This week boat build for my 7 years old school project. I know it is not very clever but I was given a total build time of about 2 hours and only 12 hours “notice”. (including office time)
It floats, it has a white skull and bones, and that is about it.
Still we managed to get a “tie” in the race on the class water tub race track…
When I shared with the Office colleagues, I got some much stick ! My boss threatened of calling the child abuse support line…
Installed new Ikea Drawers for my Office.
Simply used the Kitchen units from Ikea, got them delivered directly.
I like the functionality of lots of drawers.
I used stainless steel fronts and walnut side panel. took me about 2 hours to build the whole things, mostly spent on the drawers and drilling for the handles.
Office looks a bit more tidy now. still a lot of stuff around…
Playing some more with my arduino and shields.
Got the Thermal printer working by following the LadyAda website tutorials.
It is work in progress at early stage…
First objective is to build a temperature logging that allow to print the last few measures at the press of a small button.
Maybe something like the last 24 hours or the last 60 minutes.
Got a new car for the Scalextrics but it was not a digital ready one. Big disappointment as we got home. Anyway, got a digital chip and started installing it in the “not compatible” car. I had to workout the wiring which is very simple. It is a 4 pins plug, with 2 for the incoming signal from the track and 2 going to the motor and/or lights.
I decided to wire the lights directly to the track input so that they would always be “on” when the car is on the track.
I used some Sugru to put the electronic chip in the car and keep it stable. I absolutely love that stuff. It is really nice for fixing things like this and stays slightly flexible and bouncy. Ideal for this.
Finally I had to cut out the inside bits of the bodywork so that the electronics would fit. I used my dremel with a small disc to make precise cuts in the plastic.
Below, the wiring diagram setup and a couple of pictures of the process.
Note to self : “Do not play Poker against Wife, unless ready to loose it all “…
The House needed a new light, this square design made of stainless steel should last at least 6 months (…) in the United Kingdom where 80% humidity is a daily occurrence.
This gave me the opportunity to use a few power tools. Nobody should ever complain about that.
On This occasion, the most notable was the Makita SDS, drilling into solid brick like if it was butter. 2X Size 8mm holes, depth about 4 cm in less than 30 seconds.
Dealing with electrics always makes me nervous!
I usually triple check the wiring with a voltmeter after tripping the fuse for the particular circuit. I usually do not trip the whole house because of the computers and server and home security and etc, so its always a bit “special” when I first touch the bare wires with my hands ! My electrician told me that the most important thing was to always take great care of insulating oneself from the live wires with “air” being the most efficient one. (i.e. not touching at all). My brother has been known to make sparks and flying screwdrivers.
He is still around but with a reduced amount of nervous system. (joke)
I’m Still here…
This recipe for a fruit liqueur was sent to me from my uncle from Belgium. It is a recipe from my Grand Dad, note the beautiful writing. I am definitely giving it a go this weekend. Obviously I will do it my way because I will never be able to do anything like “his”, and I don’t want to forget “his” Liqueur de cassis.
Manu is in Paris with the kids, taking pictures…and eating well with Friends and Family.
Hakkasan is a nice place to relax after a long day of shopping. It is close to the crossing of Tottenham court road and Oxford Street. (Here)
1x Fried Soft Shell Crab 1x Mixed Dumpling Platter 1x Steamed Rice 2x Sapporo.
The restaurant gained a Michelin star rating in 2003.
The British Restaurant magazine released its sixth annual global ranking of the 50 Best Restaurants in April 2008. Hakkasan was rated 19th in the list, with a total of five London restaurants listed.
This is my Makerbot printing a Nerf Gun for the kids.
The source file was downloaded from Thingiverse.
I “pimped” my bot with some blue led strips which make the red ABS plastic more visible when we are printing.
Made a gift for House Warming of Friends.
A cutting tray for the days we have a nice pice of meat to eat straight off the BBQ.
It is made from 12(ish) pieces of 58cm X 3CM American Red Oak.
Each pieces is glued to each other using a Festool Domino system.
Tray is routed all around to allow easy pick-up.
Then I made a design of a Beef and some Citation at the bottom saying in French :
“The one that takes the habit of eating in your house, feels hungry as soon as he sees you”
Then Laser etched the whole lot on 20% Power.
Also made a tray to protect table from hot plates, with a few corks from wine we have drunk together.
I hope they enjoy this for a long time and look forward eating at their new place, I am already hungry…
[Initial Post 4th of feb 2012] Trying to make French bread for 3 weekends in a row now…Objective : Make a French Baguette / Crunchy / Medium sized holes like this.
So Far :
Made 4 Baguettes, mostly nice, last one is crunchy and has small holes, taste is good.
Current Method :
Latest method involves leaving the dough rise overnight in the fridge, this is the best way so far. See this picture below.
300g – Plain White Very Strong Flour
A bowl of warm water (60% to 70% of Flour weight ) with 2 Table Spoons of Active Dry Yeast + 1 Tea Spoon of Sugar
+ salt as you like. (add the salt last to avoid killing the yeast). Also, found out that the room temperature+water temperature+water temperature should add-up to 54 degrees celsius…not sure if this is really needed…came from a Lyon bread maker.
Knead with Kenwood Mixer – 6 Minutes until elastic ball.
Let Rest in Mixer for 2 minutes
Knead with Mixer for an
other 4 minutes.
“Put in a bowl and Cover with Cling Film, put in fridge overnight”.
Knead again, for a few minutes using this method.Bread Making
Let Rise for an other hour with a cloth on top. (back in Oven- 30 Celsius)
Heat-up another oven to 250 Celsius, throw a small quantity of water in oven to create steam (approx a quart of a glass).
Wet bread with water using a small silicone brush, put bread in oven for 15 minutes at 250, then reduce to 180 until it is cooked. (testing with knife)
When ready, take out and let rest of wire-rack. (So that it goes crunchy)
Enjoy with Butter…
Only just a few degrees over Zero this morning for Jules training at HOAC.
Still Jules goes with a big smile on his face….
