The Manly Man Weekend Unknown9:03 AM

The long weekends have always been the cottage or cabin season opener. That’s when the ice has finally melted and moved off the lake. Most of the snow is gone and the recreational home was prepared for the summer. Lucky for me, a bunch of pals offered to give a hand and make this transition much easier.

Check out the Facebook page for updates https://www.facebook.com/cedarworkshop

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Update to Making Copper Coils for a Wind Turbine Unknown8:21 AM

An update to the making copper coils for a vertical axis wind turbine. The coils will be used with the gear system from the breadmaker. (Update for that video will be coming soon)
 Music credit
Title: Heavy, by Huma-Huma, YouTube Library
http://youtube-audio-library.storage.googleapis.com/f8fd1f22533dae80,

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Hey! What about those copper coils? Unknown8:33 PM

I'm working on it. First had to take care of some stuff at the cabin. i.e. keeping the water from pooling on the roof and leaking inside.

Anyway, here's a few pics of where I'm at.

Enjoy

2nd coil, 86 turns, Krazy glue every 10 turns

A screw for the start (A) and finish (B)

Winding jig from an old shelf bracket

Spool of wire. Yep, it almost unravelled on me. Had to stick a piece of painters tape as a stop

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10 Videos in 22 Seconds - January Compilation 2014 Unknown2:08 PM

Made another YouTube Fan Finder style of video. It's special recap of the latest videos.
It's called "10 in 22" (10 videos in 22 seconds)
Thought it would be a quick way for existing and new fans to check out the latest offerings.
Enjoy!

Video Titles and links are posted below.

A Present from YouTube Fans and Subscribers 

Make a Wood Stove Fan (Reco Fan)

Update to the Wood Stove Reco Fan (Build #2)- Works Like a Dream!

A Sweet Find at the Local Dump: Denon Workshop Radio

Flower Pot Heater was a BUST!

Hauling Firewood with a Snowmobile

A Rare Visit from a Winter Weasel

Part 1 of the Breadmaker VAWT Project - Pulley & Shaft

Part 2 of the Breadmaker VAWT Project - A Fail & Plan B

Learn How to Make Copper Coils for a Wind Generator

Music credit: Strange Ways by Silent Partner. Provided by YouTube Audio Library

http://youtube-audio-library.storage.googleapis.com/64f7fac1a154f79f,

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Great Bearings for Small VAWTs Unknown2:35 PM

The bearings are from portable gas generator tire hubs. The 2 piece hubs are 8" diameter, air fill, rubber tires. Used for carts, dollies and generators. 

Once the bolts are removed, the hubs will come apart.
• Air fill only
• 1/2" - 5/8" arbor

In Canada: Princess Auto in Small Wheel Assemblies 2.80 x 2.50-4 Wheel Assembly@$15.99

In the US, Notherntool.com has "Northern Industrial Universal Generator/Water Pump Wheel Kit - Model# 2006Q000" for $33.00.

Also, look on Amazon or eBay for Generator Wheel Kits, dolly or wagon wheels

Check out this video for reference for a close up

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Cedar Projects Unknown9:57 AM

Cedar gate with Arbor

Two cedar Adirondack Chairs finished in red latex paint

Had a comment from a viewer about the lack of woodworking projects. Good point. Yes, I have been quite busy with wind turbines and solar panels, which in-theory, has little in common to woodworking.

So, to show good intentions, I dug into the photo albums and pulled out a few summer freelance projects. As I remember, it was quite enjoyable and help pay for college. Feel free to browse through cedar structures, Adirondack chairs and pergolas.
More pictures found at the Cedar Workshop Google+ Page

Garden Corner Pergola for grapes and shade

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The Plan to Build a Tree Mounted Wind Turbine Unknown6:13 PM

Surrounding Lodgepole Pines

I've been thinking about mounting a wind turbine to a tree for quite awhile. Not happy with the wind turbine on the deck. It's not getting clean, undisturbed wind. If I could just get the turbine above the trees, I could maybe generated a couple more watts. 

I have two wind turbines, a small 175 watt DC and a larger 700 watt 3 phase AC turbine. The small one works good at throwing a few watts in and keeping the deep cycle batteries topped up or trickle charged. It's a nice peace of mind in the below zero winter nights.

Haven't installed the large turbine yet. The 1" keyed shaft did not fit into the tower pipe. So it was back to the drawing board. Have found a fencing pipe that would be big enough thou. Another problem the 700 watt is very heavy and the tow raising turns into a two person job.

One thought was to find a dead tree and fasten a tower to it. The only catch was it would have to be lowered for servicing once or twice a year. There are a few "standing dead" pine trees on the property, but are only 12' to 15' below the tree canopy. I estimate the average height of the trees is 40'. 

The next idea, was to select a live tree and safely mount a wind turbine to it. I don't want injuring or impede the growth. 


The ideal tree was directly behind the cabin, is a large, triangle shaped, White Spruce. It's quite magnificent to look at and would make a fine mount for turbines. Almost 90% of the wind comes rolling down the mountain and hits the back side of the property.

The cabin is located in a forest of Lodgepole Pine trees. I measured a tree that fell down and it came out to 40' tall.

Large White Spruce

Still have to mount the large turbine, but, the height factor is cancelling out the project.

On my lunch hour, I did a few sketches. I think about what resources are available: lumber, bolts, nuts, etc. Instead of what could be purchased.

Concept 1- Tree fort support

Concept 2 - Clamp platform

Concept 3 - Swing up

Concept 2- Is a Birdseye view, looking down on a "platform". The tree would be sandwiched in-between. 

Also, I have to think, "how does one person climb up the tree and hoist the lumber up?" That's what it comes down too. 

Then went to Adobe Illustrator and hashed out some more ideas. See below for the animated gif.

Updated January 24, 2014

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