Automotive - Automotive

Drop In

DW200 Miata Fuel Pump Replacement

Guide to Miata fuel pump replacement, showing replacing the stock fuel pump with a DeatschWerks DW200, also applies to Walbro 190 or 255

Its Free

Removing a Miata Harddog Rollbar

Guide to removing a Miata Harddog rollbar, done in this case in order to perform a fuel pump upgrade, but also useful for installation

Comparison

K24 Miata Hood Clearance

Guide to options for achieving K24 Miata hood clearance with an NA Miata, including hood trimming, slashcut valve cover, and subframe spacers

Miata Torsen Differential Swap

Guide to performing a 90-05 Miata Torsen differential swap, with pictures and parts links including how to swap housings and change bushings

Rewiring Miata 6-Speed for NA

Rewiring the Miata 6-speed for an NA Miata, showing how to swap speedometer sending units and rewire the reverse light to function correctly

Finished Car

K24 Miata Swap

Complete guide to a K24 Miata Swap, including step-by-step pictures swapping a k24a2 into a 1997 Miata using the KPower swap kit

99-04 Mustang GT Hitch Installation

I like to mountain bike. To transport my bikes, I usually use a hitch-mount rack. Initially, this was the Swagman XC2, which worked very well for the price and is in the picture below. Once I got a full suspension mountain bike, I wasn’t as comfortable with how it secures the bike via the frame. […]

2009-2014 F150 Mirror Removal and Replacement

  As you can tell by the theme of my F150 upgrade articles, I bought a very basic truck with almost no options on it. Internet wisdom enlightened me to the fact that the fancy mirrors on higher end trucks are actually plug-and-play with all F150s. Thus, features like the puddle lamps and heated mirror […]

The model info

Quickjack BL-5000SLX Setup Guide

Quickjack BL-5000SLX Setup Guide including gotchas and details missing from Bendpak/Ranger’s included manual, such as priming the power unit

The vapor barrier

Regreasing Slow Miata Windows

A guide to regreasing slow Miata windows, including how to disassemble the door without breaking anything and where to buy lubricant and bushings

2009-2014 F150 Door Panel Removal

This is my writeup on 2009-2014 F150 Door Panel Removal.     The first thing I recommend doing is getting an old flathead screwdriver that you won’t miss, put some heat to the tip of it with MAP gas or a butane torch, and bend the tip of it so its perpendicular to the rest […]

All four pistons and rods removed

Disassembling a Miata Short Block

Step-by-step pictures showing disassembling a miata short block, including where every bolt goes, as well as removing the crank, pistons, and rods

New boot is significantly shorter

Moog Ball Joint Boot for a Miata

Moog ball joint boot defect in their Miata K500210 problem-solver ball joints and how to fix it with an $8 set of Energy Suspension boots

Adjusting ride height

Installing Coilovers in a Miata

Guide to installing coilovers in a miata, including the long bolt method, as well as how to properly torque everything down afterwards

Trailer resting on blocks

Storing a Trailer

Storing a trailer to maximize tire life, including how to lift the trailer and put the frame on cinderblocks, as well as covering the tires

Replace as much fluid as possible with fresh

Bleeding Miata Brakes

A complete guide to bleeding Miata brakes, including materials required and a step-by-step procedure

New pads

Changing Brakes in a Miata

Changing brakes in a miata, including swapping pads, rotors, and calipers, and bleeding the brakes with fresh fluid afterwards

The hitch with the old bike rack

Miata Hitch Installation

Miata hitch installation using a Curt hitch from Amazon, using alternative mounting with grade 8 bolts, and discussing different hitch options

Final picture

Miata LRB Speed Under Tray Review

A Miata LRB Speed under tray review, including how well the aluminum material and design work and how I fixed the rattle noise mine made

Far away view of sensor

Miata O2 Sensor Replacement

Miata O2 sensor replacement guide including how to do both front and rear sensors, as well as direct vs universal fit sensors

Held in with clips, can be pried and lifted out

Miata Window Switch Repair

Miata window switch repair writeup, detailing fixing a failed power window switch using some solder and sandpaper

Miata Parallel Fan Wiring

Parallel fan wiring for a Miata so that both the driver and passenger side fans turn on based on engine temperature

Done, ugly but functional

DIY Miata Headrest Speakers

Installing DIY miata headrest speakers using commonly available 3.5″ speakers, including wiring if the factory wiring is not present

Trailer

Repacking Trailer Wheel Bearings

Repacking trailer wheel bearings on a standard car hauler, including jacking up the wheel and disassembling the hubs, plus EZ-lube usage

Design Flaw – Ford 4.6 Coolant Flow and IMRCs

  There is a lot of discussion and disagreement out there regarding Ford 4.6L engines and their coolant flow. Several companies out there offer a “head cooling mod” (HCM) which takes coolant flow from the driver’s side cylinder head and, rather than dead-ending it like stock, ties it into the heater supply tube with the […]

Dial indicator setup

Miata Crank End Play Measurement

How to use a dial indicator and pry bar to get a crank end play measurement on a Miata motor to determine if there is a thrust bearing issue

Rerouting fixes the issue entirely

Miata Coolant Reroute (M-Tuned)

How to install an m-tuned Miata coolant reroute with pictures including thermostat and hose part numbers, as well as how to avoid common problems

Automotive - Ford F-150

2009-2014 F150 Mirror Removal and Replacement

  As you can tell by the theme of my F150 upgrade articles, I bought a very basic truck with almost no options on it. Internet wisdom enlightened me to the fact that the fancy mirrors on higher end trucks are actually plug-and-play with all F150s. Thus, features like the puddle lamps and heated mirror […]

2009-2014 F150 Door Panel Removal

This is my writeup on 2009-2014 F150 Door Panel Removal.     The first thing I recommend doing is getting an old flathead screwdriver that you won’t miss, put some heat to the tip of it with MAP gas or a butane torch, and bend the tip of it so its perpendicular to the rest […]

Automotive - Ford Mustang

99-04 Mustang GT Hitch Installation

I like to mountain bike. To transport my bikes, I usually use a hitch-mount rack. Initially, this was the Swagman XC2, which worked very well for the price and is in the picture below. Once I got a full suspension mountain bike, I wasn’t as comfortable with how it secures the bike via the frame. […]

Design Flaw – Ford 4.6 Coolant Flow and IMRCs

  There is a lot of discussion and disagreement out there regarding Ford 4.6L engines and their coolant flow. Several companies out there offer a “head cooling mod” (HCM) which takes coolant flow from the driver’s side cylinder head and, rather than dead-ending it like stock, ties it into the heater supply tube with the […]

Automotive - Home Improvement

Installing an Outdoor Post Lamp

Guide to installing an outdoor post lamp or replacing an existing one, including remove and reinstallation steps complete with pictures

Fixing a Stuck Door

Guide to fixing a stuck door using a hand plane to plane it down, including where to purchase a decent hand plane and alternatives

Cover installed

Adding a 220 Outlet

Description of how I went about adding a 220V outlet to my shop, including fitting a new outlet and adding a new circuit to the sub-panel

View from the yard

Fixing a Wood Fence

Fixing a wooden fence that has sustained damage from a tree falling using simple hand tools and some lumber from the hardware store

And then it can be angled down and removed

Fixing a Squeaky Bathroom Fan

Fixing a squeaky bathroom fan with basic hand tools by relubricating with dry teflon lubricant or by replacing the motor with a new unit

Finished

French Cleat Garage Storage

Getting garden tools and other items organized and on the wall using custom DIY french cleat garage storage

Perfect fit

Garage Shelf

Easy-to-build, strong DIY garage shelf out of 2×4 and OSB

Pop-up emitter after installation

Fixing A Downspout

Fixing a downspout by extending the flow out away from the house using PVC and a pop-up emitter

The gate is finished

Simple 4′ Garden Fence

How to build an inexpensive, attractive 4′ Garden Fence using pressure-treated wood and hexagonal mesh

Automotive - Mazda Miata

Drop In

DW200 Miata Fuel Pump Replacement

Guide to Miata fuel pump replacement, showing replacing the stock fuel pump with a DeatschWerks DW200, also applies to Walbro 190 or 255

Its Free

Removing a Miata Harddog Rollbar

Guide to removing a Miata Harddog rollbar, done in this case in order to perform a fuel pump upgrade, but also useful for installation

Miata Torsen Differential Swap

Guide to performing a 90-05 Miata Torsen differential swap, with pictures and parts links including how to swap housings and change bushings

Rewiring Miata 6-Speed for NA

Rewiring the Miata 6-speed for an NA Miata, showing how to swap speedometer sending units and rewire the reverse light to function correctly

Finished Car

K24 Miata Swap

Complete guide to a K24 Miata Swap, including step-by-step pictures swapping a k24a2 into a 1997 Miata using the KPower swap kit

The vapor barrier

Regreasing Slow Miata Windows

A guide to regreasing slow Miata windows, including how to disassemble the door without breaking anything and where to buy lubricant and bushings

All four pistons and rods removed

Disassembling a Miata Short Block

Step-by-step pictures showing disassembling a miata short block, including where every bolt goes, as well as removing the crank, pistons, and rods

New boot is significantly shorter

Moog Ball Joint Boot for a Miata

Moog ball joint boot defect in their Miata K500210 problem-solver ball joints and how to fix it with an $8 set of Energy Suspension boots

Adjusting ride height

Installing Coilovers in a Miata

Guide to installing coilovers in a miata, including the long bolt method, as well as how to properly torque everything down afterwards

Replace as much fluid as possible with fresh

Bleeding Miata Brakes

A complete guide to bleeding Miata brakes, including materials required and a step-by-step procedure

New pads

Changing Brakes in a Miata

Changing brakes in a miata, including swapping pads, rotors, and calipers, and bleeding the brakes with fresh fluid afterwards

The hitch with the old bike rack

Miata Hitch Installation

Miata hitch installation using a Curt hitch from Amazon, using alternative mounting with grade 8 bolts, and discussing different hitch options

Final picture

Miata LRB Speed Under Tray Review

A Miata LRB Speed under tray review, including how well the aluminum material and design work and how I fixed the rattle noise mine made

Far away view of sensor

Miata O2 Sensor Replacement

Miata O2 sensor replacement guide including how to do both front and rear sensors, as well as direct vs universal fit sensors

Held in with clips, can be pried and lifted out

Miata Window Switch Repair

Miata window switch repair writeup, detailing fixing a failed power window switch using some solder and sandpaper

Miata Parallel Fan Wiring

Parallel fan wiring for a Miata so that both the driver and passenger side fans turn on based on engine temperature

Done, ugly but functional

DIY Miata Headrest Speakers

Installing DIY miata headrest speakers using commonly available 3.5″ speakers, including wiring if the factory wiring is not present

Dial indicator setup

Miata Crank End Play Measurement

How to use a dial indicator and pry bar to get a crank end play measurement on a Miata motor to determine if there is a thrust bearing issue

Rerouting fixes the issue entirely

Miata Coolant Reroute (M-Tuned)

How to install an m-tuned Miata coolant reroute with pictures including thermostat and hose part numbers, as well as how to avoid common problems

Automotive - Mazda Miata – K24 Swap

Drop In

DW200 Miata Fuel Pump Replacement

Guide to Miata fuel pump replacement, showing replacing the stock fuel pump with a DeatschWerks DW200, also applies to Walbro 190 or 255

Comparison

K24 Miata Hood Clearance

Guide to options for achieving K24 Miata hood clearance with an NA Miata, including hood trimming, slashcut valve cover, and subframe spacers

Rewiring Miata 6-Speed for NA

Rewiring the Miata 6-speed for an NA Miata, showing how to swap speedometer sending units and rewire the reverse light to function correctly

Finished Car

K24 Miata Swap

Complete guide to a K24 Miata Swap, including step-by-step pictures swapping a k24a2 into a 1997 Miata using the KPower swap kit

Automotive - Technology

Rooted XT1920DL Moto E5

Rooting the XT1920DL Moto E5

Complete guide to rooting the XT1920 Moto E5 variant, including the correct TWRP image to use, to allow you to unlock this less-common phone

Automotive - Uncategorized

Rewiring Miata 6-Speed for NA

Rewiring the Miata 6-speed for an NA Miata, showing how to swap speedometer sending units and rewire the reverse light to function correctly

Conduit

Fixing F-150 Door Wiring

Describing how to fix F-150 door wiring, when the wires get pinched and cause power door locks and door speakers to quit working

Automotive - Woodworking

Up Position

Delta 34-868 Splitter Review

Review of the Delta 34-868 splitter, including the screws needed to mount it to a Delta 36-650 contractor table saw

Just slightly undersized, but this will work

Easy Fix for Cheap Dowel Rod

An easy fix for cheap dowel rod, using a drill and sandpaper to trim down oversized store-bought rod to fit in dowel joints without making complicated jigs

The stained dresser looks much better than before

Refinishing Furniture with New Stain

This cheap dresser came from Craigslist years ago for $20. At the time, it was sufficient to stick clothes in while I was renting. Now that we have a toddler, it has turned into the perfect size dresser for her room. However, as you can see, it doesn’t really match the other furniture. Fortunately, this […]

The full saw, again

Rikon 10-324 Bandsaw Review

A review of a Rikon 10-324 Bandsaw, discussing the pros and cons of this saw versus both budget competiton and similar saws from Grizzly

Finished trap

Making a Carpenter Bee Trap

Making a carpenter bee trap out of 4×4 and a mason jar, using a miter saw and drill press, for the woodworker with a bee problem

Finished

Thread Spool Holder

Making an inexpensive two-layer 70-count thread spool holder out of a wooden box, a couple of pieces of plywood, and some dowels

Spoiler alert: here's what the finished crib looks like

Heirloom DIY Crib: Part 3

Creating an heirloom-quality DIY crib out of hardwood (ash) using mortise and tenon joinery, threaded inserts, dowels, and other techniques.
Part 3: Mattress support, staining, and finishing

Spoiler alert: here's what the finished crib looks like

Heirloom DIY Crib: Part 2

Creating an heirloom-quality DIY crib out of hardwood (ash) using mortise and tenon joinery, threaded inserts, dowels, and other techniques.
Part 2: Finishing the panels and connecting them together.

Spoiler alert: here's what the finished crib looks like

Heirloom DIY Crib: Part 1

Creating an heirloom-quality DIY crib out of hardwood (ash) using mortise and tenon joinery, threaded inserts, dowels, and other techniques.
Part 1: Milling and rough cutting.

Finished mallet

Making a Laminated Wooden Mallet

Making a laminated wooden mallet AKA jointer’s mallet out of multiple pieces of scrap wood without requiring any chisel work

Finished

Template Bushing Subbase

How to make a Lexan template bushing subbase for the Bosch 1617 plunge router, can be applied to any router

Table Saw Basics

An overview of the different types of table saws and their basic and safe usage.