I thought it would be fun to roll through an example of how a simple workflow process can be used to tackle almost any home handy-bastard project.

Project Planning

A number of projects were underway here this week, but they all have something in common:  They each went through a planning process where as much of the project is visualized in advance, as possible.  In this manner, we can anticipate stumbling blocks and ensure that we don’t end up creating our own “supply chain” problems.

Let’s me run through the steps for you:

1. Project Statement and Details

This project is based on observable Starlink satellite speed reports.  These suggest (after a site inspection) that the best speeds (short of cutting down lots of trees) would be reached by raising the antenna position.

And existing 1.5 meter earth station dish, on a steel pole with concrete footing was in used.  As a result, the plan evolves generally as:

• Remove the existing large dish.
• Use the existing pipe as a support for a longer vertical pipe.
• Into which the Starlink “dishy” will be placed.
• No clamps are used, but as diameters might now supply a tight fit, we will cobble up something on the 3D printing platform and use that.

2.  Demising the old (in this case the old dish)

I told you all parts were loaded with a buttload of our favorite penetrating oil:

Next, we employ the portable outdoor farm workbench.  Which looks suspiciously like a 55-gallon drum.  Power tools and speed wrenches.

From this tool bay, all the satellite dish parts are removed leaving gravity to drop the old dish.

3.  Workout  Job Details (*our Pipe Sizes, Adapters needed)

We took the “dishy” out of the (rather nice, heavy) base it comes on and measure the inside diameter:

We then went to the pipe and PVC racks and selected the right metal pipe to fit inside the previous (big dish) mount and be slightly bigger than what “dishy” wants to sit on.

4.  3D Print Parts: Create the required adapter

With the measurements in our head, we jump online and hit https://tinkercad.com.  Where we dimension an adapter like so:

Confident enough in our 3D skills (and having a ton of printer filament in we get the first one wrong (surprise!), we start the printer preheating.

While it warms up, we download the stereolithography (.STL) file into Ultimaker Cura which it is sliced into the g-code file.  2-hours and 54 minutes of print time is ALWAYS faster than looking for an off-the-shelf on Amazon for something like this because of the 2-day lag time for shipping.

Around here, the goal is always minimum time from idea to completed project, right?

5. Print the new Adapter

Safely on disk, we select simple 30% infill PLA and run over to one of the 3D printers in the over-equipped workshop, shove in the disk and begin to print: Which is made possible because the Creality CR-10 was warmed up in a previous step.

6.  Installation Prep

While we wait for the print to finish, we have a lot of little clean-up details to attend to.

For one, this is where the old big dish assembly bolts (now turning freely and recyclable) are matched up and the hand tools are returned to their spaces in the shop:

See those cotton “string gloves?”  Way easier on the hands than rubber gloves when there’s a low chemical load like this kind of work.  Not as much protection as heavier (kid) gloves, but not sweat like rubber/nitrile gloves.

Then we bring over a step ladder and get the dishy unplugged and ready to move into its new home:

Last step is finding Elaine who puts on the “right” pair of tennis shoes to assist and a pair of string gloves for her.

7.  Lift, Point, and Done

Elaine comes out, holds up the small end of the extension pipe.

I insert the adapter (which fits nicely!).

I raise the pipe to vertical with the open end on the concrete base touching the pipe it will fit into.

Elaine puts a lock on the two pipes at the top.

I climb the ladder and using two hands, raise the pipe 5+ feet into position.

While Elaine guides the bottom of the smaller pipe into the bigger one.

So aligned, I slowly drop the smaller pipe in, lowering for a solid friction it.

8. Self-congratulatory Wine

Is served by Elaine as we both stand back and admire the work:

Which is confirmed the next morning when we receive the (new) obstructiion report from the dishy:

While this will (worst case) result in a second or two of dropped signal at 1-minute intervals, the best case is up to 4-5 minutes between drops.  Which is much better than the ground placement which had 1-minute best case and drops in the 20-second range at times.

Even with the minor obstructions in moderate rainfall (which highlights the we trees in red) the system is still adequate for day trading and streaming video now;

It goes higher and lower, depending on how the Starlink constellation is moving overhead.

Bottom Line to All This

No, this was not a commercial for Starlink.

It was a discussion of how “If you have the right tools and a reasonably “crisp mind” you can take many of the problems that come up in Life and make some really fricking cool solutions by following a planning and workflow process.

Once you really get – I mean down in your soul throw your arms around the idea that EVERYTHING IS A RECIPE! Then you become unstoppable in all your endeavors.

This is where personal power arises from.  It’s ability to imagine, workflow, design/build, and then enjoy the hell out of your own play work and energy.

When you come to realize this “recipe-ness” to life, everything becomes a stress-free plug-n-play.  If you don’t know the steps, or the tools, a few minutes doing the project step-by-step through in your mind in advance will help you avoid the typical amateur pitfalls.  Avoids “painting yourself into corners” outcomes.

Personal Multiplexing

I keep forgetting to mention a great book, in this regard.

In other words, once you start setting out reasonable, achievable goals for yourself – even if they are not easy, perhaps – and you start hitting goals, then it’s time to move up your level of play.

Fellow named Grant Cardone came out with a book that’s helpful – back in 2011.  Title is “The 10X Rule: The Only Difference Between Success and Failure.”

When I got the “dishy” installed was several days earlier than the actual doing – all I needed to do was “run the recipe” – and it was done.

Which is why, ShopTalk Sunday is fun.  Gives us a chance when not writing, no trading, not working, to actually keep up the personal momentum.

By the way, Cardone’s got a video that might be useful if you’re in the young and still working cohort:

So, on that note, off to work on the next “dream project” because we’re all still here to “realize our best life” while we still can…  The finishing touches on the video editing position in the play studio…

Write when you get rich,

George@Ure.net