Here I note the clarifications that usually get left up in the air when reading the notebook. They are there so that no one expects from these notes something they are not: neither an official manual, nor a course, nor a closed set of recipes. What follows is what I learned at the workbench, with successes and with mistakes.
When I tell how I worked without safety glasses or how I forced a wrench, I tell it as a mistake, not as a recommendation. Electrical, gas, or welding codes change depending on the country, the municipality, and the type of installation. If you are going to work on a power drop or a pressurized pipe, check the regulations in force and, if you are not sure, call someone with a license. What you will find here is the detail of what went wrong for me and how I corrected it afterward.
The materials lists I publish correspond to what I used on each specific project, with the wood, wire, or solder I had on hand that day. If your workbench is bigger, if the wall is drywall, or if the pipe is a different size, the numbers change. Treat the lists as a starting point and verify against your own piece before cutting or buying. I prefer to say this up front rather than have someone cut a leg too short.
The images that accompany the posts show tools, materials, and moments of work, but they are not an exact photographic record of each finished project. They serve to set the topic and to show what type of object we are talking about. When a photo does not match the piece I describe in the text, the text prevails: that is where the real procedure is, with its measurements and its complications.
Repairing a loose chair, adjusting a derailleur, or soldering a copper pipe takes time and patience. In the notebook you will see failed attempts, redone joints, and purchases that did not work. I do not promise that the same thing will work the same way in your workshop: every machine, every piece of wood, and every pair of hands has its own knack. What I offer is the honest account of the process, so you can compare it with what happens to you.
This notebook has no public comments or automatic replies. If you want to ask about a procedure, correct a piece of information, or share how a repair went for you, write through the contact page. The message stays there and I read it when I can. There are no fixed response times or automatic follow-up: it is a personal log, not a technical support service.
When I say that a purchase turned out expensive or cheap, I am talking about what I spent on that specific date, at the hardware store or building supply yard where I bought it. These are not current rates or quotes, and they are not valid for budgeting your own job. If you need a number to make a decision, measure your materials and ask for a price in your area. Here I only note down what it cost me, as an approximate reference.