News – October 29th, 2018 – Light Grid

I Finished the Light Grid!

My hatred for tripods has driven me to build a light grid for my shop.

The light grid was built from 3/4″ metal conduit and electrical junction boxes.  I added outlets to nine of the junction boxes, three of them with USB connections.

I still have a little tweaking to do.  Some of the vertical threaded rods are hanging at an angle so they need to be re positioned.  I’m also going to add some support to the sides of the grid so it doesn’t rock at all.

This grid will allow me to mount lights as well as microphones and cameras and more-easily  position them wherever I need them.  I also have six of the nine outlets controlled with a light switch allowing for easy switching of all the lights on or off.

I created a quick mock-up of how the lights and cameras might be attached.  In this photo I’ve got two LED lights aimed at the bandsaw, and two action cameras (similar to a GoPro) mounted on telescoping microphone stands.  This allows me to get the cameras right in there next to the blade while not causing me to modify the way I work in the slightest because of some bulky tripod legs.

I’m working on a video documenting how and why I created the light grid.  I’ll also be adding components to it as well, such as a jib for positioning a camera and some tracks for panning the camera around.

News – October 15th, 2018 – YouTube Videos, Upcoming Articles, and General Shop Updates


Making Progress on YouTube Videos

I’m currently working on three videos.  

The first one is just a test video showing the turning of a wooden bowl.  I’m taking my time with it so I can try different things and see what works and what doesn’t.  I’m currently in the editing phase on this one.  

The second is on the construction of a light grid (see below).  I’m still in the filming stages of this.  

The third is going to show the construction of a musical instrument of some sort.  I’m still in the early planning stages of this one and the details will probably change.


Building a Light Grid

Since I’m making videos in my shop I decided to build a light grid.  I’m making it out of electrical conduit and junction boxes and I’m putting in electrical outlets at some of the junction boxes.  I’m making a video of the construction of it as well.

Upcoming SawStop Articles

I’m working on a series of articles that are focused on choosing the right SawStop for your application.  I will be covering some of the more common questions I hear such as the difference between the Professional and the Industrial saws and the benefits of 3 HP over 5 HP.  I’m hoping to have these articles done soon in order to aid in Christmas tool shopping.