Home Repair | Mr. G's Mind

If you happened to read my post Cabana Skylight Project, you may have noticed a “bubble window” in the first picture.

In this post, I will show you the bubble window in more detail and how I installed it.

I bought the bubble window on the internet. They are designed to install on fences so that your dog can see outside. The kit comes with the needed hardware to install, however, you may need to make substitutions depending on your application.

I wanted a porthole window in my man shed. I first cut out an opening in the side wall, then framed up the opening.

I attached the bubble window to a piece of plywood. Then attached the plywood with bubble to the inside of the cutout opening with a piano hinge. You can see this in the next pictures.

Of course, my dog had to get into the act!

In this picture, you can see the frame that I put around the opening. You can just barely see the piano hinge on the top inside edge of the opening.

I cutout a couple of pieces of cedar shingles and glued them to the front of the plywood.

Finally, I installed a trunk hinge and screen door clasp. Now I can easily prop open the bubble window, and latch it on windy days.

A fun and simple way to add light and air circulation into your man cave.

Does anyone remember traveling trunks? They were very popular in the early 20th century for those who traveled via steamship and train.

A special friend of mine and her sister were given a couple of trunks from their mother. The trunks came over from Ireland, to New York, spent years in New Hampshire, years in California, and settled in a garage in Arizona for almost two decades.

After that many years, the leather handles dry out and basically disintegrate. My friend’s sister replaced the handles on her trunk and sent my friend a pair as well. Hey, guess who gets to install the new handles… yep, Mr. Project Man!

Here you can see the existing handles on her trunk. They are long gone!

Now, how to get the handle brackets off without destroying them. I very carefully pried them up using a screwdriver. I thought rivets were used, but they tuned out to be these crazy curved brass nails. Very difficult to get out. Yes, let me repeat, very difficult to get out!