Refurbished, Renewed Anything

When I did a project on a phone caddy/stand (shown below) a while back, I pondered, "What happens if and when I get a newer phone later (like the real 5 G version) which will likely not fit this one?  It will be another project!", I said.  Well, the time has come.  The old one still worked but it won't be long when 4G will no longer be supported by the service providers.  In fact, LG - the manufacturer of my phone - got out of the phone business entirely.  Time to get a new one and re-do the caddy/stand.

It turned out I did not need to make an entirely new one but to repurpose/refurbish the above with just a few modifications.  And, like the old phone above which I purchased used, I bought another used one.

Before we dive into the project, let's talk about "used anything" - the antithesis to the throw-away society that most developed countries have become.  However, everything "used" has gone through some face-lifting labels from marketers where used cars have become pre-owned, modern day devices are now called, "refurbished" or "renewed".

But, you know what, in today's inflation travails and the yearly release of the latest and the greatest gizmos, it makes a lot of sense to go the "refurbished/renewed" route.  To me, I find more satisfaction and joy from the "used" tools and devices over the years that I've had them which served me well.  Don't get me wrong.  I will not hesitate to purchase a new anything, even high ticket items, if warranted.  Part of the reason I needed a newer phone  is that the new truck I just bought has wireless charging and the old phone will not work through the truck's audio to make phone calls and take messages.  I've purchased high-end woodworking tools but I don't hesitate to scour the flea markets for hidden treasures among used hand tools.  Some I renewed and refurbished, which today continue to perform at the level they were designed for.

Above all, I am merely taking advantage of the fact that people who opt for the latest and greatest are getting rid of perfectly great and still working devices to get the newest one.  More so following the holiday season, which is the best time to keep our eyes open for the jewels of a purchase.

So this is not just so much about the project as it is about waking up to the idea that we do not need to buy the latest and the greatest of the smart phones every time the manufacturers roll out a new one; which is every year.  And not everyone needs the top model, the flagship of any phone. 98% of the users do not need them; same percentage is not likely to use much of what the high end phones have up their sleeves. In fact, the lowest end model of any smart phone will let you make a call, read your email, check the news, the weather, will let you text, calculate your tip, listen to music, navigate for you, wake you up, reminds you (appointments and when to take your medicine), etc.  The difference between speed and everything associated with how quickly you get the information are all within the span of a second difference from low end to high end.  Photo quality, video games, movies, are where the big differences are. Now, 98% of us don't really care about watching movies on the phone when HD TV offer far better viewing experience, and 35 mm DSLR cameras have superior capabilities if photography is your thing, and isn't full console gaming, and surround speakers not the best way to play video games?  

What should I get?  I decided it will be in the mid-range price bracket.  It will have everything that is useful to me.  It will be a Google phone.  Why?  Google is the king of information search and it has the lion's share of the most visited app or internet source, and a far superior navigation algorithm.  But, in the past, as great as their software had always been, they depended on hardware from existing makers.  It is only lately that they have developed their own - the Tensor chip - a custom built chip for Pixel phones.

The Pixel 6 is the mid-rage version.  Brand new, it is $600.  I scoured the refurbished/renewed world and found one for $276.  It was renewed (inspected and tested, "refreshed" to its original standards by a company in Des Moines, Iowa, via the Amazon renewed program.

It came in a brown - not its original - box, with a charger, cable and sim card key.  It was unmarked by even the slightest scratch and looked brand new!

Below, next to the old phone it will replace.

The "renewed" Pixel 6 is just what I need.  Not basic, just a notch below the flagship Pixel 7, but it has all that I need.  The camera is awesome and as a navigation aid - GPS is dominated by Google maps - is so much better than the the GPS that came with my new truck.

The woodworking part is straight forward, except for the latest modification for the car caddy.

I trimmed and added a spacer for the thinner new phone.

Below is the other caddy for the car/truck, on a friction grip pedestal.

Below, I incorporated a thin piece of flexible hardwood that will act like a leaf spring to hold the phone tight to the cradle. 

As shown in the next photo, the phone is held fast even upside down.

Why a phone stand/caddy?  Same reason that I did the projects below - caddies for my wallet and car keys.  I know exactly where they are every time.  Well, 99.99 % of the time 😇 

By the way, my old phone, even without its SIM card, still works at home, for as long as my new phone is in the house and the wi-fi router is on.  I don't know if it has to do with my carrier but the old phone can receive and send emails and text and search the internet, etc., send photos (the camera still works, of course) except to make phone calls.  But it can call 911!  It is still a great standby phone.  Try that with your old phone.

Remember, never shirk from searching "refurbished/renewed" items.  I purchased a planer (for woodworking) at a heavily discounted price even though it was new.  I found it at a corner of the store.  The manager was planning to return it because the packing box was ripped and torn and he could not sell it new.  The machine was untouched.  I'm still using it more than twenty years later.  A throw-away society has its silver lining.

Hanging an Orchid Indoor (One Method)

I must admit I'm one of the millions out there who failed in so many ways to keep an orchid or two alive past its bloom (so many I lost count, in my case) but  they're still our favorite to mark one special occasion or another. It is a yearly multi-billion dollar industry worldwide and I must say it is one of the most successful feats of adaptation by a plant that insures its survival and widespread existence, using humans as its most ardent patron and promoter. That might require some explanation, but not in a woodworking blog 😎!

 

What to do after an anniversary, birthday, or any reason to spend the dollars on a single plant?  This one here was part of the breakfast ensemble I prepared for our wedding anniversary two months ago. I decided to hang this one by the kitchen's bay window while there are still blooms left.

Since we bought the home there were already two hooks at the ceiling by the kitchen that I had meant to use but never got around to doing it. I guess the excuse was that I have always been waiting for a part - "that part of me that wanted to do it" (I stole that expression from somewhere).

Well, this is it, but one hook at a time.  Commercial orchids come with a base, usually plastic with drain holes enclosed by a non-draining exterior display container.  I drilled three equidistant holes at the rim; carefully, because this one here is made of ceramics. Through those holes three "ears" will be attached for the hanging strings.  Why not just tie the strings directly to the holes?  This is a woodworking blog, plus the extra work is more fun 😊The container has a conical slant of 9 degrees, so one side of the "ears" must be cut to a 9 degree angle.

One screw from inside and an epoxy with instant hardener sprayed on makes for a secure and permanent attachment.  Instead of using nylon fishing lines, I used nylon strands used on blinds.  They're a lot easier to manipulate and they are just as strong.

Clear 1/4 inch plexiglass rods will make up the rest of the support all the way up to the hook. They are so transparent that they are barely visible on top of the table below.  There are three of them there to the left of the measuring tape. The clear rods will make the planter seem like floating in mid air.

The hanging strands are tied into a spring hook.  Available at fishing supplies.

The clear rods only come in 24 inch lengths.  Shown above I drilled a 1/4 inch hole into a dowel, later cut to the desired length, below.

Using epoxy and hardener, two rods are joined together.

At one end capped by another dowel rod allows for an eye screw and connector for the hook at the ceiling.

One down, one more to go.  But I think I will do it a little differently.  Another project coming up.  Hopefully, this orchid will recognize the effort and return the favor by surviving and re-blooming at some future time.