How to make a kalimba with wooden springs

 

Tools and materials I propose:

Table saw

Jointer planer

Chisel set

Air compressor, nail and staple gun kit

Cabinet Scraper set

Block plane

Countersink bits

Hole saw

Random orbit sander

In this video I make a kalimba out of beech wood. I tried to make it completely out of wood. As springs I tried various wood alternatives but I decided that I liked beech springs the most!

I begun by cutting my stock to size on the table saw. 

I then created half lap joints which I then cleaned with a chisel. 

Then I glued and nailed the frame of the instrument. 

I then glued two pieces to make the bottom panel. 

The top panel was much thinner so I used a wedge system to clamp it while the glue dried.

I then used my cabinet scraper to scrape off the excess glue. 

I the glued the bottom in place. Then I used my cross cut sled on the table saw to trim the excess wood close to the sides.

I then trimmed it flush with a block plane and hid the nails with wood filler. 

On a flat board I glued the top piece using carpet tape. I did that so i could plane it really thin on my planer.

I then glued the cleats under the top. I then shaped them with a chisel and a block plane. 

I then glued the top in place and trimmed it flush. 

Using a hole saw I made the air flow hole on the top. 

I then sanded the body.I also rounded over the bottom edges with a block  plane.

To make the bridge I cut some pieces on the table saw and I shaped them with a block plane.

To glue the bridge pieces I used the springs as clamps.

I finished my kalimba with mineral oil. 

As springs I experimented with popsicle sticks and bamboo sticks. Both worked. But I preferred to use some beech springs. Beech is a pretty flexible wood but also really hard. 

My kalimba sounds really interesting. Ofcourse it is not as loud as a metal spring kalimba but it is really sweet.

Anyway, I hope you liked this one, because that was it. See you soon with a new project video.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, that at no cost to you, I get a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.

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Warm Up with Warm Spices

 

Looking for a way to add flavor without salt or sugar? Try adding some of these spices into your day for great flavor, a boost to your health, and a bit of warmth. Spices bring flavors together, creating a unique dish. They also enhance the flavors of a dish, just as a touch of salt may do to a sweet dish.

These warm spices go well in sweet or savory dishes, and are great with root vegetables (carrots, potatoes, beets, and more!).

• Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash 
• Curried Chicken with Vegetables 
• Ginger Pear Smoothie - try it with your milk of choice
• Rootin Tootin Ribbon Salad 
• Curried Lentil and Chickpea Stew 

Ginger

Ginger is sweet and warm. It aids in digestion, reducing nausea, and is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. The part we eat grows underground. Often called a root, it is actually a part of the stem that grows underground called a rhizome (rye-zoam).

You can find ginger...

• Whole/Fresh in the produce area. It is firm, light brown with a knobby shape.  When cut, the inside is often tough and  fibrous (stringy). Store in an airtight bag in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator, or in the freezer for longer periods of time. When you’re ready to use it, peel off the outer layer with the edge of a spoon - like you’re scooping it off. You can also use a peeler.
• It’s best used in:
• Stir fries, salads, soups
• Drinks - add fresh ginger to hot water for ginger tea. Add extra flavor with lemon and honey. Mix some into a smoothie - fresh or dried.
• Any dish where chunks or strings of ginger would be okay.

• Ground/Powdered in the spice section. It is light brown/mustard color. Ground ginger has a more concentrated flavor than the fresh form, so use less when using dried (¼ tsp dried ginger for every 1 tablespoon fresh ginger). Store in an airtight container in a dark, cool place. 
• It’s best used in any ginger dish, especially baked goods, or with higher cooking temperatures.

• Prepared Ginger  - minced, grated - in the produce section, spice section, or international aisle. It is a creamy yellow color, and can be found in various forms. Use the same amount of preserved ginger as you would fresh ginger. You can also prepare and preserve your own by using fresh ginger, and storing it in the refrigerator or freezer. 
• It’s best used in dishes that are cooked, or where ginger is not the dominant flavor. 
• It works well if you are low on time or do not want to prepare ginger.

Try ginger with - carrots, citrus, sweet potatoes, beets, squash; chicken, beef, fish, pork, tofu; rice, curries, stir fries, marinades

Cinnamon

It’s for more than just cinnamon rolls! An earthy and sweet spice, cinnamon is said to help lower blood sugar. It helps to add sweetness without adding sugar. Cinnamon comes from the bark of a tree (a special kind of evergreen tree).

You can find cinnamon...

• Sticks in the spice section. Store in an airtight container in a dark, cool place.
• It’s best used to flavor foods or drinks, and is not eaten. 
• Drinks - add a cinnamon stick to a hot beverage for extra flavor, or to hot water for cinnamon tea.
• Rice - add a cinnamon stick while cooking your rice for an extra burst of flavor.

• Powder/Ground in the spice section. Store in an airtight container in a dark, cool place. (1 tsp ground cinnamon = 1, 1-inch stick of cinnamon)
• It’s best used in foods, and can be eaten. 
• Savory foods - Try adding a pinch to your tomato sauce or vinaigrette for a twist.
• Sweet foods - fruit sauces, desserts, breads

Ground cinnamon is used to flavor sweet and savory foods such as apples, mangos, pears, salad vinaigrettes, lamb dishes, and pork recipes. Try adding a pinch of ground cinnamon to boost the flavor of tomatoes.

Turmeric 

Turmeric has a pepperlike aroma and an earthy, slightly bitter taste. It gives curry seasonings their yellow color, but can stain, so use caution when using it.  

Turmeric is ginger’s cousin, and just like ginger, the part we eat grows underground. It is often called a root, though it is actually a part of the stem that grows underground called a rhizome (rye-zoam).

You can find turmeric…

• Whole/fresh in the produce section. It is firm, and has a thin, light brown outer skin. It is orange inside. The skin should be washed, and can be peeled before using. Store it with the peel on in an airtight bag in the refrigerator, or in the freezer for longer periods of time.
• It’s best used grated or sliced, and in dishes that are raw or minimally cooked/processed.
• Drinks - mix with some milk and honey for “golden milk,” add to a smoothie, or add to hot water with lemon for a tea.
• Thinly slice and add to salad or coleslaw

• Powder/Ground in the spice section. It is yellow in color. Store it in an airtight container in a dark, cool place. Ground turmeric has a more concentrated flavor than the fresh form, so use less when using dried (1 tsp dried turmeric = 1 tablespoon fresh turmeric)

It’s best used in any dish where you would like a bit of a peppery kick, and where you would like a golden color.

Best used in dishes with higher cooking temperatures.

Try turmeric with - Cauliflower, cabbage, potato, sweet potatoes; Beans, lentils, chicken, fish, tofu; Curries, rice

Buying these spices

Start small. Some recipes only call for a small amount. Most spices are best used within 18 months to 3 years. 

Found a good sale? If you do purchase in bulk, keep the excess spice in the freezer to refill as you need. Just remember to be realistic on the amount you purchase.

Where to find the best deals?

Spices can vary in price depending on where you purchase them. Check for lower cost options in the “international” aisle of some stores, or at stores specializing in certain regions, cuisines, or ethnicities. Or check for stores that sell spices in bulk, where you can buy smaller amounts at a time.

 

 

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"Fragile freedom" wood sculpture - Woodturning and carving

 

Tools and materials I propose:

Foredom Woodcarving Kit

Small Carbide Burrs Set 

Table saw

Jointer planer

Forstner bit set

Lathe

Wood turning tools set

In this video I make a wood sculpture out of basswood and olive wood burl. I first turned the pieces on the lathe and then I used my rotary tool to power carve the rest of the forms. I really want to thank my good friend Giorgos Laskaridis for sending me this beautiful piece of olive wood. 

I begun by glueing two pieces of basswood together to make my stock. 

I then turned this into a cylinder. Using a forstner bit I established my depth and removed some material.

I then hollowed my piece with a hook tool. I used the hook because this was end grain hollowing and that’s a tool that works well on situations like that. 

I then cleaned the interior with my carbide tools and a side scrapper. I also taped a piece of sandpaper on a dowel to sand. 

I then used my divider to divide the cylinder into sections. Then I drew my design.

I did most of my carving with my rotary tool and several carving bits. 

The base was basically a small bowl. I made it using mostly a bowl gouge and a spindle gouge. 

I also divided it into sections and I used my rasp carving bit to carve the bottom.

Finally I glued everything together and finished it with mineral oil. 

I would also like to point out that after power carving, the project included hours of hand sanding. To do that I made several sanding blocks out of flat scraps, dowels and bamboo sticks. I just used double sided tape to connect the blocks with the sand paper.

But that was it. It was a really interesting project for me and I learned a ton of stuff. See you soon with a new project video.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, that at no cost to you, I get a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.

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Making a coat rack out of solid beech wood

 

Tools and materials I propose:

Table saw

Jointer planer

Bandsaw

Forstner bit set

Lathe

Wood turning tools set

Speed square

Chisel set

Drill press

Cordless drill

Dowel centering jig

Random orbit sander

6mm dowels

Dowel center pin

Mini machinist’s lathe

Belt sander

Cabinet Scraper set

Countersink bits

In this video I make a simple coat rack which is also a shelf. I made it out of solid wood and finished it with clear water based varnish.

I begun by ripping my wood on the table saw. I then cleaned the saw marks on the thickness planer. 

I then cut my wood to size on the table saw. I also created a groove by doing multiple passes on the table saw. This was to fit the shelf in place. 

I used the bandsaw to round over the sides which I then cleaned on the belt sander. 

Using a forstner bit I drilled the holes for the hangers. At  this point I also drilled the holes from which I would hang the rack on the wall. I also counter sinked them.

I used 6mm dowels to connect all the pieces. To do that I used my dowel centre pins and a centering jig. 

I then sanded everything and glued all the parts together. 

It was then time to turn the hangers on the lathe. 

I first created the tenons. I made a hole on a scrap piece. I then burned the tenon with friction so I would know how much material I should remove. 

I turned the pins roughly to size and then I used my machinist’s lathe to make sure the maximum diameter was the same on everything. 

I then trimmed them to size on the table saw and I moved back on the lathe to finish turning. 

I glued the pins in place and then trimmed them flush.

I finished the piece with three coats of clear water based varnish while I lightly sanded between coats. 

And my little rack  was ready. I hope you’ve enjoyed this project, because that was it. See you soon with a new project video.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, that at no cost to you, I get a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.

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Warm Up with Soup!

Although soup can be enjoyed year long, there is something warm and cozy about a bowl of soup during the cold winter months. Here are some benefits for making soup:

1. Soups can be filling: There are different kinds of soups. Soups that contain protein like chicken or beans tend to be filling and can be enjoyed as a main dish. Try this chicken vegetable soup with kale.
2. Soups can be prepared ahead of time: If you are busy or enjoy preparing your meal in advance, then soups can be a good option for you. You can make it ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Or you can even freeze it up to 2-3 months. Let the soup cool completely before freezing in a freezer safe container. Move to the fridge to thaw the night before and reheat it on your stove or in your microwave.
3. Soups can be healthy: There are many ways to prepare soups. Broth based soups tend to be rich in vitamins and minerals and usually low in calories. If you are making a cream-based soup, use skim milk as your base. Try this garden vegetable soup.
4. Soups can hydrate you: As you may know, consuming water is very important year long. In the winter months, people tend to forget to drink water. Soup is a great source of water that will hydrate you.
5. Soups can be easy to make: The nice thing about making soup is that it only requires one pot. All you need to do is to prepare the ingredients and mix together. Another thing worth considering is that you can make soup out of almost anything you have. Try this lentil, mushroom and swiss chard soup.

Follow these four steps to make your soup:

1. Start by choosing your base, usually a stock like chicken or vegetable, tomato puree, pureed veggies, or low-fat milk.
2. Add your veggies like onion, garlic, celery, carrots, peppers, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, greens like kale, green beans, or zucchini to name a few. You can use fresh, canned, or frozen vegetables. Just make sure to use low sodium canned vegetables when choosing canned, and if you cannot find that type, make sure to rinse your canned vegetables very well before adding to your soup.
3. You can also add protein like beans, chicken, ground beef, or ground turkey for example.
4. Follow that up by adding flavoring like dried herbs, ground pepper, or chili powder.
5. Let it simmer and enjoy!

Other soups worth trying this winter season:

Winter harvest soup

Mediterranean lentil soup

Taco soup

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Ideas for Using Canned Meat and Fish

Canned meat and fish are  adaptable for many different uses  which makes  them great ingredients for busy weeknight meals and convenient on-the-go lunches. Because refrigeration is not needed until containers have been opened, pouches and cans of chicken, tuna, or salmon are great sources of protein to pack and take along with you. These foods are also great to have on hand during power outages and other times when you need to throw a meal together quickly. An added bonus is that canned meat and fish is affordable, which helps to lower food costs. 

Here are some ideas for incorporating these foods into your meals:

• Homemade soup -  Making homemade soup helps save money and is a great way to use leftover vegetables, pasta, rice, or barley. Add drained, canned chicken to soups and stews to make a healthy main dish.  Serve soup for lunch or dinner with a side salad and whole grain bread or crackers.
  
  
• Lettuce wraps - Mix canned chicken or tuna with some low-fat mayonnaise or Italian or Ranch salad dressing.. Throw in  chopped or shredded veggies like carrots, peppers, onions or a bean and corn salsa, for flavor and crunch! Serve inside lettuce leaves.
  
  
• Burritos - Add a packet of taco or chili seasoning mix to canned chicken. Stir in canned beans, canned tomatoes, corn, peppers and onions to make burrito filling. Serve inside whole grain tortillas and top with low-fat cheese and salsa.
  
  
• Salads - Top a salad with canned chicken, salmon, or tuna and turn it into a main dish. Blend canned chicken or fish with low-fat mayo or salad dressing. Add dried or fresh herbs and chopped veggies like onion, celery, and peppers. If you like your salad a little sweet, stir in some cranberries, mandarin oranges or sliced grapes. Serve on whole grain bread or tortillas. 
  
  
• Pasta - Make a protein-packed meal with canned tuna, salmon, or chicken. Add drained chicken or fish to cooked pasta, cooked rice, or to a casserole for a quick and satisfying  lunch or dinner.

• Omelet - Stir canned meat into scrambled eggs or add into an omelet along with chopped peppers and onions and some shredded, low-fat cheese. Serve with whole grain toast. 

There are many things you can do with these convenient meal starters. Stock up on canned meat and fish when it is on sale, and a quick, protein-rich meal is  just a few minutes away!

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Simple DIY sphere making tool for the wood lathe - metalworking

 

Tools and materials I propose:

Stick welder

Drill press

Cobalt Drill Bit Set 

Tap and die set

Bench Grinder

Angle grinder

Metal cutting discs

Lathe

Wood turning tools set

Foredom Woodcarving Kit

Carbide Burr Set

In this project I used various scrap metal parts I had in the shop to make a simple jig for making spheres on the lathe. I have made a similar jig out of wood in the past. But by using metal I was able to make the tool more simple, more efficient and less bulky.

I begun by making the base. I cut the pieces with the angle grinder and welded them in place. I then drilled the hole on my drill press and cut some threads to keep the piece in place. But I made a mistake here and I had to cut the piece in half. 

For the arm I used a couple of corner pieces as support. I also welded nuts in place so I could use their threads. 

To make the cutting edge, I used the steel from a cheap old turning tool. I grinded the bevels on the grinder. My grinder is really fast so I dipped the tool in water pretty often to cool it down. 

I then grinded a pocket and welded the cutter in place. 

After doing some tests, I decided to weld the nut from the pivot point. And I also added a large nail under the cutting edge as support. I wanted this to be removable so I could sharpen the tip easier on the grinder. 

I then used my carbide burrs on the rotary tool to clean my welds a little bit. A wire brush bit is also useful to clean up before painting.

I then added a coat of primer and then spray painted orange.

Before you use the tool you have to set it up a little bit. The cutter should be at the same height of the centre of the lathe. And the pivot point should be under the centre of your sphere. 

And my sphere making jig was ready to go. But that was it, see you soon with a new project video.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, that at no cost to you, I get a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.

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New Year, New You!

 2020 was certainly a year of big changes!  How and where you worked, virtual school for the kids, and your eating habits and physical activity might have changed too.

Welcome in the New Year with small, healthy changes which can bring big results!  Let your family and friends know you are ready to make some healthy changes and invite them to join you!

• Start your day with a glass of water.  Drinking water first thing in the morning will help your digestion and will hydrate you for the busy day ahead.  Keep it up by drinking water throughout the day, instead of sugary drinks.  If plain water isn’t your favorite, add a squeeze of lemon, lime, or orange juice, or some cucumber or strawberry slices for extra flavor.
• Add more veggies to meals and snacks.  Add shredded carrots or summer squash to pasta sauce, keep cut-up vegetables like sweet peppers and celery in the refrigerator for everyone to snack on in-between meals.  Stir canned pumpkin into oatmeal or pancake batter.  Shredded cabbage will stretch your soup or stew farther and add lots of flavor and fiber.
• Make physical activity part of your daily routine.  Take the stairs, vacuum the house, lift groceries, carry laundry baskets to start.  Then, take your activity up a level and go for a daily walk (with or without the dog), get moving with a fitness video on YouTube or a virtual class, and play active games (indoors and outside) with the kids - make a scavenger hunt to find items in the house like a specific book, a fuzzy sock, or a wooden spoon.  Look for outdoor items like a stop sign, the number 4 on a mailbox, or the tallest tree on the block.
• Get your zzzzzzz’s.  Quality sleep,  7-8 hours each night, is important for good health and to have energy to think and move each day.  Make a bedtime routine for your kids and for yourself.  Try to go to bed at the same time each night, and to wake-up at the same time each morning.  Think of all of the things you will be able to do when you feel rested and refreshed!

Pick just one change to start with, then build on your success by adding one more change each week.  Make this year the healthiest one yet!  

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