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Dave Polaschek
2095 posts
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in about 3 years
in about 3 years
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Quick dingle-ball for shade cord
This is one of those quick projects that ends up being very satisfying. Posting it because people seem to like these quickie-projects.
Yesterday, I opened the shade in the bedroom to let some light and heat in, and when the shade is fully open, the end of the cord lays on the floor. When it was time to close the shade, I trod upon the little plastic piece at the end of the cord, and broke it.
So this morning, I looked for a piece of round wood. I found a short length about ½ inch in diameter, and cut off a little more than a half inch. Popped it into a cup I have for the lathe, which with an open tailstock, lets me turn little balls.
A few minutes later, it was close enough to grab some sandpaper to finish it off. 60, 120, then 180 grit, followed by a coat of Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil (it wasn’t yet put away after finishing the cane I made last). A 3/32” hole through the ball, and I was done in the shop. A few minutes later, it was on the cord in the bedroom, and my sweetie told me, “nice balls!”
Yesterday, I opened the shade in the bedroom to let some light and heat in, and when the shade is fully open, the end of the cord lays on the floor. When it was time to close the shade, I trod upon the little plastic piece at the end of the cord, and broke it.
So this morning, I looked for a piece of round wood. I found a short length about ½ inch in diameter, and cut off a little more than a half inch. Popped it into a cup I have for the lathe, which with an open tailstock, lets me turn little balls.
A few minutes later, it was close enough to grab some sandpaper to finish it off. 60, 120, then 180 grit, followed by a coat of Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil (it wasn’t yet put away after finishing the cane I made last). A 3/32” hole through the ball, and I was done in the shop. A few minutes later, it was on the cord in the bedroom, and my sweetie told me, “nice balls!”
May you have the day you deserve!
10 Comments
Those quickie projects/fixes seem to get the most appreciation from the house denizens.
Last week for me was a new turlet flush lever.
Nice fix Dave, saves using a dingle berry or other object and you get the hero award from you SO!
Last week for me was a new turlet flush lever.
Nice fix Dave, saves using a dingle berry or other object and you get the hero award from you SO!
You will now smile each time you raise and lower the shade! A chore turns into an opportunity to appreciate your workmanship. 🙂
Nice, you should make more for all the shades in the house.
"Duck and Bob would be out doin some farming with funny hats on." chrisstef
Nice dingle ball!!
Cheers, Jim ........................ Variety is the spice of life...............Learn something new every day
what woman doesn't appreciate nice balls 😏
working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.
I will simply say nice fix to a minor problem and leave the many jokes associated with the title to the others.
I will say that I am interested in your comment: Popped it into a cup I have for the lathe, às I am not familiar with such a lathe accessory, and I'll look it up to see if I can benefit from one.
I will say that I am interested in your comment: Popped it into a cup I have for the lathe, às I am not familiar with such a lathe accessory, and I'll look it up to see if I can benefit from one.
dave can you post a pic of the cup you use on the lathe ? im curious myself.
working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.
I've never told anyone you have a nice dingle ball but here it goes--that's a nice dingle ball. Good solution to that problem.
Jeff
Tom and Pottz, it’s just a scrap of maple with a hemispherical hole turned in the end of it. Think a jam-chuck, but for balls instead of bowls. In combination with the cupped live center that came with my Harbor Freight lathe, it’ll hold balls from about a half-inch up to 2-3 inches. If you stop and change the axis the ball is rotating on frequently, it’s not too hard to get round. And once you figure it out, there’s a lot of uses for them.
I’ll take a picture tomorrow.
I’ll take a picture tomorrow.
May you have the day you deserve!
yes a pic would be good because im not envisioning it !
working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.
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