DIY – Page 10

Build a Solar Thermal Direct-Air Heater for $200

November 1, 2012 by kris de decker Filed Under: DIY, Heating appliances, Random, Solar

“The town I live in is located near the Alberta-BC border, about 100 miles north of the US Canada border. Winters here are long and cold, but many days are crystal clear and sunny.”

“Our tool shed has a south-facing wall which was ideal to mount a solar thermal direct-air collector panel. The collector panel exterior dimensions are 48” high x 49.5” wide. Total budget: $200.00 Result: 16 sq ft harvest up to 6 kWh/day.”

Build a Solar-Thermal Direct-Air Heater (PDF). Introduction (and another project) here.

Making Bellows

October 31, 2012 by kris de decker Filed Under: Bellows, DIY, Random, Wind Power

“This is hopefully the start of a set of documents that will help in the construction of a portable, authentic forge and bronze casting set up. I am starting with the bellows as I can use them at home to help get the fire going in the winter months.”

“I have repaired a number of sets of bellows, but this is the first set I have actually made myself from scratch. They appear to work well – good flow rate, nice range of movement, practically no air loss. If you follow any of the instructions below and it doesn’t work properly – well then you are just doing it wrong.”

Making bellows.

Open Source Water Boiler

October 22, 2012 by kris de decker Filed Under: DIY, Kitchenware, Random

“Coffee makers and water boilers are relatively simple machines, yet their workings are typically inaccessible to the user. Repair or even recycling becomes impossible: once the product ceases to function, it is rendered disposable. The OS Boiler explores an alternative approach to the design and production of these ubiquitous appliances. Based on the OS design principles, the WaterBoiler’s (completely disassembleable) design and transparent construction invites users to adapt, repair, and combine with existing OpenStructures components.”

“The limited complexity of the Boiler allows new partnerships to emerge that can adapt to the scale of production: a single unit designed as a DIY kit to one-thousand units produced in a collaboration of international suppliers and local manufacturers. Consistent application of simple and straightforward principles in design and production leads to an object that can evolve and adapt over time.”

Open Source Water Boiler (and the version with ceramic filter) at the OpenStructures Project.

For an in-depth article about OpenStructures and related projects, read “How to make everything ourselves: open modular hardware“.

Wire Hanger Rocket Stove

October 16, 2012 by kris de decker Filed Under: Cooking stoves, DIY

“The thab stove is a designed template that utilizes unwanted wire hangers
from North America to assist in improving the portable dung stove used
by Tibetan nomads.

1.6 million people die from indoor pollution (three stones fire) every year and that equals to one death every 20 seconds.
3.5 billion wire hangers end up in U.S. landfill every year and that equals to 60,000 cars
5.6 million stoves can be made from 3.5 billion unwanted wire hangers every year.”

See and read more. Via Treehugger and Designboom. Thanks to Angela Riviera.

Building Plans for Dutch Industrial Windmills (1850)

October 8, 2012 by kris de decker Filed Under: DIY, Random, Wind Power, Windmills

This collection of 21 building plans for 5 different types of Dutch industrial windmills was published in 1850. There is a saw mill, an oats mill, a flour mill, and two pumping mills. The book contains no text, only illustrations.

“Theoretisch en practisch molenboek: voor ingenieurs, aannemers, molenaars en andere bouwkundigen“, G. Krook, 1850.

(“Theoretical and practical windmill book; for engineers, contractors and millwrights”).

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