.

Those people who do not know me, see the previous sentence.

I am always thinking up ways to use up scrap wood pieces.

So for the person in your life who has everything - penicillin.

For the other person - try Doc's all new, bell-less, whistle-less, singing-less, digital calculator.

Advantages:
Able to be operated left- or right-handedly.

Does not use electrickery.
Has no batteries to be replaced.
Does not use water.
Has a low carbon footprint (coz it is a hand operated thingy).
Does not require agreements between global govmints.
Using this allows the user to know what their other hand is doing.
Works in all positions.
Is 'handy'.
Any handyperson can use it.
Comes in a small range of colours (1)
Can be used by all ages and sexes.
Ideal for discussion in chat rooms/social networks.
Is non-judgemental.
Contains no artificial preservatives or colourings.
Does not contain nuts or dairy products
Is made from free range, pre-loved and pre-hugged trees

And, you would not believe it, but these really sell at markets.

Ah well, fools and their money.

Doc

Slip, slidin' away...

2010-01-01T13:23:00.007+10:30

...on Doc's easy-as soap.

Home made soap is easy and gives you that nice 'I did it' feeling.

They also make nice gifts for those of you who have friends to give them to.

It is not hard and as long as you have healthy respect for caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) - it burns - you can make soap safely.

You need a sensible approach to safety: Googles, gloves, free-flowing air, kids and pets at a safe distance in case of spillage etc etc I am frugal and a little slack with a lot of things but not when it comes to safety.

Other than that, let's party.

Watjaneed
A thermometer or two (one for the pot, one for the jug)
A pot (Stainless steel or enamel) to mix your soap mixture in (not aluminium)
A jug to mix your lye (caustic soda and water)
A wooden spoon or a stick blender (I am lazy - guess what I use)
Scales for accurate measuring of ingredients
Soap moulds
Soap ingredients - you would be amazed at what you can use.
An online lye calculator such as here to work out how much lye you need

For moulds, you can make one like I did a few posts ago or you can use anything to put soap into, such as my PVC pipe mould elsewhere on my blog.

For some of my soaps I use latex gloves as moulds - these make my - you guessed it - hand soaps. Great gimmick for markets.

You can even - wait for it - buy moulds from a soap supplier.

Who'd have thunk?

The steps that follow are pretty much what you would use for most soaps.

Use your search engine like this searching tutorial to find more detailed instructions and ingredients for soap-making.

I am just showing you how easy a process it can be.

For my simple soap I am using an olive oil recipe to make a quick and easy castille soap.

Before we start, get whatever mould(s) you want to use ready.

My recipe
Olive Oil 1058 grams
Water (to mix with lye) 133 grams
Lye 134 grams

Step 1
In a jug add lye to water - be careful because splashes burn. Hence the need for goggles, gloves and a ventilated spot, child/pet free.

This will bubble, smell and become quite hot. Allow it to cool to around 35 C.

Step 2
Whilst waiting for the lye to cool, select your ingredients according to your recipe and heat in a pot to around 35 C.

Step 3
When the temperature of both the lye and the oil is 35 C, pour the lye (CAREFULLY) into the pot with the oil.

Step 4
With a wooden spoon, stir for ages and ages and ages. Or, with a stick blender, buzz the mixture for a few minutes, mixing the soap thoroughly.

Step 5
When the soap has reached 'trace' (it thickens and a drop forms a thin trail on top, like a pudding mix) it is then ready to pour into your pre-prepared mould(s). Remember, we got the mould(s) ready before we started.

Many thanks to my lovely assistant, Scarecrow for help folding up the paper in the mould.

Step 6
Once you have poured the soap into the moulds you need to cover/insulate the mould(s) and place them somewhere safe to cool down. This should take up to about 48 hours. With this castille, you may need to gently stir every 12 hours or so but most other soaps can just be allowed to sit.

After 48 hours, the soap can be removed from the mould(s) and cut to size, then placed somewhere to cure (I know, they were not sick in the first place ) for about four to six weeks.

This allows them to solidify properly. Turn over as required - the soaps, not you, to ensure they dry nicely.

Be aware that the soaps will still be a little caustic early on so wear gloves.

Take said soap and wrap in something cute and voila! Frugal, but loveable gift for somebody (or some body).

You can add all sorts of gunk and smelly stuff (essential oils and the like) to the mix at 'trace' to make it smell nice or colour it prettily (?sp) or even add oats, flour, sand and other stuff to cleanse the skin.

I have poured this into my PVC pipe mould that contained a luffa. The soaps are sliced up and it makes a great exfoliate (?word) for babes with delicate skin.

Kinda like sandpapering the bare metal before painting a car, I s'pose.

As I mentioned, search the net for recipes and do not forget to bookmark your favourites.

For beginners in Australia, here are the translations of some of the ingredients that you can find online or (SHOCK HORROR ) in a book at your public library:

All/most of these ingredients can be found at your local supermarket
Lard = Pig fat
Tallow = Solidified Oil (inc rendered beef fat)/Supafry
Palm Oil = Frymaster
Coconut Oil = Copha
The above are usually in the diary fridge section

Olive Oil = Olive Oil (just testing)
Blended Oils = Usually blended vegetable oils
Above probably in the cooking oil section

Castor oil = Castor oil (may be in first aid section of supermarket)
Caustic Soda = sodium hydroxide, sold as drain cleaner in the cleaning section of the supermarket

Scrubbing up 'til next time

Doc

Wheel meet again...

2009-12-06T18:01:00.005+10:30

...on Doc's wheel jig.

Hi all. Another quick workshop hint.

This is for those who make toys with wheels and need some way of finishing them and allowing them to dry.

I usually use Danish Oil to finish my wheels but this jig will work for hand or spray painted wheels too.

Sorry it is only another short posting, but it is close to christmas and in between making soap moulds, building and repairing spinning wheels and making all sorts of toys with wheels, I have not made the time to do a 'long' post here.

Rest assured I will as soon as I can.

In fact, I am hoping to put up a quick tutorial on soap making for those of you who have not made the jump into it yet, so stay tuned.

Wojaneed
A couple of blocks of wood larger than the diameter of your wheels (otherwise the wheel will touch the ground - duhh)
Some thin dowel (3mm is good)
Flat space to 'finish' the wheels and leave to dry.

Step 1
Drill a hole into one block to fit the dowel into it.

Step 2
Finish/paint your wheels and thread them on to the dowel.

The end of the dowel that is not in the hole, will rest on the top of the block at the other end.

Need me to go over any of the steps?

Thought not.

Now if you will excuse me, I have work (fun though it is) to get on with.

Watch this space.

Love, peace and mungbeans

Doc

Hold on to your nuts...

2009-11-10T16:54:00.004+10:30

...with this handy hint.

Another quick and handy tip for those who need a small wrench to access a tight place that your normal adjustable wench, erm, wrench will not get to.

Watjaneed
A bolt
A pair of nuts to fit the bolt
Keeping up with me so far?

Check out the pix for detailed instruction.

I recently had to use a bolt set up like this to undo a nut that was on the car that was so accessible - not.

I could not get the adjustable wrench in the small space.

Where do car makers get people with such small hands? Child labour?

Anyhoo, just a quiccie for you.

Regards

Doc

Mouldy old dough...

2009-10-19T17:58:00.007+10:30

...no, not a baking hint.

G'day everybody.

Let's make a soap mould (mold, for my US friends).

These are great sellers at craft markets.

I even use one myself.

Watchaneed
Some timber (lumber) cut to size (base, two sides and two end bits plus a spare end bit as a spacer when you glue up) I use certified plantation grown pine - coz I am a tree hugger dude
Four bolts and wing nuts
Glue
Ethical Chocolate - no reason, but you can not have too much chocolate

Get ya stuff together.

Do not ask me about sizes, the length was determined by what I could cut on my bandsaw - about 345mm.

The sides are about 100mm high coz, well, that was the size of the scrap wood I had available.

Do not fret coz I am sure if you make a soap up, it will fit, otherwise have some plastic gloves handy.

I find that any leftover soapmix can be poured into the gloves and be sold as...
...you guessed it, hand soap.

Mark up the ends for where the bolt holes need to be.

Drill out using a drill (duhh, who would have thunkit?)

Use these ends as templates to locate the holes for the bolts later.

Whilst you are at it, glue up and clamp the assembly.

Drill out the bolt holes.

If you have a tap set, you can create a threaded hole otherwise just screw the bolt into the ends.

Put some super glue into the holes.

Screw the bolt into the end of the sides.

Cut the bolt to size. BEWARE - you need to know how far in your bolt is into the wood.

Hey, check out the offcuts for some other future project

Unscrew the wingnuts - this will clean the threads.

With a saw (or bandsaw) create a kerf thingy to allow you to cut the soap to size.

This is where you need to know how far the bolt is into the wood - a bandsaw blade is waaaay too expensive to waste on breaking when you locate the bolt with it.

The end result can be coated with Danish oil - or anything else, but since I use Danish oil to finish most of my toys, gourd stuff and spinning wheels, I tend to have some of this around.

Now, do not forget that you have to use something like baking paper or some other barrier to pour the soap mixture in so it does not destroy thr mould (mold).

On ya

Doc

Why do you build me up, Buttercup baby...

2009-09-21T13:06:00.008+09:30

...just to buy one of Doc's toy kits.

Getting ready for Christmas by trying out a few new ideas - cheap (read affordable) kit toys.

I have done this before but not in as much bulk as I do now.

The idea is that the kit contains the wheels, axles, shape and a mallet to allow an older child to make a toy (generally a vehicle) on their own or a younger child (say under four) with assistance from mum/dad/caregiver/lawyer etc etc.

Much of the gear is made up from scraps that I store away in the future projects-in-waiting (scraps) box.

Watjaneed
Wood for the main shape (duhh!)
Dowel for axles
Thicker dowel for mallet
Wheels
Drill and bits for drilling (who would have thought)
Ziplock bags to put the parts into
Nice label

Cut the shape of the toy - tractor, bus, racing car etc etc

Cut out wheels accordingly, depending on what size you require eg the tractor will have two larger rear wheels and two smaller front wheels, the racing car may have four thicker wheels, and so on.

Sand smooth and round any edges.

You can finish with a Danish oil or not.

I like to leave the finish up to those who purchase the kits.

I usually suggest that young kids enjoy drawing with a felt pen or painting with water based paints.

Make the mallet by cutting a length of thick dowel for the hammering part - prolly has a name like 'head' or something.

Repeat this process to create a handle that fits into the 'head'. Glue these together.

Measure and cut your axles. Allow for a small overlap.

Put into your bag and add a nice label.

These sell at an affordable price so that even little Freddie/Sally can pick one up out of their pocket money budget.

On one side of my label I have a no-text pictorial on how to assemble the toy.

The first thing is to check the contents.

Then attach the two axles to two wheels.

Thread the wheels and axle through the predrilled holes in the vehicle...

...and knock in the remaining wheels.

I sell these at several galleries and markets (where I keep Scarecrow company whilst she sells produce and seedling thingys).

They sell well as the guilt sets in when the purchaser realises just how little quality time they spend together with their young ones.

Makes for a nice, cheap day out together.

Love, peace and mungbeans

Doc

Core..

2009-09-10T13:08:00.008+09:30

...check this out

There I was in my toy/workshop looking busy (otherwise Scarecrow finds me things to do) when in walked a beautiful, long legged brunette (with a hint of grey) and sided up to me and whispered those three magic words...

...soil core sampler.

Well, it did it for me.

Yep, Scarecrow wanted me to make her an auger for taking soil samples.

Bear in mind that this is made from stuff I have at hand, so do not get hung up on precise sizes.

Wadjaneed
Galvanised pipe (any length) mine was 550mm long (as per request), 25mm diameter threaded at one end to allow for the fitting of a...
Metal cap to fit
PVC pipe (I used electrical conduit) for inserting to act as a plunger
Wooden dowel to fit into the pvc pipe at one end
Long bolt and nut - acts as a handle when it comes to pulling the auger out.

Whatdja do
Cut the galv pipe to size leaving the thread on one end.

Cut the PVC pipe about 50mm longer.

Cut a 20-30mm length of dowel and stick it in one end of the pvc pipe.

Grind the end of the pipe to form a 'sharp' end. This makes it easier to enter the soil.

Drill a hole near the top, under the cap.

The end result:

To use, hold the pipe pointy end down and hit it with a mallet until you reach the required depth.

Using the bolt as a handle, twist the auger a little to allow ease of extracting it.

Undo the cap and push (carefully) the pvc plunger through the hole to put your sample on to your sample sheet - this can be a plastic sheet, a bivalved pvc pipe or whatever.

I gave this to Scarecrow and she said those other three magic words.

A real babe magnet, that auger.

Doc

Roll out the barrel...

2009-09-06T13:00:00.006+09:30

...Doc and the case of easy mixing.

One of the reasons I enjoy(ish) blogging is that I get to get piccies taken to show other people how to do stuff that I take for granted.

This post is one of those things that I do...mixing small amounts of concrete or mortar.

The lovely Scarecrow asked me to put in a few posts for some extra fencing in one of the chook runs.

I must have looked like I needed something to do.

Wadjaneed
A small lidded drum - This is a spare similar to the cob oven wood storage drum.
A scoop or small bucket to carefully measure out your ingredients
Your ingredients - in this case, cement mix, sand and gravel
Watering can - nicked from Scarecrow, but it was for her I was doing all this (what a surprise)

Anyhoo, I got the posts (we buy them in bulk) and dug the holes using a hole digger thingy.

You can use whatever you have - spade, shovel, demo bar etc etc.

I am assuming you have got to this stage without my help.

On with the show.

First, put the dry mix into your bucket.
Maintain the correct ratio and look at filling the drum about 2/3rds full (or 1/3rd empty) to allow room for mixing. This is where you use your scoop. I am using a shovel coz I have done this a few times.

If you are unsure about the amounts, it is usually on the back of the cement mix..

Put the lid on tight.

Roll the drum to your site (as long as it is not that far away).

Feet work, too.

All ready mixed now.

Pour into the hole.

Tamp down with a mallett or hammer and wooden block.

Pour water into hole using the stolen watering can.

Allow this to soak in and repeat the process until the amount of water is equivalent to the amount you would have chucked in if you were mixing this in a mixer or a wheelbarrow.

When I finished we put some mesh around to keep the chooks off - they are attracted to the water, and there is a reason there are no chooks at University.

Last thing I need is a chook laying a concrete egg.

This is a really easy way to mix small amounts of stuff for post holes, mortar repairs to a small area, brick laying (chooks would love to see me lay bricks) or any other small project.

The only restriction would be that if you use a larger drum it may not be able to be stood up when you reach your destination coz it would be too heavy and you could knacker yourself.

Also, the drum needs to be able to squeeze through your gateway/door.

And, look, not a cat in sight

Live long and prosper

Doc

Tap that...

2009-08-13T14:30:00.007+09:30

...sorry Megan McCauley

Today, Scarecrow went to turn a tap off but it would not turn off.

Enter Super-Doc the washer-changing legend in his own lunchtime.

Changing a tap washer is easy but for those who may not have done it before, it can be daunting, so here is how I do it.

Firstly, turn off the mains water.

Depending on where you live, this is often found near the front fence line of your property.

If you have never found yours before, now is a good time to look.

Grab some tools; a reseating tool, washers and adjustable wrench. Some old rubber tubing to protect the chrome if it is an inside tap.

Using your wrench, undo the tap.

Remove the assembly and check the washer. Get approval from a professional.

You can see the split in the washer at eight o'clock, can you not, Ninja.

Using the reseating tool, attach and proceed to screw it gently to clean the surface where the washer will meet the brass of the tap.

Grab your new washer and get approval to install it.

Screw the tap assembly into the base.

Go and turn on the mains water.

Admire the end result.

Not exactly rocket science, hey, but still has to be done.

Doc

Back to my rocket science now.

Baby, it's cold outside...

2009-08-09T15:50:00.013+09:30

...so get Doc to extend your hothouse

Recently Scarecrow asked if I could extend her hothouse so she could do more hothousey things.

You would have to ask her what she does in there.

T'is all magic to me.

Since I had recently 'acquired' a few old windows, it seemed like a great way to win her heart.

Okay, this is not rocket science, so listen closely.

Step 1
I took down the old tin that was on the side of the hothouse, leaving the side exposed.

The cat found a spot close enough by to watch me, far away enough to not get in the way (much).

Here is an action shot of the cat.

Step 2
I put in new holes (and old posts) after measuring up(ish) any vital distances, you know, 'how tall is the window', 'how wide is the window', 'how much plywood is needed to fill the gap' etc etc.

Step 3
I attached the windows by screwing the wooden frames onto the posts.

Plywood was screwed into the posts, as well, under the windows, to fill the gap.

Step 4
The top of the posts were cut flush with the top of the windows but I had to find a home for this little dude first.

Transparent sheeting was attached to the top and the windows remind me that they probably need a wash.

Finished outside (Scarecrow started loading it up from within).

Finished inside (had to move Scarecrow out of the way to get the piccy. There was no hurry for the extension, she said).

Anyhoo, howzat!

Lurv, peace and mungbeans

Doc

Polly put the kettle on...

2009-07-28T14:02:00.006+09:30

On Doc's rocket stove

Whadjaneed

Some cans (baked beans/soup etc not aluminium soft drinks)
A drum (this one is a 20 litre size)
Something to cut holes with (I use a nibbler but snips can be used)
Ash from a fire for insulation
A black cat

First of all:
Idiot Safety tip number one - cut metal is sharp, skin is soft and in a fight skin loses. Always.
Idiot Safety tip two - ensure you know what was in the drum - not mine, yours. Be sure to rinse away any inflammable stuff. Search the net for info on what to use to do this.

For the theory behind the rocket stove search the net (for info on searching, go here).

Basically, you have an L-shaped chimney setup and a container to put the chimney in. A huge range of material is used in the construction, but they are designed to use local stuff and burn fuel very efficiently hence very popular in '3rd world/developing' countries - hate that term

Ash is used as insulation. You can use vermiculite or sawdust or a mix of all of these.

If you really want to know more ask me, otherwise let us just get on with it.

Start off stacking your cans to get an idea of how many will fit in the drum. By coincidence, all of mine where the same brand of beans and actually stacked into each other.

Using a can opener (or your teeth), cut tops and bottoms off of all the cans except for one. Leave the bottom on this can. Cut a hole in the side of the can with the bottom intact.

Cut the lid off of the drum.

Then cut a hole in the side of the drum the diameter of a can.

Join them all together. You can see the shape it takes and whether it will fit in the drum.

Start putting some ash in the base of the drum to support the cans.

Continue until the drum is full.

Get approval from Ninja the cat

Cut a piece of mesh to fit the top of the stove.

The wood has to be small enough to fit in the cans (duhh!) and it completely combusts within the stove.

Put the kettle on and wait. Takes about 5 minutes to boil - much heat is generated thus burning any remaining gases - unburnt gas in traditional stoves is known as smoke.

A larger pot takes longer to boil and a watched pot never boils.

You can also use coals. They burn for a long time.

By the way, this is a piccy of one of the gazanias next to my workshop where I was making the stove. Closest I get to gardening.

Many thanks to my lover, Scarecrow, for taking the piccies for me.

Anyhoo, that is it for now, off you go and build one, now

Regards, Doc

Ain't nothin' but a hound dog...

2009-07-20T10:22:00.006+09:30

...but you still need dog biccies.

Doc's Frugal Dog Biscuits (well, Scarecrow gave me the recipe)
2 Cups Flour
1/4 Cup Sunflower seeds
1/4 Cup Cornmeal (polenta)
2 Tbs melted butter/fat/oil
1/4 Molasses
1/2 Cup soy flour
2 Eggs
1/4 Cup milk beaten with the eggs (actually, beaten into the eggs)

Mix dry ingredients in a bowl (or a bucket, for all I care)

Add oil, molasses and all but 1 Tbs milk/egg mix.

Add more plain milk as needed to make a firm dough.

Knead for a few minutes and let it sit (stand?) for 1/2 hour

Roll out to 1/2" thickness.

Cut into shapes and place on a cookie tray

Brush with the remaining milk/egg mix.

Bake 175c for 30 minutes and leave them to cool down in the oven allowing the biccies to become hard.

Feed to dog as a treat.

Store in a jar.

How hard is that

Love, peace and mung beans

Doc

A sartorial, pictorial tutorial...

2009-06-08T09:02:00.008+09:30

...Cut to the chase...with sharp tools!

Recently I was having way too much fun so Scarecrow gave me all the shears and pruning stuff to sharpen.

Here is a quick pictorial tutorial on how to do it.

Whadjaneed
Some files including a round one if sharpening anything with a curve
Wire brush for cleaning the tools and the files
A clean area to work in
Glasses so you can see what the angle is on the blade you are sharpening!
Safety googles - had to say that for legal reasons - remember when common sense was the most common of all the senses, then along came lawyers!

Usually I would start by thoroughly cleaning the tool first and then sharpen the tool.

For the sake of being easy to see the edge of the tool in the photos, I have left the cleaning until afterwards.

You will notice that each tool has a blade with a bevel on it.

When sharpening we will maintain said bevel and use short strokes moving the file away from the body.

It will only take a few such strokes to add a sharp edge.

This technique can also by used on other implements such as scissors and knives, honing the edges on a stone as needed.

A round file is used on the curvey edge of the shears.

Remember, you only need to use a few strokes, maybe 4 or 5 strokes.

Finish by giving the tools a good cleaning.

The finished tools can also have a light spray of silicone to provide them with some protection from rust.

All finished so I can now get back to having fun

Enjoy your sharp tools

Doc

Get stuffed...

2009-06-03T13:31:00.003+09:30

...Teddy Bear Stuffers

Was with friends at a craft group recently and I noted that they were making stuffed teddy bears and seemed to be having trouble stuffing the stuff (?wadding) into the body/limbs.

It seemed to be easier if they used a pencil.

I saw this and said to myself "Self, you should make these people some teddy bear stuffing tools"

Using dowel shaped to a simple unsharp point (?) sand smooth and the rest is history.

Wadjaneed
Dowel for handles
Dowel for pointy bits as long as needed
Saw
Drill
Glue

Click on the piccy to get a
bigger piccy and see how easy they are to make

Some small stuffers had a handle on whilst the long ones did not. Did not seem to need it.

Happy stuffing.

Doc

I am spoilt

2009-04-21T14:29:00.004+09:30

Well, this is not really a project of great note, but my work/toyshop was getting crowded so Scarecrow said I could have a new shed to put stuff in.

I dug up the dirt, created the formwork and together we both mixed and laid the concrete.

The chooks were watching us lay concrete.

Anyhoo, a week later we put the shed together.

Just wanted to share this.

Don't worry though, this blog is not going to turn into one of those blogs where I tell you what I had for breakfast!!!

BTW, in the bottom left of the shed piccy is a solar light charging up ready to light up the shed.

Got to go now, more toys to make for the markets.

Doc

Well, tamper me dibbles!

2009-04-13T11:21:00.005+09:30

Scarecrow has been busy lately, sowing seeds so I thought I would make her a couple of tampers and dibbles.

Wadjaneed
Some plywood to fit punnets
Dowel for handles
Screws/nails/glue to attach handle to ply
Pencil-thin dowel for dibbles
Pencil sharpener to sharpen dowel dibbles

Tampers

Measure the punnets and cut the ply to fit in the punnet.
Check with the boss to ascertain how deep they need to tamp down the seed mix.
Cut handles to length. Hold the hand of the boss to judge how long to make the handle.
Attach handles to ply.

Dibbles

Cut pencil-thin dowel to length according to the boss's requirements.
Sharpen an end with the pencil sharpener.

Voila!

Not a bad 10 minutes work!

Keeps me in the good books

Happy tamping and dibbling

Doc

Can we go, now?

2009-04-04T12:28:00.010+10:30

If you have been following Scarecrow's blog, you will notice that we recently had a couple of 'open days'.

In order to keep any kids busy that visited we grabbed some snaps of various item around the garden and made a two page booklet where the kids could either tick that they found the item or could describe where they found it.

Click on the piccies to enlarge the image

Was a simple idea and because the garden is reasonably kid friendly (apart from the main pond, the vicious dog and the ninja cat) the kids could access anywhere in relative ease.

Allowed the grown-ups to enjoy themselves.

Also allowed me bragging rights about my cob oven.

Anyhoo, have a good day

Doc

Are you nuts?

2009-03-27T12:23:00.004+10:30

If you are, let's check out something quick and easy as well as tasty

Peanut Brittle

Just felt like having some peanut brittle like grandma used to make but remembered that she showed me how to make it, so here 'tis:

Whajaneed
1 cup peanuts (or whatever nuts you have or like)
2 cups of sugar

Do you think the ingredient list is too long

Grease up a swiss roll tin or any other suitable tray.
Spread ya nuts around the tray
Melt the sugar carefully until it becomes light brown.
Immediately pour over your nuts, so to speak , and allow it to set.

If you wanted to you could add choccy bits to the tray with the nuts.

Voila!

Enjoy.

Yours in nuts

Doc

Berry, berry...

2009-01-28T11:17:00.005+10:30

...nice!

Whatja do with your mulberries?

Today we harvested a couple of buckets of mulberries from our, erm, mulberry tree - who would have known.

This does not count the ones that got eaten.

We share it with some chooks, some parrots and some black birds.

What do you do with an abundance of mulberries?

Try these:

Doc's Not frugal Mulberry 'juice'

700 mls Vodka
700 mls mulberry juice (from about half a bucket of mulberries)
2 cups sugar

Mix, dissolve, bottle, leave for a month, drink.

If you want to share it as a gift (as if), you can pour into smaller bottles.

Doc and Scarecroew's mulberry cordial

This is based on a recipe from the instruction book for our Fowlers Vacola outfit

750 mls Mulberry juice (from the other half of the bucket of mulberries)
1 kg sugar
1 litre water
3/4 t citric acid or lemon juice

Boil up water and sugar in a pot until clear then add juice and citric acid/lemon juice.

Stir and allow to cool.

This amount will fill 4 #20 preserving jars.

Cook up in your FV according to instruction or however you cook up your preserves.

To use, place contents into a jug or bottle and keep in the fridge.

Drink as a cordial - watered down according to taste. We make up the cordial with soda water - yum.

Here, above is a piccy of a hand grabbing some cool, iced mulberry cordial made with soda water.

Above is a piccy of a hand replacing a half drunk glass of said cordial - that is Scarecrow's half.

Will have a go at making some mulberry wine soon.

yours in mulberries,

Doc

Let's get down and dirty

2008-10-24T11:33:00.009+10:30

Cob oven for cheapskates

Whatjaneed:
Dirt (subsoil) (75% sand, 25% clay is good)
Sand (for the dome formwork)
Straw (cut into pieces)
Water (for mixture)
Cement (for mortar)or mortar mix
Rocks
Filling
Bucket/lid for storage of faggots (small wood)
Old bucket (acts as filling)
Bricks (do not need to be fire bricks)
Newspaper

Step 1
Pick a site to build.

Find the place that is in the sun

Step 2
Start laying out your rocks in the shape you want, as big as you want. If I made another one, it would be much bigger.
Mortar your rocks together using a mortar mix.
Keep going and build up until you reach the required height.
I inserted a bucket with a sealable lid to store the wood required to fire the oven.

Step 3
Level the top with sand and lay your bricks.
When the chooks heard I was going to lay bricks they were quite interested.

Measure out the dome size according to how many pizza trays or bread pans that you want to use.
Start building your dome. The bucket allows you to fill without using too much sand.

Step 4
When you have your shape, cover in wet newspaper this allows you to see where your mould starts and your cob stuff begins.

Step 5
Mix your cob stuff with a mix of 75% sand and 25% clay and some chopped up straw.
If you are a hippy, you can do the barefoot-on-the-canvas-dance. I am a hippy but an old one. I used a mixer.

Step 6
Make a ball from your mix and proceed to build up your cob layers around the dome.
I made basically three layers:
1 the first was a dense dense thermal layer
2 the middle, a less dense layer with straw and finally
3 the finish layer.

All up, about 60mm thick. Remember, the thicker the wall the more wood (lumber for our OS cousins) needed to warm it up, but then it will keep warm for a long time.

Step 7
Allow the whole construction to dry for a week or two.

Empty the dome out. Note how much sand you used!

There you have it. Finish as desired. I just bunged cob around the base. Looks like a dalek

Step 8
Set up your fire (boy/girl scouts should have no problems here)
Light it. You should allow about five hours before the oven is ready for use.
Note, you fire up with the door off. You cook with the door on.

Step 9
It was my first firing and we managed to cook up 4 pizzas (nice), 4 calzone (delicious) and scones (reeeaally nice).

In the collage you may note that the before piccy of the pizzas has a notebook handy.

I kept track of the temp every half hour to see what sort of temps the oven keeps.

If I knew that it kept its heat so high for so long, I would have had more stuff to cook including bread and a casserole or baked veggies.

Maybe next time.

Yours in cobness, Doc

9th September 2009
I have edited to add the following because not everybody reads the comments:

After the first firing of burning for 3-4 hours the temp when the coals were raked back and some removed was over 250*c (oven thermometer only goes to 250*c) so:
1130 hrs over 250*c - pizzas in, cook for 3-4 minutes did heaps to freeze for later
1400 hrs 230*c respread coals cook scones and calzone, more coals removed
1530 hrs 110*c
1545 hrs 110*c
1600 hrs 110*c
1700 hrs 100*c
1730 hrs 100*c
1800 hrs 80*c This was now the mass provided the heat as all the coals were removed because I did not have any more food prepared LOL
2000 hrs 80*c
2400 hrs 60*c Good time to roast some veg or a chook etc etc
0500 hrs next morning 20*c ready to be refired if required.

Get stuck in to making the oven and then work out what you want to cook all day and overnight.

Later firings were a lot more relaxed affairs but I did not keep any temps.

How this helps with temperature guides.

Doc

Splish! Splash! I was takin' a bath...

2008-06-05T13:18:00.004+09:30

...Using soap that came from a PVC Pipe mould!

If you are a soap maker, here is a handy hint for moulds.

If you do not make your own soap, maybe you should!

Then you could use this handy hint

Anyhoo, grab a piece of uPVC (UV stabilised PVC for outdoors - copes well with the warmth of your mixture when you first pour it) pipe and cut to size.

The size you use will depend on how much your soap mixture totals.

I used 3 pieces of 50mm pipe approximately 300mm long.

There was a lot of science involved in determining those lengths...

...they were all I had lying around

I did not grease the insides with anything. There was a scientific reason for that, too...

...I forgot

Cap an end (the bottom).

Fill up with your fave soap recipe.

Cap this end and leave for a couple of days.

When cool (the tube not you) simply push out to the thickness of soap required and cut.

Ready for storage to dry out and trim up as required.

I made a pusher-outerer in case the soap got stuck but did not need to use it.

It was simply a small wooden wheel with a length of dowel as a long axle.

Easy-peasy uPVC reuseable soap mould.

Try saying that fast after a couple of high quality Australian reds!

Love, peace and mung beans

Doc

Tanks for the memories

2008-03-31T11:29:00.007+10:30

Raised Garden Beds With tanks
Here is a great idea to use up those old water tanks.

Scarecrow asked/told me that she wanted the old small water tanks cut down to make them into 4 smaller raised beds for her wicker beds (soon to be filled etc).

Whatjaneed
Easy: Old water tanks
Jigsaw (Sabre saw for our o/s cousins)
Decent metal cutting blades so that you do not place too much strain on your saw

Step 1
Get ya tanks

Step 2
Get ya saw and cut tanks

Step 3
Step back and admire how you now have 4 small raised beds-in-waiting and you are the one who is going to have to fill them

Regards, Doc

Sew simple

2008-02-16T15:22:00.009+10:30

Sewing Machine Maintenance For The Maintenancily Challenged

Recently we had a near catastrophe at our place.

Scarecrow asked me to make another shade structure.

Whilst she was sewing it on her really neat Janome sewing machine it suddenly stopped working.

It needed some maintenance.

Whatjaneed:
Some sewing machine oil
Silicone spray
Tweezers/forceps (or really skinny fingers) for removing fluff
A rag
Paintbrush for brushing stuff out
Screwdrivers
Chocolate bar (no job is complete until you have eaten your choccie bar!)

Warning: Do not try this if your machine is still under warranty (duh!)
Do not try this if your machine is a computerized one coz it might die!
Do not try this if you are not confident that the world will not come to an end because you took your sewing machine apart!

Click on each picture for a better view.

Step 1
Most sewing machine look pretty much the same. Look at it and see what comes apart.

If you have a manual it will show/tell you what you can access for maintenance purposes.

The three I have are an old Godfrey, a Grand and a Janome model.

Step 2
Check out where the screws are on the top of the machine.

These will allow you to remove the top and see inside most of the workings.

Step 3
With the top off, see what moves.

Lubricate any moving parts with a drop of sewing machine oil or a directed spray of silicone.

The rear of the Grand has a plate that can be moved aside to lubricate some of the workings.

Step 4
Check out the bobbin area.

A bobbin works like this:

As you can see, there are many areas where fluff can jam up the works.

If your sewing machine suddenly stops, bet your life that the bobbin has be clogged up with fluff'n'stuff.

Step 5
Check out the underside of your machine and lube/spray/clean out moving bits.

Contrary to popular belief, it is quite easy to clean up and troubleshoot your machine.

Just take your time and make sure you know how to tension your machine.

Clogged bobbins and incorrect tension seem to be the main causes of sewing machine problems, from what I have seen/heard/read.

Regards, Doc

Don't Fret...

2008-01-22T19:00:00.000+10:30

...Scrollsaw upgrades for newbies

When I first started scrollsawing I bought a cheapo, Chinese Hegner lookalike for a song (can't remember the song ).

Firstly, I made this jig to allow me to quickly get my blades the right size for my saw.

Should be self explanatory. Use your saw to cut the shape in a piece of ply and attach that to another piece of wood (lumber to those from the US).

How about a blower? Gosh, makes me sound like a porn site

Get a tennis ball. Pinch a piece of Scarecrow's 4mm dripper polypipe and a joiner. Grab a piece of scrap wood from the project-in-waiting box.

Check the piccy to see how you install it here:

Really works, trust me

OK. How about an extension table with a zero clearance hole custom made for the table?

Get some wood. Remove the blade. Lay the wood on your saw and draw around the underneath of the wood.

Wack in some slats to hold the table on. Put the blade back and cut your access hole.

Should fit like a glove.

What about us oldies who can't see??

How about a magnifier?

Grab a couple or ten cheapie magnifying glasses. Take them apart. Get an old lamp with a goose neck attachment and attach the mag glass to it. Take off the top thingy bit of your saw and drill a hole in the top to take the screw part.

Should look like this:

And, voila, you have a cheapo scrollsaw that is as good as a Hegner (well, this machine has been in use since 1986 and is still going strong).

Hope this is useful to others.

Regard,s Doc

More Shady Requests

2008-01-17T15:39:00.000+10:30

Once again, Scarecrow made another request for shade.

Whatjaneed:
Some star pickets/post (4, in this case)
2" Ag Polypipe
Hacksaw to cut pipe
Choccy Bar

Don't forget to click on the piccies for a closer look.

Step 1
Select your site. This was an area that had a willow tree providing shade where Scarecrow did gardeny things.

Unfortunately the wind destroyed it one day. Hence the request.

Step 2
Wack in the pickets.

Step 3
Cut your pipe to length and wack them onto the posts.

The 2" pipe slides right over the top.

In this case the two polypipes are 4 metres long and the gap is approximately 3 metres.

This is a more-than-adequate span for here.

Step 4
Cover with shadecloth. This is 70% shade.

Step 5
Add a table and bench and do your gardeny things.

In the near future I am planning on using the same technique to build a small carport to provide shade to our 3 vehicles

Step 6
Eat choccy bar for doing such a good job

Hope you find this useful

Regards, Doc

If at first you don't succeed...

2007-12-20T12:41:00.001+10:30

...dry, dry and dry again.

Got surplus fruit, veg or herbs?

Make this dryer and dry your excess.

To make this you need:
4 small buckets or similar containers full of water
4 pieces of polypipe to stand proud of the buckets of water
As many bread trays as you can get your hands on
Net curtains
Surplus fruit, veg and/or herbs

Step 1
Place a tray on the polypipe tubes in the water.

Step 2
Take a tray and line it with a piece of curtain.

You could use shadecloth but I find the curtain allows for better airflow.

Step 3
Choose your fruit, veg and herbs for drying.

Prepare by chopping or halving.

You can dip apples, bananas, pears and apricots in pineapple juice to prevent discolouring.

I don't usually bother since it is only a cosmetic thing and I do not believe my fruit is that vain.

Step 4
Repeat steps 2 and 3 as required. We (me and Scarecrow) have around 15 trays but that number keeps rising.

A safe number stacked seems to be about 6.

Step 5
When stacked as needed, cover the whole dryer with net curtain.

This allows air flow but keeps out the flies, ants, birds and antelopes.

It must work because since putting the curtaining on I have never seen an antelope.

Place in sunlight and check on it a couple of times a day to get your fruit just how you like it.

I like my bananas halved and soft (leathery) or sliced and dried to make banana chips.

I like the sun-dried tomatoes leathery as well to put in jars of olive oil.

I like my apples soft and leathery but the kids used to love them as chips.

Remember to allow a few days to achieve your outcome.

Experiment, you have nothing to lose but your fruit.

Where do you get your trays from, I hear you ask.

They may be available from your friendly baker (especially around 2.00am when nobody is around!!!).

They may be available from your local school who usually have to arrange for the bakeries to pick them up.

They may also be available from your local-government-project-in-waiting-department (sometimes called a tip).

I have a good relationship with the local Guardian Of The Tip (his computer often has problems!!!) so have no problems obtaining the trays for free.

Regards,

Doc

More shady deals...

2007-11-21T09:13:00.000+10:30

Well, she's done it again

Scarecrow asked me to build more shade for the garden.

No hurry, but it had to be done today since the temp was to be over 40*C!!!

So, to work.

The beds were beds 1, 2 and 3 (see here) and later 4.

The whole vegetable area is now protected from severe heat damage in time for the summer about to hit us.

Bed 1,2 and 4 were basically just the old star piquet with polypipe attached and covered over with shadecloth.

For bed 3 I used an old trampoline frame upturned and covered in shadecloth.

Doesn't everyone have one of these left over from when the kids were home?

Attach the shadecloth to the frame using the same method that I used to attach to the hothouse here.

It only took about 4 hours from start to finish

This included having Scarecrow hem the edges of the shadecloth so we could slip it onto the pipes.

Following that, I started up a fan club for Scarecrow!!!

Regards, Doc

Wooden it be nice...

2007-11-12T09:54:00.001+10:30

...to quickly find middles?

Another quick trip around the workshop to pick out a couple of widgets I keep handy.

These are easy to make and very useful.

First, the centre finder.

Ideal if you do wood lathe work, like I do

Using an old bandsaw blade, make a groove in a square of wood and stick the blade in with the teeth showing, thus:

Place your wood up against the two sides and it will provide teeth marks along the midline. Rotate the wood 90 degrees and voila!

Instant centre.

Of course it would probably make more sense if I found the centre of a square piece but didn't have any any since all the blanks have been turned into rounds

Now the midline finder!

How about finding the midline of a piece of plank?

Always did see myself as middle-of-the-road

Anyhoo, simply predrill a piece of wood and wack in 2 nails with nice sharp points.

At the exact centre, wack in a smaller nail.

Click on the piccy to see it close up.

To use, simply drag along the top edge of your wood with both of the end nails touching the side of the wood and it will leave a small groove along the edge.

This is a useful gadget for making accurate halving joints for those people without power tools

Finally, what to do with all those large lidded cans from the copious amounts of coffee consumed

If only coffee came intravenously

Well, how about making some simple wooden handles.

Can be used out in the workshop to store all sorts of stuff or in the kitchen to store pasta, rice or erm, coffee

Regards, Doc

You'd better watch out...

2007-11-04T13:46:00.000+10:30

...better grow hair (never could remember the words to that song)

Well it's nearly that time of year for the believers...Christmas

I thought I would just give you frugal people some handy tips on what you can make for the various boys and girls in your life.

You can find these around my blog.

Let your imagination flow. Kids (big and little) love to get hand crafted things for those special occasions.

How about a racing car, balloon boat or a dragster, here?

Howsabout some puzzles. Great with a photo on it

Scarecrow and a gonk, anyone?
She really is sooo much better looking than that

Great use of scrap wood from the project-in-waiting box

Sorry, I don't knit or sew very well but I have had many nice hand made things given as gifts over the years.

Find your own talent. Go on, amaze yourself (and your loved ones)

Each year at the in-law convention (we catch up with Scarecrow's side of the family) we bring gifts of a bowl or a basket containing a variety of biscuits, cakes and other home made goodies.

They are a great hit.

It's almost as if people have forgotten how to do things any more.

Sad really.

Regards, Doc

Scarlet Pumpernickel?

2007-10-19T11:25:00.000+09:30

How about Brown Pumpernickel Bread in a Bread Machine?

First, a couple of warnings:

Firstly, I have worn out a bread machine in the past because I use one every day at least once a day sometimes twice.

When you go to buy one, check out the warranty and whether or not it can cope with a decent usage rate. You get what you pay for.

Secondly, most of my recipes use 3 cups of flour or solids to 400mls fluid and 475mls to 4 cups of flour.

Check the ratios for your machine.

Add the ingredients in the order that your machine recommends.

Pumpernickel
475mls Water
2 tbspn Olive Oil
2 tbspn Molasses
1-2 tsp Coffee
2 tsp Caraway Seeds
1 cup Rye Meal Flour (Bakers Rye Mix)
1 cup Wholemeal Flour (Bakers Wholemeal Mix)
2 cups White Flour (Bakers White Flour Mix)
2 tsp Yeast

Put into your bread machine in the order specified by the manufacturer.

Either set the machine for a dough cycle and make yourself some rolls (delicious) baked @ 200*c for 30 minutes or if your machine can cope with a 4 cup recipe set it to bake a large loaf.

Sit back and wait.

Serve with anything you want: sliced meats, cubed tofu, cheese etc etc

This really is a delicious bread and the rolls are great for a picnic.

Hope you like.

Regards, Doc

The Beatles...

2007-10-19T08:40:00.000+09:30

..."Strawberry Fields Forever"

Scarecrow grew and picked some of the strawberries

Well, not on the same day, but you know what I mean

What goes really goodly with strawberries?

How about some of the most delicious, creamy, rich home made ice cream

Easy Vanilla Ice Cream
Beat 2 eggs and ½ cup sugar until light
Add 1½ cups whipping cream, 1½ cups milk
1½ teaspoons vanilla
Combine well and churn in your ice cream machine for 20-30 minutes
Add ½ cup of your favourite pureed fruit for added flavour
It makes about a litre and I put it away in small serves.

To make strawberries and cream

Step 1
Get some strawberries. Who'd have thought?

Step 2 Get some ice cream. You keeping up so far?

Step 3 Bung them together on a plate

Step 4 With one hand holding Scarecrow back try to get some piccies

Step 5 Upload the pictures to your server and return to find an empty plate because you just were not quick enough! ...

...but live with the knowledge that your lover thoroughly enjoyed them

Regards, Doc

Workaround Workshop

2007-10-14T07:20:00.000+09:30

Hi everybody

Long time between drinks, as they say, but I have been busy giving my daughter away in marriage

I could have sold her on e-bay but she declined

Anyhoo, thought I would just share a few simple, cheap (read frugal) ideas with you.

If you are a regular here...thank you. Be aware that I started this blog to share all sorts of stuff. Not rocket science but the sort of stuff I like people sharing with me.

If you are new here...welcome and feel free to look around. All sorts of stuff here in the form of hints, tips, toys, crafts, recipes, workshop stuff, how to's etc etc.

Today is a quick buzz around my workshop just to show how you can reuse just about any old stuff.

Firstly, a shelf for storage made from scrap ply and 4 x 2. Useful

Next, a rickety old cupboard becomes, erm, a rickety old cupboard with my stuff in

The inside of old fridges are used to store all sorts of useful stuff in the workshop.

Even old fridge doors can be used with rub-off pens for important messages

Note the old pencil sharpener thingy mounted near the top right hand corner.

I do not have pictures of them but the fridges have all been used as cupboards. Seem to have rescued many fridges from the local tip and from friends.

This old freezer has a piece of customwood attached and makes a great workbench. The tabletop workmate is attached to a base that folds up when not in use. Saves space

Never underestimate the use of the framework in your shed/workshop. Here I store some of my clamps.

Who doesn't have a set of drawers with all their nails and screws in?

An old filing cupboard stores my power tools inside and my dremel attachments are attached to the door. Fridge magnets keep track of vital information on projects and the like

Finally, stuck onto a recycled door to my storage area are 2 charts. One is a conversion chart, the other is a blade chart listing the various sizes and order details for my scrollsaw blades.

Well, that's it for now. See you again soon

Regards, Doc

Search me!

2007-09-25T12:47:00.000+09:30

These days, most people would be aware that you can get information on just about anything on the internet.

What I find so sad is that so many people just don't know how to search for this information.

I used to describe the Internet as a giant library where all of the books are on the floor and you have to sort through them to get what you want.

Seems to be an apt description.

Enter the Search Engine.

I use Google but there are many others to choose from.

For searching generally use the Google Search Engine here

For searching specialist areas use the Google Group Search Engine here

To search for pictures use the Google Image Search Engine here

To search Blogs use the Advanced Google Blog Search here

This short tutorial will give you some info on how to successfully use a search engine to find just about any information about any topic.

These steps apply to most of these search engines.

It does not matter what type of computer or internet browser you use.

Using Your Search Engine

Step 1
Go to the relevant search home page (don't forget to click on the pictures that follow to enlarge them so you can see better)

Step 2
Highlight how many results you wish to show. This is applicable to most of the other search engines. I usually say the maximum.

Step 3
Select your language so you don’t get lots of results that in Danish, unless of course you can read Danish

Step 4
Now, using the form area of your search engine put in as many or as few words to help narrow down your search.

For example:
I want to find out about reusing grey water.
In the ‘with all of the words’ I type grey gray (as it’s called in the States) water reuse reusing recycling
I left the exact phrase blank.
In ‘with at least one of the words’ I type homestead home house laundry
In ‘without the words’ sewerage black

Click on the Google search button and go through your results.

If you find that there are too many inappropriate try excluding words such as systems, company, sale, book etc. You could even narrow your search to the country that you live in.

Regards, Doc

Doc's 10 Step Plan

2007-09-09T09:29:00.000+09:30

Welcome to Frugalholics Anonymous

Your easy guide to plumbing

With water restrictions currently in full swing, we diverted our grey water for more effective use

Please check with your local council or water authorities
to comply with their regulations
concerning the diversion of grey water.

Or not!!!

Whatjaneed
50mm PVCU Pipe (tolerates UV rays and stuff)
Joiners (depending on where the water is going to)

Hacksaw to cut the PVC pipe (or a meaner tool)
50mm holesaw cutter
Drill to hold said cutter
Biomechanical Vermicular Discharge Sanitation Unit (some people just say 'Worm Farm') available here
Chocolate bar for a reward on completion

Step 1
Locate greywater outlet pipe.

Make sure it is not an inlet pipe for stuff like mains water or rainwater.

Step2
Cut the connection

Step 3
Cap the pipe that goes to the sullage tank because it is, erm, aromatic

Step 4
Measure how much PVC pipe you will require and use the various joiners to connect the PVC together.

What you use will be mainly dictated by where the pipe is going.

Mine was going to form part of a shelf in the BBQ area and go through some corrigated iron into the dog pen.

You could just use an elbow joiner and have the pipe run along the wall.

Step 5
Ensure the worm farm 50mm hole that you drilled matches up with the PVC pipe

Step 6
Attach a 19mm nozzle under the worm farm to attach a 19mm hose to later.

This is for drainage.

Step 7
Attach your elbow and push the PVC through the hole in the farm.

Step 8
See here to know how to make the complete Biomechanical Vermicular Discharge Sanitation Unit

Step 9
Give it a test ride.

Step 10
Eat the chocolate bar you got as a reward for doing the project voluntarily

Frugal regards
Doc

Sort of sautee

2007-09-07T09:10:00.000+09:30

Remember this mushroom?

Well this is what I did with it for Scarecrow.

Just take the stalk out and dice it up with some garlic and sauté in some butter.

Lightly sauté the big mushroom on both sides.

Put the stalk/garlic mix on top, sprinkle on some parmesan cheese and grill until the cheese is melted.

I whipped up a stir fry (spinach, juilienned carrots, sunflower seeds etc etc) and served it with the mushroom on top.

Cute and simple, hey?

Regards, Doc

Lunar-Tic

2007-08-29T11:12:00.000+09:30

Okay, a warning

This is nothing to do with frugalling but I thought it was a great way to spend a couple of hours

We (me and Scarecrow) spent a couple of hours taking piccies of the recent lunar eclipse.

Okay, not the best quality but what a buzz to witness

Note to self: get out more

Regards, Doc

Pressing matters

2007-08-29T10:59:00.000+09:30

A burger press is born

As you know, I like to make my own bread rolls

And I like to make my own burgers (with or without meat)

So what is needed is a burger press to ensure that the burgers fit nicely on the rolls

Well, here 'tis.

Whatjaneed
A can
A knob for a handle

Step 1 Simply cut the top and bottom off of the can.

Attach the knob to the lid and presto: instant burger press.

Yeah, I know, hardly rocket science but then this is a frugal blog after all

Regards, Doc

How Do You Stack Up?

2007-08-24T13:42:00.002+09:30

How's this for cheap to keep?

For Scarecrow's recent birthday I asked what the old girl wanted for breakfast.

She said a stack of pancakes with whipped cream and my special non-maple maple syrup

Easy!!!

Pancakes
Whatjaneed
Some self raising flour
Some milk
1 Tablespoon butter
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 egg
Good frying pan (I use a solid cast iron one)
Non-maple maple syrup
Whipped cream
Strawberries optional
Sugar optional in flour mix

The reason there is no amount for the flour/milk is because the amount of flour/milk is determined by how thick you wish to make your pancakes.

Step 1
Bung it all in a bowl and mix with a mixer until it is of the desired consistency. Runny makes nice thin, roll up crepes (fill with strawberries and whipped cream and arrange on a plate), a thicker mix makes nice fluffy stacks like in the fa$t food restaurants but tastier

Step 2
Heat the fry pan and add a knob of butter. When hot (the pan, not you ) pour/spoon in a small amount.

When the mix stops bubbling, turn over and cook until golden.

Place on a pre-warmed plate.

Continue this process until you have the right amount (whatever that is).

Step 3
Cover the stack with syrup and top with whipped cream and eat or at least try and pinch one before serving to your loved one (hi Scarecrow)

Yummy.

Non-maple maple syrup
Whatjaneed
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup water
½ cup white sugar
1 tsp butter
½ tsp vanilla

Step 1
Combine the brown sugar and water and bring to boil.

Step 2
Caramelise the white sugar by heating it in a frying pan until the sugar melts and turns brown.

Be warned…
you need to constantly stir this during the process and watch for the change because it happens all of a sudden and can catch you unaware.

This is the voice of experience talking

Step 3
Add the brown sugar mix from step 1 (carefully, it splashes and spits ) and simmer until smooth and thick.

Step 4
Pour into a glass container containing the butter and vanilla.

It yields about one cup.

Use with pancakes, waffles, biscuits etc as a substitute for maple syrup.

No maples were harmed in the making of this mock maple syrup.

Enjoy

By the way, if you do step 3 too long, you can add nuts, pour the mix onto a tray to make toffee

Some people do this on purpose

Regards, Doc

Chinese ask Doc for secret

2007-08-18T20:42:00.000+09:30

"Oh Honerable one, why do people like your toys but not ours?"

Don't know dudes, maybe it's the taste

With all the high-tech toys recalled, it's time to make some real toys

Some easy non-genetically modified, lead-free, non-Chinese, toys.

Whatjaneed
Some scrap wood from the 'project-in-waiting' box (or lumber for the Americans out there)
Some wood glue
Wheels
Balloons
Dowel both thick 'n' thin
4mm Plastic dripper pipe stolen from Scarecrow when she wasn't looking
Some olive oil or vegie oil for finishing
(or you could use the old lead based paints the Chinese use )

Just for your info
I was working on creating a gourd nativity scene using some of the gourds that Scarecrow grew for me.

All looked like it was going well (these dudes are standing on top of a small matchbox).

Unfortunately, I cut baby Jesus in half and then had a strange bout of bad luck so have decided to make a Noah's ark instead!!!

Balloon Boat
Cut out a boat shape.

Drill a thick piece of dowel through the centre.

Drill a matching hole in the boat.

Stick the dowel into the hole.

Drill a hole for the plastic pipe.

Cut the pipe and stick it in the hole with some really good glue. I use a 2 part Araldite mix.

Get some balloons and wack them on the large dowel.

Blow up via the pipe and drop into the bath and wacko, instant fun balloon boat!!!

Racing Car
Cut out the shape.

Cut out wheels and dowels.

Put it together.

VVVrrrooooom!!!

Drag Racer

Cut some thick dowel to length.

Cut some big and little wheels and dowel.

Drill holes for the dowel axles.

You can make a thingy for holding the dowel whilst you drill.

Put it together.

Sorry Mattel, but kids love these and when they are finished with olive oil they even taste good

'Till next time

Regards, Doc

Pot on, Dudes

2007-08-13T11:05:00.000+09:30

Scarecrow requested that I make her a new hothouse so she could pot on her seedling thingies.

There was no hurry as long as it was finished on the weekend

For the guys out there, this is another babe magnet

Here ‘tis.

Whatjaneed
Star Pickets
Ag pipe (2” slips over the pipes but I only had a 200m roll of 1¾” pipe so had to attach them to the post with some wire)
UV Treated Plastic
Self tapping Screws
Washers made from 19mm PVC pipe to prevent the plastic being ripped if there is a breeze
Spirit level, to ensure the posts are in straight (yeah right)
Timber for framework

Step 1
Clear the area, as ordered/requested, cart the good soil to another area of the garden (especially to the furtherest(?) part of the garden because the exercise is good for you I am reliably informed)

Fill this with several millimetres of crusher dust (by-product of making big rocks into small rocks)

Step 2
Using a variety of measuring tools (eyes, hands and fingers) insert your posts into the ground to the size and shape of choice.

Step 3
Attach your pipe.

Step 4
Attach the framework for both stability and to give you something to attach the plastic to.

Step 5
Make a door frame

Step 6
Make a door, cover with shade cloth and attach to the door frame.

Step 7
Using the especially made washers attach the plastic to the framework.

WARNING:
if it even looks like it might get windy, do this another day or have enough red wines for you not to notice, because the slightest breeze makes handling the plastic a real riot, believe me

This is the end product. Not pretty, but practical.

The inside is ready for occupation.

Whilst I was making the door, Scarecrow completed the plumbing from the rainwater tank

The new occupants move in:

Pot on, Dudes

Regards, Doc