The past holiday was quite enjoyable. We went and had a cookout over at NetGoddess' house. We got to see her new patio in its final form, and it is beautiful. The kids played and we launched some fireworks. Sparklers were involved, and Brianna's dress caught fire and we somehow did not notice it until we saw the large hole in the fabric. She wasn't injured, and I suspect a stray ember from a sparkler did the job.
On Saturday we went to another coworker's house. He lives on a lake, and the kids had a blast swimming around. I took them all out on a paddle boat, and Rachel was keen on leaning way over to the side, so I had to keep yelling at her. We roasted marshmallows over the fire and made smores, which were tasty. I went in the water with Alex, and was ambushed by several kids who insisted on splashing me. I didn't have my phone in my pocket this time, so I wasn't concerned.
I sold my miter saw and bought an old Craftsman 10" table saw for fifty bucks. The thing works great. It needed to be cleaned up a bit, as it was rusty, but after buying a new blade I am quite pleased with it. So pleased, in fact, that I made a table for the basement. I'll have photos once it is finished.
I have a need to cut a circle. Well, half a circle really. Anyway, after trying to do it with a coping saw and sandpaper, and not being satisfied with the result, I remembered that I have a Dremel with a circle cutting guide. I got it out and attempted to insert the cutting blade, but I could not loosen the collet to save my life. I ended up taking it apart and putting the shaft into my vice grips and turning the collet with an adjustable wrench. After about a half hour of monkeying around with it, knocking over the Dremel case and spilling every single bit and attachment into a pile of sawdust, and figuring out how to attach the Dremel to the guide, I was finally ready to test cut a circle.
Oh how disappointed I was. I should have known. I am constantly disappointed with the tool. I keep reading about how great it is and how it's a must-have for do-it-yourselfers, but I'm just not seeing it. It's difficult to control, yet the motor seems underpowered. I am sorry I ever bought the thing. When I'm on my death bed, and my children ask if I have any regrets, I'll tell them that I bought this Dremel.
That's enough bitching. How have you been?