Okay so today I’m gonna spill the beans about that movable wood piece project mess. You know how I always trip over my own feet dancing? Figured I’d make something that dances better than me. Saw this gnarly oak branch after a storm – looked like it was frozen mid-shimmy. Snapped a pic with my phone thinking “bet I can make that wobble”.
The Whole Idea
Wanted it to wiggle when pushed but pop right off without tools. Grabbed scrap oak chunks from my neighbor’s trash pile – solid but heavy as heck. Measured nothing, just eyeballed angles with my palm like a caveman leveling stone. Drilled holes off-center ’cause I thought it’d swing better. Spoiler: it didn’t.
- First screwup: Bolted the thickest timber piece upright. Pushed it – damn thing toppled like drunk uncle Bob at Christmas.
- Second try: Sawed feet grooves for grip. Used my kids’ playdough under the base like a genius… melted plastic everywhere when testing with hairdryer vibrations.
- Third disaster: Bolted on counterweights from old dumbbells. Swung so hard it punched through drywall. Wife still mad.
The Almost-Gave-Up Moment
Nearly tossed it in the firepit last Tuesday. Then remembered that rubber mat from my truck bed – the ribbed one. Cut strips with kitchen scissors, glued ’em where timber pieces connect. Now they bend like Gumby but snap back!
Final trick? Magnets. Stole speaker magnets from busted stereo. Buried them in the base timber and main pole with wood glue. Now the dancing oak stands when you want, pulls apart clean when neighbors come snooping. Still dances like Elaine from Seinfeld though. Whatever – it moves and doesn’t kill my TV anymore.
