I've never really been very handy... I have a mind that sort of likes the abstract, but when I aim to put those nebulous concepts into the real-world... well, the results are often not what I expect. However, over the time in the Netherlands when we had our own place... I did experiment and try out different things... and I'm more confident (although, knowing well my limits!), and I'm definitely much less crap than before!

I've noticed that having the right tools for the job does help alot... and I've started to pick up more and more of the consumer-grade tools, and some trade-grade tools as hand me downs or second hand purchases. Ryobi is definitely in the former category... nothing that a self respecting tradie would be caught brandishing, but decent enough for the home hobbyist and diy-er.

So, the job this weekend was to fix up some play equipment in the timber frame that was sitting out the back. When we moved in, the frame was decent... but the ropes holding the swings and stuff were frayed and broken. In fact, when we pulled on one of them, it snapped off! But the kids (and wife...) have been asking to put up some stuff... and I've finally gotten the bravery and tools required to do it.

The missing part of the toolkit was a thicker bore 13mm wood drill bit. I had a selection of other bits, but they topped out at 10mm. The holes that the original pins were in were about 10mm, and the pins that were at the hardware store were 13mm. The original pins were also rusted and it was impossible to get the new equipment mounted on them, so I figured it was just easiest to get the old pins out... drill out a wider hole and mount the newer pins and equipment. At least, that was the concept in my head!

... so, to do this... a larger bore 13mm drill bit for wood. I could have gotten just the single bit for the job, but a set of varying widths wasn't that much more expensive, and so I figured I may as well pick up the set... just in case! (I'm sure that is how the marketing psychology works...).

So, on the left were the old pins... with the steel being impossible to open to remove the old equipment and slot in the new. Plus, the newer pins had clips which would make it easier to add and remove equipment as required. You can see the newer equipment on the right.

I was a bit worried about how tight the screws and nuts would be given that they had been exposed to the elements for god knows how long... but in the end, they were quite soft to remove. No oiling or cracking of rust needed... just a long-handled wrench and very little force (thankfully, seeing as I was standing on a ladder that wasn't completely stable!).

However, after removing the but and washer, it was apparent that the screw/pin wouldn't come out easily. Not by turning anyway... but I have learnt that sometimes, I'm trying to be too gentle with these hardware things... probably a holdover from being more used to electronic parts!

A few hard whacks with a hammer was enough to run it flush against the wood, and then from there it was easy enough to turn by hand and remove the pin.

The new spade wood bit made short work of the wood... widening the existing hole with no problem at all. From there it was an easy fit for the new pin and then securing it place with a bolt, washer and a weather proof cap at the top.

So... all complete, and the kids are really quite happy with their new swing and trapeze. The swing is at full rope extension, and it is still quite high off the ground, so I'm going to have to try and figure out some way to raise the ground up a little bit so that they can hope on easily. I probably want to do that anyway, as there is an exposed tree root down there that would hurt a bit if you fell on it!

Meanwhile, I think I have to add some washers as spacers to help hold the pin orientations... at the moment, they are free to swivel around which means that the pulley wheels end up not doing their jobs properly... it is okay for now, but I suspect that the wear and tear on them will cause them to fail earlier than they should. So... a couple more trips to the hardware store to fix these little problems up and then one little job is then complete!

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Handy Crypto Tools

Ledger Nano S/X: Keep your crypto safe and offline with the leading hardware wallet provider. Not your keys, not your crypto!
Binance: My first choice of centralised exchange, featuring a wide variety of crypto and savings products.
Kucoin: My second choice in exchanges, many tokens listed here that you can't get on Binance!
FTX: Regulated US-based exchange with some pretty interesting and useful discounts on trading and withdrawal fees for FTT holders. Decent fiat on-ramp as well!
MXC: Listings of lots of interesting tokens that are usually only available on DEXs. Avoid high gas prices!
Huobi: One of the largest exchanges in the world, some very interesting listings and early access sales through Primelist.
Gate.io: If you are after some of the weirdest and strangest tokens, this is one of the easiest off-chain places to get them!
Coinbase: If you need a regulated and safe environment to trade, this is the first exchange for most newcomers!
Crypto.com: Mixed feelings, but they have the BEST looking VISA debit card in existence! Seriously, it is beautiful!
CoinList: Access to early investor and crowdsale of vetted and reserached projects.
Cointracking: Automated or manual tracking of crypto for accounting and taxation reports.
Poloniex: One of the older regulated exchanges that has come into new ownership. I used to use it quite a lot, but have since stopped.
Bitfinex: Ahhh... another oldie, but a goodie exchange. Most noted for the close affiliation with USDT and the Basic "no-KYC" tier!