Author Archives: Thales of Miletus

Bonus Article for you Battery Aficionados

Or “How to not pay full price for your portable tool battery packs ever again.” When I first started purchasing Electric Kobalt lawn tools (lawn mower, edger, blower, etc.) some of those came with 2.0ah batteries, while others came with 5.0ah batteries. The lower capacity batteries have begun to give up the ghost with veryContinueContinue reading “Bonus Article for you Battery Aficionados”

For the month July 2021

More InSoFast and some sub-floor work. And that remaining weld bead (above) will need to be grind down flush before the sub-floor is installed over it. We just sprayed a little Rustoleum on it to keep it from rusting. Spray some Rustoleum paint to stop the rusting and we’re ready to continue with the door,ContinueContinue reading “For the month July 2021”

For the month June 2021

Door Frame Fabricating I know I said no more cuts for awhile but it occurred to us, if we’re going to keep this thing modular and add a second container down the road (soon) we shouldn’t install insulation, expensive InSoFast insulation, just to rip it out in just a few months. Options: Insulate across whereContinueContinue reading “For the month June 2021”

For the month May 2021

Another Window. Yes! And hopefully the last cut for a little while. Draw Your Outline Using your rough opening measurements for the window you’ve purchased, draw your opening being sure to make it level and square. The easiest way to do this is measuring from the floor and ceiling on both sides. The other importantContinueContinue reading “For the month May 2021”

For the month April 2021

Battery Shucking Progress The next batch to get us over the 1000 cell count. Many have come in with good capacity left, a LOT above 2200 mAh, and now they’re just waiting their 30 days to see if we have any self-dischargers, or “leakers”. How do you test a cell’s capacity and identify the “keepers”ContinueContinue reading “For the month April 2021”

For the month March 2021

InSoFast Insulation Installation Time! A picture’s worth a thousand words so here’s how the end wall (bathroom) came together. Pay close attention to the tools you’ll need to get your pieces just right so you get a snug and flush/flat installation. After all, these panels are both your insulation and your wall’s studs. In theContinueContinue reading “For the month March 2021”

For the Month of January & February 2021

Good news and Bad news GOOD: The weather’s too cold and wet to do really much of anything. The recommended adhesive for installing the InSoFast panels needs to be above 40 degrees F and below 90. And as you all can remember, Texas was no where in that range for most of January and WAYYYYYContinueContinue reading “For the Month of January & February 2021”

For the Month December 2020

Featured Image courtesy of BatteryHookup.com. Thanks BH! It’s cold outside – Time to find things to do Indoors Did we mention that this Prototype Modular Home is going to be off-grid? Eventually, yes. Because we’ve pledged that the majority of it will be DIY-built this means the battery bank as well. Battery Types and SizesContinueContinue reading “For the Month December 2020”

For the Month November 2020

Cuts, Bucks, and What-The-…InSoFast? I know it doesn’t rhyme but it does roll off the tongue. It’s not as good as: Ricky-Ticky-Tee…Kick ’em in the Knee!Ricky-Ticky-Tass…Kick ’em in the other Knee!-Unknown But I Digress This month consisted of finding room for all three palettes of insulation panels and start with my first attempt at cuttingContinueContinue reading “For the Month November 2020”