Hand-built

Compost Bin

August 11, 2015 by The Chad

What goes better with a garden then compost? Nothing!

When we decided to try our hand at gardening, I decided to take on the task of composting. Shipping palettes sounded like an easy and cheap way to go, so I started collecting them from work. In the meantime, I created a temporary plywood bin just so we could get started.

After driving home four palettes in the trunk of my little car (four separate trips over a matter of weeks), I lashed them together with zip ties. I also lined the inside with a mesh to help keep the compost from falling out through the slats. Leaving one corner free allows the side to open like a gate, making for easy turning and removal.

Seven months later, this solution still works and looks great. I even collected three more palettes and attached a second bin to the first. If only the garden was working out so well!

Cornhole Boards

August 11, 2015 by The Chad

This is one of my favorite projects I’ve done – boards and designs for tailgating game extraordinaire, Cornhole. They came out so amazingly well!

My dad and I built the boards over a weekend, then I spent the following week creating and applying the designs, staining, and adding a whole lot of poly. Even the bean bags were homemade, courtesy of friend and local sewing expert, Michelle.

Having Karen’s birthday party as a strict deadline helped keep me on task, and it made a great addition to our lawn game party.

Zelda Musical Treasure Chest

July 13, 2015 by The Chad

My wife and I are Zelda fans, so I knew I’d found a great gift when I discovered a Skyward Heart pendant inspired by the video game. I’d also been looking to create something with my hands – not something I’ve done much of in the past, – so a homemade musical-treasure-chest-jewelry-box was the obvious presentation method for the pendant (duh!).

Of course, that meant I had to make it.

As a complete newbie to wood working, I figured a small jewelry box was a good place to start. I also justified to myself that a treasure chest can and should be rough around the edges, relieving me of some pressure to get everything just right.

I presented my wife with the box – but only after a fun scavenger hunt – and she seemed quite pleased with it.

I later posted a how-to tutorial on Instructables, a DIY website. The instructable gained some popularity and was even featured on the site’s homepage.

One of the first steps from the Instructable.

Wood-working must haves: wood glue and clamps.

The electronics that play the Zelda sound when the chest opens.

Be sure to turn up your audio for the video above. The sound is half the fun!