1. First project is a birdhouse made out of an empty cashew container. The unique aspect of this is that it
cost so little to make, and the bottom of the birdhouse unscrews, easily, for fall cleaning. I used the
plastic container, a small plastic cup for the perch, and a rubber watchband to line the jagged hole cut in
the front. The hole is big enough for the Bluebirds, Wrens and Swallows that visit my yard. I
consulted a couple of sources for recommended opening sizes. I also noted the recommended height to
hang the house, based on the common breeds I've targeted. I used some spray paint I had in the
cupboard to paint the clear container. I drilled several holes near the top for ventilation and a couple of
holes to use to attach a wire bail so I can hang the house from a clip or hook on the on one of the
wooden posts I have in the yard and or the greenhouse.
I used a cover from another empty container for the roof and extra insulation. It has an air gap under it.
My 2nd
Junk project was made with some halogen lamps a friend gave me. I
tried the set up with my lab power supply after trying some old 12v power bricks
I had. The bricks were not powerful enough (low amperage) to light the 25v
lamps.
I've enclosed a sketch of the proposed project to construct a string of adjustable
lights. The lights can be moved by sliding them along the double track of copper
wire carrying the power. The track is strung between two walls in the room and
the wires are separated by running them through holes drilled in the dowel. The
Illustration 1:
Halogen lamp
2. dowels could be painted, as they are fluted dowels used for joining wood with glue and clamps. Power
runs to one end of the track, and the other end is terminated in some dowel tacked to the wall, or held
with a “U” shaped clip.
I have since found a power supply through Amazon for only $4.01 plus shipping. It would require a
power cord...stripped and screwed to the 110 terminals on the rear of the unit. Plug in the power after
attaching the track power wires to the screw terminals on the unit. Voila. An adjustable light rail in
any room. Safe, lower power, cheap.
Illustration 2:
Inexpensive 12 v power
supply
3. Sketch of prototype design, including details of power delivery to lamp and method of attachment.
