tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81172651571394393892024-03-12T18:58:42.776-07:00Junk Unjunk!Finding ways to 'unjunk' junked items and converting seemingly useless things into some usefulness can be an interesting pastime.... if we have a will and whim. Here are some of my own projects.Dinakar KRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148152470155668711noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8117265157139439389.post-76922436079549431022021-08-02T08:32:00.008-07:002021-08-02T08:44:07.654-07:00Duster cloth with stick handle from broken....<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8mmOBfsWXPQ/YQgIGS99RWI/AAAAAAAAi7Q/QkTzHQQi9G8IQfwO_uNkzH77tiPKa4nTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/IMG_7927%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">During childhood in the marketplace shops, I used to observe with awe how the various items they kept for sale were dusted with a piece of cloth tied at one end of a wooden stick. It looked very impressive. Several years later, I used to spend some time at my friend Nikams' Curios Shop on Dhanvantri Road where the senior Nikam often used to order his assistant "Jhatak re, jhatak re". [ Hey, dust the items....] They called this tool as "Jhatakni" in this case it was a colourful lacquer-</span></a><span style="color: #444444;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8mmOBfsWXPQ/YQgIGS99RWI/AAAAAAAAi7Q/QkTzHQQi9G8IQfwO_uNkzH77tiPKa4nTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/IMG_7927%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" style="display: inline; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: left;">coated wooden stick</a><span style="text-align: left;">.</span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8mmOBfsWXPQ/YQgIGS99RWI/AAAAAAAAi7Q/QkTzHQQi9G8IQfwO_uNkzH77tiPKa4nTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/IMG_7927%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" style="display: inline; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: left;"> These were 'Kolata' / 'Dandiya' sticks [used in a certain type of dance by women / girls by striking them to produce leasing sounds in chorous as they danced].</a></span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8mmOBfsWXPQ/YQgIGS99RWI/AAAAAAAAi7Q/QkTzHQQi9G8IQfwO_uNkzH77tiPKa4nTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/IMG_7927%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8mmOBfsWXPQ/YQgIGS99RWI/AAAAAAAAi7Q/QkTzHQQi9G8IQfwO_uNkzH77tiPKa4nTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/IMG_7927%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" style="display: inline; padding: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: #444444;">I bought two pairs of such sticks from Mr.Nikam at different times for making dusters for my home. </span></a><div style="display: inline; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8mmOBfsWXPQ/YQgIGS99RWI/AAAAAAAAi7Q/QkTzHQQi9G8IQfwO_uNkzH77tiPKa4nTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/IMG_7927%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" style="display: inline; padding: 1em 0px;">These were the first ones I made. </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8mmOBfsWXPQ/YQgIGS99RWI/AAAAAAAAi7Q/QkTzHQQi9G8IQfwO_uNkzH77tiPKa4nTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/IMG_7927%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" style="display: inline; padding: 1em 0px;">Picture below. </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8mmOBfsWXPQ/YQgIGS99RWI/AAAAAAAAi7Q/QkTzHQQi9G8IQfwO_uNkzH77tiPKa4nTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/IMG_7927%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" style="display: inline; padding: 1em 0px;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="704" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8mmOBfsWXPQ/YQgIGS99RWI/AAAAAAAAi7Q/QkTzHQQi9G8IQfwO_uNkzH77tiPKa4nTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_7927%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" /></a><br /></div></span></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8mmOBfsWXPQ/YQgIGS99RWI/AAAAAAAAi7Q/QkTzHQQi9G8IQfwO_uNkzH77tiPKa4nTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/IMG_7927%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">Subsequently, I found a broken badminton racquet handle at a place where my friend played badminton. So I collected it and made another. Pictured below, black handle/stick. </span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C5StzhCosGE/YQgIGYnHFSI/AAAAAAAAi7M/nThYZdU7iVgSwS3VcdJ7G-5_UEpB27XyQCLcBGAsYHQ/s850/IMG_7928%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="676" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C5StzhCosGE/YQgIGYnHFSI/AAAAAAAAi7M/nThYZdU7iVgSwS3VcdJ7G-5_UEpB27XyQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_7928%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" /></span></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C5StzhCosGE/YQgIGYnHFSI/AAAAAAAAi7M/nThYZdU7iVgSwS3VcdJ7G-5_UEpB27XyQCLcBGAsYHQ/s850/IMG_7928%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">And then there were a couple of wooden racquets at home, warped and with tattered guts. One was from my childhood, of smaller size. I repurposed both these and made two more. Pictured below.</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kpcx-JuMYxw/YQgIGd7lXHI/AAAAAAAAi7I/dvSRy6HvVnkvSgren_Wqzw_1xkUZXZQ2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s903/IMG_7929%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="560" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kpcx-JuMYxw/YQgIGd7lXHI/AAAAAAAAi7I/dvSRy6HvVnkvSgren_Wqzw_1xkUZXZQ2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_7929%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" /></span></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kpcx-JuMYxw/YQgIGd7lXHI/AAAAAAAAi7I/dvSRy6HvVnkvSgren_Wqzw_1xkUZXZQ2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s903/IMG_7929%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">I keep one at different places where it necessitates frequent dusting. <br />The 'Jhatakni" or whatever it is called, is a very handy tool to have and very easy to use and maintain.<br /></span><br /></a></div>Dinakar KRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148152470155668711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8117265157139439389.post-19792873262757211482017-04-17T21:15:00.000-07:002017-04-17T21:15:01.553-07:00Hand drills from cricket stumps<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Street cricket was rampant in my younger days. All kids were on the streets after school in the evenings playing various games and sports. With the boys, cricket was the most popular, played across the road using the 'foot path' and the house compounds on either either side where 'stumps'. 'Stumps' were drawn on compound walls using with green leaves plucked from one of the thick shrubs in a nearby house! But when we needed to play along the length of the 'foot path', we used stumps. 'Traffic' was not a word we used in those days as only a few wheeled machines plied the roads!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The house opposite ours was "Liver House", that had 4 doctors, an engineer, two dancers and an army Captain [Srikantaiah]. Eswar, Shivaram and Udaya had outgrown their cricket playing days and the stumps they had played with had no use. So they had given it to me. They used to have metal points at the bottom and brass rings at the top to withstand the impact when the stump is driven into the earth, similar to the chisel handles of carpenters. Stumps were like this:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8FMPfUb3w3Q/WO8F7DYxtUI/AAAAAAAAT6s/EXWKQKX_9o8011HCc6LyY82YQDabDx8lACLcB/s1600/%2524_75.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8FMPfUb3w3Q/WO8F7DYxtUI/AAAAAAAAT6s/EXWKQKX_9o8011HCc6LyY82YQDabDx8lACLcB/s200/%2524_75.JPG" width="136" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They were of great use on several occasions, a boon. They were an integral part of our tennis ball cricket. For matches with other teams we went to the fields nearby but played in front of our houses on the streets in the evenings. In 1978-9 I joined a team called "Combined XI" in the next street, Gita Road. The wooden stumps were not required anymore what with street cricket also becoming less. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In 1975-76 there was a carpenter engaged to make windows etc. for an extra room my father built to the old house. I had been curiously watching his skills, techniques and how he used his tools, some of them he had made himself. My interest in such things was recognized by my father. I had a chisel a mallet of my uncle and my father got me second hand chisels, a planer and a measuring tape from a tenant's friend who did not require them anymore. I did not have the tool to drill holes. These stumps came handy. I cut them up and made my own drilling tool, copying from that carpenter. I had also made a planer in wood which was crude. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T0ovYdBcOKE/VjZCI06g0JI/AAAAAAAATB4/SNuFUAzoosQ/s1600/P1020715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T0ovYdBcOKE/VjZCI06g0JI/AAAAAAAATB4/SNuFUAzoosQ/s320/P1020715.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2u_SaHIYOmY/VjZCF72cVEI/AAAAAAAATBw/GuOenHfmK0A/s1600/P1020716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2u_SaHIYOmY/VjZCF72cVEI/AAAAAAAATBw/GuOenHfmK0A/s320/P1020716.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Junked iron rods and bicycle spokes were tried for the drilling bits. The drill driver has a rope which goes around the 'cylindrical'. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HZTM2-vBZaE/VjZCNFwDYiI/AAAAAAAATCA/9oO917dn_EA/s1600/P1480230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HZTM2-vBZaE/VjZCNFwDYiI/AAAAAAAATCA/9oO917dn_EA/s320/P1480230.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nqIWwzGjz6k/VjZCdYG2RcI/AAAAAAAATCQ/V7sg22p8S7c/s1600/P1480231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nqIWwzGjz6k/VjZCdYG2RcI/AAAAAAAATCQ/V7sg22p8S7c/s320/P1480231.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I made different widths of bit-tips. I had also seen how he sharpened the tips. I had bought a flat file from Salar Masood & Sons, Ashoka Road. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lXE2oenAUes/VjZCbKVje-I/AAAAAAAATCI/dkLpGdAwdpM/s1600/P1480232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lXE2oenAUes/VjZCbKVje-I/AAAAAAAATCI/dkLpGdAwdpM/s320/P1480232.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have used them with great success for my several carpentry works and repairs. </div>
<br /></div>
Dinakar KRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148152470155668711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8117265157139439389.post-30722258626710174082017-04-12T21:52:00.000-07:002017-04-12T21:52:07.843-07:00Golf club display<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
My grandfather, besides his law profession, was a renown 'all-round sportsman'. Way back in the 1930s and 40s he used to play a sport that few people played, golf. The Mysore Maharajas encouraged sports also in a big way. Mysore Sports Club was formed in the early 1930s. It had a golf course [now separate as Sri Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar Golf Club].</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NUZLBVWEK0s/WO8DZy1KygI/AAAAAAAAT6g/ZntL8T1jaO8845i0wF8bo96GmNalcI13QCLcB/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NUZLBVWEK0s/WO8DZy1KygI/AAAAAAAAT6g/ZntL8T1jaO8845i0wF8bo96GmNalcI13QCLcB/s200/4.jpg" width="100" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ecg0wdpFwvI/WO8Chg9lvnI/AAAAAAAAT6Y/-3124AD64zAjT9q2fDWQSJztRFd4LQTuACLcB/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ecg0wdpFwvI/WO8Chg9lvnI/AAAAAAAAT6Y/-3124AD64zAjT9q2fDWQSJztRFd4LQTuACLcB/s200/2.jpg" width="111" /></a>My grandfather's golf kit was of lovely red-brown leather, which in my younger days was lying around in a corner. He had stopped playing it in the 60s. In the kit were a few woods and a few irons, some of them with wooden shafts [Web grab image]. In the smaller compartments were tees and used Dunlop golf balls, old and damaged. In the mid 1980s, we tried to sell the kit through an uncle [Dixit] in Bengaluru as he was a member of the Bowring Club. But after keeping it for 2-3 years he returned saying he was not able to sell. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LgdOUP1aL-Y/WO72N0-XZLI/AAAAAAAAT5s/-UBIxpO_vIILg0qnGy7CmHjAUTJReXvnwCLcB/s1600/P1170065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LgdOUP1aL-Y/WO72N0-XZLI/AAAAAAAAT5s/-UBIxpO_vIILg0qnGy7CmHjAUTJReXvnwCLcB/s200/P1170065.JPG" width="199" /></a>In 1990-91, we found that my friend and street mate 'Raju' was into golf in KGF where he was working [in BEML]. We gave it to him offering to quote his own price. From the Rs.1,000/ he gave, we had booked our first telephone. Before we gave the kit, I kept the weak and broken clubs [3 in number] with me as a memory. I had also lost [regret now] the tees and golf balls, but carefully saved the golf ball tins [pictured here].</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r8JLD3vS-Gk/WO73o39jOCI/AAAAAAAAT54/GIr0DKisTd0izIcxKDXemlta6L7WpJI3ACLcB/s1600/P1280304%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r8JLD3vS-Gk/WO73o39jOCI/AAAAAAAAT54/GIr0DKisTd0izIcxKDXemlta6L7WpJI3ACLcB/s200/P1280304%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In recent times, I converted one wooden club into a desktop paper weight cum note holder. Another weak wood club gives company to my grandfather's walking sticks. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The broken iron club now finds itself on display, sparked by an idea that flashed in my mind two days ago and implemented the next day following some light carpentry work. Proper grooves to hold the two objects. The golf ball is from recent times. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
See pictures: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LAsLYqqVF_I/WO739tAC2HI/AAAAAAAAT58/rae4JMCApZAoaDWc_bhHfBgjLYnFP3JdQCLcB/s1600/IMG_1393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LAsLYqqVF_I/WO739tAC2HI/AAAAAAAAT58/rae4JMCApZAoaDWc_bhHfBgjLYnFP3JdQCLcB/s320/IMG_1393.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Holder stand is ready.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-II0sy8BePSo/WO739rdKkMI/AAAAAAAAT6A/KNJrntBznOEWNd-HXQw7Llkdoye4iDkIQCLcB/s1600/IMG_1394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-II0sy8BePSo/WO739rdKkMI/AAAAAAAAT6A/KNJrntBznOEWNd-HXQw7Llkdoye4iDkIQCLcB/s320/IMG_1394.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is a "No.10 iron" club, hand forged. They imported several items from England. Interestingly, the wooden club above left has an imprint "Spencer & Co, Madras"!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bpQxDtRIIhY/WO739z1s8AI/AAAAAAAAT6E/B-wBCQ2ZKNUUZY7TW0-X9vGp_9WTu8hPgCLcB/s1600/IMG_1396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bpQxDtRIIhY/WO739z1s8AI/AAAAAAAAT6E/B-wBCQ2ZKNUUZY7TW0-X9vGp_9WTu8hPgCLcB/s320/IMG_1396.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Display ready. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TdkdvuU7Djk/WO73-P360VI/AAAAAAAAT6I/HZPsHoKxxL8_3ZTDBZoakPRMJ99NQKn6QCLcB/s1600/IMG_1397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TdkdvuU7Djk/WO73-P360VI/AAAAAAAAT6I/HZPsHoKxxL8_3ZTDBZoakPRMJ99NQKn6QCLcB/s320/IMG_1397.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The backside. Simple clips to hold them in place. They are earthquake resistant! </div>
</div>
Dinakar KRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148152470155668711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8117265157139439389.post-40436397462863457832015-07-22T10:49:00.000-07:002015-07-22T10:49:54.807-07:00Gapanathi's Whistle and more<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Living opposite our house on Devaparthiva Road, was one humble Iyer family. Ramaswamy Iyer and his wife had five children. The third one was <b>Ganapathi</b>, a boy slightly elder to me. He was a very talented chap and my nemesis in many games we used to play against each other. How we used to play several games and created little toys with innocuous materials can cause wonderment today, in the world of iPads, cell phones, laptops.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_5WWfYl7jL0/Va4S860IEsI/AAAAAAAASqE/6rgGWMN3Ioc/s1600/P1420722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_5WWfYl7jL0/Va4S860IEsI/AAAAAAAASqE/6rgGWMN3Ioc/s320/P1420722.JPG" width="227" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>The Iyer family lived in the [rented] house seen with a green door at the back. Our tenant enters our premise. Photo may be from 2001 or so. The houses have undergone facelift since the 60s. We no longer live in this street. The Iyer family left in the early 70s. The opposite row of houses had a common wall between them!</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iUYopCAnKXs/Va4f08JxP5I/AAAAAAAASqc/cYvet_kJ36s/s1600/ganapa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iUYopCAnKXs/Va4f08JxP5I/AAAAAAAASqc/cYvet_kJ36s/s200/ganapa.jpg" width="200" /></a><b>Ganapathi </b>was an expert player in tops. His played with a narrow design top. His rope was unique. It was short and stout, which he himself had made it using other threads. The length was so short that he would wind it in a jiffy, spin and lift it into the hand circling with the rope while still spinning. His swiftness coupled with the shortness of this rope ensured he spun the top a lot earlier than the opponent and hence end up with a win. I would be still winding my long rope [bought from Shetty's shop on Sayyaji Road.] with Ganapathi watching me with a teasing look! Sometimes the tip of my rope would tangle with the pivot nail and this would please him. In another game, the loser would keep his top on the ground in a drawn circle. Others had to hit this top with theirs and spun their top in one action to dislodge it out of the drawn circle. Ganapathi's aim was incredible and he seldom missed the target top. His top's pivot nail was stout and sharp, meant to damage and even break the opponent's top! He would hit very hard and deface it with deep nail marks. He was so accurate in his aim. It was agonizing to see my defaced top but Ganapathi derived great pleasure! He ALWAYS won. He was an undoubted hero of the street.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mc6RsgoTFNg/Va_NyxUvyeI/AAAAAAAASs8/vhhjcmn3AEk/s1600/P1020016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mc6RsgoTFNg/Va_NyxUvyeI/AAAAAAAASs8/vhhjcmn3AEk/s200/P1020016.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>A top from those days, cracked by time and not by Ganapathi. This is nearly how his top was like.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-echB-AJlC2w/Va_N12DzpjI/AAAAAAAAStQ/AfxHUhRHxkY/s1600/P1020015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-echB-AJlC2w/Va_N12DzpjI/AAAAAAAAStQ/AfxHUhRHxkY/s320/P1020015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<i>The big top on the right is not mine. It is a mysterious top which came rolling to our door one afternoon in the early 70s and I know not from where it came. There appeared to be no one in the street playing! </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pdwabVTdF9U/Va_O19swY_I/AAAAAAAAStU/HghqkOggSmI/s1600/P1020017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pdwabVTdF9U/Va_O19swY_I/AAAAAAAAStU/HghqkOggSmI/s320/P1020017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
O<i>nly a few of these marbles are from those times, the roughened ones. </i><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Playing marbles, Ganapathi was very nearly invincible with his laser-sharp aim. He played with his right hand while I was comfortable with my left [middle finger]. He stocked an enviable number of marbles he won in 4-5 beverage tin fulls! It was testimony to his amazing skills. He would proudly show the tin fulls when I went to his house. When he poured the marbles out to show, the very sound of so many marbles was music! I wanted to win like him, but it was impossible with boys like Ganapathi! I would buy marbles, new and shiny, ten marbles for ten paisa at Shetty's shop on Sayyaji Rao Road. Ganapathi used to win most of them! He was dynamic, elder, experienced, bold and talented. He did not cheat, but he loved teasing.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Win he would in the little games with marbles for which matchbox labels were kept at stake. He had bundles of them to show! All the boys lost to him.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
At Gulli-danda game, the side in which he was in usually won. In the absence of a Carrom board, he wrote the board with chalk on the floor of his house. His sisters would join the game. It was quite a funny feeling with no 'rebounds' possible! He was good at drawing and he used to show me his sketch book which was stitched from left over pages of old note books. I am sure he would have made that book too.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-npaTn6kT9-I/Va4gB8_spjI/AAAAAAAASqk/UptVcxUIXu4/s1600/ganapa%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-npaTn6kT9-I/Va4gB8_spjI/AAAAAAAASqk/UptVcxUIXu4/s200/ganapa%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a> There was a game for which we collected empty cigarette packs, folded and piled, kept in a circle and took turns to disperse out of the circle with the striker - a flat piece of stone - to win. Ganapathi would hit the target unerringly and grab all at stake kept in the circle! Seldom did he miss. At the game of Lagori also he was very good.<br />
<br />
Ganapathi was adept in whistling with the fingers in different styles. He would also make a few types with ordinary things like some bamboo pieces and bicycle tube rubber. He had made a beautiful slingshot with which he would hit the target, usually some fruit or for fun with such aim that was truly astonishing.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E0J1Ms8mnd0/Vaig0ydAlBI/AAAAAAAASno/z-eOt3iNnTk/s1600/Whistle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E0J1Ms8mnd0/Vaig0ydAlBI/AAAAAAAASno/z-eOt3iNnTk/s200/Whistle.jpg" width="200" /></a>Among the many other little things like those, the one thing I still admire was his ingenuity in making a<b> 'pea whistle'.</b> A real pea whistle would be like this, used by army officers, the police and sports masters.<br />
<br />
Our genius Ganapathy made his own from real scrap. It was crude, but it worked... 'prrrreeeep... prrrrrreeeeeep'. I tried to recall by trying to replicate the whistle 42-43 years since I saw Ganapathi's work. I remember I had made one at that time also. We needed an old wall calendar with its pages bound like this - with a thin tin strip. In those days, this was the only type we had and the spring bound calendars had not arrived.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ShhoiM--gxo/Va0RSsuocQI/AAAAAAAASoo/p0kIfJT5ab8/s1600/P1010978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ShhoiM--gxo/Va0RSsuocQI/AAAAAAAASoo/p0kIfJT5ab8/s200/P1010978.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Unfold the tin strip and separate from the calendar paper. Just a length of about 4-5 inches is all that is required to make the whistle.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nmu2c9UcBpg/Va0RTPC2DEI/AAAAAAAASos/iZ8J5TrE6jI/s1600/P1010980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nmu2c9UcBpg/Va0RTPC2DEI/AAAAAAAASos/iZ8J5TrE6jI/s200/P1010980.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Flatten this portion, cut it.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YVoPoE2bL_0/Va0RWOXhV-I/AAAAAAAASpQ/onBhk-UT9I0/s1600/P1010985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YVoPoE2bL_0/Va0RWOXhV-I/AAAAAAAASpQ/onBhk-UT9I0/s200/P1010985.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Bend the piece like this.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K_6a0-UnOCg/Va0RW5ywgoI/AAAAAAAASpc/En-Z9hgKg14/s1600/P1010986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K_6a0-UnOCg/Va0RW5ywgoI/AAAAAAAASpc/En-Z9hgKg14/s200/P1010986.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I do not know how Ganapathi made this air-escape hole, but I punched the hole with a poker and flattened it. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qeyV9BEK7t0/Va0RWRZ3VPI/AAAAAAAASpU/HzhmUNwD6mg/s1600/P1010987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qeyV9BEK7t0/Va0RWRZ3VPI/AAAAAAAASpU/HzhmUNwD6mg/s200/P1010987.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The 'mouth piece' which I had slightly rounded to blow air in was wrapped with paper to prevent air leakage from the sides. Again, I cannot recall clearly how our genius used to make. I bent slightly at the hole for the blown air to enter the curved area that would house the 'whirring' seed. The open sides were held closed by the thumb and another fingertip after putting the 'seed' in it.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nYw9lRHLbyE/Va0RXV8ysmI/AAAAAAAASpk/qaRkzS-QM8w/s1600/P1010988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nYw9lRHLbyE/Va0RXV8ysmI/AAAAAAAASpk/qaRkzS-QM8w/s200/P1010988.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ganapathi used a star gooseberry seed but I found a Mirabilis jalapa plant seed [below] in my garden to serve the purpose. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a8Z6HbAfUXk/Va0RXuZpdNI/AAAAAAAASps/48YwSLAOWi0/s1600/P1010990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a8Z6HbAfUXk/Va0RXuZpdNI/AAAAAAAASps/48YwSLAOWi0/s200/P1010990.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ganapathi's whistle made a pleasing little 'prrrrreeeeep'. The seed had to be saved each time we removed the fingers from the whistle. My latest project whistle produced 'Ssrrrssssrrrsssssss'. Do not miss the 'r' that is the sound produced by the blown seed trapped in the gap, I need to adjust the angle of the air blow and I am sure to re-tune the true 'prrreeeeepp' some time. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But then this is just for the idea how our genius Ganapathi did from things that one expected! </div>
</div>
Dinakar KRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148152470155668711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8117265157139439389.post-89738159475680056872015-07-16T23:01:00.000-07:002015-07-16T23:01:02.490-07:00Bino-zoom for cheap camera<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thanks to my kind friend Thomas who used to lend me his Sony Mavica in 2002. This became the first digital camera I handled and this little experience helped me when another friend George gifted me a very basic camera, an Emprex, in 2006. Not long after, another kind friend in the US presented me with a Fuji FinePix A120. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yaCWdNHM8c4/Vadzp9SvQQI/AAAAAAAASks/2-lv19tLIEI/s1600/b18572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yaCWdNHM8c4/Vadzp9SvQQI/AAAAAAAASks/2-lv19tLIEI/s320/b18572.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This Emprex was the bridge between film camera and the digital era which was beginning around 2006, in India. Obviously, quality of pictures from the Emprex were low. There is not much one can expect from such a low priced gadget. Here is one taken in 2006, market. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nvLfP4QIPm4/VaeL6V06nvI/AAAAAAAASk8/3UtqnNfolC8/s1600/Fruitcart2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nvLfP4QIPm4/VaeL6V06nvI/AAAAAAAASk8/3UtqnNfolC8/s320/Fruitcart2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fuji was a slight promotion in quality. It gave good colour if not sharpness, but still it was worthy. I had used it on my tour to Bhopal and several shots in my garden. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-32otiTUTSDA/VaeOJybCFAI/AAAAAAAASlI/YpBqrCEwRhg/s1600/DSCF2952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-32otiTUTSDA/VaeOJybCFAI/AAAAAAAASlI/YpBqrCEwRhg/s320/DSCF2952.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Emprex, with its 3 MP sensor and a very tiny lens, could never provide a sharp image, even with my innovative methods. But I tried to squeeze the most out the Fuji using my own little innovations, both for taking long zoom shots and also close-ups for which, the camera was not at all equipped. It was a point and shoot camera. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://junkunjunk.blogspot.in/2012/10/telescope-i-had-made.html">I had made a telescope in the 1970s</a> from which I had taken the picture [ordinary film camera]of the hill top palace, miles away. Here is the picture.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oQl2p7b7bP8/VaePkwToJpI/AAAAAAAASlU/QzYJAMHEbzQ/s1600/d08833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oQl2p7b7bP8/VaePkwToJpI/AAAAAAAASlU/QzYJAMHEbzQ/s320/d08833.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Thirty years later, I tried it with the Fuji with my 7x binocular. This is what I got. The scratches above were for marking the area of the palace for printing only that portion. The horizontal line is the electric cable. B&W film negative. Interestingly, in both photos, by coincidence, roof tiles are seen, but both different locations as we changed houses. The tree near that palace is still there. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h9Hmxbn1Xn4/VaePxVwFY9I/AAAAAAAASlc/38x0iJQyf5U/s1600/77a283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h9Hmxbn1Xn4/VaePxVwFY9I/AAAAAAAASlc/38x0iJQyf5U/s320/77a283.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But still, my dream of having a zoom camera remained. I was also trying close-ups using my own innovation from the lenses I had kept from the projector I had man-handled! Here are the lens holders I made for this close-up 'add-ons', 'hand-hold-ons' to be precise. This was to get more magnification of the image.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ksm7CsNgsLI/VaeRuipsUCI/AAAAAAAASlo/gwQsvkDXN9Y/s1600/2d5d40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ksm7CsNgsLI/VaeRuipsUCI/AAAAAAAASlo/gwQsvkDXN9Y/s320/2d5d40.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rp4MSP7A8Fw/VaeSd0fksrI/AAAAAAAASl0/SqMgSp8U13U/s1600/Lenses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rp4MSP7A8Fw/VaeSd0fksrI/AAAAAAAASl0/SqMgSp8U13U/s320/Lenses.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I could hold one, two or three lenses in front of the camera lens, one in front of the other, in alignment. This helped, but did not give good results. But I found my watch repairer's eye piece [seen above] to be of good use. I got vignettes on the edges using this but pictures were reasonably sharp.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i3aOXPxJ2qA/VaeTp_xNO5I/AAAAAAAASl8/c--AQ4olqgU/s1600/Bino-zoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i3aOXPxJ2qA/VaeTp_xNO5I/AAAAAAAASl8/c--AQ4olqgU/s400/Bino-zoom.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Some images with the projector lens, no vignetting.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1OjpBqOLOxI/VaeXDnFn6dI/AAAAAAAASmU/nl__6WKVlz4/s1600/Bino-zoom-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="93" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1OjpBqOLOxI/VaeXDnFn6dI/AAAAAAAASmU/nl__6WKVlz4/s400/Bino-zoom-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
.<span style="text-align: center;">A friend's tripod was with me for some days. So I devised a frame to fix the binocular to it and keep the camera - the Fuji - in the exact position. This helped alignment of the eye-piece and the camera lens.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fvcectOXHoY/VaeWHUCR8lI/AAAAAAAASmI/aUlavBubj-c/s1600/2e9804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fvcectOXHoY/VaeWHUCR8lI/AAAAAAAASmI/aUlavBubj-c/s320/2e9804.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I marked, cut and bent a stiff aluminium plate for this. I fixed the binocular to the tripod using a broken table lamp fixture.<br />
<br />
Another gift came in the form of a Panasonic Lumix FZ8 which had amazing macro ability and 12x zoom. With it I could go eye-to-eye with a butterfly.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kXgsnmHuYDc/VaiXT1AoKGI/AAAAAAAASm4/EqhjX2ScFmU/s1600/P1170896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kXgsnmHuYDc/VaiXT1AoKGI/AAAAAAAASm4/EqhjX2ScFmU/s200/P1170896.JPG" width="172" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is the butterfly, a Lemon.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6biHmnNIAxk/VaiXT_ZIfTI/AAAAAAAASm0/KBGAMF8t14I/s1600/P1170884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6biHmnNIAxk/VaiXT_ZIfTI/AAAAAAAASm0/KBGAMF8t14I/s200/P1170884.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is a garden pest on my thumbnail..... enlarge this thumbnail and see its legs.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vP-RMS9N9Sw/VaiXT4Rq1zI/AAAAAAAASmw/7UUS0nRFdAo/s1600/P1410025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vP-RMS9N9Sw/VaiXT4Rq1zI/AAAAAAAASmw/7UUS0nRFdAo/s320/P1410025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I can zoom in on an object from many feet without my binocular fitting!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FjX5fWzjzIQ/VaiYNJiOdqI/AAAAAAAASnI/tlYRTHoE9sA/s1600/P1120133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FjX5fWzjzIQ/VaiYNJiOdqI/AAAAAAAASnI/tlYRTHoE9sA/s320/P1120133.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And zoom in to see craters on the moon.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ABbHRv-cnd0/VaiYiUj-FKI/AAAAAAAASnQ/9z72li3D9is/s1600/P1130424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ABbHRv-cnd0/VaiYiUj-FKI/AAAAAAAASnQ/9z72li3D9is/s320/P1130424.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
... and see 'sun spots' on the morning sun. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rygXM5DLMkQ/VaiYiZzvT6I/AAAAAAAASnU/HoLBm1ha3c0/s1600/P1430164%2B%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rygXM5DLMkQ/VaiYiZzvT6I/AAAAAAAASnU/HoLBm1ha3c0/s320/P1430164%2B%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All these without any extra attachments. There appears to be no end to technological advancements, but the fun in getting the most out of the limitations can never be paralleled.</div>
</div>
Dinakar KRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148152470155668711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8117265157139439389.post-32668214529436036602015-07-02T00:06:00.000-07:002015-07-02T00:06:08.531-07:00Car bumper finds another use<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A flat, solid-looking metal object, broken in the middle, was lying in the store [attic] room for many years. When I moved house, it came with me. I knew it was the bumper of a car. Since this looked like an object that could be useful in some other way, I got this broken junk welded by my friend Ramas. It continued to lie here and there. Finally it found some re-purpose after five decades!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My late uncle Kitti had a car which he had bought for a thousand rupees. I still wonder how he managed this huge sum in 1964-65, which was probably 5 or 6 times his salary from a small job. It was a car that had changed many hands already and at least 20+ years old. It was, I reckon a <b>"Morris Minor" </b>from the <b>1930s vintage.</b> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Kitti's car was something like in the web-grab images [below], cream coloured, 4-seater, two doors. Back-seat access was by folding the front seat. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wiNtJOxwpwM/VZSe6etNMaI/AAAAAAAASjk/IYhsxFNfjQk/s1600/Desktop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wiNtJOxwpwM/VZSe6etNMaI/AAAAAAAASjk/IYhsxFNfjQk/s400/Desktop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>From 'OldClassicCar'</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Keep an eye on the front bumper to which the registration plate is fixed. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>That is the part being bragged here. <u>Click on the images to enlarge.</u></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Its registration plate bore "MYM 828". I can remember that they used to talk about how someone had cheated Kitti with a very poor condition vehicle. It was frequently finding itself in the repair garage. Unable to meet the expenses Kitti sold it off for peanuts after incurring a heavy loss and landing in debt. He had reverted to his Robin Hood bicycle [1958], which I still use.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Kitti died as a bachelor in his early 40s in 1967. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Kitti was fond of kids. He was a bit adventurous, much to the chagrin of my grandmother. I hear that young Kitti used to clandestinely take away my g/g/father's Model T Ford car which made my grandmother anxious.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zJr23GaU3Ew/VZSeKpBVTeI/AAAAAAAASjc/uaQ2WTbaJwM/s1600/Dinu1%2B%252818%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zJr23GaU3Ew/VZSeKpBVTeI/AAAAAAAASjc/uaQ2WTbaJwM/s320/Dinu1%2B%252818%2529.JPG" width="207" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Me and Kitti at Raj Studio</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After Kitti sold this troublesome Morris Minor, the new owner had painted it red. It was a prominent vintage car even in the 60s and attracted passersby, for its mere vintage look. "Look, Kitti's car" we used to exclaim when we saw it. This car was on the road for a couple of more years before finally 'disappearing'. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Did you see the bumper in the car images above? It is actually just over a metre long, so you can imagine the width of this baby car! </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Fifty years on, this bumper gets 'unjunked', finally finding some use in my garden, of all places. For growing small flowering vines, I placed two ladder-like structures and then connected the two on top with this bumper. Soon, the plants from both sides will reach the top to dangle and droop.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Av6no6UuLgA/VZSfOouCeJI/AAAAAAAASj8/IlOOKldi6fE/s1600/P1470234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Av6no6UuLgA/VZSfOouCeJI/AAAAAAAASj8/IlOOKldi6fE/s320/P1470234.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
View from above.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5NT67Iegkok/VZSfHqBGA5I/AAAAAAAASj0/33U7hYkEIwk/s1600/P1010841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5NT67Iegkok/VZSfHqBGA5I/AAAAAAAASj0/33U7hYkEIwk/s320/P1010841.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Close-up of one end of the rusty bumper.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XJcma6ycbcc/VZSfP7qW60I/AAAAAAAASkE/zptxQurU-1U/s1600/P1470268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XJcma6ycbcc/VZSfP7qW60I/AAAAAAAASkE/zptxQurU-1U/s320/P1470268.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This sleek object will remind me of Kitti' Morris and the short rounds he took me after he returned from work.</div>
</div>
Dinakar KRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148152470155668711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8117265157139439389.post-90195928218578201222014-07-01T00:14:00.000-07:002014-12-30T08:53:52.798-08:00Plant Markers from plastic bottles<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5HuWQapAiKg/U7JX7LdQPeI/AAAAAAAARSM/26mbeOpFMng/s1600/P1430596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5HuWQapAiKg/U7JX7LdQPeI/AAAAAAAARSM/26mbeOpFMng/s1600/P1430596.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Nowadays, shampoos, hair oils, perfumes, talcs, lotions, what have you, all come in such plastic packing [as in picture above] and make way into our homes. Once empty, a vast majority of them find no further use or reuse and have to be discarded. But some good ones are suitable for other purposes after the original content is used up. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have seen many people use old Venetian Blinds for labeling their plants in the garden. Since I cannot find the blinds here, I thought of using the spray bottles to label what I planted/sowed where. There will be so many such containers that may be handy too. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6lOwmDPB5no/U7JX6Lz8MbI/AAAAAAAARR4/AhOALFA51Ug/s1600/P1430592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6lOwmDPB5no/U7JX6Lz8MbI/AAAAAAAARR4/AhOALFA51Ug/s1600/P1430592.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Next time I cut up a container, I will think of more artistic patterns. There is one here that got the shape of a carrot and one like a necktie. There will be so many options if we use our own 'recyclables'.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JaHnAJFYqzg/U7JX6KobXGI/AAAAAAAARR0/1FZ544Ig-Gw/s1600/Copy+of+P1430592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JaHnAJFYqzg/U7JX6KobXGI/AAAAAAAARR0/1FZ544Ig-Gw/s1600/Copy+of+P1430592.JPG" height="216" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>[Names are written with Sharpie pens.]</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I hope you also noticed the 'bed dividers'. They are granite pieces I gathered from the stone-slab cutting shop - they throw these waste pieces out in a pile for the landfills. I brought in a few and used it like this, since I cannot even think of wood on the soil due to termite menace. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lVbCorYdBio/U7JX6CJYvKI/AAAAAAAARR8/oYaC0NOVI2Y/s1600/P1430595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lVbCorYdBio/U7JX6CJYvKI/AAAAAAAARR8/oYaC0NOVI2Y/s1600/P1430595.JPG" height="254" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have some spare blanks now. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When I write the name on the top, I can still cut up that written portion later if I want to use it for other names in the next season, but the label will be slightly shorter. Squeeze the maximum out of it! </div>
</div>
Dinakar KRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148152470155668711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8117265157139439389.post-51976075949476203762014-05-22T01:55:00.001-07:002014-05-22T02:02:56.017-07:00Tennis racquet handles for chair<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qlP8kNAx-oM/U322qO45IPI/AAAAAAAARIk/m2ojIINqqGg/s1600/P1430371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qlP8kNAx-oM/U322qO45IPI/AAAAAAAARIk/m2ojIINqqGg/s1600/P1430371.JPG" height="307" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>[Click to enlarge]</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Out of the four tennis racquets which were used by my grandfather in his prime [pre-1950], two were in very poor shape having weak 'necks' and had become <i>excellent scraps</i>! When I started playing tennis in 1984, I had thought of using one of the other two in better shape, but none was good enough at all. There was no point in keeping the two really bad ones anymore. So I had separated the handles from the heads by cutting at the necks. The two handles were good and strong. They had gone to the scrap-wood box. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Around 1990, I had taken up clearing up scrap wood that had accumulated. Some odds and ends were chosen when I took up this little project of making a small chair from such materials. The tennis racquet handles were just right for the front legs! See carefully in the picture above. The curved back rest was from an old broken chair. The seat is made of two pieces of plywood from some parcel box. It measures just about 20 inches to the top of the back rest. Kid chair! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This became one of my favourite furniture. The children loved it. It became a study chair for them for some years - with a folded bed linen for a pillow on it. It can take a lot of weight and is quite sturdy. I have used only glue [Fevicol] and screws. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is a very handy furniture even for reaching the fan for cleaning or replacing tubes or bulbs. It is suitable as a 'step-up' stool, in the absence of a proper ladder! It is a circus scene when I kept 4, one above the other to do some work with the lights! Took a sample scene for this post.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-un3qToyRDFA/U322qEnPa6I/AAAAAAAARIo/d3vX_jLXtCk/s1600/P1430372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-un3qToyRDFA/U322qEnPa6I/AAAAAAAARIo/d3vX_jLXtCk/s1600/P1430372.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Dinakar KRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148152470155668711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8117265157139439389.post-40753484312209644292014-04-29T02:13:00.000-07:002014-04-29T02:34:25.735-07:00Upcycling a Roly-Poly Bell<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jHpG3FAjDEM/U16Fwql0zdI/AAAAAAAAQ80/DpggmwCcWhQ/s1600/P1430194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jHpG3FAjDEM/U16Fwql0zdI/AAAAAAAAQ80/DpggmwCcWhQ/s1600/P1430194.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://mysoreanmusings.blogspot.in/2014/04/upcycling-roly-poly-bell.html"><i>I have posted a replica of this piece in Mysorean Musings blog also.</i></a><br />
---------------------<br />
<br />
In the mid 1960s, my grandfather handed over Twenty Rupees to his 'junior lawyer', Srinivasachar who was going to Madras [now Chennai] to bring some good toys or play things for my young brother. Twenty rupees was a substantial sum in those days that could have got some really good toys but Srinivasachar returned with <b>two Roly poly toys</b> for a little fellow who had long outgrown the type of toy, despite knowing how old this boy was! What a silly selection from him, the elders used to remark. Even I thought so at that small age! The dolly toys went up into the showcase right away. They were only taken out and given to little babies for playing when they visited our house. <i>The above is one of the two surviving toys, </i>and was useful when babies of our own arrived, more than 25 years after Srinivasachar purchased<i>.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The bell tones from the toy as it went <i>'weebly-wobbly'</i> impressed me for their absolute pleasantness. I badly wanted to see what was producing those bell tones inside. I held it up against strong sunlight with a hope of seeing its shadow in it but could not. The two 'hemispheres' were joined together, but it was out of my limits to attempt to open and close back. The only option was to break open, as was my wont. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uyKFCnIbqI4/U16Fw2SKLWI/AAAAAAAAQ88/LlfcNAfclkU/s1600/P1430196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uyKFCnIbqI4/U16Fw2SKLWI/AAAAAAAAQ88/LlfcNAfclkU/s1600/P1430196.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>My joy knew no bounds when there was a crack near the joint, after many years, in the late 80s. It did not matter how it developed, but it was a great delight to me. Since there were two roly polys, I did not mind breaking one to satisfy my long standing curiosity! Finally I gave in to the temptation. <b>What a joyful experience it was to break open with my own hands and lay them </b>on the ting-tong mechanism! In fact, I wanted to see this from the day it came!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Picture: Beautiful! It is something similar to those from a jukebox!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The ring is suspended in the centre to strike the steel wire-gongs when the doll changes its angle even slightly. Different lengths will produce different frequency sounds. <b>Absolute melody!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now what to do with it? It would not work outside the sealed doll! So I wanted to do something just to bring back those bell tones. I found that a packing cardboard cylinder made a perfect fit to this. I closed its two ends, suspended the striker ring at its proper place and lo, ting tong was back, albeit with softer sound due to the cardboard. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Roly poly bell was now in a different shell! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VTjbKaO3PXA/U16GR_asK3I/AAAAAAAAQ9M/7XTzCspMNgI/s1600/P1430191+(Large).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VTjbKaO3PXA/U16GR_asK3I/AAAAAAAAQ9M/7XTzCspMNgI/s1600/P1430191+(Large).JPG" height="200" width="143" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After a few years it was baby time. I discovered that the baby was also attracted to this sound. So I suspended my new <i>cylindrical creation</i> to the cradle in such a way that when the baby beat her legs, it was serving like an alarm bell. In this picture <i>[click on it to magnify]</i> it is kept on top of the cradle in idle position. This is the only photo I have. It has to be left freely suspended outside to 'activate'. This was another project I enjoyed thoroughly.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uxbgc90VJbg/U16Fw_GT9mI/AAAAAAAAQ84/x8pNVWScHTA/s1600/P1430195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uxbgc90VJbg/U16Fw_GT9mI/AAAAAAAAQ84/x8pNVWScHTA/s1600/P1430195.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Someone gave her a new roly poly for her first birthday and this produces even better sound.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am again curious to know the difference in technology from the 60s to the 90s! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>May ting tong ting tong</b>. <br />
<br />
The beautiful and meaningful song <b>ಆಡಿಸಿ ನೋಡು ಬೀಳಿಸಿ ನೋಡು ಉರುಳಿ ಹೋಗದು</b> from the movie Kasturi Nivasa features this weebly wobbly toy. See this clip.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhuieInmdIU">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhuieInmdIU</a></div>
</div>
Dinakar KRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148152470155668711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8117265157139439389.post-17841077755678012932014-04-27T22:59:00.000-07:002014-04-28T02:05:51.824-07:00Baby Net Bed and Vice Horse Table<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In the early 60s, my uncle was running a book circulating library in our locality. It was just a shed-like single room. It had a wooden board hung outside. The library was situated on Jayalakshmi Vilas Road. The library had to be closed down in the mid 1960s mainly due to his own poor health. He eventually died in 1967.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This board lay around here and there, on top of book almirahs, etc. and of no use. It was in the store room when I picked it up for my small wood projects which I had started to make in the late 80s. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--u4VprlJzMM/U10hsq6QkgI/AAAAAAAAQ8M/UsH7Zt2qeys/s1600/P1370736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--u4VprlJzMM/U10hsq6QkgI/AAAAAAAAQ8M/UsH7Zt2qeys/s1600/P1370736.JPG" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>The board is beautifully painted and is made of a </i><i>single-plank of wood.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It had border beading which I removed. From waste pieces of wood I gave this board 4 legs. A short table was now ready. It is just about 15 inches high and is very convenient to sit and do certain small carpentry works. It was a perfect extension for a low cot which I was using for some years. The cot was a foot short in length which this new table made up. Whenever I needed it for work I was taking it out from there. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It serves as a very good 'Horse Table' as it is called. It became a <b>"Vice Horse Table"</b> after I fixed a vice to it and has become a very important thing in my 'workshop'. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QpFpPHWc2Rw/U10htJ8EJXI/AAAAAAAAQ8U/rBcnt4cj2tE/s1600/P1370737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QpFpPHWc2Rw/U10htJ8EJXI/AAAAAAAAQ8U/rBcnt4cj2tE/s1600/P1370737.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Now the second part of this post.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The long and nice border beading pieces of that board came in useful for making a <b>Baby Net Bed</b> which I made in 1994. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hanging Net Beds for babies were new at that time. I wanted one for our little one, but its price tag was a wee too much. Why not I make one at home? I knew the materials like tape, zipper and net were available in shops and I had the necessary cloth at home. I had mentally copied the design and bought the materials. The border beading was just perfect for this - see them protruding a little bit in the picture below - I did not want to cut it down. There was not much trouble in finding the two other shorter pieces to make the rectangle frame. What was in the market was of metal. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F0me5dEZ3xs/U10Z3Ga67uI/AAAAAAAAQ78/Phk4351O-KQ/s1600/APRIL-2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F0me5dEZ3xs/U10Z3Ga67uI/AAAAAAAAQ78/Phk4351O-KQ/s1600/APRIL-2016.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Left: Baby in the net; Right: Taken out now, for sharing it in this blog.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It was fun making it and it certainly costed me less while I used some available materials at home. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The little one enjoyed its time in it with no hassles of insects while it also served as a cradle. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There are several attractive varieties available in the market now.</div>
</div>
Dinakar KRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148152470155668711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8117265157139439389.post-24849110259770063342014-04-27T08:34:00.001-07:002014-04-27T08:34:22.277-07:00Vintage Dog Chain repurposed<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">My grandmother used to tell about Jimmy and Tippy were two pet dogs that were with the great grandfather's family in the 1920s and 30s. It was in the house which he built in 1911 and the family stayed till 1950 before renting it out. But in my time in that other house </span><span style="text-align: left;">there has been no pet animal with us. </span><span style="text-align: left;"> I moved back to that, now 102-year old house in 1998, where Jimmy-Tippy ran around and got chained at times.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Among vintage junk, I had found the rusty dog chain from those days. There was an instant fondness for its <b>snap hook</b>. Since there was no intention of having a dog, I wanted to find some other use for this strong chain. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">There was a need for my travel suitcase to be chained during the rail journeys - as they are done here - because of thefts happen at night esp. in normal sleeper bogies [not much in higher class compartments]. So passengers prefer to secure their important luggage with chains for which the Railways also have provided rings under the seats to lock them. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I was using a cheap chain for my travel which was not strong. Now this rusty dog chain was all set to be converted into my travel chain. Neither the <b>snap hook</b> nor the <b>T-handle</b> at the other end were useful as a travel chain. <b>So I cut them off. </b>I had my sturdy travel chain ready! </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-glCYzLVF7Kg/U1n_1z9bobI/AAAAAAAAQ7s/DoyFeS11tec/s1600/P1000717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-glCYzLVF7Kg/U1n_1z9bobI/AAAAAAAAQ7s/DoyFeS11tec/s1600/P1000717.JPG" height="162" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It has traveled with me on several journeys since I made it ten years ago.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But what was to be done with my favourite <b>snap hook</b>? It was just the perfect key-less locking arrangement on the inside latch of our main door. Jimmy-Tippy hook is useful <b>to this day, this way</b>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XSvk8KhQsh4/U1izz9fV1eI/AAAAAAAAQ7A/nyXkXj3iVbE/s1600/P1240624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XSvk8KhQsh4/U1izz9fV1eI/AAAAAAAAQ7A/nyXkXj3iVbE/s1600/P1240624.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Picture of it with latch open. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Close-up of snap hook:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DaAxGALusPc/U10jO-FNa_I/AAAAAAAAQ8k/iEDnThUxZZA/s1600/P1430181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DaAxGALusPc/U10jO-FNa_I/AAAAAAAAQ8k/iEDnThUxZZA/s1600/P1430181.JPG" height="225" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Dinakar KRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148152470155668711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8117265157139439389.post-64693676129116576412014-04-27T08:32:00.000-07:002014-04-27T08:32:23.332-07:00Countering mosquitoes, 'Dinuway!'<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
I made a <a href="http://junkunjunk.blogspot.com/2012/05/mosquito-masher.html">Mosquito Masher, the only one in the world</a> [I claim!] which is very handy but this post is about another method I resorted to counter mosquito menace indoors. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>All pictures here are taken by me. Click on them to get a magnification.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DV189t8lJOI/U1PcMjL8QoI/AAAAAAAAQxM/qnc6t57dBks/s1600/Picture+088+(Custom).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DV189t8lJOI/U1PcMjL8QoI/AAAAAAAAQxM/qnc6t57dBks/s1600/Picture+088+(Custom).jpg" height="292" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>We do not feel the prick of these Aedes mosquitoes [Asian Tiger Mosquito], but the poison it injects will make us scratch the area for a long time, which can drive us crazy esp. if we are doing something that demands high concentration and focus. I'm getting pricked in the garden by what we call commonly as 'garden mosquito'. They are active in daytime.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Swat!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P1LMhguaUxQ/U1PdjM_6-bI/AAAAAAAAQxY/xMzbAPIBOwU/s1600/MosquitoBiting+(Custom).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P1LMhguaUxQ/U1PdjM_6-bI/AAAAAAAAQxY/xMzbAPIBOwU/s1600/MosquitoBiting+(Custom).jpg" height="232" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But how often can we do that and what is the success rate? And where is the patience?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They know where to prick, even through my pyjama fabric. Below is a good macro shot I got of a Culex mosquito. See its bulged belly full of MY blood. I allowed it to have its fill for this photo. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Swat again!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dAIDFFJmNnU/U1PeSA4INSI/AAAAAAAAQxg/iL1K6OB252I/s1600/P1250193+(Custom).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dAIDFFJmNnU/U1PeSA4INSI/AAAAAAAAQxg/iL1K6OB252I/s1600/P1250193+(Custom).JPG" height="285" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The latest swat, an Aedes which causes a rash. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ULLKhrY-Bz0/U1nmxhTk6kI/AAAAAAAAQ7c/860sbiX43_o/s1600/P1420891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ULLKhrY-Bz0/U1nmxhTk6kI/AAAAAAAAQ7c/860sbiX43_o/s1600/P1420891.JPG" height="230" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
These are some of the larger mosquitoes in my garden - not as bothersome as the two smaller varieties above. They live more on plant protein. See this collage of 7 images:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tjntqF2xBAY/U1PfNnhFydI/AAAAAAAAQxs/bZW5Mb-U6BU/s1600/MosquitoBlog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tjntqF2xBAY/U1PfNnhFydI/AAAAAAAAQxs/bZW5Mb-U6BU/s1600/MosquitoBlog.jpg" height="320" width="221" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
In my college days, the mosquitoes waited for my legs to come under the study table, to suck blood. My exposed feet were vulnerable and the pyjamas covered only up to the ankles. The attacks used to be so disconcerting, why during study, even at other times also and even now, while at the computer desk.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Its favourite areas for attack besides feet are back of the arm, under the sleeve and at the neck which exposes on bending the head to read a book on the desk. Of course, --<b>clap</b>-- one wafted across the monitor - missed - they look for exposed areas of the face/head too. </div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
During one of my cricket tours, I asked my senior team-mate [a sort of 'know-all'] Mr.Krishnaprasad, why mosquitoes preferred the feet or back of forearm. "They like dark and shadow areas" he said. Indeed, he was right. Now I can vouch for that as well after observing for a long time since, besides the fact that these blood suckers also like other exposed areas which they feel right to prick. Sitting at the desk did not end with college days, so the botheration persists. Now we have computers at home where we spend quite a bit of time, putting the feet under the dark space under the table. How about laptops? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have tried mosquito repellent creams, vapours from a medicated mat or smoke from a medicated 'coil'. But I needed to find a cheap and effective way to keep the blood suckers at bay, at least not disturbing my feet and arms. I used my sports socks to good effect but needed something more comfortable and easy to remove and put on, to cover at least up to the shins. I also later discovered that my old torn pyjama legs would help. It did. I had put velcro at the knees to prevent them from sliding down and closed the bottom to make it like a bag. So my legs were in these 'two bags' while I sat at the desk. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There was always scope for improvement. I wanted my track suit upper to be sleeveless. So I cut off the long sleeves [see me wearing on such shortened thing here]. I made two other suits like this. Last week, when I cut off a pair of track bottom at the knees to make them shorts [see me wearing it here, cut off], I found the answer for my improvisation. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eCNm3509aL0/U1KmX42pC8I/AAAAAAAAQw4/3-QLTMCINJU/s1600/IMG_9998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eCNm3509aL0/U1KmX42pC8I/AAAAAAAAQw4/3-QLTMCINJU/s1600/IMG_9998.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I joined this and a pair from another track upper sleeves I had cut off. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is what I got now. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d3P8hOaJB8A/U1KmX96L0sI/AAAAAAAAQw0/-Ds_gJV_b_E/s1600/IMG_9986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d3P8hOaJB8A/U1KmX96L0sI/AAAAAAAAQw0/-Ds_gJV_b_E/s1600/IMG_9986.jpg" height="237" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The light blue will be on top and I can pull it up to the knee and even walk around too. Now I can sit without disturbance at the feet.</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtGn_Q1v-Eg/U1KiULSgaMI/AAAAAAAAQwo/eO1ATF6bP08/s1600/IMG_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtGn_Q1v-Eg/U1KiULSgaMI/AAAAAAAAQwo/eO1ATF6bP08/s1600/IMG_0001.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
What about the arms? Another cut off pair of sleeves..... You can clip it there............ [if you are not wearing a ready full sleeve shirt!]</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_veXwD8MMkk/U1KiBIcBKcI/AAAAAAAAQwU/fnByqH2N01I/s1600/IMG_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_veXwD8MMkk/U1KiBIcBKcI/AAAAAAAAQwU/fnByqH2N01I/s1600/IMG_0004.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The following option was not feasible! *Smile*</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xySirpoAlt4/U1KiBJZ6ETI/AAAAAAAAQwQ/0XfJYX14gUE/s1600/IMG_0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xySirpoAlt4/U1KiBJZ6ETI/AAAAAAAAQwQ/0XfJYX14gUE/s1600/IMG_0008.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I also keep these alternatives handy just in case: Mosquito Repellent Coil or Sprays [seen in picture] or Cream [not in pic]. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kLYV60MPqcs/U10itgNp_7I/AAAAAAAAQ8c/QuupiJgSRz8/s1600/P1430186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kLYV60MPqcs/U10itgNp_7I/AAAAAAAAQ8c/QuupiJgSRz8/s1600/P1430186.JPG" height="245" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"""""""""""</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let me show you some mosquito larvae in my garden - they find stagnant water somewhere. I change water in the barrels when it matters.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2kQ_NMabcaU/U1PmOtYZiYI/AAAAAAAAQyQ/Ns7jPGldphA/s1600/P1200388+(Custom).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2kQ_NMabcaU/U1PmOtYZiYI/AAAAAAAAQyQ/Ns7jPGldphA/s1600/P1200388+(Custom).JPG" height="247" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pX3Z23jTX0c/U1PmNf78_vI/AAAAAAAAQyI/gwTs45HNz3k/s1600/P1150262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pX3Z23jTX0c/U1PmNf78_vI/AAAAAAAAQyI/gwTs45HNz3k/s1600/P1150262.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For mosquito net is the best option for sleeping though. This is a vintage cot, more than 120 years old in my estimate. You see net frames were designed even at that time indicating that the 'skeeters' have been bothering humans all along.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My witty friend Papacchi used to tell he used to sit on his cot and allow the skeeters to come near him. Once they were there, he would bring down the net and kill them since they could not escape out. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Another witty colleague used to tell when he bought mosquito repellent creams he did not know that it was to be smeared on our skins. He thought mosquitoes had to be caught and cream applied to them, so they would repel away! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Blood donation is an important service that helps save lives. I sometimes stayed in my relative's house in Bangalore where huge mosquitoes were abound [1980s] in that then new locality [Padmanabhanagar]. In the mornings, my bed would look like some murder had taken place but I was alive. All the beds in Chandu's house was like that! What a job it was to wash those blood-stained sheets! I was fond of saying that 'I donated blood' when I stayed there. I have not seen anything like it any time. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V5-Zxytq33s/U1fw5QT241I/AAAAAAAAQ6o/a8djEy1idIo/s1600/IMG_3270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V5-Zxytq33s/U1fw5QT241I/AAAAAAAAQ6o/a8djEy1idIo/s1600/IMG_3270.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>The word "mosquito" is Spanish for "little fly," and its use dates back to about 1583 in North America (Europeans referred to mosquitoes as "gnats"). Mosquitoes belong to the order Diptera, <b>true flies</b>. Mosquitoes are like flies in that they have two wings, but unlike flies, their wings have scales, their legs are long and the females have a long mouth part (proboscis) for piercing skin. ["HowStuffWorks.com]</i></div>
</div>
</div>
Dinakar KRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148152470155668711noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8117265157139439389.post-84916421505894618682014-04-21T21:43:00.000-07:002014-04-21T21:43:07.122-07:00Clock into photo-frame<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Employees were given a memento to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of formation of our HQ. It was in the form of a clock, so horribly designed that its dial was dark blue and and hands, black. Visibility of the hands / time was very difficult. I tried painting the hands yellow which did help, but the clock itself went kaput in less than a year. Several colleagues also had the same complaint! What a shame for such a commemoration! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I threw away the clock in disgust, but retained the frame - actually better than the clock! I cut up a Master's picture and replaced the clock in the frame. Lo, I can still use that commemorative clock's 'remaining portion', which was otherwise junk. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5bl0qWvt4dE/U1Pm-pk6PTI/AAAAAAAAQyY/kjYWBzGsc_w/s1600/APRIL-2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5bl0qWvt4dE/U1Pm-pk6PTI/AAAAAAAAQyY/kjYWBzGsc_w/s1600/APRIL-2015.jpg" height="123" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SK7RilVdwe8/U1Pm-2qJqaI/AAAAAAAAQyc/uNCIqonz7V0/s1600/IMG_0021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SK7RilVdwe8/U1Pm-2qJqaI/AAAAAAAAQyc/uNCIqonz7V0/s1600/IMG_0021.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Dinakar KRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148152470155668711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8117265157139439389.post-81434111186866065982014-04-14T11:45:00.001-07:002014-04-15T10:17:05.307-07:00Vintage photos 'unframed and 'albumed'!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will quickly run through a century with some background about 'junk' in our house. My great grandfather built a house in 1911 at Lakshmipuram [a locality] and died in 1936. My grandfather moved to another house, not far from it, at Devaparthiva Road [Chamarajapuram] in 1950 after renting his father's house. So, all the things that had accumulated since 1911 or before followed and went up to the spacious attic or store room at Chamarajapuram, where I grew up. This post is only about the <b>vintage pictures in frames, esp. dead ancestors and group photos,</b> as photos of gods and political leaders are not relevant here, so also the myriad objects. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~</b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tpkp2MEhmJE/U0l2eZsAbLI/AAAAAAAAQrs/WkWP-WmVyw0/s1600/P1430049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tpkp2MEhmJE/U0l2eZsAbLI/AAAAAAAAQrs/WkWP-WmVyw0/s1600/P1430049.JPG" height="143" width="200" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Walls of houses being adorned with several old glass-framed pictures of gods, ancestors etc. was a common sight in the decades gone by. Our house at Chamarajapuram was also like this. Most of them were from my great grandfather's time. In this rare 1956 family function picture [indoor pictures were rare], two are seen at the top edge and one or two in the back - inside that room.<br />
<br />
<i>[Click on pictures to 'biggify' them]</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wdC3wZa24dc/U0qt12MNdyI/AAAAAAAAQr8/VO4TqhpLiDg/s1600/P1430108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wdC3wZa24dc/U0qt12MNdyI/AAAAAAAAQr8/VO4TqhpLiDg/s1600/P1430108.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a>I can remember from my earliest childhood, one particular photo in our veranda, hung above the door frame of my grandfather's office room. I did not know for many years that it was an aircraft or the people in it were elite and royal! I used to look at it often. <a href="http://mysoreanmusings.blogspot.in/2014/04/first-flight-of-our-mysore-king-nalwadi.html">I learn <b>now</b> that this was part of the historic maiden trip of our Mysore Maharaja, Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar in 1936.</a> [Click] This was on his first ever flight and taken at Croydon airport. I still wonder how pictures of such occasions came here and in framed condition for display. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In 1970 when the house was whitewashed, my father removed and dumped many in the store room and the reason was also their losing relevance over decades. Came the early 80s and I found myself taking up the responsibility of cleaning the store room once in a while. My father had died in 1981. You know, there were about 60-70 framed pictures of different sizes, some of their glasses were cracked and some frames themselves rickety. It occupied a helluva lot of shelf space and box space! The smaller ones were kept in an old rickety <b>wooden box, the perfect haven for cockroaches</b>! I wanted to get rid of as many pictures and frames as I could. There seemed to be no purpose in keeping them there for nothing. <br />
<br />
In school I did not like 'History', but ironically, I liked vintage stuff. In one of those cleaning chores, I happened to look at the photos closely and carefully, which I had not done before. This completely altered the course of my plan to rid many of them and resulted in a new option: 'Proper Preservation'! My great grandfather or our Mysore King or my grandfather or some dead relative or gods or saints or political heroes were in many. I saw a lot of valuable history in them! What to do?<br />
<br />
<b>Idea! "Albumize"!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Converting them into an album was the best option, <u>but it would involve a lot of patient work and there was risk of damaging some pictures and mounts.</u> I set about this project and did not look back. Imagine our house at one time having about 80-90 photos on walls of rooms, hall and verandah, everywhere. <br />
<br />
The first job now was to separate them from the frames. It was a lot of work in itself, removing nails behind them. Some glasses came in handy as replacements for a few broken window panes. <br />
<br />
I had about 40-50 photos to preserve after they were removed from the glass frames. Many in them esp. groups are not identifiable, even the occasions. Old pictures reveal things like costumes, furniture, head gear, etc.,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This project sprang up in January 1986 and I was to even apply for leave from work for some days. <b>Separating the photos from their cardboard mounts, which were brittle with age was the trickiest part and preserving the details printed on the mounts was another.</b><br />
Just an example here:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-moDx2qPyQx0/U0wMZ9X9TiI/AAAAAAAAQtI/ydoqeWjeJmg/s1600/P1430122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-moDx2qPyQx0/U0wMZ9X9TiI/AAAAAAAAQtI/ydoqeWjeJmg/s1600/P1430122.JPG" height="291" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Since all are vintage 'bromide prints', they last long.<br />
<br />
All the photos were now ready and sorted. It took me 6 months.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PakvAAxr-xI/U0wMZ7Lm43I/AAAAAAAAQtE/_lkLB94E2Dk/s1600/P1430123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PakvAAxr-xI/U0wMZ7Lm43I/AAAAAAAAQtE/_lkLB94E2Dk/s1600/P1430123.JPG" height="104" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I bought black album sheets and cardboard for the cover. I became a 'book-binder' [used paste from boiled flour]. The widest photo became the width of the album when I cut the sheets to size. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-izkuIcs1R-E/U0wQCR4CZdI/AAAAAAAAQto/CKx1Ui4_LJI/s1600/P1430052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-izkuIcs1R-E/U0wQCR4CZdI/AAAAAAAAQto/CKx1Ui4_LJI/s1600/P1430052.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I used cloth and cotton thread for the binding portions. I was happy about the binding job.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zbBXPI7R27E/U0wL8gKAMVI/AAAAAAAAQs4/_F-jbBoVMOk/s1600/P1430050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zbBXPI7R27E/U0wL8gKAMVI/AAAAAAAAQs4/_F-jbBoVMOk/s1600/P1430050.JPG" height="237" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The printed mounts were carefully thinned to preserve the details. </div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8qubk4msOCk/U0eEqE9hfsI/AAAAAAAAQrQ/B4wIja51igI/s1600/Copy+of+KMS-Pres.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8qubk4msOCk/U0eEqE9hfsI/AAAAAAAAQrQ/B4wIja51igI/s1600/Copy+of+KMS-Pres.JPG" height="264" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some could not be separated. So I made photocopies and pasted them. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9KjLnn11FWY/U0WJp5HvCnI/AAAAAAAAQqw/-cATLTUkWy4/s1600/7-9-2007+7-20-31+AM+(Large).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9KjLnn11FWY/U0WJp5HvCnI/AAAAAAAAQqw/-cATLTUkWy4/s1600/7-9-2007+7-20-31+AM+(Large).JPG" height="248" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There were many with none and with the change of generations, there was none to identify them!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-miZuHztYaZY/U0wQ5CmfmHI/AAAAAAAAQt0/x1k-7tQ4cUI/s1600/P1430088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-miZuHztYaZY/U0wQ5CmfmHI/AAAAAAAAQt0/x1k-7tQ4cUI/s1600/P1430088.JPG" height="231" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kEPYDAgz58Y/U0wQ4vii2TI/AAAAAAAAQtw/u4huK-xzPms/s1600/P1430134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kEPYDAgz58Y/U0wQ4vii2TI/AAAAAAAAQtw/u4huK-xzPms/s1600/P1430134.JPG" height="241" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ycxbs0h2hbg/U0wQ6NZbxqI/AAAAAAAAQuA/mVkS7FFdyzk/s1600/P1430089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ycxbs0h2hbg/U0wQ6NZbxqI/AAAAAAAAQuA/mVkS7FFdyzk/s1600/P1430089.JPG" height="267" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The album project ended well. Imagine such a huge volume of photo frames now reduced to one album, about 16"x12". I was able to get some personalities in esp. group pictures identified by my old relatives and I made it a point to show the album to them which they also admired, enjoyed.and 'nostalgiated'. Some like the above continue to remain a mystery.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Browse through my online 'Photobucket'album <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/115428932121432376795/albums/5386319501715252769?banner=pwa">"Vintage Pictures"</a> [Click on 'vintage pictures']. There are 73 pictures in it. 80% of them were removed from their mountings and photo frames. Keep an eye on the years wherever you see them.<br />
<br />
Certain wooden frames had become rickety and I just put them into the fire. All the good ones which were only few were restored and now they are still around me. I will show one or two.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gFVZK6GvvGo/U0wTM9jKpqI/AAAAAAAAQuk/sC1a2Me8mss/s1600/P1430150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gFVZK6GvvGo/U0wTM9jKpqI/AAAAAAAAQuk/sC1a2Me8mss/s1600/P1430150.JPG" height="200" width="141" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is the best frame in which I put in my art work. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SS2zz3lKFa4/U0wTMV949cI/AAAAAAAAQug/9R0EfettwXE/s1600/P1430144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SS2zz3lKFa4/U0wTMV949cI/AAAAAAAAQug/9R0EfettwXE/s1600/P1430144.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
See the frame close-up. Simply beautiful.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5_Qc6G8jeNw/U0wTNkT0gFI/AAAAAAAAQuw/attmPBAbntA/s1600/Vintage+Album+Photos-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5_Qc6G8jeNw/U0wTNkT0gFI/AAAAAAAAQuw/attmPBAbntA/s1600/Vintage+Album+Photos-1.jpg" height="143" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This large frame is about 30 inches high, of our most beloved and revered Mysore King. It was always there in our hall and I continue to find a place for this beautiful picture. He has done so much for Mysore.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7RNWix7TpQU/U0wUlQPb8MI/AAAAAAAAQu0/DyG0EHMMWJ0/s1600/P1160393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7RNWix7TpQU/U0wUlQPb8MI/AAAAAAAAQu0/DyG0EHMMWJ0/s1600/P1160393.JPG" height="320" width="241" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My great grandparents. They were in two separate large frames. I adjusted both in one, thus saving one. I live in the house built by him in 1911.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DG21lX5DExs/U0wVW6C55cI/AAAAAAAAQvA/Jydq2kENOWU/s1600/P1260641+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DG21lX5DExs/U0wVW6C55cI/AAAAAAAAQvA/Jydq2kENOWU/s1600/P1260641+%2528Large%2529.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My best find in that wooden box is this very small picture: </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OZYo-ZKmNaE/U0wTLZoUvFI/AAAAAAAAQuU/ixkZ_Obw7M0/s1600/DSC06451+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OZYo-ZKmNaE/U0wTLZoUvFI/AAAAAAAAQuU/ixkZ_Obw7M0/s1600/DSC06451+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" height="200" width="152" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I had hung it to some nail in the dark passage outside the store room. When it was being dusted one day, I looked at it closely, taking it to good light, to see what it was. It had a "signature" of Swami Vivekananda, the great Saint who had made that historic speech in Chicago and won hearts at the World Conference of Religions in 1893. See photo-maker's name! </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Wakp9450t4/U0wTL6GD8FI/AAAAAAAAQuc/cVZm3MpNLeM/s1600/DSC06452+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Wakp9450t4/U0wTL6GD8FI/AAAAAAAAQuc/cVZm3MpNLeM/s1600/DSC06452+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I was absolutely thrilled. It deserved a better frame than the one it was in, all its life. There were a few still waiting to be reused. One good frame just suited the dimensions of this. I made a cut-cardboard mount and framed it. This is what you saw. It still adorns our hall. Some good frames also now hold a few of my paintings.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This <b>'unframing and albuming' </b>project remains one of my most satisfying endeavours, though at the back of my mind I feel having damaged the original mountings, but I do not regret now, because this cannot be undone. Now I have to protect the album from silverfish.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ICy9ZqfJkLk/U0wZ9UyQqgI/AAAAAAAAQvI/dX9I2-6smzw/s1600/Silverfish+(1)+(Large).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ICy9ZqfJkLk/U0wZ9UyQqgI/AAAAAAAAQvI/dX9I2-6smzw/s1600/Silverfish+(1)+(Large).JPG" height="198" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The wooden box [left] now serves as the garden tool box. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7j4IA7VcdRc/U0wli7A5Y3I/AAAAAAAAQvY/hiCPtyN8lW0/s1600/P1000724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7j4IA7VcdRc/U0wli7A5Y3I/AAAAAAAAQvY/hiCPtyN8lW0/s1600/P1000724.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
lflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflfl</div>
</div>
</div>
Dinakar KRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148152470155668711noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8117265157139439389.post-63007577929514700992014-04-12T10:20:00.001-07:002014-04-12T10:20:14.671-07:00A Chair made by me<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ejyaXCih6Oc/U0Vz1_Wvp_I/AAAAAAAAQqE/coCB73hpJTY/s1600/P1000745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ejyaXCih6Oc/U0Vz1_Wvp_I/AAAAAAAAQqE/coCB73hpJTY/s1600/P1000745.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Simple upholstery, simple design and shape of an old, sturdy sofa set in my workplace front office found my profound liking. Its back rest and seat were 'softly firm', just ideal for comfort. The set must have been in use here for may be 40 years and it has not asked for any repair till now! See recent picture of me enjoying the comfort of that chair. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In our house, except for the reclining chair there were no other chairs to lean back and relax. The other half a dozen chairs were higher with their backs also straighter. I wanted to make one because and also wanted to feel how good it is to make it myself!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some left over teak wood pieces from a 1989 cot-project [made by a carpenter] seemed to just right if I made the chair. So I set about this project without a second thought and took a week's leave from work.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YHfE6C4ZbTI/U0Vz1Ug9riI/AAAAAAAAQqI/unnkRBYi-QY/s1600/P1000744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YHfE6C4ZbTI/U0Vz1Ug9riI/AAAAAAAAQqI/unnkRBYi-QY/s1600/P1000744.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I noted down the sizes in my rough drawing. The left overs were insufficient and so I bought the remaining ones from a timber merchant. I got the L-grooves cut in a nearby saw mill to embed the plywood. <br />
I now had the time, drive, design, tools and materials.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Planing took a long time because this was the first time I was taking such a big project! Then, I sawed the pieces to size and joined them. The portions for the back and seat were first made and when I looked at it, something was wrong, weirdly wider than I had intended! Since the dimensions were only in the mind having failed to measure the width of my office chair with a tape, this silly thing had happened!! The only option now was to cut one side and join again! Phew! So I cut a good four to five inches off! Extra work! Height was not a problem as I had got a guide-measure from the one at home. Intentionally I reduced the angle for the back to my chair. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">What a seasoned carpenter could do in a day, I took 4 days. I </span><span style="text-align: left;">realized how important proper measurements would be when we begin! </span><span style="text-align: left;"> There were no electric tools at that time, easily available or affordable. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">The first person to sit on the new chair was my tiny daughter. Though I had a film camera at that time, it did not occur to me to take pictures of it. The little one's gaping expression "what is he doing to me?" is in memory.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Here are two images of the chairs side by side:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCCkKTSdlZo/U0Vz3hXxk3I/AAAAAAAAQqU/iP1qFdNHWYE/s1600/Chairblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCCkKTSdlZo/U0Vz3hXxk3I/AAAAAAAAQqU/iP1qFdNHWYE/s1600/Chairblog.jpg" height="154" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I got two cotton pillows made after sanding and applying two coats of varnish. The chair now looked royal! This project gave me great pleasure. I showed with pride to most visitors who would not believe. "YOU made it?", was the expression that usually followed! [<i>And also I have made several other little things from smaller pieces of wood, but they will be in another post.]</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Gopinath, who was a wonderful family friend and former tenant, lived in his own house after his retirement just a shout away. He would drop in every now and then and admire this chair. He had named this as <b>"Maharaja's Chair"</b>! <b>It was looking slightly wide even after I had reduced the width!</b> He always used to say that it would properly fit the Mysore Maharaja, who was a very fat person!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aN9RNIRt9Rs/U0eChBLhIYI/AAAAAAAAQrI/LpmXRrQCfuQ/s1600/KMS-HH-trophy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aN9RNIRt9Rs/U0eChBLhIYI/AAAAAAAAQrI/LpmXRrQCfuQ/s1600/KMS-HH-trophy.jpg" height="193" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>My grandfather receiving a trophy at Mysore Sports Club, 1966 [?], from the Mysore Maharaja [Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar]. See what Gopinath meant!</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have spent many hundreds of hours on it, mostly listening to the radio beside which I had kept. It turned out that the 'extra' width enabled me to even sit in my favourite posture, sitting cross-legged and my knees rested on the arm-rests! No photos of me. My children too enjoyed this chair, which had become my very favourite. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vb4ayO88duE/U0l1HkeLhXI/AAAAAAAAQrg/eB8NDBxGTBs/s1600/APRIL-2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vb4ayO88duE/U0l1HkeLhXI/AAAAAAAAQrg/eB8NDBxGTBs/s1600/APRIL-2014.jpg" height="320" width="303" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In 2009 due to property division, pressure for space was created. Suddenly there was no proper room for this chair and some other furniture as well. The best was to shift them to 'Anandavana' where regular spiritual and social activities of World Teacher Trust are conducted. A new set of pillows were made for The Maharaja's Chair, there. The Masters give their talks seated on it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-thdiDsDCCCk/U0V6I5FT_VI/AAAAAAAAQqg/HKM0BpHMLjw/s1600/MYSORE+GP+2011+243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-thdiDsDCCCk/U0V6I5FT_VI/AAAAAAAAQqg/HKM0BpHMLjw/s1600/MYSORE+GP+2011+243.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Grand Master on it, 2012. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sgS7l7Iq36Y/U0WKsbp2ltI/AAAAAAAAQq4/KgXwXkW-1rE/s1600/P1430043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sgS7l7Iq36Y/U0WKsbp2ltI/AAAAAAAAQq4/KgXwXkW-1rE/s1600/P1430043.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Latest picure, taken after another group talk. 2014.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><b>This is the best satisfaction after making the chair, seeing spiritual maharajas sitting on it and giving discourses! </b></span></span></div>
</div>
Dinakar KRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148152470155668711noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8117265157139439389.post-51011828073481516592014-04-02T09:40:00.002-07:002014-04-02T09:40:54.894-07:00Batting Gloves Re-palmed! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Early in my cricket career, I did not have my own pair of batting gloves but used the ones from our club kit. They were not in good condition and our club could not afford to keep good ones either. It was in the early 1980s. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Looking back, I shudder to think about how in our youthful exuberance courageously faced good fast bowlers who operated with the hard, new cricket ball up the batting order with very poor physical protection.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In 1982, my friend Girish Nikam had given me his batting gloves as he did not need them anymore. I was batting in the top order at that time. It was only a slightly better pair than the ones in our team kit. I was using it in a match and to my bad luck, the ball rose suddenly and broke the ring finger. It happened at a crucial time that put me out of action for 6-7 weeks and cut short a season that had begun well. With it I had to miss out on the Under-25 Mysore Zone, a crucial tournament that is often a launchpad for talent to go higher. Just by coincidence, the accident happened on the same day when Hindi film actor Amitabh Bachchan also sustained a serious injury while shooting for the film 'Coolie'. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pqG3R-mi0Vc/Uzr0MAKcE9I/AAAAAAAAQlY/2LTWkVf4H_c/s1600/DinubattingPune+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pqG3R-mi0Vc/Uzr0MAKcE9I/AAAAAAAAQlY/2LTWkVf4H_c/s1600/DinubattingPune+(1).jpg" height="156" width="200" /></a>I continued to use Girish's gloves as he had by then stopped playing active cricket. This picture is taken at Poona in 1986 and I think I am wearing those at pre-match practice My confidence had regained to some extent, post-fracture.<br />
<br />
Around 86-87, I happened to notice a pair of junked gloves under the spiral staircase in our club secretary's house where all our club/team's cricket paraphernalia used to be kept. The pair was of good quality leather, having good padding on the fingers and thumb. It had been discarded because its leather palms had been badly tattered and worn out. It was the personal pair of one of my team mates, David Purushottam. Our club secretary agreed to my request to take them. <br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WuxQ4vhlX7M/Uzw5dDxdNFI/AAAAAAAAQmk/_6U2xfWQJsM/s1600/P1430023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WuxQ4vhlX7M/Uzw5dDxdNFI/AAAAAAAAQmk/_6U2xfWQJsM/s1600/P1430023.JPG" height="148" width="200" /></a>I had heard of batting gloves being 're-palmed' at some cost. Why not I repair the pair myself? What you see this picture is the third re-palming [cotton cloth] I had made. The pieces were hand sewn on to the gloves. They used to last well and helped me play with comfort and confidence. I later added an extra piece of hard foam to the first two fingers of the right hand, a spot susceptible for taking blows. This came in handy a few times as it took a few blows and absorbed the impacts very well and saved me from injury. You know, the cricket ball is very hard and approaches batters at great speed. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cIjMQ8oC1zU/Uzw5cQwRnqI/AAAAAAAAQmo/oOBrw6JjDYU/s1600/P1430022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cIjMQ8oC1zU/Uzw5cQwRnqI/AAAAAAAAQmo/oOBrw6JjDYU/s1600/P1430022.JPG" height="152" width="200" /></a>The repaired-pair had become more popular than my self-stitched caps I wore for the matches! I stopped using them after I got a top-class pair from another team mate J.Srinath, who went on to play for the country. I'm still using them 14-15 years since I got them, though I bat lower in the order, but protection is a must anywhere. A helmet is another need these days and I want to do something what Mike Brearley of England or our Sunil Gavaskar did in designing their own skull protection caps, some day.<br />
<br />
I was not alone in doing such things!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wJrohtqCI1s/UzurbBi-TyI/AAAAAAAAQlo/gvID6jzYnEc/s1600/Screen+Captures.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wJrohtqCI1s/UzurbBi-TyI/AAAAAAAAQlo/gvID6jzYnEc/s1600/Screen+Captures.jpg" height="331" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I came to know that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Russell_%28cricketer_and_artist%29">Jack Russell, one of the best wicket-keepers of England,</a> used to repair his wicket-keeping gloves himself. But then I was already doing that - I had stitched a crude pair of cotton wicket-keeping gloves just for kicks before I played any real cricket in the mid 70s! Russell's love for his cap and his painting talent is legendary. I wish we had met!! </div>
</div>
Dinakar KRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148152470155668711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8117265157139439389.post-72030147072913162432014-04-01T09:03:00.001-07:002014-04-01T09:03:06.930-07:00Paint buckets - how to 'unstick'<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let me admit that this post does not exactly fit in to this blog, but I thought this is the best place, considering the nature of the project.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
~~~~</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O97I9lnKNJA/UzrRcr4TpTI/AAAAAAAAQkQ/BoGl0GcN8fU/s1600/P1000117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O97I9lnKNJA/UzrRcr4TpTI/AAAAAAAAQkQ/BoGl0GcN8fU/s1600/P1000117.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Soon after a paint job at home, we stack up the empty paint buckets [without lids] in some corner. We do not find time to clean/scrape residue paint in the buckets. We do not like to give all of them away as they are items of great use. Several weeks or months later when we want one of them for use, we find the stacked buckets are stuck firmly to one another. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SCk9iAVryFA/UzrTTVNEBlI/AAAAAAAAQkc/Qaf2MtkXdlY/s1600/P1420992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SCk9iAVryFA/UzrTTVNEBlI/AAAAAAAAQkc/Qaf2MtkXdlY/s1600/P1420992.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Has anyone tried single-handed, separating two esp. two such 20-litre [5-gallon] paint buckets that are stacked and stored for more than a year? You will only know how tricky it is only if you have had such an opportunity to do that yourself. That is why many people have shared on the web how to unstick such buckets. Just type <i>"how to unstick 2 plastic buckets"</i> in the Google box and you will see several links! </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I took these pictures for this post after they were taken apart.... how, I will tell.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ac8mQxakfgg/UzrUrmPjeKI/AAAAAAAAQko/RlipwqZdeuI/s1600/P1420997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ac8mQxakfgg/UzrUrmPjeKI/AAAAAAAAQko/RlipwqZdeuI/s1600/P1420997.JPG" height="219" width="320" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Little discoveries often happen either due to a desperate situation or sudden flashes of rare brilliance. It was the former combined with the latter that resulted from this puzzle project which was shelved for a year. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I tried the most obvious thing - trying to pull them apart by hand. Futile effort, because there will be no proper hold anywhere except the handles. Like a fool, I tried the same thing several times! *Smile* It took me quite a while to realize something else needed to be done. So I turned to the web.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://fivegallonideas.com/unstick-stuck-buckets/">Idea No.1. </a> Fail.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070630051817AA32Bot">Idea No.2.</a> No effect on my buckets.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Frustration. I was as determined as I was desperate to take them apart. There had to be some way out.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I tried heating the buckets in hot sun hoping that the air in the bottom bucket will warm and expand and pop the 'intruder' out more easily. But no. I poured some hot soapy water to the 'joint' and hung the top handle from a long hook and tried to push the bottom bucket down gripping whatever I could on the bucket brim and edges, but it wont budge and slide even a hair's breadth. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I felt like 'kicking the bucket' [only in the virtual sense]. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jkI_N5HPiRY/UzrWzu6fnBI/AAAAAAAAQk0/fqE9iedl_3Y/s1600/P1420993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jkI_N5HPiRY/UzrWzu6fnBI/AAAAAAAAQk0/fqE9iedl_3Y/s1600/P1420993.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Suddenly, in a genius-like flash, an old mason's trowel popped up as my answer instead of kicking the bucket in frustration. I realized that the stuck portion will be only about an inch wide, just below the brim and not the whole of the stuck portion down, because of the slight taper. I took out this trowel from the garden shed wasting no time. I had already wasted enough valuable holiday time. <i>[Buckets you are seeing are cleaned ones after they were successfully taken apart.]</i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I pushed it in all around the perimeter where the top bucket had 'stuck in'. I did two rounds and then hung it again for pulling. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5SIdsG1LHeo/UzrYFYB2IKI/AAAAAAAAQlA/uQ58wULzad8/s1600/P1420995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5SIdsG1LHeo/UzrYFYB2IKI/AAAAAAAAQlA/uQ58wULzad8/s1600/P1420995.JPG" height="241" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pulling them apart needed good gripping places which was out of question. So I took two wooden pieces, used one as a mallet and the other 'like' a chisel hitting the brim of the bottom bucket Lo and behold! There was some sliding. I could see the printed matter on the bucket slowly showing up letter by letter a I banged lightly. Joy! The soapy water might have helped, but surely the trowel was a great solution in pushing the paint off to release the adhesion. See the bucket to the right and see the paint marks around where the handle rests. That was where it had stuck.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uk5hNZzcH5s/UzrYtcoKA9I/AAAAAAAAQlI/JgXffvc9szM/s1600/P1420996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uk5hNZzcH5s/UzrYtcoKA9I/AAAAAAAAQlI/JgXffvc9szM/s1600/P1420996.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Once the first pair was released thus, it was like drinking water on the second one, instead of kicking the bucket. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The trowel also came in as a very handy tool to scrape the paint from the insides before using a steel-scrubber.</div>
</div>
Dinakar KRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148152470155668711noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8117265157139439389.post-58837116146871878812014-03-13T09:52:00.001-07:002014-03-13T09:52:27.163-07:00A little shaving mirror<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
There were quite a few mirrors at home. Yet, I got kicks from creating one of my own, when my shaving years had arrived. I did not want to remove the vintage mirrors from their places for my beard shaving programme, each time. So I wanted one to be in place and it needed to be a compact one, which I hung from a hook fixed to the window frame. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I had a rusty stand from a cheap mirror that had obviously broken. I had a rectangular piece of unwanted rosewood that suited the size of a possible mirror. As soon as a decision was taken to make a new mirror out of these, I went to a glass cutting shop and got the mirror from a waste piece paying a penny [in Mysore, <i>kaasu</i>!]. I had taken the wood for size. How to fix the mirror to the wood? My Mecannos toy set had its small accessories. I picked up four 'Ls'. Screws of suitable size were with me. It did not take long to create a mirror stand that can be hung from a hook or kept at any angle resting on the adjustable stand. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here it is:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FEeReYxn5P0/UyHhdOsOGjI/AAAAAAAAQic/MFt-vQgUl7U/s1600/Copy+of+Mirrorblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FEeReYxn5P0/UyHhdOsOGjI/AAAAAAAAQic/MFt-vQgUl7U/s1600/Copy+of+Mirrorblog.jpg" height="323" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Dinakar KRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148152470155668711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8117265157139439389.post-70241620134728862942014-03-11T09:25:00.000-07:002014-03-11T09:25:17.101-07:00A hand trowel for gardening<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
There was an old pair of hedge-pruning scissors which I tried to use in my early gardening days when I had no proper tools. I used to try and cut small twigs with it and it was not in good condition. It must have been from the 1930s. We had no hedge, at least in my time. This huge pair of scissors was junk for a few decades, now one of the two cutting parts was minus - it had broken. It was time to unjunk. One handle of wood was good and just fine for attaching something. There was a rusty mason's trowel, quite a wide one, which a mason had left behind because it had got separated from its rivets. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Idea!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I took them to my friend Ramu to join the two together. He did it simply by making two holes to the flat portion of the scissor handle [see picture] to match the two holes on the trowel and drove two screws in them. Lo, a crude trowel.was ready! It is a very handy tool to lift soil. I bent the trowel slightly on the sides to keep the picked up soil in place. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DG3irGbRGs0/Ux84Xs28qbI/AAAAAAAAQgc/vdtODSQixtI/s1600/P1420855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DG3irGbRGs0/Ux84Xs28qbI/AAAAAAAAQgc/vdtODSQixtI/s1600/P1420855.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Right behind the trowel is a Charaka [spinning wheel]. </div>
</div>
Dinakar KRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148152470155668711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8117265157139439389.post-70906392138725076172014-03-02T10:12:00.002-08:002014-03-03T08:50:31.714-08:00Recycling old broken pots<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
The neighbour has many big clay pots, many are in their balcony garden. They had discarded a couple of cracked and broken pots outside their house. They looked strong enough and their bottom quarter were still in tact. Why not I use that as shallow pots? I brought them in with the help of cousin Subbu and while they were being carried, I felt the weight! They appeared old, good and strong.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In this picture, I had already worked on one, by breaking away the damaged portion carefully. </div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L6ZihxYtXAo/UxNyVQD1EcI/AAAAAAAAQc4/qQSrMLxkMro/s1600/P1420734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L6ZihxYtXAo/UxNyVQD1EcI/AAAAAAAAQc4/qQSrMLxkMro/s1600/P1420734.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Trimmed the second one too. Where I worked and the tools I used are visible.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--U7bwfbXcQk/UxNyV2ycgeI/AAAAAAAAQdA/y-w4PvaQztI/s1600/P1420735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--U7bwfbXcQk/UxNyV2ycgeI/AAAAAAAAQdA/y-w4PvaQztI/s1600/P1420735.JPG" height="217" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In a short while, two sturdy shallow pots were ready. They can be used either for growing the smaller rain lilies or for starting seeds. I further trimmed the broken pieces which will be useful for covering the drain holes in the pot, before filling with soil. I have already reused smaller broken pots into rain lily holders.</div>
</div>
</div>
Dinakar KRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148152470155668711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8117265157139439389.post-6117855047889132872014-01-07T02:49:00.000-08:002014-01-07T02:49:21.378-08:00Garden Tools cum Junk Shed Project<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our house underwent a drastic alteration due to division of property, in 2009. With that, my garden also had to change from the other half to this half. I had settled down a bit with this. I was keeping all my garden tools in the corners where it was not as convenient as one desired. In 2010, the old dilapidated tiled room was dismantled to make a new house. In that old structure, I was also dumped several items suitable for reuse and some had no use. It was inevitable to make further alterations in the yard. Now there was no place to keep those items. I needed a sheltered place and one room for keeping the garden tools with door and lock to avoid the cluttered items in corners.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I planned the location of the shed, which was in a corner. See picture below, observe the area on the bottom left. The main skeleton of the tile roof shed is ready. For my tool shed, there came the two asbestos sheets [leaning against the house in picture]</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mUr5qG7sDP4/UsrZ8ZPjsNI/AAAAAAAAQOw/Yyvzrp1kDOc/s1600/P1000442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mUr5qG7sDP4/UsrZ8ZPjsNI/AAAAAAAAQOw/Yyvzrp1kDOc/s1600/P1000442.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Roof tiles in place and asbestos roof for my small shed are in place. Picture taken from the top balcony of the new house. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GxsGuKSO1JM/UsrZ8gUGBWI/AAAAAAAAQO0/VaGT-RIlN-w/s1600/P1000478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GxsGuKSO1JM/UsrZ8gUGBWI/AAAAAAAAQO0/VaGT-RIlN-w/s1600/P1000478.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is the corner. It faces our 'backdoor'. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBPIFeMDk8s/UfgFHv1osmI/AAAAAAAAPDw/PuUvY4bhijY/s1600/P1370427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBPIFeMDk8s/UfgFHv1osmI/AAAAAAAAPDw/PuUvY4bhijY/s320/P1370427.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I painted the wall after I laying the floor using a heavy and broken Kadapa slab which was not suitable anywhere else. The smaller slabs covered the area. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ycMvAEtjRE4/UfgFHVeLOnI/AAAAAAAAPDs/zxjicGdOlPo/s1600/P1370457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ycMvAEtjRE4/UfgFHVeLOnI/AAAAAAAAPDs/zxjicGdOlPo/s320/P1370457.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Built a moat wall to hoist the large window with mesh removed from the dilapidated room. I had measured this and embedded the pole [green pipe] as per that plan. I placed it on the moat wall and fastened on two sides.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6EKnhQqdZY0/UfgB4RhDorI/AAAAAAAAPCo/zCaL-6TdbyE/s1600/P1370473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6EKnhQqdZY0/UfgB4RhDorI/AAAAAAAAPCo/zCaL-6TdbyE/s320/P1370473.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
View from the other side.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eIO0GzHDwp0/UfgB4mPwbkI/AAAAAAAAPCs/o9x2J6glQ54/s1600/P1370475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eIO0GzHDwp0/UfgB4mPwbkI/AAAAAAAAPCs/o9x2J6glQ54/s320/P1370475.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Built another moat wall. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YopJ5-qdItE/UfgB41E8eLI/AAAAAAAAPC0/081n5ERjDxo/s1600/P1370489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YopJ5-qdItE/UfgB41E8eLI/AAAAAAAAPC0/081n5ERjDxo/s320/P1370489.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
That area was just right for the mesh door that I had removed form the house we had vacated during partition. In the picture below, I have removed it from the shelf and leaned it against the wall on the right. Removed because that house was to be broken down by the new owner. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KZQ2xaE9NLM/UqXkUu3yzeI/AAAAAAAAP-c/Nx8cIpL0IQg/s1600/P1120716+(Large).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KZQ2xaE9NLM/UqXkUu3yzeI/AAAAAAAAP-c/Nx8cIpL0IQg/s320/P1120716+(Large).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There it is, all fixed. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XjHSS6oHGHU/UfgB5-G0OBI/AAAAAAAAPDA/Qg0BTjYpwR4/s1600/P1370527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XjHSS6oHGHU/UfgB5-G0OBI/AAAAAAAAPDA/Qg0BTjYpwR4/s320/P1370527.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As I wanted, lock. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vzXWE3uwUtM/UfgB6yKuzqI/AAAAAAAAPDI/QRRE1kXGgYo/s1600/P1370538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vzXWE3uwUtM/UfgB6yKuzqI/AAAAAAAAPDI/QRRE1kXGgYo/s320/P1370538.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The wooden boxes would hold some garden tools and things. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--TP3mKWziG8/UfgB7fhluXI/AAAAAAAAPDQ/bP2CdjM99OE/s1600/P1370539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--TP3mKWziG8/UfgB7fhluXI/AAAAAAAAPDQ/bP2CdjM99OE/s320/P1370539.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Door is now open for viewing. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AwApVTw6Z08/UfgEIguB_xI/AAAAAAAAPDg/siXLIVEiC5E/s1600/P1390581+(Custom).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AwApVTw6Z08/UfgEIguB_xI/AAAAAAAAPDg/siXLIVEiC5E/s320/P1390581+(Custom).JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It is small but serves my purpose of keeping the tools in one place and there is no clutter inside the house. It is accessible in the garden. </div>
</div>
Dinakar KRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148152470155668711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8117265157139439389.post-75892039938307161522013-12-30T09:28:00.000-08:002013-12-30T09:28:32.933-08:00Tea coasters of wood<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Looking for some small projects of wood, I came across on Pinterest dot com, this:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jv4TpbIWil0/UrXdO_vJFkI/AAAAAAAAQEQ/6eYlOye2AKQ/s1600/Fullscreen+capture+12212013+115341+PM.bmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jv4TpbIWil0/UrXdO_vJFkI/AAAAAAAAQEQ/6eYlOye2AKQ/s320/Fullscreen+capture+12212013+115341+PM.bmp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I had been cutting the long branches from the <u>Almond tree</u> to firewood size from my friend Ramu's hand saw. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1RH4WqouuyE/UrXdkTGwa3I/AAAAAAAAQEw/g9Ij9IwUOL0/s1600/P1410348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1RH4WqouuyE/UrXdkTGwa3I/AAAAAAAAQEw/g9Ij9IwUOL0/s320/P1410348.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kvlif5kBNEQ/UrXdQLkLUSI/AAAAAAAAQEg/kuHeW2SvXQ0/s1600/P1410347+(Large).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kvlif5kBNEQ/UrXdQLkLUSI/AAAAAAAAQEg/kuHeW2SvXQ0/s320/P1410347+(Large).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Take a close look at the beautiful teeth and smile!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fePNuzhCrqg/UrcBb4b7ajI/AAAAAAAAQFU/fxPUJ2gsqRE/s1600/P1410416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fePNuzhCrqg/UrcBb4b7ajI/AAAAAAAAQFU/fxPUJ2gsqRE/s320/P1410416.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The above is a larger mature branch. While cutting this I saw a nice shape and 'rings'. Why not make a tea coaster I thought. I cut one slice to see how it would be. It came with perfect and uniform thickness with no slant! I did a few more having enjoyed that feel!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MZNkx-dZFmY/UrXdPmSXJrI/AAAAAAAAQEc/a2SGZbBVUN8/s1600/P1000637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MZNkx-dZFmY/UrXdPmSXJrI/AAAAAAAAQEc/a2SGZbBVUN8/s320/P1000637.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jn_ppnyqaq8/UrXdPC04pyI/AAAAAAAAQEU/7q1rieF2E2I/s1600/P1000638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jn_ppnyqaq8/UrXdPC04pyI/AAAAAAAAQEU/7q1rieF2E2I/s320/P1000638.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The tree branch was pruned only two months ago. Moisture in the branches takes more time to dry if not cut. So I kept the slices in the sun to dry. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I hung-stored the remaining portion of the branch in the '7' position in the picture below.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LJQwuWnSayA/UrcAxYft6-I/AAAAAAAAQFM/12aNy54QJ5c/s1600/P1000656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LJQwuWnSayA/UrcAxYft6-I/AAAAAAAAQFM/12aNy54QJ5c/s320/P1000656.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When the slices dried, the wood shrunk and the bark in some places got detached. So I removed the bark. I sanded both sides with 180 and 320 paper. I tried colourless polish, but was not satisfied. Leaving them as they are would be nice I decided. Here it is.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XSLSacLcb-0/UsGpVjQ46nI/AAAAAAAAQMk/kZ2vD8pCaBo/s1600/P1000715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XSLSacLcb-0/UsGpVjQ46nI/AAAAAAAAQMk/kZ2vD8pCaBo/s320/P1000715.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f4SeTF5xJ6o/UsGpWcvmICI/AAAAAAAAQMo/2O5Yt3gUXjw/s1600/P1410584+(Large).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f4SeTF5xJ6o/UsGpWcvmICI/AAAAAAAAQMo/2O5Yt3gUXjw/s320/P1410584+(Large).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After I had made, I saw in an exhibition [north-east bamboo craftsmen] such coasters etc on sale! See picture. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-849-sLh50iQ/UsGqVSzzb3I/AAAAAAAAQM0/FfdDhDyPjos/s1600/P1000659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-849-sLh50iQ/UsGqVSzzb3I/AAAAAAAAQM0/FfdDhDyPjos/s320/P1000659.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My thanks to Ramu for making this pleasure project possible apart from the tree-branch cutting one which was more important. Also hats off to German quality product, 'Wolf -Garten' pruning saw! </div>
</div>
Dinakar KRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148152470155668711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8117265157139439389.post-21087626142773577772013-12-28T09:47:00.003-08:002013-12-28T09:47:55.383-08:00Space-saver Shoe-rack<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
There was always a need for a proper place to store my several pairs of sport shoes. It had to be in the veranda. Visiting <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/">www.pinterest.com</a> gave me some clues, but I adapted my own when I did. It was directly connected with the available 'junk'.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I needed two long 1x3 pieces of wood, 69 inches long, lots of patience and a large bagful of time. And something to make the racks. I got them all today. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I looked for wooden beading pieces for the racks but there were not many. So wrote it off. Then a Eureka moment. Two ten-feet lengths of aluminium double channels which I did not need were posing problems of storage as they were rendered useless. These were the one that would suit. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fk8co5hX1p4/Ur8I9BlmDEI/AAAAAAAAQK4/fAvrFmJ2o5I/s1600/P1410565+(Large).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fk8co5hX1p4/Ur8I9BlmDEI/AAAAAAAAQK4/fAvrFmJ2o5I/s320/P1410565+(Large).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
That is the place I wanted to have the rack. The boxes are removed for this picture - for pre-cleaning. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I cut the channels as per planned measurements and folded the pieces at two places. These would serve as racks. This was a better way of 'getting rid of them' as taking to the shop for refund or exchange was not feasible - due to its 10-feet. They had come with other materials in a goods vehicle last year but only two other channels were of use and these two were left overs. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_TeqMI3tI5M/Ur8I8gcSc5I/AAAAAAAAQKw/WVr50PZ23nU/s1600/P1410563+(Large).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_TeqMI3tI5M/Ur8I8gcSc5I/AAAAAAAAQKw/WVr50PZ23nU/s320/P1410563+(Large).JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Wok in progress. The racks are being nailed to the wood. I gave a slight slant backwards so that when the shoe box is kept, it would stay in place properly.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vBzUh4S8Ze4/Ur8I8s4wgXI/AAAAAAAAQK0/vZWGsxiMdMI/s1600/P1410564+(Large).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vBzUh4S8Ze4/Ur8I8s4wgXI/AAAAAAAAQK0/vZWGsxiMdMI/s320/P1410564+(Large).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Rack in place. I secured the rack to the mesh behind it with wires. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eVi1XrG_ExU/Ur8I-I6n6dI/AAAAAAAAQLI/szeSM5E2K0U/s1600/P1410567+(Large).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eVi1XrG_ExU/Ur8I-I6n6dI/AAAAAAAAQLI/szeSM5E2K0U/s320/P1410567+(Large).JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There, that is my space saver shoe rack.</div>
</div>
Dinakar KRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148152470155668711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8117265157139439389.post-86935152133512761722013-12-26T08:56:00.000-08:002014-03-19T02:47:04.375-07:00Infinity Mirror - now redone<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some time ago <a href="http://junkunjunk.blogspot.in/2013/08/infinity-mirror-project.html">I had posted the project</a> as soon as I gave it a try. Now I found time to redo this with what was still needed to be done. The light strip had been measured short. I bought half a metre more of it and soldered it to the terminals and fixed it to complete the perimeter. I had also wanted to add some colouring. I had some colour transparency sheet pieces. This came in handy. I cut up small strips of the three colours I had and taped them at intervals. Closed the glass back. It is dust season now. When light is put on, all the dust trapped in it gets into view! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--XIr5AtzIB0/UrxdyZSs-9I/AAAAAAAAQJw/irRn7ncu5ws/s1600/P1410516+(Large).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--XIr5AtzIB0/UrxdyZSs-9I/AAAAAAAAQJw/irRn7ncu5ws/s320/P1410516+(Large).JPG" height="238" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Close-up.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yKieza-rJ6g/Urxdx93oe3I/AAAAAAAAQJo/NMWLhlIMMZU/s1600/P1410515+(Large).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yKieza-rJ6g/Urxdx93oe3I/AAAAAAAAQJo/NMWLhlIMMZU/s320/P1410515+(Large).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Finished project. Colouring is pleasing I feel. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vBAe7AISGs8/UylnWnCtDaI/AAAAAAAAQjM/ALlFDuES010/s1600/Copy+of+IMG_0094+(Custom).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vBAe7AISGs8/UylnWnCtDaI/AAAAAAAAQjM/ALlFDuES010/s1600/Copy+of+IMG_0094+(Custom).JPG" height="205" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Close up of the infinite reflections. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Dinakar KRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148152470155668711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8117265157139439389.post-22489450465952535982013-12-22T08:50:00.000-08:002013-12-22T08:50:14.796-08:00Sand bag paper weight<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cdhG-cn6X28/Uqdi-RXCRFI/AAAAAAAAQAQ/-2rYdPTwVS0/s1600/P1000601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cdhG-cn6X28/Uqdi-RXCRFI/AAAAAAAAQAQ/-2rYdPTwVS0/s320/P1000601.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I took a thick cloth and made a bag [see picture], filled fine sand and stitched it close. That is, in short[est], about this little project!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lo, it is a <b>soft </b>paperweight , a very essential item on the office desk covered by glass. Visitors to the desk pick it up and ask me what it is! My paperweight does not crack the table glass now.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I must tell a bit about that sand. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
From my younger days, I had seen two large bottles [a foot tall] in the kitchen in which cooking oil was kept. I remember one of them had a leak because it had a fine crack. It was discarded for storing oil and dumped in the store room. The next I remember was sand in it, may be it was transferred from a tin can for some reason by my mother who also later told that the sand was brought from the beach of Rameshwaram, the sacred coast town near the southern tip of India. I still wonder what was the purpose of its being brought here. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With the changes in the house that came along over the years, it was kept here and there as it was actually useless at it were. The last stop for his sand bottle was my garden. It was kept under some stone bench along with some other junked items. One day when I was clearing up the items, there it lay cracked, pieces and sand spilled. Reason is a mystery. This is very fine sand, like powder.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I shifted some of the sand to a PET bottle and thought of using it for some purpose. There you saw the sand bag paperweight. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Since that sand is so fine, I also plan to make one of my favourite things - an hour glass! I have it on my to-do list since many years. </div>
</div>
Dinakar KRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10148152470155668711noreply@blogger.com1