Making Bellows

October 31, 2012 by kris de decker Filed Under: Bellows, DIY, Random, Wind Power

making bellows

“This is hopefully the start of a set of documents that will help in the construction of a portable, authentic forge and bronze casting set up. I am starting with the bellows as I can use them at home to help get the fire going in the winter months.”

“I have repaired a number of sets of bellows, but this is the first set I have actually made myself from scratch. They appear to work well – good flow rate, nice range of movement, practically no air loss. If you follow any of the instructions below and it doesn’t work properly – well then you are just doing it wrong.”

Making bellows.

Open Source Water Boiler

October 22, 2012 by kris de decker Filed Under: DIY, Kitchenware, Random

open source water boiler

“Coffee makers and water boilers are relatively simple machines, yet their workings are typically inaccessible to the user. Repair or even recycling becomes impossible: once the product ceases to function, it is rendered disposable. The OS Boiler explores an alternative approach to the design and production of these ubiquitous appliances. Based on the OS design principles, the WaterBoiler’s (completely disassembleable) design and transparent construction invites users to adapt, repair, and combine with existing OpenStructures components.”

“The limited complexity of the Boiler allows new partnerships to emerge that can adapt to the scale of production: a single unit designed as a DIY kit to one-thousand units produced in a collaboration of international suppliers and local manufacturers. Consistent application of simple and straightforward principles in design and production leads to an object that can evolve and adapt over time.”

Open Source Water Boiler (and the version with ceramic filter) at the OpenStructures Project.

For an in-depth article about OpenStructures and related projects, read “How to make everything ourselves: open modular hardware“.

Wire Hanger Rocket Stove

October 16, 2012 by kris de decker Filed Under: Cooking stoves, DIY

Wire hanger rocket stove“The thab stove is a designed template that utilizes unwanted wire hangers
from North America to assist in improving the portable dung stove used
by Tibetan nomads.

  • 1.6 million people die from indoor pollution (three stones fire) every year and that equals to one death every 20 seconds.
  • 3.5 billion wire hangers end up in U.S. landfill every year and that equals to 60,000 cars
  • 5.6 million stoves can be made from 3.5 billion unwanted wire hangers every year.”

See and read more. Via Treehugger and Designboom. Thanks to Angela Riviera.

Building Plans for Dutch Industrial Windmills (1850)

October 8, 2012 by kris de decker Filed Under: DIY, Random, Wind Power, Windmills

building plans dutch sawmill

This collection of 21 building plans for 5 different types of Dutch industrial windmills was published in 1850. There is a saw mill, an oats mill, a flour mill, and two pumping mills. The book contains no text, only illustrations.

“Theoretisch en practisch molenboek: voor ingenieurs, aannemers, molenaars en andere bouwkundigen“, G. Krook, 1850.

(“Theoretical and practical windmill book; for engineers, contractors and millwrights”).

[Read more…]

How to Carry a Foldable Workshop on The Rear Rack of Your Bicycle

October 8, 2012 by kris de decker Filed Under: Bicycles, Bikes, Cargo, Cargo cycles, DIY, Travel

foldable workshop

Instruction manual. Thanks to Berto Aussems.

Make Your Own Treadle Lathe

September 30, 2012 by kris de decker Filed Under: DIY, Lathes, Random, Wood, Woodworking

make your own treadle latheIn the last twenty years or so since I built this foot-powered treadle lathe, I have received many requests for drawings or plans.

The lathe has been used as part of our traditional woodworking demonstrations and it never fails to draw a crowd. Of course, the reason the lathe exists is because I felt a need for it as a tool.

Some of the main considerations when designing the lathe were:

  • Human powered — our solar energy system was pretty small at the time
  • Size — it had to be less than 42″ tall to fit into our old truck
  • Compact — since it would sit in our small shop all the time, a small footprint was essential
  • Portable — as in not too cumbersome or heavy
  • Functional — it had to perform the basic duties of a light-duty lathe
  • Adaptable — I had in mind several untraditional uses for the tool, like sanding”

Find the manual here.

More do-it-yourself projects.

How to make everything ourselves: open modular hardware.