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Some woodworkers like to leave their mark on their work using a branding iron, but at roughly $190 per iron, it can really be quite an investment. I took a less expensive route, using some free software, and a genius 3D printing service called Shapeways.com.
I started by drawing up a couple of logo ideas in Inkscape, a free vector graphics application. I exported by design from Inkscape and imported it into Alibre Design, which is a fantastic parametric 3D modeling application that happens to be available for free in a feature-limited version. Once I was satisfied with the 3D model, I exported again, uploaded the file to Shapeways, and “printed” it in stainless steel. The total cost for the “AF” design was $6, and only $7.40 for the larger name logo.
I tapped the back of the iron and threaded a short section of 3/16″ steel rod, and inserted it into a little handle that I turned out of some scrap cherry. After a couple of test burns, I was pretty happy with the result. Next I’ll try sanding it down a bit to see if I can make it even cleaner.
I’m working on a publication that includes a lot of temperatures, and I want conversions of those temperatures to be automatically inserted into the text in a consistent manner and without having to convert them by hand. Michael Mehlich’s excellent fp-package provides some useful functionality for accomplishing this.
\usepackage{fp}
I’ve defined a tempc and tempf command that accept a single value and output a nicely formatted conversion. Using “\tempf{67} is nice, but\tempc{-4.5} is cold.” produces the output below. Note that the text inside the brackets is set a bit smaller. Conversions from Fahrenheit to Celsius always get one digit after the decimal point. This example uses text figures (The vertical positions of the numerals vary to make them more readable on a line.) as opposed to line figures.
LaTeX Temperature Conversion Example
Here’s the code:
% Temperatures...
\newcommand{\tempc}[1]{\FPmul{\x}{#1}{1.8}\FPadd{\x}{\x}{32}\FPround{\x}{\x}{0}
#1\textcelsius\ [{\small\x\textdegree F}]}
\newcommand{\tempf}[1]{\FPsub{\x}{#1}{32}\FPmul{\x}{\x}{.5555555}\FPround{\x}{\x}{1}
#1\textdegree F [{\small\x\textcelsius{}}]}
Here’s a Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) drawing of a 24-tooth saw blade. I needed a simple circular saw blade clipart image for a logo I’m working on, but I couldn’t find a usable one online so I created my own.
Enjoy!
This is the blog for a great bread-making technique. We’ve made it countless times and it has been a big help in meeting our culinary resolution to bake all our bread this year. http://www.artisanbreadinfive.com/
This is the 7th set from a collection of 180 or so photographs taken during the 1910-1911 deployment of S.M.S. Gneisenau to the Far East. S.M.S. Gneisenau was an armored cruiser of the Kaiserliche Marine, or German Imperial Navy. For the main catalog page of this archive, including the ports and dates visited, see SMS Gneisenau Far East Photo Collection, 1910-1911.
Warning: One photo in this set (“Leichenverbrennung in Indien”) depicts human death and cremation.
Note: The photo captioned “Engl Kreuzer ‘Minotaur’ & Yacht ‘Alecrite’ for Woosung” was originally and incorrectly captioned, “Engl Kreuzer ‘New Castle’ & Yacht ‘Alecrite’ for Woosung”. Thanks for catching this, Urs.
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- Der Kronprinz mit seinem Jagdshita
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- Mussestunde an Bord
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- Mitteldeck S.M.S. Gneisenau
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- Ind. Begleiteskorte des Kronprinzen in Calcutta
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- Leichenverbrennung in Indien
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- Empfang des Kronprinzen in Bombay
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- Itsucushima die heilige Insel, Japan
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- Amoy (China) von der Insel Kolangsoo aus gesehen
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- “Gneisenau” beim japanischen Kaisersalut vor Nanking
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- Deutsch-Engl. Seemannsfest in Tsingtau
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- Die Kronprinzessin an Bord
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- Stadttor in Nanking
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- Engl Kreuzer “Minotaur” & Yacht “Alecrite” for Woosung
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- Wohn-und Fischerboote, Colombo, Ceylon
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- Ehrenwache und Bordkapelle
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- “Iltis” Friedhof beu Jung-tsching (Tschifu) China
Here are a few more:
- What happens when a ghost haunts a theater? The actors get stage fright.
- What is a cannibal’s favorite type of TV show? A celebrity roast.
- Who was Snow White’s brother? Egg White. Get the yolk?
- What do you call a bunch of dancing pebbles? The Rockettes.
- What is a Mummy’s favorite kind of music? RAGtime music! or wRAP!!!
- When should you use milk to irrigate your fields? When you are growing creamed corn.
- What do you get from a pampered cow? Spoiled milk.
- What do sea monsters eat for lunch? Fish and ships.
- Did you hear about the kid who traded his hotdog for a hamburger?? He was participating in a SWAP MEAT!!!!
- Why did the Indian wear a wig? To keep his wigwam.
This is the 6th set from a collection of 180 or so photographs taken during the 1910-1911 deployment of S.M.S. Gneisenau to the Far East. S.M.S. Gneisenau was an armored cruiser of the Kaiserliche Marine, or German Imperial Navy. For the main catalog page of this archive, including the ports and dates visited, see SMS Gneisenau Far East Photo Collection, 1910-1911.
Warning: One photo in this set (“Leichenverbrennung in Indien”) depicts human death and cremation.
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- Strassenbild aus Yocohama
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- Sonntagnachmittag auf See in den Tropen
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- Japanische Küstenlandschaft mit Fujiyama
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- Stoker beim Bilgereinigen
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- Garten eines Japanischen Teehauses
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- Tech. Unteroff. Corps vor den Zeltlangern in Calcutta
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- Strandbild aus Japan
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- Von einem Ausfluge ins Innere Indiens
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- Burma Pagode, Calcutta
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- Ausflug ins Innere Indiens
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- Itsikushima, die heilige Insel Japans
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- Bergdorf in Japan
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- Leichenverbrennung in Indien
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- Hindutempel, Bombay
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- Kesseljungen in der Werft Tsingtau
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- Japanischer Kaufladen
More comment spam jokes… My five year old likes them. 
- What is the biggest ant? An elephant.
- Did you hear about the dentist who married a manicurist? They fight tooth and nail!
- What do cats like to eat for breakfast? Mice Krispies.
- Did you hear about the kid who traded his hotdog for a hamburger?? He was participating in a SWAP MEAT!!!!
- Did you hear about the farmer who was found guilty of selling rotten fruit? He was judged by his pears!
- What happens when a ghost haunts a theater? The actors get stage fright.
- What would you get if you crossed a potato and a frog? A potatoad.
- Why do bicycles fall over? Because they are two-tired.
- Where does a one-armed man shop? At a second hand store.
This is the 5th set from a collection of 180 or so photographs taken during the 1910-1911 deployment of S.M.S. Gneisenau to the Far East. S.M.S. Gneisenau was an armored cruiser of the Kaiserliche Marine, or German Imperial Navy. For the main catalog page of this archive, including the ports and dates visited, see SMS Gneisenau Far East Photo Collection, 1910-1911.
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- Der Kronprinz in Calcutta
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- Exerzieren chin. Rekruten in Woosung
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- Kulangsoo bei Amoy
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- Engl. Kreuzer New Castle
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- Salon des Kronprinzen in Bombay
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- Kommandobrücke von Torpedoboot S.90
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- Torpedoboot S.90
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- Engl. Kreuzer Minotaur
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- Ort Cochin im State Travancore, Indien
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- Schiesscheiben
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- “Landsleute” von Tsingtau
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- Kohlen nehmen in Tsingtau
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- Hindu-Tempel, Colombo.
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- Elefantenritt, Bombay
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- Bild aus Japan
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- Heizraum, S.M.S. Gneisenau
…and the just keep coming and coming!
- Why do cows wear bells? Because their horns don’t work.
- What do you get when you cross a canary and a lawn mower? Shredded tweet.
- What did the worm say to the caterpillar? What did you do to get that fur coat?
- What did the sailor say when he saw a boat loaded with ewes? Sheep ahoy!
- What is the difference between a prizefighter and a man with a cold? One knows his blows, and the other blows his nose!
- A joke for you! What do Eskimos get from sitting on the ice too long? Polaroids.
- Where do you get virgin wool from? Ugly sheep.