I came across this great looking analog journal idea that I want to try. It's called the Bullet Journal System. As usual, I think this will change my life and finally manage my productivity... I guess we'll see! The cool thing about this journal is that it is really, really cheap to start using. In principle, you could just staple some shit together and you're good to go. I also like that it is heavily list dependent, which is DEFINITELY my style (if pockets full of lists are proof enough). ;)
Here is the video:
If I end up trying this journal out, I will be sure to mark down in the journal... that I need to review the journal! If you've tried this system, or have a better one to suggest, please leave me a comment so that I'll know what to try next!
I find that when it comes to tools, I find myself in the middle of the road between "the right tool for the job" and "a tool that does everything". Basically, it is my experience that this is a very partisan choice. While it would be nice to have the room and the money to have the best tool designed for every application, I am constrained both by cost and room, and therefore want far fewer items at a significantly reduced cost. That being said, I'm also not a fan of buying loads of multi-functional tools, as I find that (for the most part), they do many things... poorly. If you make the wrong decisions, this can actually cost you money. As an example, I once bought a cheap Princess Auto (think Harbor Freight) hammer drill for $50. I couldn't even finish the job before the hammer function stopped working. If I bought another one, I may have been able to finish the job, with the total cost of $100. If I was sure that I would never, ever, need it again, or if I could guarantee that it would last until the end of the job this would have been fine. In the end I decided to buy a RIDGID hammer drill for $150, a wise investment. My point is, I am picky, you should be picky too!
I keep this on me at all times, and it has become part of my everyday carry (EDC) for a while (see my EDC post). I use this multiple times a day, and for that reason it has become my number 1 tool. I do a lot of Arduino projects, and this is one of the only multi-tools that comes with wire strippers. I am not a fan of belting on a multi-tool, although I totally get why you would, so for me I needed something really small but sturdy. There are things I don't like about it (rivets, knife edge), but really this is just amazing, and PERFECTLY sized if you want to keep it in your pocket. If you like everything about it except the wire cutters, there is a version called the PS4, where the wire cutters are replaced by pliers. I should mention that the ES4 is designed in such a way that they include a pretty great needle nose plier end as well.
RIDGID Compact Drill & Impact Driver Combo
I got this combo on sale at Home Depot for $179. The combo included the drill, impact driver, radio, two batteries, a charger, and a grip, and everything but the radio has a lifetime warranty! As far as I know, RIDGID is the only brand that has a lifetime warranty, meaning that if you batteries die, they replace them for free. On top of that, this is a really good middle-of-the-road product, as the same company makes Milwaukee, RIDGID, and Ryobi (among others). These are amazingly durable, well built, and for a while there the RIDGID impact driver had best-in-class torque. I replaced my old $30 Black & Decker drill with these, and am incredibly satisfied. I helped my dad build his deck right after buying these and that softwood was like butter. Also, having never had an impact driver before, I didn't realize I'd never strip another screw again! This may vary in the US, but up here in Canada, my Robertson screws go in and come out without every leaning against the driver. I just wish I had this when I destroyed my wall removing a cabinet put together with stripped screws!
Dremel 3000
Oh wow, do I use the hell out of this thing! Is there nothing this tool won't do!? The other day I realized that my hedge trimmer blades were getting dull. I don't know if you know what they look like, but there are many of them and they are not easily sharpened. I sharpened the entire setup in ~an hour. I'm STILL not sure how else you would sharpen them. As a bonus, I didn't even need to take the blades off of the trimmer! I've widened metal door latch holes, cut custom patterns into plastic and metal boxes, trimmed the dogs nails, sanded, polished, etched, etc.... it never ends. Like the Leatherman above, once you have one you'll realize you use it almost every day!
Computer
I know, I know! A cop-out. If you think about it, how many projects do you consult with "the internet" first? Over the last week I have ordered parts, checked out how to wire a three-phase motor, and determined what the right colours are to paint certain parts of the Ecto-1 I've been working on. I also do a lot of Arduino work/fun, and it is therefore paramount that I code, upload, verify, and re-code hundreds of times! For me, this is essential.
Arduino Uno Prototype Board
As I mentioned, I like to play and work with Arduinos often. Most of the time I just want to write a bit of code and check that it works. For this I have an Arduino Uno with a breadboard mounted right beside it. I love being able to just mount a component, wire it up, and see what happens. I also have just about every Uno shield around, so it's a really handy unit to prototype.
If I think of any more of my favorite tools I will be sure to extend this list. Thanks!
I recently heard about the Replica Prop Forum (The RPF) from a series of "One Day Build" videos Adam Savage did on the Tested.com YouTube channel. If interested, here is one where Adam builds the Captain's Chair from Star Trek TOS (more specifically the pilot episode)!
I absolutely fell in love with how intense these people are on their hobbies! It is really amazing the love and care that these rpf-ers put into their crafting. While I am by no means as intense, nor would my marriage survive it, it made me realize that I want something tangible. I love sci-fi and engineering, and there are so many "things" out there that I would love to have one of for myself.
As a VERY necessary first step, I decided to build a model kit for the first time ever. I think maybe a did a snap-together model of an airplane when I was ten, but I remember clearly just putting the main pieces together and thinking "good enough". Anyway, I went to Michael's (a hobby place up here in Canada), and looked over their selection. I had found a 40% off coupon in the mail so... "price was no option"! I was really disappointed. I wanted something unique, and all they had were planes, cars, and military models. I'm not big on any of these (sci-fi remember). While I love Star Trek, they only had the TOS Enterprise, and I've always been a TNG guy. Then, at the back of the shelf (it was a deep shelf), I found the Ecto-1! PERFECT!
I love Ghostbusters, always have. While the second movie was also great, it was the first that made me a fan of the Ecto-1. Long story short, I bought it, bought some paint, and my next post will be my Ecto-1 build!
I got this combo on sale at Home Depot for $179. The combo included the drill, impact driver, radio, two batteries, a charger, and a grip, and everything but the radio has a lifetime warranty! As far as I know, RIDGID is the only brand that has a lifetime warranty, meaning that if you batteries die, they replace them for free. On top of that, this is a really good middle-of-the-road product, as the same company makes Milwaukee, RIDGID, and Ryobi (among others). These are amazingly durable, well built, and for a while there the RIDGID impact driver had best-in-class torque. I replaced my old $30 Black & Decker drill with these, and am incredibly satisfied. I helped my dad build his deck right after buying these and that softwood was like butter. Also, having never had an impact driver before, I didn't realize I'd never strip another screw again! This may vary in the US, but up here in Canada, my Robertson screws go in and come out without every leaning against the driver. I just wish I had this when I destroyed my wall removing a cabinet put together with stripped screws!
Oh wow, do I use the hell out of this thing! Is there nothing this tool won't do!? The other day I realized that my hedge trimmer blades were getting dull. I don't know if you know what they look like, but there are many of them and they are not easily sharpened. I sharpened the entire setup in ~an hour. I'm STILL not sure how else you would sharpen them. As a bonus, I didn't even need to take the blades off of the trimmer! I've widened metal door latch holes, cut custom patterns into plastic and metal boxes, trimmed the dogs nails, sanded, polished, etched, etc.... it never ends. Like the Leatherman above, once you have one you'll realize you use it almost every day!
I know, I know! A cop-out. If you think about it, how many projects do you consult with "the internet" first? Over the last week I have ordered parts, checked out how to wire a three-phase motor, and determined what the right colours are to paint certain parts of the Ecto-1 I've been working on. I also do a lot of Arduino work/fun, and it is therefore paramount that I code, upload, verify, and re-code hundreds of times! For me, this is essential.
As I mentioned, I like to play and work with Arduinos often. Most of the time I just want to write a bit of code and check that it works. For this I have an Arduino Uno with a breadboard mounted right beside it. I love being able to just mount a component, wire it up, and see what happens. I also have just about every Uno shield around, so it's a really handy unit to prototype.