Project 1.
In the past couple of years, I have started to acquire a collection of headphones. Three may be a relatively small collection, but it’s more than I had room for on top of my small Fender amp. I wanted a way to not just store but display my growing collection. This need is what inspired Project 1.
Why Headphones?
I could have collected something cool like coins or stamps (when I was younger I collected rocks) the truth is I didn’t plan to collect headphones, it just sort of happened. I love listening to music and wanted to find ways to experience it more fully. I bought my first pair of real headphones during my first year of college. I wore them all day every day (unsurprisingly, they lasted a year). After that, I went back to wearing earbuds and it just didn’t feel the same. I desperately needed a new pair of headphones, so I did my research and was introduced to the world of audiophiles. From there, my journey began.
I love that each pair of headphones is a little different. I can play the same song on each and have a different listening experience. Some chords and melodies stand out more in one pair versus another. Some are more geared toward instrumentals and others toward vocals. Beyond the sound quality, I enjoy the design of headphones. It’s the best of both worlds! There is such a variety of styles and functions; I don’t think I’ll ever get bored. I’m nowhere near a seasoned audiophile but I’m excited to grow my collection and discover new musical experiences.
Wood Turning
I had been wanting to learn how to use the lathe in our shop. I found a big chunk of scrap wood and thought it would be a good place to start. The grain of the wood was beautiful, though it did make it difficult to turn. Once I had my desired shape, I cut the mass into my three pucks. I sanded, stained, and finished the wood with some semi-gloss I had. Finally, I used french-cleats to attach the pucks to the wall.
This was my first iteration, but I’m very pleased with how it turned out. The simple geometric form fits the aesthetic language of my room so well, and the wood adds some visual warmth. In future iterations, I would add some sort of cord storage.
