No, it's not an alternative shipping forecast, it's Malty Mail.

Outernet

things I've been up to

For those following along with the Gantry Crane story... IT ARRIVED... and it's great! It feels like the peak for manual machine moving:

• 2 person assembly or maybe manageable with one
• Easy to roll around unloaded
• The locking wheels hold firm
• The trolley (between the beam and hoist) lets you move loads along the gantry easily
• You can rotate loads while hoisted

I've had a few people asking about the logistics and costs so here goes: I looked through dozens of options on Alibaba.com and eventually found KLD Hoisting and this gantry crane. It was only a few minutes from clicking the contact supplier button to getting a response and quote for a full setup. I spec'd a 2 ton capacity gantry with a 3m span and an adjustable 2-3m height (although having received it, it feels like it will go higher) plus a trolley and chain hoist.

Cost so far - £1160

The next step was shipping it. This is a confusing mess of initialisms when you start but the cost from KLD is 'FOB' or Free on Board. This means they will package and delivery your item to a port and sort out getting it on the vessel (either aircraft or boat).

I'll skim over this process but decided to use a UK based company Yes2Ship who charged £395 to cover the process from Tianjin port to my door. On top of that I had to pay £361.92 to the tax man in customs fees.

So all in, £1900... but let's add some context.

For comparison, that's the same price as a 2T steel gantry (without hoist and trolley) that's neither height adjustable or something I could assemble by hand. A comparable version in aluminium with the same spec from the UK is £4550.

From my point of view, I couldn't be happier. I've learnt a lot about the shipping process and while I suspect I could have save some money going with another shipping company, for ease I'd happily use the same company again.

Internet

Spiffing things to focus on and grab your attention

Less than spiffing is my upgrade process with the software hosting the website. Something went wrong in the process and all the subscribers were lost! I've added back those I can find but more now than ever, I'd be really grateful if you could share this with someone else in the maker community.

On the plus side, I have managed to get Ghost (the thing that runs the website/newsletter) to integrate with Obsidian which has quickly become not only my preferred editor for markdown but also has now replaced Notion as a place to store notes and other info that doesn't suit the database style of Airtable.

While I always enjoy the Makers Waffle podcast I was really struck by how Sean from Tinkering Rocks and I shared a lot of current interests - namely ADS-B tracking and the smart home software Home Assistant. I've recently set up both and while the former was quick Raspberry Pi project (now you can more easily get them) the latter is definitely an ever evolving project!

Othernet

Tools, recommendation and tips

I'd previously recommended a thread repair file (but failed to add a link that would show up in emails). Hopefully this time it will work! The file has 8 parts and lets you fix rounded over or otherwise mangled threads on bolts. While I only use it a few times a year, I wouldn't be without one now as it's save me from having to make or source replacement bolts/threaded handles and fasteners many times now.

Metric Repair file - £11 with Prime Delivery on Amazon or £6 delivered from AliExpress.

These are affiliate links so if you do buy this, I get a small percentage of their profits at no cost to you, and it helps support the costs of sending out the newsletter.

Oh and keep your eyes peeled for the next newsletter where I'll be talking about this robot arm!