I have been collecting bamboo for a new dome at the land, and hand cutting it was SLOW. Because of the effort I decided to try my weed-eater with the blade attachment with the blade pictured to the left.
This was found to be the easiest way to cut bamboo that I know.
I haven’t found a faster way to cut bamboo. Additionally, it allows me to cut the stubs of bamboo very close to the ground so that I don’t step on them and trip. A weed-eater with a saw blade is by far the best power tool to cut bamboo.
If you don’t have a weedeater, you should get one.
If you want more information on both the differences between a brush cutter and a string trimmer, as well as where to buy weed-based trimmers, I have linked to an article from toolsfreak
My Plan for the Bamboo
Buy at Amazon
Once my bamboo dries out and stops shrinking I am going to cut rings of PVC and make hubs. This will allow me to lash the bamboo to the hubs to make a dome. Then I can temporarily cover and use as a form to pour aircrete. This aircrete will be made with my new aircrete foam gun so I can cast a small dome at my land.
Others have used the aircrete to cast slabs. The slabs are cut with homemade slicers made from 16 gauge steel sheet. This lets them cut out blocks that are then used to build domes. I plan to try that also. However, for now, I am trying to convince the wife that I need to cut mounds of bamboo so I can get way more than I “need” while it is available.
Then I can do lots of other projects, including making a small Da Vinci bridge with the boy. I know that using the weed-eater instead of a hand saw really helps with getting the wife’s help. Because it is the easiest method for cutting bamboo down my help stays around longer. Too many ticks, too much humidity, and too much effort makes my help go home too soon.
I have been researching cement options for my new bamboo dome. I wanted something lightweight to cover it, and having something cheap would also help.
Aircrete is easy to search for online. Basically it is a mix using a small amount of cement slurry mixed with a very thick soap foam.
Aircrete has been known and used as an expensive specialty product for nearly 100 years.
However, recently a couple of innovators have build (and sell plans and parts) to make DIY foam guns for the small builder.
Basically you need an air compressor, a reservoir and a “gun”. The gun is simple a place where the soap mixture is sprayed and air is mixed. It does this at a 90 degree angle to aerate the soap/water mix. Additionally stainless steel scrubber pads or some other material is stuffed into the tube. This causes the soap to be forced into smaller areas to make it more dense.
My DIY foam gun was built without plans. I made a few modifications to make it cheaper. I have learned a lot on it, and have a couple of attempts at showing the “first use” but each time my poor plumbing skills resulted in blowouts. It is quite comical (at least from my wife’s viewpoint). She likes to see high pressure soap foam squirting out of a line and spraying me instead of the cement bucket.
However, I don’t want to waste the foam so I took some time to have a “foam war” with the boy.
I have made yogurt before, but this is the first time I used a commercial starter. Last time I just used left over yogurt. I found this three pack of yogurt starter culture for 4.50 on amazon (prime so no shipping).
This pure bacterial blend of cultures was made in laboratory environment away from additives, maltodextrin, gluten and GMO foods. It is suitable for vegans, and those on those on the SCD diet.
I like it because it is very inexpensive, is good quality, and can be re-cultured indefinitely. In my thermophillic culture video I show how.
I tried a new way to make this yogurt and did not follow the instructions so the main container did not turn out, but the smaller mason jar that I added some on my valley food storage fruit to turned out very nice.
I poured the cultured milk into a small mason jar that I had added some freeze fried fruit to. Then as it sat in the warm stove the milk re-hydrated the berries and also thickened into yogurt.
While the rest of my family does not like yogurt, I found it to be very good.
This culture is a good deal, and is a quality product – any issues with the video come from my straying from the formula and not following instructions. I have made yogurt from the cultures, but in the time I have available for this review, I couldn’t re-shoot the video and feel doing so would be dishonest, when I screw up I don’t edit over it to fake things.
I did not like high school and I would not have went to my class of ’93 graduation if I could have gotten my diploma otherwise – They refused to tell me if I would even have one in the folder – said I would have to come to find out…. Anyway, the feeling was mutual between the administration and myself. They gave me a diploma so I could leave town and join the Marines…
I wanted very badly to be in Explosive Ordnance Disposal, but after my timed firework display I ended up as a Tank Mechanic. The laughing in the background is me telling everyone I set up the fireworks – my tendency to tell on myself also precluded a life of crime.
I did not understand why everyone was mad at me at the time. I thought it was funny. I was sorry I scared the dude going into the bathroom…
I had a bigger plan for the class of 93 graduation than just fireworks – I had planned to wire a tape recorder to play “Another Brick in the Wall” through the loud speakers in time with the fireworks, but the kid with access to the sound system backed out.
Now that 25 years have passed I am certain the statute of limitations is up, but the night before I donned a black suit and gloves and climbed the fence to place some fireworks on the roof of the bathroom on the visitor side of my high-school football field. The fireworks were attached to a model rocket igniter lashed to the frayed fuse to be in contact with the internal powder train. The igniter went to a analog alarm clock with the face removed and a metal thumbtack attached at 12 o’clock. a 6v lantern battery was connected to the thumbtack and to the metal clock body so that when the hour hand (I snipped off the minute hand) touched the tack the circuit was complete.
All in all, I timed it pretty well, people talked a lot longer than I had estimated so it did not go off as planned, but since the guy giving the speech gave me lots of sealed recommendation letters that I opened to find out he recommended me not to get accepted into programs, I did not feel too bad.
I wasn’t a very good student, and I got in a lot of trouble in high school, I regret not trying harder to fit in with my classmates, I am sorry they did not find the fireworks to be as funny as I did.
I didn’t really miss the high school experience, and looking back there were a lot of neat kids in my class – I spent most of my time hating the administration, which for various reasons reciprocated.
I am not the same guy I was in High School, none of us are, and I realize my fireworks were juvenile and ill conceived, but I still smile when I tell the story, and I don’t regret being different and forging my own path when the easiest thing to do was to be like everyone else.
All my other high school stories aren’t interesting enough to share, they revolve around being punished for being different and not showing the proper respect to petty authority, but its the Marine Corps stories that get interesting – and many prison stories, but since I still work in the correction field I will have to save those for after retirement.
Carrying a gun is a serious decision. It Should never be taken lightly. Every detail including training and licensing has been completed. You have considered the size, brand, and caliber carefully before even carrying and concealing your weapon.
How much time did you put into picking the right holster?
Most people spend their time learning about their gun and what type of bullets are best for home defense. Hopefully after that practicing is at the top of this list before you start carrying. Next is to simply pick a holster at random ignoring the very thing protecting your weapon, your holster.
Do you know what the best material for a holster is?
There are a few different options. Plastic, Nylon, Leather, Kydex
Leather
Cons
-Feels good but has major draw backs.
-It doesn’t last as long as harder materials, it’s not waterproof
-it is sensitive to temperature, moisture and humidity
-it’s retention abilities are even limited
-leather holsters may cause excessive wear marks
-extra maintenance is needed for the leather
Pros
-comfort, its hard to beat the feel of a leather holster
-silent draws, other styles do make a noise when drawing
-Look, probably the biggest appeal is the appearance
Plastic
In my option if you don’t care about quality, where it’s made, and durability then you can get a cheap plastic holster. It probably won’t last if you use it often.
Nylon
They are soft and flimsy and tend to collapse after the gun is drawn making it harder to re-holster. A genuine risk is that you could catch the trigger on an edge by accident. Lastly, they absorb everything, just like clothing does. I would even pick a plastic holster over a nylon holster just about every time.
Kydex
The answer to a trouble-free Holster is Kydex
-strong and durable
-lightweight
-retention adjustments
-waterproof and easy to clean
Kydex comes in different thickness and many designs. Its lightweight, rigid and tough. One thing to know is that all Kydex holsters are not equal. Some Holsters claiming to be Kydex are actually injection molded. Kydex Holsters are never injection molded. Real Kydex is heated and molded around the custom mold for a specific model of gun to get the perfect fit. Real Kydex creates minimal wear on your gun and then only on the retention points of contact.
Another great feature about Kydex is the speed at which you can draw. With adjustable tension you can make it take more or less pressure to release your weapon. Then for even more speed you can add a lubricant for the fastest draw possible.
With so many options how do you know what kind of Holster to choose?
First off you need to figure out what your purpose and use is. How will you be carrying it? What position will you be wearing it in? Are you looking for outside the waist band (OWB)? Or inside the waste band (IWB)?
If your looking for Inside the Waist Band
I recently came a across a small company trying to carve out a name for itself in the holster business. Holster HQ is a small family owned company. If you want a holster you can count on then you should check these out. Our first review covered a specific IWB model. This review will be more about the company and the features Holster HQ has to offer.
1) Anyone can make a holster, but these guys make a great holster. Quality is at the core of everything they do. All the features you need in a lightweight package: custom fit, adjustable retention, different carry angles, waterproof, and tough.
2) Really cool accessories-most of their holsters come with what they call Tactical Multi bags. It looks like a small tactical ammo or dump drop bag. The bag could be used for 100 different items. We also like the mini microfiber cloth that comes with the holster.
3) Small, family owned, and American made-Their Facebook page says just a small family owned business. All the holsters are handmade in the U.S.A
4) Happy Customer Guarantee- I talked with the owner and it’s true if you’re not happy he will fix it. In his words “the way it should be, the way it used to be, if you’re not happy I’ll make it right”
5) We also really like how easy it is to take care of these Kydex- holsters. If you’re wearing a holster day in and day out it’s bound to collect some dust and debris. The instructions say to simply rinse underwater and dry at least once a month.
I carry one of these types of holsters on a daily basis. I probably wouldn’t have even heard of this company if I didn’t know these guys. I’m glad I do though and I was Happy to write this review for them. I know firsthand that they make really great products. If you’re looking for an IWB Holster you can wear every day, will last, and is custom made for your gun, Holster HQ is the answer. As mentioned before there are many companies making many different styles. If you your looking for something bigger, hybrid, convertible or an OWB style then you will have to look at other options. These guys specialize in compact IWB carry only and they do a great job at it.
Author: Mike Epson
I do product reviews for thesmartconsumer.and other sites on occasion. In my spare time I like to write about firearms and gun accessories. I have extensive training in self-defense and now specialize in concealed carry. Full disclosure-I’m not paid to write this, but I might be a little bias since I’ve met the owners of Holster HQ.
I have been researching cement options for my new bamboo dome. I wanted something lightweight to cover it, and having something cheap would also help.
I have made yogurt before, but this is the first time I used a commercial starter. Last time I just used left over yogurt. I found this three pack of yogurt starter culture for 4.50 on amazon (prime so no shipping).
I did not like high school and I would not have went to my class of ’93 graduation if I could have gotten my diploma otherwise – They refused to tell me if I would even have one in the folder – said I would have to come to find out…. Anyway, the feeling was mutual between the administration and myself. They gave me a diploma so I could leave town and join the Marines…
Author: Mike Epson
I do product reviews for