Dabiddo DIY

One drawback of this fridge is that we need to do our own maintenance and repairs. And one benefit is that it's quite fun. As opposed to Japanese brands, there are tons how-to videos on YouTube. I wish I could show you the before (cleaning) photo, but it's rather embarrassing...

If you noticed the notches in the wood yesterday, then this is what they were for. I wanted to use some rope for strength and 和 (wa). It is a Japanese maple, after all. The screws were just to keep it in place. They'll probably rust and lose their holding power anyway.
And in the picture where I'm sawing some wood--I think I found the perfect piece in my scraps box. Do you remember it? The side pieces of the maple wagon's handle were cut out of that. It smelled so nice cutting it because it was red cedar.

It has been a while.
Starting off 2023 with a bit of DIY.
The Japanese maple was tucked behind the gutter pipe last year and I don't want to cut it short. So I finally had some free time to prop it up. It's not finished yet. 🍁

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc0Jv25vbCm/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

It's been awhile. Hi! Today I finally repaired the bottom light on the wagon display. And I chiseled a groove to make sure the wire doesn't get damaged again. Success!

Awesome! I found a leftie cutter at HardStock!!
左 = left

Picture 2: Elastic bands (many of them) provided enough gripping power in place of long clamps that I don't own.

The last spurt to get it ready for today paid off. This is a log of the build and not intended to be humblebrags, but in bed at 4 am doing the doors up at 7 to get the shelf done, and out the door at 9. There's more than 100 hours in this project and just a few things left to button up, but it's operating as a wagon today so I say, "Job complete." (a few more posts about it coming up though, and then silence, until my next project. For now, Merry Christmas. 🎄🎄🎄)

One more side to go on the bottom part--the side with the doors. But I have an idea.

With that the top is pretty much done. I need to finish the shelf and finish the price tag shelves, but those should all be done tonight. By the way, the top all removed in one very solid piece today, so that made me very happy!

Update: I'm working on finishing touches.

(Side note: I like to feel the wood, so I often take off my gloves. It's super dry here right now, and hand cream would get into the wood. Advice crafters/woodworkers?)

Cable management on this project was one of the hardest diy steps I've ever done. It took about 5 hours last night, not counting the first few pictures thing.
Some places there are about 6 cables and big rubber joint sections (in the cables where they split into the different lights) all running though the one 1 cm conduit.

1 done. 6 or 7 more to go. 💓

Testing different ways of attaching the movable price card shelves. And we have a winner.

The last hook hanging bar is in.
I broke it at first, had spare parts, miscut them, repaired the original and carefully installed it. It's probably the strongest of the three bars now though.

I wanted to still be able to see the wood, so this is how I decided to do it. We still have the option to change the configuration of the hooks. I might buy some shorter ones, though. I still have to install another bar, but I broke it, so tomorrow (today) I have to make a new one.
Do you like the glue jig?
By the way, the aged back cedar display wall and the diy black bars are repurposed materials.
I have a few more things to do, but it's basically done.
I hope you're able to see it in person..

I'm playing with F I R E 🔥

It worked! Thank you, YouTube. I needed to bend aluminum without it breaking, and heat did the trick.

And the lights are in.

The handle is on.

Phase 2: complete.

Today.

I actually had the whole 'roof' on at 6 pm, but I'll wait for light to take pictures. I'm still adjusting it too. And I moved it to our place so it would be easier to work on.

Picture 1: I decided to match the sketch for the lengths.

Picture 2: Drilling holes for cables. I got lucky both times I did this.

Picture 3: This is how is being attached. It makes it easier to take apart too.

Picture 4: And the finished display 'wall'. I still have to add the hooks.

My ToysRus card is still usable!

My first 'snow' of the year.

Assorted pictures from the day. You get the idea of what I'm planning for the display area. You can also see that I decided to add corner brackets for strength and looks. There will be other black accessories, so I think it'll help bring it all together.

It's taking longer than expected, as usual, so lucky I have Mondays off. I actually brought it home in the car--it fit!

See you tomorrow. 😉

I'm ready for the big switcheroo. Swap sales freezers this morning, and swap back tonight. That should give me a nice full day to work on the wagon with the actual freezer in place.

Working nights.

"Measure twice. Cut once."

All the accessories are done for the maple wagon.