The Tinkerer’s Handbook, Page 5 (of 8)

Comic Transcripts

[[A banner at the top reads: “Striving boldly into new arenas (and losing interest)”]]

[[A large picture shows a box full of stuff, captioned: “Why let the detritus of previous failed projects clutter up your workspace and demoralize you? PUT IT AWAY FOR GOOD.” “BUILD A JUNK BOX – For all your unifinished projects”]]

[[The article reads: “MATERIALS. This plan builds a 4″ x 8″ x 16″ box. We advise using reclaimed materials whenever possible. One box (4″ x 8″ x 16″ or larger); Assorted junk.”]]

[[“DIRECTIONS. 1. If the box you have obtained is larger than the prescribed size, cut it down to size. We have done extensive testing and our size is unequivocally the best. If your box needs to be watertight (say, if some of your unfinished projects involve plumbing, rainwater reclamation, or crab-husbandry) be sure to seal the new seams you are creating with plumber’s goop. Also take care to cut straight so that your seams will join smoothly. Really 80% of this project is getting the seams right. The rest is just putting stuff in a box.”]]

[[“2. Once your box is cut to size and sealed (as necessary), place your old project materials in the box. Create dividers if desired. We recommend putting the oldest projects nearest the bottom to create a sort of strata of failure. That way you will not be too discouraged when you open the box; you will only see the birdhouse you failed to finish last week, rather than the solar-powered water-heater you discovered was way over your head three and a half years ago.*” “*For example.”]]

[[Another picture shows some sort of box, circular diagrams, illegible writing, and what looks like a gear inside a pizza.]]

[[“3. Our simple pattern for the box (left) includes hinged walls held in shape with cotter pins. This way, should you fail to complete construction of the box itself, you may simply remove the pins and place the loose pieces within the general shape of the half-formed box. This recursiveness cuts down on waste.”]]

{{Alt-text: NEXT ISSUE: Building A File Box For The Projects You Clipped Out Of Magazines But Will Never Actually Build}}

The Tinkerer’s Handbook, Page 5 (of 8) transcribed by in

[[A banner at the top reads: “Striving boldly into new arenas (and losing interest)”]]

[[The article reads: “MATERIALS. This plan builds a 4″ x 8″ x 16″ box. We advise using reclaimed materials whenever possible. One box (4″ x 8″ x 16″ or larger); Assorted junk.”]]

[[Another picture shows some sort of box, circular diagrams, illegible writing, and what looks like a gear inside a pizza.]]

{{Alt-text: NEXT ISSUE: Building A File Box For The Projects You Clipped Out Of Magazines But Will Never Actually Build}}

The Tinkerer’s Handbook, Page 5 (of 8) transcribed by in

[[A banner at the top reads: "Striving boldly into new arenas (and losing interest)"]]

[[A large picture shows a box full of stuff, captioned: "Why let the detritus of previous failed projects clutter up your workspace and demoralize you? PUT IT AWAY FOR GOOD." "BUILD A JUNK BOX - For all your unifinished projects"]]

[[The article reads: "MATERIALS. This plan builds a 4" x 8" x 16" box. We advise using reclaimed materials whenever possible. One box (4" x 8" x 16" or larger); Assorted junk."]]

[["DIRECTIONS. 1. If the box you have obtained is larger than the prescribed size, cut it down to size. We have done extensive testing and our size is unequivocally the best. If your box needs to be watertight (say, if some of your unfinished projects involve plumbing, rainwater reclamation, or crab-husbandry) be sure to seal the new seams you are creating with plumber's goop. Also take care to cut straight so that your seams will join smoothly. Really 80% of this project is getting the seams right. The rest is just putting stuff in a box."]]

[["2. Once your box is cut to size and sealed (as necessary), place your old project materials in the box. Create dividers if desired. We recommend putting the oldest projects nearest the bottom to create a sort of strata of failure. That way you will not be too discouraged when you open the box; you will only see the birdhouse you failed to finish last week, rather than the solar-powered water-heater you discovered was way over your head three and a half years ago.*" "*For example."]]

[[Another picture shows some sort of box, circular diagrams, illegible writing, and what looks like a gear inside a pizza.]]

[["3. Our simple pattern for the box (left) includes hinged walls held in shape with cotter pins. This way, should you fail to complete construction of the box itself, you may simply remove the pins and place the loose pieces within the general shape of the half-formed box. This recursiveness cuts down on waste."]]

{{Alt-text: NEXT ISSUE: Building A File Box For The Projects You Clipped Out Of Magazines But Will Never Actually Build}}

NEXT ISSUE: Building A File Box For The Projects You Clipped Out Of Magazines But Will Never Actually Build