Cable Chaos – A Solution

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Some of you will remember my earlier post about the mess of some the cables here and the follow-up post.

I finally got around to testing out my design using some plywood and a jigsaw.

Plywood dividers
I also used a wooden presentation box from a premium bottle of wine that has been drunk and enjoyed some time ago.  Once the plywood pieces were slotted together and inserted in the box it looked like this.

Box with inserts
It is not fastened in any way but is totally self-supporting.

Cables in box
Here is the result with the cables separated into their own spaces.  There are a couple of double-ups but they are the same or similar cables.  It definitely makes locating the correct cable much easier.

I am thinking of making labels to go on the edges to identify exactly where each cable belongs.

The other good thing about this system is that it imposes limits.  I will need to regularly review what cables we have and whether they are still required as I would not be keen on having a larger storage box.

What do you think?

Make & Mend – Picture Frame

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This week I want to share a few of the projects I have been working on recently.

First up is the picture frames.  These are 2 large timber frames which belong to my mother.  They have family photographs in them and usually stand on her sideboard.  The problem is that the stand is actually very heavy cardboard.  After several years of very wet and humid weather the cardboard has absorbed moisture and now has flexed and will not stand and support the frame.

Picture frame with stand
I brought these home with the idea of repairing them and this is what I did.

I made a pattern from the stand on each frame and then marked it out on a sheet of plywood.

Pattern
The pieces of plywood were cut using a jigsaw.

Plywood
I then spread the glue (Aquadhere) over the plywood and placed it on the cardboard stand.  I used several clamps to make sure firm contact was maintained between the surfaces.  I left the clamps in place for 24 hours.

There are no photos of the clamps as my camera battery was flat.

Tonight I removed the clamps and the repair has been successful.  Now I need to finish the other frame then return them to my mother.

Repaired
Tune in again tomorrow for the next project.