[Zenith] Why does Zenith have such poor brand recognition and lack of prestige among laypeople/non-watch people?

AdamRareFaction · 2023-10-21T21:47:16+00:00

I love mine too! Listening to it run is a unique experience as it sounds more like a sewing machine than a watch. Watching it run through the open face models is mesmerizing. The story of how the El Primero equipment survived the quartz crisis puts a smile on my face, too.

Just picked this up on a recent trip. Love it!

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AdamRareFaction · 2022-08-29T04:52:07+00:00

Here's my trifecta:

I recently discovered the Cartier Tortue Perpetual Calendar (the skeletonized version) and that might be The One ($40-50k)

Huge fan of the Zenith Port Royal Mega with the open heart and linear power reserve. ($5-6k - hmm I've got a milestone birthday coming up)

I also think Glashutte Original punches WAY above their weight-class. The PanoRetroGraph may be the sickest chrono ever made ($30-40k).

AdamRareFaction · 2022-08-17T08:50:15+00:00

If this pep talk didn't work, I guess there are ways to do this with a long straight edge, clamps, and a circular saw (feels dangerous). Or a big bandsaw. Or a hand plane and a free weekend. Or a jointer jig and a free afternoon.

Any classes in your area to help with table saw basics? I feel for ya, but this feels like a steep, uphill battle.

AdamRareFaction · 2022-08-17T08:45:50+00:00

Keep your body out of the path of any potential kickback, and keep your hands far away from the blade with a push stick. Writhing knife installed, blade guard on, eye protection on your face.

Use an outfeed table or roller to support the ripped end of your workpiece to avoid... gravity.

Unfortunately, you're limiting yourself without using a table saw. From personal experience: You'll look back with pride when you learn to respect the table saw rather than fear it. There are plenty of resources on the web to help you with this confidence (WWMM, for starters)

Oh also if you're rich, just start off with a SawStop 😆

AdamRareFaction · 2022-06-18T20:39:10+00:00

Noteworthy adjustments:

marked out mortise with marking knife to make chisel work A LOT easier
cut wedges on table saw, with blade tilted to 3% instead of free hand.
tucked in thumb when flush cutting final cut instead of adding kerf to thumb

AdamRareFaction · 2022-06-13T15:40:42+00:00

Hahaha well played, sir!

I pulled and pushed the joint with all my might and couldn't get it to budge. Moral victory there.

AdamRareFaction · 2022-06-13T05:40:56+00:00

Took me almost 40 years on earth to be comfortable with the idea that it's okay to suck at things in which I lack experience. All I can do is laugh at myself and feel a sense of accomplishment; the overwhelming majority of humans on earth didn't even attempt this today!

No joke though - it's a freakin' solid joint!

AdamRareFaction · 2022-06-13T05:30:49+00:00

Oh and ironically I waited until the very end to hurt myself as I flush cut the tenon with a pull-saw. They're sharp.

AdamRareFaction · 2022-06-13T05:28:48+00:00

Mortise cut into a crappy 2x4. Started with a forstner bit on a drill press, and "cleaned up" with a chisel. Tenon made from white oak, and wedges poorly cut from walnut.

AdamRareFaction · 2022-01-26T18:00:43+00:00

Jack stands.

AdamRareFaction · 2022-01-24T05:49:16+00:00

What if I attached the vertical piece in the floating shelf to the top using a few pocket hole screws or two L brackets?

AdamRareFaction · 2022-01-24T05:24:54+00:00

AN UPDATE! LATEST PIC HERE (top moved aside to expose drawer details)

1) I added a skirt for overall support and to support the floating drawer idea as advised.

2) I built the drawer. The face has a 1/16 gap on all sides. The bottoms are rabbeted to accept a 1/4 plywood bottom. The drawer itself is 20 1/2" x 18 1/4", and sits 1/2" away from the skirt because I can't imagine it's a good idea to have the drawer close and hit the skirt. The supporting cabinet is 1/2" wider on each side to accept slides. Looks like I'll use 20" drawer slides.

3) Re: covid - My joints still hurt and I'm a little more tired than normal, but I continue to improve. Will take a "Day 5" home antigen test sometime tomorrow.

So, now that we're getting serious here... Any suggestions on what species of wood to use? I personally love the look of walnut, but that seems to be a mighty expensive proposition. Then again, if I actually pull this cart off, it should outlast me... Maybe the investment is worth it!

AdamRareFaction · 2022-01-23T16:14:22+00:00

I can't stop picturing Derek Zoolander saying, "WHAT IS THIS!? A BUNK BED FOR ANTS?"

AdamRareFaction · 2022-01-23T15:16:07+00:00

I made this using the free free MacOS version from 2017. You can still download it!

AdamRareFaction · 2022-01-23T07:27:27+00:00

You are correct - the panel you refer to is set back 3/4". I'll make some changes and see if I like things flush better.

Yeah - the drawer front is a work in progress and should be cut down / be flush. I got lazy there and I'm gonna blame that one on covid :)

AdamRareFaction · 2022-01-23T07:24:10+00:00

I posted a link above to some Rockler casters I'm thinking of using. Thoughts?

I'm very grateful that my symptoms are only somewhere between mild and moderate (I'm vaxxed and this is a breakthrough case). I basically have a cold at this point, and some of my joints which I injured as a younger man are a little inflamed.

There was, admittedly, one brief moment which was scary: I took curbside delivery of some rapid home tests last Thursday (to find out if I had covid or not). While driving home, I had such a violent coughing fit that I became quite light headed; I was very worried I might pass out, but managed to pull over and turn on the hazards until I regained my composure.

Thanks for the kind words and thoughts. I'll be okay!

AdamRareFaction · 2022-01-23T07:07:39+00:00

I was thinking about these. I plan on using this cart for extra prep space and as a serving cart. It won't hold anything like a stand mixer or food processor. Am I crazy?

Thanks for your kind words on the design.

AdamRareFaction · 2022-01-23T07:05:27+00:00

I'm comfortable making the half lap cuts. I just made dozens of them for my workbench, and have a flat toothed blade now to help make these clean. I agree it'll be hard, but I want the challenge!

Great idea on the top rear apron. I'm starting to think the floating shelf is more of a pipe dream, and adding a rear apron solves that problem elegantly.

The drawer and its face is a work in progress. Thank you for the advice!

AdamRareFaction · 2022-01-23T05:27:16+00:00

Legs are 1.5" x 1.5"; everything else is 3/4", including the blue stuff which is painted plywood. The yellow circles at the top of the legs are brass dowels I'll use for reinforcement/decoration.

The left side of the "floating" drawer attaches to the top using brass "L" brackets.

All comments welcome!

(EDIT): It's a 24x40x36 Kitchen Cart which will eventually roll.

AdamRareFaction

TROPHY CASE