Alan
@alpritt.bsky.social
A programmer, trying to find time to MAKE away from the screen as well. UK based.
Half way JE Gordon's Structures or Why Things Don't Fall Down which is very interesting and is also stressing my brain.
November 22, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Half way JE Gordon's Structures or Why Things Don't Fall Down which is very interesting and is also stressing my brain.
Onto Algebra 1. But the way Khan Academy has overlapping courses means I'm starting it with 32% already complete.
November 20, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Onto Algebra 1. But the way Khan Academy has overlapping courses means I'm starting it with 32% already complete.
I actually confidently felt a burr when sharpening today. And held to the light I could even see the burr glimmering. So I'm gradually getting better. This was a particularly satisfying roll of shaving from the plane.
November 9, 2025 at 8:18 PM
I actually confidently felt a burr when sharpening today. And held to the light I could even see the burr glimmering. So I'm gradually getting better. This was a particularly satisfying roll of shaving from the plane.
A surprise in the post today from my friend Robjn. British Craftsmanship in Wood by Betty Norbury
October 30, 2025 at 1:07 PM
A surprise in the post today from my friend Robjn. British Craftsmanship in Wood by Betty Norbury
I've moved this vice so it's no longer in the way of my woodwork. I also made a 3d print. The measurements for this were wrong so the pen doesn't fit as planned (perhaps should have fetched the better calipers) but it still worked for finding the centre of the hole. Super quick to make as well.
October 27, 2025 at 6:54 PM
I've moved this vice so it's no longer in the way of my woodwork. I also made a 3d print. The measurements for this were wrong so the pen doesn't fit as planned (perhaps should have fetched the better calipers) but it still worked for finding the centre of the hole. Super quick to make as well.
I'm starting to get the hang of planing. This was a very rough and unlevel rip edge. It takes too long and this project doesn't need to be this flat, but it is good practice.
October 22, 2025 at 5:42 PM
I'm starting to get the hang of planing. This was a very rough and unlevel rip edge. It takes too long and this project doesn't need to be this flat, but it is good practice.
Ruler upgrade. They are easier to read when not a photo because you can move your head to get the light right, but the Shinwa is so much better.
October 18, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Ruler upgrade. They are easier to read when not a photo because you can move your head to get the light right, but the Shinwa is so much better.
Prototyping mounting ideas for my keyboard. I'm probably going to try some odd setups in the spirit of Ben Vallack.
October 17, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Prototyping mounting ideas for my keyboard. I'm probably going to try some odd setups in the spirit of Ben Vallack.
The threaded inserts and the CNC Kitchen attachments for the Pinecil soldering iron worked very well. First time using threaded inserts or the iron. Now I need something to screw into this. Or should I make that too?
October 15, 2025 at 6:25 PM
The threaded inserts and the CNC Kitchen attachments for the Pinecil soldering iron worked very well. First time using threaded inserts or the iron. Now I need something to screw into this. Or should I make that too?
Test print. I cut it in half with a few different tolerances for the magnet holes.
October 14, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Test print. I cut it in half with a few different tolerances for the magnet holes.
This might actually be printable. #myfirstCADdrawing #FreeCAD
October 13, 2025 at 7:01 PM
This might actually be printable. #myfirstCADdrawing #FreeCAD
I'm learning how to CAD.
October 12, 2025 at 6:42 PM
I'm learning how to CAD.
Another hole to practice mending
October 10, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Another hole to practice mending
Fixed hole in jumper under the arm and a more obvious hole front and center. I learnt what a whip stitch was today so utilised that, but also tried to pull some of the knit back through, then weaved the rest and threw in some knots. I don't know what I'm doing but the result seems reasonable.
October 7, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Fixed hole in jumper under the arm and a more obvious hole front and center. I learnt what a whip stitch was today so utilised that, but also tried to pull some of the knit back through, then weaved the rest and threw in some knots. I don't know what I'm doing but the result seems reasonable.
This is the hole I want to tackle next (armpit area). Hopefully I have the correct items to fix it. But is there a different technique I need to research? I know nothing.
October 7, 2025 at 1:23 PM
This is the hole I want to tackle next (armpit area). Hopefully I have the correct items to fix it. But is there a different technique I need to research? I know nothing.
Seeing if I can avoid spending the £80 official solution by 3D printing this keyboard mount. So far so good. I need to obtain some threaded inserts next, which I've yet to experiment with.
September 30, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Seeing if I can avoid spending the £80 official solution by 3D printing this keyboard mount. So far so good. I need to obtain some threaded inserts next, which I've yet to experiment with.
I made a shooting board to help make right angles. I'm not getting perfect results yet, but hopefully good enough for now. Also, it's hard work. Gravity isn't helping me so much from this direction.
September 26, 2025 at 5:47 PM
I made a shooting board to help make right angles. I'm not getting perfect results yet, but hopefully good enough for now. Also, it's hard work. Gravity isn't helping me so much from this direction.
This is great exercise. I was very pleased with how straight I made this rip cut... though on flipping it over I've decided I need to try harder for 90 degrees next time! 😅
September 15, 2025 at 6:20 PM
This is great exercise. I was very pleased with how straight I made this rip cut... though on flipping it over I've decided I need to try harder for 90 degrees next time! 😅
I bought these very cheap socks a few months ago. I didn't expect them to last very long, but I was so annoyed at how quickly they fell apart that I was inspired to fix them. They are absolutely not worth saving, but I've learnt to enjoy fixing them and will make my next *good* socks last longer
September 9, 2025 at 12:57 PM
I bought these very cheap socks a few months ago. I didn't expect them to last very long, but I was so annoyed at how quickly they fell apart that I was inspired to fix them. They are absolutely not worth saving, but I've learnt to enjoy fixing them and will make my next *good* socks last longer
Made a crude darning mushroom. I thought it would be a nice small project to help me get used to working with wood. I've got a slightly better sense of how a chisel acts on wood grain now.
September 6, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Made a crude darning mushroom. I thought it would be a nice small project to help me get used to working with wood. I've got a slightly better sense of how a chisel acts on wood grain now.
First time using metal snips. I'm using a clamp mostly because I wasn't sure how easy it is to accidentally snip off a finger.
September 1, 2025 at 6:45 PM
First time using metal snips. I'm using a clamp mostly because I wasn't sure how easy it is to accidentally snip off a finger.
Now I have a steel straight edge I'm just over aware of the crookedness of everything else around me
youtu.be/-MwCJpEuC44?...
youtu.be/-MwCJpEuC44?...
August 17, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Now I have a steel straight edge I'm just over aware of the crookedness of everything else around me
youtu.be/-MwCJpEuC44?...
youtu.be/-MwCJpEuC44?...
Yesterday I struggled lining up the holes and screw and then getting the (thrust?) washer lined up in the gap between the two sections of the chair (even with an assistant). Today I tried building a platform to align everything and it was much easier.
August 16, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Yesterday I struggled lining up the holes and screw and then getting the (thrust?) washer lined up in the gap between the two sections of the chair (even with an assistant). Today I tried building a platform to align everything and it was much easier.
One day I'll think of a way to repurpose these. But 3 more wrenches and 3 more Allen keys to add to the collection.
August 16, 2025 at 6:22 PM
One day I'll think of a way to repurpose these. But 3 more wrenches and 3 more Allen keys to add to the collection.