Stories of family, creativity, and diverse distractions.

Author: Walt Page 3 of 12

It Ain’t No Vice to Have a Big Vise!

It’s all very well to have a file, or a hacksaw. If you can’t hold the work tight you really won’t get much done. That’s where a vise comes in. Let’s chat about them for a minute, shall we?

Happy Birthday Herman Lohman!

Herman Bernard Lohman was born on November 17, 1908 to John and Mary Snaadt Lohman. He was born in West Point, Iowa. He married Germaine Wellman, Georgina Link Hoel’s cousin.

A Real Life Hack: Getting the Most from Hacksaws

Does your arm hurt when you even think about cutting steel with a hacksaw? Mine used to hurt too. But I learned a few things about how to use hacksaws, and it made a huge difference. Today you can learn some hints too. Your arm will thank you!

File This One Under Tool Talk: The File

Even though I have some fancy power tools for shaping metal, I still reach for files every time I’m in the shop. As I mentioned in the shop tour, I have quite a large collection of files, in many shapes and sizes. Today I want to talk about them.

Look Out! Danger Noodles Ahead! A Hike With Baby Snakes

We recently hiked with a friend at Strawtown Koteewi Park. It’s a nice, nearby place to get a quick nature fix. We saw a bunch of lovely sights which I utterly failed to capture for posterity. But I did whip out the phone when we saw the baby snakes!

We Reached a Big Milestone – Achievement Unlocked! Or Something…

I was at work when my phone pinged with an incoming message. Usually it’s Michelle, asking a question. So I checked it as soon as I was decently able. It wasn’t Michelle. The analytics package we use on this site was congratulating us – we’ve reached a big milestone!

Let’s Test How Square My Square Really Is

I may be getting old, but I still don’t believe it’s hip to be square. Nevertheless, I expect my carpenter’s square to be at least as square as Pat Boone. But how do you test a square to find out?

Is Your Level Really Level?

Let me level with you: a lot of levels at the stores aren’t actually level. If you use such a tool to hang a picture or mount a shelf to the wall, you’re not going to like the result. Today I’m going to show you how to test a level before you buy it.

Things We Learned at Origins Game Fair

I recently wrote about preparing to run games at a convention – specifically at Origins Game Fair. That’s over now, so let’s look at how things went.

GM On the Road – Organizing for Conventions

This year I am hosting some games at two conventions, Origins Game Fair and Gen Con. One takes place out of state. The other is a 45-minute drive from home. In both cases I need to pack everything I need. But I must pack light, because I have to carry the game materials a fair distance through the convention to get to my game table. So today, let’s talk about organizing for conventions.

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