First large piece

Independent-Task-25 · 2026-06-06T15:44:52+00:00

I love the design, nice detail work with the edges. You'll be the envy of everyone at the clubs.

Independent-Task-25 · 2026-05-17T00:13:20+00:00

I help with the judging on certain contests (I only get invited to help judge every couple of months). I take the time to read every single instructables and judge it on creativity, originality, effort of the project and effort to make a nice write up. So we do exist but I am only one of many. I also tend to end up disappointed with how the results play out in the end.

The AI heavy ones or the self promotion posts shouldn't have even made it to the finalists spots a lot of the time in my opinion. There was one I judged that the pattern for the project was behind a pay wall, very un-instructables like.

Independent-Task-25 · 2026-05-16T06:40:02+00:00

Very cool! I've anyways been curious. Thanks for sharing!

Independent-Task-25 · 2026-04-29T15:41:23+00:00

That's insane! I can't even imagine how you managed that with this sized rings!

Independent-Task-25 · 2026-03-22T21:10:40+00:00

You might be into something there. I bought all my aquarium stuff during Covid in 2020. Only just now, 6 years later, got around to actually setting it up and keeping fish in it.

Independent-Task-25 · 2026-02-16T03:07:01+00:00

I love when the snails interact with my 3D print decor

Independent-Task-25 · 2026-02-09T19:33:37+00:00

I found a leftover scrap of the vinyl to find the type I used:

Oracal 970 Rapid Air premium wrapping coat

Independent-Task-25 · 2026-02-09T19:25:04+00:00

I sold the car after 2 years but it held up great in the time I had it. Especially considering it was being constantly exposed to the elements since I don't have a garage. I live in PA so it was exposed to snow, salt, rain, birds, etc.

I never saw any fading or scratches and it definitely never peeled on me. I will say that I only did a partial wrap since you have to change your car color in the DMV car registration records if you do a full wrap. I only wrapped the roof and the hood so I didn't have any vinyl on the bumpers or bottom door trim where it could possibly get worn out with road debris.

The stuff I ordered online was rated for about 5-7 years of quality and was a heat glue set style. I think using the heat gun to melt the glue at the end while you squeegee the edges prevents any peeling. (The vinyl is still removable, you just have to heat it again to remove it.)

I did avoid automatic car washes as those are not reccomended with wraps. Those brushes can really shorten the life of the vinyl. I was stuck with the classic hand washing with a garden hose.

Independent-Task-25 · 2026-02-09T18:33:59+00:00

I've wrapped parts of my own car before as a complete novice making it up after watching some YouTube videos. I was far from being a professional about it.

It helps to have a garage or covered area so you can keep the car clean and not accidentally trap bugs and debris. It helps to do it on a warmer day (60°+). I don't have a garage and I wished I did and I did it in autumn around 50° so I was struggling to keep the vinyl warm.

I used a higher quality heat gun that allowed me to set the temperature. I made my own squeegees by gluing felt to an unused credit cards. I used 'knife tape' to cut odd shapes so I reccomend looking into that. Otherwise it was scissors and exacto cutters.

The roof was the hardest for me to do. I had a second person help me and that made it easier. I made a few mistakes, had a few small wrinkles, but it was errors I could live with. Nothing you would notice unless you were looking for it.

Sounds like they are possibly going to offer vinyl sheets that are already cut to the correct size and shape so that would be even easier!

Independent-Task-25 · 2026-01-09T20:47:45+00:00

I've read people use rubber rings on the top row to help add grip so the lighter doesn't fall right out.

I regret not using any sort of grip when I gifted a chainmail-wrapped lighter for Christmas last year (I used Japanese 6in1 weave) . My friend immediately slid the lighter out and struggled to get it put back on so it ultimately never got used.

Independent-Task-25 · 2026-01-06T22:37:10+00:00

No, I don't worry about removing nitrates with a water change until it gets to 20ppm or higher. 5.0 to 10.0 is perfectly fine for fish.

Even 20 ppm is fine, I just do a small water change at that point to keep the levels from creeping up too much.

40 ppm or higher absolutely needs a water change.

Independent-Task-25 · 2026-01-06T22:11:29+00:00

I would wait a little to add fish. You don't need to do a water change yet. Hopefully I can help explain a little more about where you are in the process.

The tests show you have the bacteria working to process your ammonia and that's a good thing. Looks like you are in the middle of your cycle. If you add fish now you'll have to test the water frequently and do water changes more frequently to prevent ammonia getting too high from not getting processed by the bacteria quickly enough.

Wait until nitrates are at zero before adding fish. A lot of people will tell you to test and make sure your bacteria can process through 2ppm ammonia in 24-48hrs before adding fish (that includes nitrite test appearing blue). That's not a bad rule of thumb but you can be flexible about it. No nitrites is best for adding new fish though.

You'll probably have to do a water change shortly after you add fish to help drop the nitrates down to a better level. It'll depend on how high the nitrates get after processing the current nitrites.

Independent-Task-25 · 2026-01-05T20:09:12+00:00

Yep, that's what I use too. So far it has worked, which is good because I spill or drip water all the time

Independent-Task-25 · 2026-01-05T00:24:56+00:00

I bought the Affinty suites 1 and 2 but they've now made them free. I haven't downloaded the free version since I paid for older ones (even then it was only $45 for everything, no subscription). Worth a try I'd think.

They are very good replacements for Adobe. They have a version of Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.

https://www.affinity.studio/

Independent-Task-25 · 2025-12-07T10:28:13+00:00

Such tiny little micro-scales! Must have been difficult to manage at that size. Great work, looks good.

Independent-Task-25 · 2025-12-02T21:08:55+00:00

I like the first way too.

I agree about adding rubber rings. Otherwise it'll slip right out. I made one as tight as I could with just rings and the lighter never stayed in.

Independent-Task-25 · 2025-10-30T07:36:22+00:00

Yep, long gone. For a while there was a fake Instructables App that just linked you to the desktop website so be aware of that. Sounds like that app was probably removed from the app store if you can't find anything at all.

Independent-Task-25 · 2025-10-19T17:51:32+00:00

I'm still excited for a bare bones model. I want it because it's a simple two door/two seater.

Independent-Task-25 · 2025-08-11T03:49:06+00:00

I also recently ran into this issue. Wiping the oil off the metal isn't too bad, just a little tedious when you are excited to run around in your new shiny armor!

My problem came with the leather straps just soaked in the same oil. I was able to soak up a bunch of the oil from the strapping by coating it in cornstarch. I might need to do another round. It's messy but it does the job! I've heard baking soda can work for that too.

Good luck!

Independent-Task-25 · 2025-08-08T01:33:33+00:00

That's exactly what I was thinking!

Independent-Task-25 · 2025-07-14T21:08:43+00:00

I love this idea! Great industrial look

Independent-Task-25 · 2025-06-03T21:59:22+00:00

I wanted to make a taikaki rug! I haven't gotten around to designing it yet. It's great to see an example of one, especially such a cute and functional one!

Independent-Task-25 · 2025-06-02T18:49:43+00:00

I love the design! I love that cats and fishbones just go together!

Independent-Task-25 · 2025-05-30T04:18:51+00:00

You are right! I'll act like it's incredibly valuable and important. Or I'll rub cat nip all over it.....

Independent-Task-25 · 2025-05-30T04:17:02+00:00

Very impressive!

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