Category Archives: Mike Makes

Our “Go Everywhere Vlogging Rig” for the Canon 70D

We’ve tried way too many vlogging cameras. The RX100 V was the closest thing to a perfect camera, but it lacked an external microphone jack and that stabilization just wasn’t good enough to justify $1000 dollars.

So we’re back to our trusty Canon 70D. Arguably still the best all around camera 4 years after it’s release, but just a little too bulky to carry around all the time. I set out to fix that problem with a belt clip camera holster and Rode Video Micro microphone zip tied to the side!

Stuff you saw in the video:
Canon 70D – https://amzn.to/2jHjBGF
The Belt Clip Holster – https://amzn.to/2jHOICn
The Wind Muff – https://amzn.to/2jH2sNi
The Microphone – https://amzn.to/2iT2s8O
The Shorter Pin – https://amzn.to/2iT6rm9
The Lens Cap – https://amzn.to/2iSXnxm

ULTIMATE Mobile Workshop – PART 3 – Bandsaw Cabinet w/ Toggle Clamps

How to build a bandsaw cabinet on wheels with piano hinge doors. I used toggle clamps with e-track tie offs to secure it to the wall of the trailer when not in use.

**This project was built and filmed before deciding on Makers on the Move version two**

HUGE THANKS to Lark United Manufacturing:
https://www.larkunited.com

Trailer Pre-construction Tour:
https://goo.gl/7mKcNp

Pull Action Toggle Clamps:
https://amzn.to/2fdUsO0

E-track Tie Offs:
https://amzn.to/2fhmwmJ

Can Your Trailer Alarm Do This? Our Plan for Keeping the Workshop Secure

How to install an alarm system on an enclosed utility trailer with siren, brake lock, and text message notifications. We have the option of arming with either a keypad in the trailer or key fab outside.

Thank you Trailer-Alarms.com for putting this system together for us!

Link to our system:
https://www.trailer-alarms.com/Alarms_c_1.html

The install took about 8 hours, but we have more openings than the average trailer. Something I didn’t mention is that you can change the timing of the exit/entry and the sensitivity of the accelerometer.

ULTIMATE Mobile Workshop – PART 2 – V-Nose Workbench / Power Tool Cabinet

How to build a simple wall mounted workbench and cabinets for power tools. The V-nose of the Ultimate Mobile Workshop is going to serve as my main workbench. I used 2x4s and plywood to make a simple counter top and covered the wall in 1/2″ plywood to organize my hand tool holders.

The power tool cabinet above each of the two-way drawers uses grooves in plywood to allow you to fit any size tool you want. Simply move the dividers around to change the slot size from 4 inches up to 24 inches.

HUGE THANKS to Lark United Manufacturing:
www.larkunited.com

Trailer Pre-construction Tour:
https://goo.gl/7mKcNp

DIY Concrete Toilet Tank Sink – This SHOULD Be On Every Toilet!

QUIKRETE is having a contest for the best project using one bag of concrete. (Not a sponsor.) I decided to make a “toilet tank top sink.” I first saw the idea on toilets in Japan.

When you flush the toilet, the fill water is re-routed to a faucet (don’t worry, it’s perfectly clean). You wash your hands like normal, then watch the water drain directly into the toilet tank. Next time you use the bathroom, the recycled water flushes the toilet and clean water is dispensed from the faucet. The design saves an estimated 1 gallon of water per person, per day! No modifications are made to the toilet except for routing the fill water tube into the bottom of the faucet.

Hopefully it’s good enough to win the $2500 dollar prize 🙂

Clamping Baby Monitor Arm (Scrap Wood Build)

We needed a better way to mount Hudson’s baby monitor when visiting other people’s houses. The curve in the wood was just decorative. I wanted to experiment with alternatives to steam bending wood. Versions 1 through 3 were not my proudest moments, but the final product actually clamps extremely well.

Jay Bates Knob:
https://goo.gl/2cIM6A
Our baby monitor (amazon affiliate):
https://amzn.to/291rBt5They work pretty good, we haven’t had any problems.

Drain Cleaner as Wood Stain?

For some reason my camera didn’t record that I used a very diluted lye/water mix AFTER applying the stain to make the wood appear a little darker. That’s why the cut to the polyurethane looked a little darker. It didn’t work as well as using lye directly on the cherry, but it helped a little when things weren’t looking right.

Patreon only videos!
https://www.patreon.com/mikeandlauren

Drain cleaner I used:
https://amzn.to/1ToYOVr

DIY “Chorreador de Caf?” | Pre-Hipster Pour Over Coffee Maker

In just about every kitchen in Costa Rica you’ll find a Chorreador de Caf?. It’s a simple pour over coffee maker that’s been used for hundreds of years.

They come in many different shapes and sizes, but I wanted a compact one for our upcoming RV trip. It fits nicely in a drawer and makes one cup of coffee at a time.

Stay tuned for the video of our first cup in the morning 🙂