tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35823247539289000062024-03-13T06:41:50.536-07:00TardHaus ProjectsIn case you were wondering what we are up to right now...SamCohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07381969208576048638noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3582324753928900006.post-40968816376274497252014-01-20T18:35:00.001-08:002014-01-20T18:35:31.832-08:00Harvey the RVFor a little while now (since about June of 2013) we have had an RV that is completely solar powered. An onboard inverter allows use of 120V appliances like A/C, microwave, coffee pot. The design has to be just right to get high current loads like them to work on a 12VDC based system. I have some pictures I will post later detailing this. The fun part is that there is a Raspberry PI server on board (also named Harvey) that logs the voltage, current, and battery state, as well as various temperatures on board. I hope to add more monitoring capability and sensors later. It is neat to see that it is basically self-sufficient, using only a wi-fi connection from the TardHaus. It is cold and snowy but server Harvey is still monitoring. Check it out at: <a href="http://tardhaus.com:4300"></a>
Chief Tardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15576698738593163953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3582324753928900006.post-74979114280959978672012-12-20T19:28:00.003-08:002012-12-20T19:28:37.433-08:00Information Via FlowchartI have been a Tard at Large for some time now. When my washing machine broke recently, I informed my roommates via flowchart. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uHFsw0S9XvQ/UNPXA42cRWI/AAAAAAAAAP0/bxJUQzBw3_U/s1600/IMG_20121220_220053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uHFsw0S9XvQ/UNPXA42cRWI/AAAAAAAAAP0/bxJUQzBw3_U/s400/IMG_20121220_220053.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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When I pulled the washing machine away from the wall to open it up, the first thing I thought of my time at Tardhaus. Before I lived at Tardhaus I would not have had any idea how water pumps, electric motors, knobs and controls, or any of the other stuff in the Washing Machine worked. But now, I have no fear to rip something open and check it out. I found the broken mount for the motor and it is now operating just fine.Minionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074541895978080255noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3582324753928900006.post-32798505949108382562012-10-15T06:58:00.000-07:002012-10-15T06:58:33.034-07:00Getting AWS (Ada Web Server) running on a Raspberry PiI was happy to see that multitasking is supported in Ada on the raspberry pi. This means that Ada Web Server should run just fine, so I hunted up the commands to get it installed. It's generally much easier to install the packages from the linux distro repository, and that's what I did using the commands below:<br />
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Starting with a fresh copy of raspbian, I installed the gnat Ada compiler and aws with the following commands:<br />
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sudo apt-get install gnat<br />
sudo apt-get install libaws-bin libaws2.10.2-dev<br />
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I'm an emacs fan, so I also installed my favorite editor:<br />
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sudo apt-get install emacs<br />
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A quick hello world web server was written and everything seems to work!SamCohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07381969208576048638noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3582324753928900006.post-41435573502023269172012-07-30T14:41:00.000-07:002012-07-30T14:41:05.809-07:00Surface Plate I've been interested in getting into hand scraping, for some of the small mechanical things I make. I don't have access to a surface grinder, but scraping will let you get things flat down to 0.0001 inch if you have patience and persistence. This makes it so parts mate nicely and move smoothly. To make really flat parts you need a reference flat surface, often called a surface plate.<br />
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I'd been hunting around the interwebs for a granite surface plate. There are cheap ones from China that would probably do the job, but I really prefer USA made tools when possible. I happened to find that Rock of Ages, a granite quarry about half an hour from my house, made surface plates. I gave them a call and ordered a 12"x12"x4" surface plate with 0.0001 accuracy. That means no point (on the top side of the plate only) is higher or lower than any other point by more than 1 ten-thousandth of an inch!<br />
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I don't really need this level of accuracy, but it didn't cost that much more than the next level down. I'm super excited that the granite is local and so is the work that was done to make it flat.SamCohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07381969208576048638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3582324753928900006.post-34241847643777429612012-07-01T08:02:00.001-07:002012-07-01T08:02:54.233-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is my first 3-D printed object used in a sandmold to cast a copy in aluminum. This is a dragon medallion from Thingiverse.com. The edges came out a bit rough as there was no draft angle, but the dragon imprint came out well. The sprue and riser are still attached to the aluminum medallion in this photo.SamCohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07381969208576048638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3582324753928900006.post-5700178431603218492012-02-15T17:40:00.000-08:002012-02-15T17:40:24.640-08:00More 3D printer to the rescue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The knob to my GPS holder fell off and was lost. I found a good looking replacement knob on Thingiverse (a web site where you can download 3D designs for printing) and made a few changes. I added a hub and a hex shaped hole to capture a nut. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tS6bLW6_HDQ/TzxdTKZ3qsI/AAAAAAAAAJI/HLICI02GcH0/s320/DSCN1635.JPG" width="320" /></div>The knob fits quite well and works great. I printed it out of black ABS and you wouldn't even know it's not original unless you looked real close.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0ovRXiWyK24/TzxdT5qC3DI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/79MLcSUjzz4/s1600/DSCN1636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0ovRXiWyK24/TzxdT5qC3DI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/79MLcSUjzz4/s320/DSCN1636.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>SamCohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07381969208576048638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3582324753928900006.post-6532812144698217662012-01-04T06:14:00.000-08:002012-01-04T06:14:28.404-08:00Fixing Things with a 3D Printer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vJbdUJWwnEQ/TwRdwd9NHbI/AAAAAAAAAIU/exuMSD8MZzk/s1600/Chuck_Key_holder_broken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vJbdUJWwnEQ/TwRdwd9NHbI/AAAAAAAAAIU/exuMSD8MZzk/s320/Chuck_Key_holder_broken.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The drill press at work has a plastic holder on the side to hold the key for the chuck. It broke. I took a few measurements with some calipers and created a 3D model in OpenSCAD. I made my version a little more rugged than the original. Then I printed it on my Makerbot Thing-O-Matic 3D Printer. After a little bit of sanding to remove any sharp edges, I installed it on the drill press. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aIr2QDpLeY4/TwReeW8tqSI/AAAAAAAAAI0/kIrRLuNXFLs/s1600/Chuck_Key_holder_fixed1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aIr2QDpLeY4/TwReeW8tqSI/AAAAAAAAAI0/kIrRLuNXFLs/s320/Chuck_Key_holder_fixed1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FPZEiU2dGa0/TwRejIL-4sI/AAAAAAAAAJA/1MqIeElv6ug/s1600/Chuck_Key_holder_fixed2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FPZEiU2dGa0/TwRejIL-4sI/AAAAAAAAAJA/1MqIeElv6ug/s320/Chuck_Key_holder_fixed2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span id="goog_1865174573"></span><span id="goog_1865174574"></span>SamCohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07381969208576048638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3582324753928900006.post-82709796580922154942011-12-10T19:32:00.000-08:002011-12-10T19:32:16.105-08:003D PrinterSamCo got a MakerBot Industries Thing-O-Matic 3D printer. It prints in ABS plastic (the same stuff LEGOs are made of).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Iopxf6ovlgs/TuQij6n8pjI/AAAAAAAAAGs/Z6swhkhc_vY/s1600/DSCN1611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Iopxf6ovlgs/TuQij6n8pjI/AAAAAAAAAGs/Z6swhkhc_vY/s320/DSCN1611.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It prints parts layer by layer.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxaxP3meB-juL-o1TKTXIBxXIv-9HrcLNHJJbSXwhNo8DGRH0Hvw6k3-VHc4XSMTojvV333NIoSD82GlwIkYQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>I even used my 3D printer to print out some spool holders for my 3d printer! I love using a machine to make parts for that same machine.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-My6IfoDNBBk/TuQijRtyNXI/AAAAAAAAAGk/KIVYovO7dxc/s1600/DSCN1610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-My6IfoDNBBk/TuQijRtyNXI/AAAAAAAAAGk/KIVYovO7dxc/s320/DSCN1610.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The plastic comes on spools. Because the printer can only print in a 4" cube, this spoolholder design prints in two parts. The bottom part has a bracket that clips on the top of the Thing-O-Matic and has a dovetail on the top. The holder portion then mates with that dovetail. You print out two of the bottom pieces, two of the top pieces, and then use them to hold your spool. You can see it assembled in the first picture.<br />
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I found this bracket on thingiverse.com, where people upload their 3D designs. You just find something you like, download it, and then print it out!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>SamCohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07381969208576048638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3582324753928900006.post-49659769958673347402011-09-10T08:07:00.000-07:002012-07-09T09:35:20.943-07:00Irene AdventureI was really expecting a lot more wind. We didn't get more than a bit of gusting (20mph?) now and then. It was the flooding that took out the power.<br />
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Tardhaus is fairly high, so we weren't worried about flooding damage, although there is a bit of water in the basement. When the power went out, we transferred over to generator. We have an old generator powerful enough to run the whole house running off a rebuilt 1.6L VW Jetta diesel engine. Through several mistakes, the generator overheated, overpressurized the cooling system (pressure cap didn't release), and ruptured one of the coolant lines. The generator was shut down using the kill switch shortly thereafter, but damage to the engine was likely already done by that time.<br />
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We triaged the engine, repaired the coolant system hose, and discovered it was also very low on oil - this is odd as it usually only leaks very very slowly when running. We put more oil in, refueled, and started it back up - it seemed to be running fine.<br />
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About 10-20 minutes later, the engine started "dieseling", revving higher and higher. The "panic/kill" switch was used (this cuts off the fuel), but the engine kept revving higher and higher. All tards quickly evacuated the vicinity of the generator and the circuit breaker was thrown to disconnect the generator from the house. We then waited about 2-3 minutes as the engine continued to rev well past it's rated RPM limits. It was known that we were now simply waiting for the engine to destroy itself and stop on its own. As the fuel valve has been turned off by the kill switch, the engine was likely running off its engine oil, which was getting into the cylinders via damage caused by the previous overheating - nothing to do but wait for it to stop by itself.<br />
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After some knocking and crunch noises, the engine stopped. Post inspection showed no fire and the engine would turn over and run, but the generator didn't turn.<br />
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<br />SamCohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07381969208576048638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3582324753928900006.post-32636399696187581262011-08-19T13:25:00.000-07:002011-08-19T13:25:53.158-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">SamCo got a 2012 Mustang.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h1ElF_8pLjo/Tk7GKIegFVI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/bGJMESBBKXo/s1600/DSCN4545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="117" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h1ElF_8pLjo/Tk7GKIegFVI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/bGJMESBBKXo/s320/DSCN4545.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><span id="goog_1482373743"></span><span id="goog_1482373744"></span>SamCohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07381969208576048638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3582324753928900006.post-83085396646716858482011-08-19T06:30:00.000-07:002011-08-19T06:30:05.705-07:00Making Google Search stop autocompleting and autosuggestingGoogle's autosuggest feature finally got annoying enough that I decided to do something about it. If I paused long enough to think about what to type next and then tried to use the arrow keys to modify my text, the autosuggested stuff would be inserted into my search textbox. Occasionally autosuggest stuff got inserted even without the use of any arrow keys. Google failure.<br />
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I tried turning off Google Instant, and the description says: predictions and results appear while typing<br />
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That sounds like, when turned off, it should stop the annoying behavior. No dice. It turns off the automatic results display, but not the automatic suggestions about what you are typing.<br />
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More digging found that adding the parameter complete=0 to the URL turns off the annoyances, and that works well for my home page, which is now:<br />
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http://www.google.com/?complete=0<br />
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The issue is that it still autosuggests in the firefox search box. That took a bit more digging, as FireFox wants you to download new search engines, but doesn't appear to let you make your own through any of the settings dialogs. I created a file in c:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\searchplugins named unstupidgoogle.xml and put the following contents in it:<br />
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<SearchPlugin xmlns="http://www.mozilla.org/2006/browser/search/"><br />
<ShortName>Unstupid Google</ShortName><br />
<Description>Google Search</Description><br />
<InputEncoding>UTF-8</InputEncoding><br />
<Image width="16" height="16">data:image/png;base64,AAABAAEAEBAAAAEAGABoAwAAFgAAACgAAAAQAAAAIAAAAAEAGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADs9Pt8xetPtu9FsfFNtu%2BTzvb2%2B%2Fne4dFJeBw0egA%2FfAJAfAA8ewBBegAAAAD%2B%2FPtft98Mp%2BwWsfAVsvEbs%2FQeqvF8xO7%2F%2F%2F63yqkxdgM7gwE%2FggM%2BfQA%2BegBDeQDe7PIbotgQufcMufEPtfIPsvAbs%2FQvq%2Bfz%2Bf%2F%2B%2B%2FZKhR05hgBBhQI8hgBAgAI9ewD0%2B%2Fg3pswAtO8Cxf4Kw%2FsJvvYAqupKsNv%2B%2Fv7%2F%2FP5VkSU0iQA7jQA9hgBDgQU%2BfQH%2F%2Ff%2FQ6fM4sM4KsN8AteMCruIqqdbZ7PH8%2Fv%2Fg6Nc%2Fhg05kAA8jAM9iQI%2BhQA%2BgQDQu6b97uv%2F%2F%2F7V8Pqw3eiWz97q8%2Ff%2F%2F%2F%2F7%2FPptpkkqjQE4kwA7kAA5iwI8iAA8hQCOSSKdXjiyflbAkG7u2s%2F%2B%2F%2F39%2F%2F7r8utrqEYtjQE8lgA7kwA7kwA9jwA9igA9hACiWSekVRyeSgiYSBHx6N%2F%2B%2Fv7k7OFRmiYtlAA5lwI7lwI4lAA7kgI9jwE9iwI4iQCoVhWcTxCmb0K%2BooT8%2Fv%2F7%2F%2F%2FJ2r8fdwI1mwA3mQA3mgA8lAE8lAE4jwA9iwE%2BhwGfXifWvqz%2B%2Ff%2F58u%2Fev6Dt4tr%2B%2F%2F2ZuIUsggA7mgM6mAM3lgA5lgA6kQE%2FkwBChwHt4dv%2F%2F%2F728ei1bCi7VAC5XQ7kz7n%2F%2F%2F6bsZkgcB03lQA9lgM7kwA2iQktZToPK4r9%2F%2F%2F9%2F%2F%2FSqYK5UwDKZAS9WALIkFn%2B%2F%2F3%2F%2BP8oKccGGcIRJrERILYFEMwAAuEAAdX%2F%2Ff7%2F%2FP%2B%2BfDvGXQLIZgLEWgLOjlf7%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F9QU90EAPQAAf8DAP0AAfMAAOUDAtr%2F%2F%2F%2F7%2B%2Fu2bCTIYwDPZgDBWQDSr4P%2F%2Fv%2F%2F%2FP5GRuABAPkAA%2FwBAfkDAPAAAesAAN%2F%2F%2B%2Fz%2F%2F%2F64g1C5VwDMYwK8Yg7y5tz8%2Fv%2FV1PYKDOcAAP0DAf4AAf0AAfYEAOwAAuAAAAD%2F%2FPvi28ymXyChTATRrIb8%2F%2F3v8fk6P8MAAdUCAvoAAP0CAP0AAfYAAO4AAACAAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAAQAA</Image><br />
<Url type="text/html" method="GET" template="http://www.google.com/search"><br />
<Param name="q" value="{searchTerms}"/><br />
<Param name="ie" value="utf-8"/><br />
<Param name="oe" value="utf-8"/><br />
<Param name="aq" value="t"/><br />
<Param name="complete" value="0"/><br />
<!-- Dynamic parameters --><br />
<Param name="rls" value="{moz:distributionID}:{moz:locale}:{moz:official}"/><br />
<MozParam name="client" condition="defaultEngine" trueValue="firefox-a" falseValue="firefox"/><br />
</Url><br />
<SearchForm>http://www.google.com/</SearchForm><br />
</SearchPlugin><br />
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This is essentially a copy of the google.xml file but with the stupid autosuggest removed both in the firefox search box and also in the search entry that comes up at the top of the results. After you restart firefox, it will show up in the list of possible search engines as "Unstupid Google".SamCohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07381969208576048638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3582324753928900006.post-18241205765346425422011-05-24T14:51:00.000-07:002011-05-24T14:51:32.438-07:00My first completely useful casting!I've been casting aluminum for a while, but haven't made a whole lot of actually useful things. Recently, Chief Tard asked if I could copy a latch handle from his snow machine, but put a hex opening where his has a splined opening. This allows him to use the latch pieces from a different year to repair his machine.<br />
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The handle was cast using my new oil-bonded sand. It came out awesome. It even has the original part numbers on it! I just taped up the splined hole when I made the mold, so it was completely solid with no hole when I cast it.<br />
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Making the hex hole was the difficult part. I don't have a rotary broach, so I made a hand tool to do the job.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pjWg5lp7e1c/Tdwlpc1A81I/AAAAAAAAAF4/IvVyMNtLKOI/s1600/DSCN1584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pjWg5lp7e1c/Tdwlpc1A81I/AAAAAAAAAF4/IvVyMNtLKOI/s320/DSCN1584.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I drilled a small hole all the way through the handle, then a larger 5/16" hole (the hex is 5/16" across flats) most of the way through. Then I used a hammer and tapped the tool into the hole. The above photo is just after I started and it shows how the tool only cuts the sharp corners; the chips are visible.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7bDc7U7263Y/TdwlqSUQ-8I/AAAAAAAAAGA/kMmvt_cXvc8/s1600/DSCN1588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7bDc7U7263Y/TdwlqSUQ-8I/AAAAAAAAAGA/kMmvt_cXvc8/s320/DSCN1588.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is the finished hex hole. This fits on a hex shaft and there is a screw that goes on the other side of the handle to hold it in place. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bcPYOZwZaMU/Tdwm4EPwxpI/AAAAAAAAAGI/DiGzLO4Rg8A/s1600/DSCN1587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bcPYOZwZaMU/Tdwm4EPwxpI/AAAAAAAAAGI/DiGzLO4Rg8A/s320/DSCN1587.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Here's a photo of the handle and the tool. The handle was cleaned up with a grinder and wire wheel, and should fit nicely on the snow machine.SamCohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07381969208576048638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3582324753928900006.post-89810482911712972192011-05-14T08:19:00.000-07:002011-05-14T08:19:10.224-07:00Making the Man CandleSo... we saw this on the interwebs and thought it was an awesome idea. This is a manly candle, full of bacon flavor and odouriferousness. It's also a good recycling project as the only thing extra we bought was the wick.<br />
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Starting with a jar of saved bacon grease, a wick, and a drill....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6T2Buhv9aqw/Tc6cweAHvcI/AAAAAAAAAFo/Es1FWIsML8k/s1600/IMAG0106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6T2Buhv9aqw/Tc6cweAHvcI/AAAAAAAAAFo/Es1FWIsML8k/s320/IMAG0106.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Use the drill to make a hole in the middle of the grease. This is a bit messy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MW1L2n8DxME/Tc6cxSZTbOI/AAAAAAAAAFs/RwqzrtK3mCs/s1600/IMAG0108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MW1L2n8DxME/Tc6cxSZTbOI/AAAAAAAAAFs/RwqzrtK3mCs/s320/IMAG0108.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>Then install the wick. It took some trial and error to get the wick to stay in place.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zqf0i6QcGvY/Tc6czEnbVwI/AAAAAAAAAF0/eH0Vapgv0OQ/s1600/IMAG0110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zqf0i6QcGvY/Tc6czEnbVwI/AAAAAAAAAF0/eH0Vapgv0OQ/s320/IMAG0110.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Then just light and enjoy the wonderful smell of bacon, without actually having to cook anything!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kRe3o7r8QXg/Tc6cvjkM4HI/AAAAAAAAAFk/HXq6rPigQKg/s1600/IMAG0111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kRe3o7r8QXg/Tc6cvjkM4HI/AAAAAAAAAFk/HXq6rPigQKg/s320/IMAG0111.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>SamCohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07381969208576048638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3582324753928900006.post-76927092019012885612011-04-29T09:02:00.000-07:002011-04-29T09:02:11.383-07:00USB Building BlocksMinion found an awesome and simple project on the interwebs for replacing the case of a USB thumb drive with one made from LEGO blocks. The people on the interwebs used an X-ACTO knife, but we have CNC machines at our disposal and decided to use those instead.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MNJxv8OjmmE/TbreRpCkUYI/AAAAAAAAAFI/X3se4vBCYwE/s1600/IMG_0371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MNJxv8OjmmE/TbreRpCkUYI/AAAAAAAAAFI/X3se4vBCYwE/s320/IMG_0371.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> We started with an unassuming LEGO block. Minion liked this red one.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Na917j4sOOA/TbreUNoa3hI/AAAAAAAAAFM/x6-snTSJkmg/s1600/IMG_0373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Na917j4sOOA/TbreUNoa3hI/AAAAAAAAAFM/x6-snTSJkmg/s320/IMG_0373.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Minion took some basic measurements, and I used Dolphin PartMaster to generate some code to mill out the bottom and add an opening for the USB connector. I also thinned the walls of the block down to about 0.030 to make the thumb drive guts fit more easily.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DjlACgIdBxM/TbreYdT6xiI/AAAAAAAAAFU/akWOKV67D84/s1600/IMG_0379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DjlACgIdBxM/TbreYdT6xiI/AAAAAAAAAFU/akWOKV67D84/s320/IMG_0379.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We also made a bottom plate to cover things up, and had to remove two of the nubs to make room for the USB connector. Because we thinned the walls of the lego block, we will have to glue this on.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l719rOOPobI/TbreirN8fzI/AAAAAAAAAFg/eCH2aZQKQBw/s1600/IMG_0385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l719rOOPobI/TbreirN8fzI/AAAAAAAAAFg/eCH2aZQKQBw/s320/IMG_0385.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Only a little trimming with the X-Acto knife was required. Here are the pieces and tools ready for assembly.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GxZXSSXcS0A/TbreWcACjYI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/GwSwjIxjaDY/s1600/IMG_0377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GxZXSSXcS0A/TbreWcACjYI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/GwSwjIxjaDY/s320/IMG_0377.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>A Sandisk 4GB thumb drive...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7pYQIZrdS30/TbrebBwUarI/AAAAAAAAAFY/3Km02BylsFs/s1600/IMG_0380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7pYQIZrdS30/TbrebBwUarI/AAAAAAAAAFY/3Km02BylsFs/s320/IMG_0380.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> placed inside a lego block...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LaiFSYfD69w/Tbred-SrfPI/AAAAAAAAAFc/jTIpzUOOPEU/s1600/IMG_0381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LaiFSYfD69w/Tbred-SrfPI/AAAAAAAAAFc/jTIpzUOOPEU/s320/IMG_0381.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>with the bottom plate glued on...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gIakW2byJwg/TbreO7PNFVI/AAAAAAAAAFE/C0DK2nQLgMo/s1600/IMG_0386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gIakW2byJwg/TbreO7PNFVI/AAAAAAAAAFE/C0DK2nQLgMo/s320/IMG_0386.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>== awesomeness. We'll see if we can't get some pictures of the CNC machining next time when we make a blue one.SamCohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07381969208576048638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3582324753928900006.post-61084967393528530982011-04-11T09:57:00.000-07:002011-04-11T09:57:10.183-07:00Brunch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uYAW09WJNmw/TaMxoS0jn9I/AAAAAAAAAE8/8Ilu6ld-u6M/s1600/DSCN1580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uYAW09WJNmw/TaMxoS0jn9I/AAAAAAAAAE8/8Ilu6ld-u6M/s320/DSCN1580.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Looks like breakfast... but it's lunchtime!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zh6amZBRqVk/TaMxpOhFgyI/AAAAAAAAAFA/zmrEg9AtyBA/s1600/DSCN1581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zh6amZBRqVk/TaMxpOhFgyI/AAAAAAAAAFA/zmrEg9AtyBA/s320/DSCN1581.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then lunch showed up from the grill...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rj7aK7E-vYU/TaMxm2exBUI/AAAAAAAAAE4/DIVnBSyx9p4/s1600/DSCN1582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rj7aK7E-vYU/TaMxm2exBUI/AAAAAAAAAE4/DIVnBSyx9p4/s320/DSCN1582.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">bottom bun + burger + cheese + bacon + ketchup + egg + top bun</div><div style="text-align: center;">== delicious!</div>SamCohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07381969208576048638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3582324753928900006.post-59759903215024469512011-03-26T13:43:00.000-07:002011-03-26T13:43:32.393-07:00Making tools to make tools for my machine tools.I bought an independently adjustable 4-jaw chuck for my lathe. The chuck came with an adapter plate, but my lathe (Emco Compact 5 CNC) is a bit special and didn't fit the adapter plate. The bolt holes for my lathe were half in the center hole on the adapter plate. The solution? Another adapter plate, of course!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-INkR6hdmaxA/TY5HOdD3awI/AAAAAAAAAEU/eaQKG3v6x6g/s1600/DSCN4280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-INkR6hdmaxA/TY5HOdD3awI/AAAAAAAAAEU/eaQKG3v6x6g/s320/DSCN4280.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This adapter plate is made from some 2" aluminum round stock. It moves the bolt holes out in diameter just enough that they will hit the stock adapter plate that came with the chuck. When I went to machine the outer diameter, I discovered that my carriage doesn't go that close to the headstock. My toolchanger takes boring bars, but they all have the cutting edge on the wrong side. The solution, of course, is a custom tool!<br />
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I ground some drill rod to make a cutting edge, then heated it with a blowtorch and quenched it in water. Considering I'd never done any of those things before, it went very well. The tool is shown in the above picture ready to take its first cut. I should have ground the heel a bit more, but it did cut and I was able to cut the outer diameter properly.<br />
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The stock adapter plate also needed some modification. Remember how I said the bolt holes for the Emco headstock were half in the center hole of the stock adapter plate? Well, I need access to those bolts to tighten the whole thing to the lathe. The stock plate is cast iron, which I'd never machined before. I read up on it a bit, got out my boring bar (first time using this tool too!), and slowly cut openings in this adapter to allow access to the bolts on my adapter. I didn't use a boring head, as the diameter from the boring bar itself was exactly what I wanted.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-y2nKd1jxVD0/TY5J79zfj7I/AAAAAAAAAEY/-QkiUqpjFfA/s1600/DSCN4306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-y2nKd1jxVD0/TY5J79zfj7I/AAAAAAAAAEY/-QkiUqpjFfA/s320/DSCN4306.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Then I needed to drill and tap the other 4 holes for bolts that would hold the stock adapter to my adapter. I figured the best way to get the drilling lined up with my adapter would be to use a transfer punch... but I don't have any... so I built one!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yVaNKJJif7U/TY5KEkfAJkI/AAAAAAAAAEc/2v-oFnGkhBk/s1600/DSCN4308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yVaNKJJif7U/TY5KEkfAJkI/AAAAAAAAAEc/2v-oFnGkhBk/s320/DSCN4308.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I took some more drill rod, turned it down to just under the diameter of my bolt holes, and left a sharp pip on the end. After heating this up and quenching it, I had a brand new transfer punch!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wE8e-sUtS1I/TY5KLoArjfI/AAAAAAAAAEg/1Cv53B-UF1c/s1600/DSCN4310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wE8e-sUtS1I/TY5KLoArjfI/AAAAAAAAAEg/1Cv53B-UF1c/s320/DSCN4310.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This, of course, was immediately used to locate the drilling spots on the stock adapter plate that would be used to attach it to my adapter plate.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mzP9OngAfjU/TY5KSwTZPSI/AAAAAAAAAEk/8OGfjNM2uvU/s1600/DSCN4311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mzP9OngAfjU/TY5KSwTZPSI/AAAAAAAAAEk/8OGfjNM2uvU/s320/DSCN4311.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>If you look closely in the next pic, you can see the center punch marks in the cast iron. They are in between the channels I bored out earlier.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--sRTOitpKpE/TY5Kgx1hvXI/AAAAAAAAAEs/ekjb6X4PQyc/s1600/DSCN4314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--sRTOitpKpE/TY5Kgx1hvXI/AAAAAAAAAEs/ekjb6X4PQyc/s320/DSCN4314.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I then drilled and tapped the holes. Cast iron is really easy to machine, although you have to spend some time cleaning all of the gritty powder off your machine and tools when you are done.<br />
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Success! These two adapter plates stay bolted together and essentially make one adapter. When I want to change to the new chuck, I just bolt these adapters to the lathe and then bolt the chuck on.SamCohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07381969208576048638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3582324753928900006.post-12908126212022034922011-03-07T15:23:00.000-08:002011-03-07T15:39:46.322-08:00FlytrapThis past weekend I bought a Venus Flytrap. It may be outside the range of technology or building, but I began this out of intrigue so it gets shared on the blog. Besides, I shared the cray fish (RIP Clamps.) I have no idea how to care for it or what to feed it, but I think it will be pretty cool to try and make it grow. I have had good luck with awesome plants in the past, specifically my Banana plant (<a href="http://www.bananas.org/wiki/Musa_Dwarf_Cavendish">dwarf cavendish</a>) that is about 4'-5' tall, and hope that this works out similarly.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jg65JdYcuOs/TXVrrWHD_2I/AAAAAAAAAF4/WuneGdyNKkE/s1600/FlyTrap1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jg65JdYcuOs/TXVrrWHD_2I/AAAAAAAAAF4/WuneGdyNKkE/s320/FlyTrap1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581485705609346914" border="0" /></a>This is a picture of it. Earlier today we picked a spider off the ceiling and dropped it in. With a little nudging... Snap! 4 hours later the trap is closed extra tight. A little research has told me that the pod will actually hermetically seal and then becomes a little stomach, digesting the food and extracting the nutrients. Stay tuned for video of an attack in the future.Minionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074541895978080255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3582324753928900006.post-65854385478056467672011-02-12T21:35:00.000-08:002011-02-12T21:39:24.520-08:00Packet AboundsWe are working with a primitive 1200 baud RF data technology called packet. What is cool is that it would work even if the Internet was down. We'll be rounding this out over the coming weeks. If you are impatient lookup "ARISSat" <br /><br />Here's a link:<br />http://www.arissat1.org/v3/Chief Tardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15576698738593163953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3582324753928900006.post-51394100378720510032010-06-06T10:01:00.000-07:002010-06-06T10:01:12.886-07:00Milling Circuit Boards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I purchased a Proxxon high-speed (20K RPM!) spindle for milling circuit boards. After devising a way to attach the spindle to my milling machine, I used eagle (and the pcb-gcode script) to generate the G-code for the following simple board. This board contains a microcontroller (the 8-lead device in the center), an 0805 resistor, and several pads to attach wires.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dAJjsxUJyGU/TAvTBliqF8I/AAAAAAAAAD8/e7_jXepWRkc/s1600/eagle_layout.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dAJjsxUJyGU/TAvTBliqF8I/AAAAAAAAAD8/e7_jXepWRkc/s320/eagle_layout.png" /></a></div>After running the g-code on the milling machine, I ended up with the following circuit board.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dAJjsxUJyGU/TAvTBbwnXPI/AAAAAAAAAD0/WahuU371skc/s1600/DSCN4107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dAJjsxUJyGU/TAvTBbwnXPI/AAAAAAAAAD0/WahuU371skc/s320/DSCN4107.JPG" /></a></div>Then I installed some components and attached wires for power. The micro is programmed using the 4 surface mount pads between the micro and the wires. I wrote a program to blink out "HI" in Morse code on the LED.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dAJjsxUJyGU/TAvS_I4tPGI/AAAAAAAAADs/KthCRrqtGeU/s1600/DSCN4108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dAJjsxUJyGU/TAvS_I4tPGI/AAAAAAAAADs/KthCRrqtGeU/s320/DSCN4108.JPG" /></a></div>SamCohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07381969208576048638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3582324753928900006.post-28358918819535952272010-05-28T07:30:00.000-07:002010-05-28T07:38:00.681-07:00Internet TV BroadcastingFor a while at TardHaus we have been experimenting with different ways of sending a live feed. We are currently testing a new setup that seems to work better than others we've tried.<br /><br />Here's an example of our feed:<br /><br /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="295" width="353" id="jtv_flash" data="http://www.justin.tv/widgets/live_embed_player.swf?start_volume=0.5&backgroundImage=&channel=tardsat&hostname=www.justin.tv&auto_play=false" bgcolor="#000000"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /> <param name="allowNetworking" value="all" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.justin.tv/widgets/live_embed_player.swf" /> <param name="flashvars" value="start_volume=0.5&backgroundImage=&channel=tardsat&hostname=www.justin.tv&auto_play=false" /> </object><br /> <a href="http://www.justin.tv/tardsat#r=CIQqPoU~&s=em" style="padding:2px 0px 4px; display:block; width:353; font-weight:normal; font-size:10px; text-decoration:underline; text-align:center;">Watch live video from tardsat on Justin.tv</a><br /><br />You may want to try it in a at the main page to compare quality:<br /><A HREF="http://www.justin.tv/tardsat#r=CIQqPoU~&s=li">http://www.justin.tv/tardsat#r=CIQqPoU~&s=li</A>Chief Tardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15576698738593163953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3582324753928900006.post-39688595743675865462010-05-25T14:56:00.000-07:002010-05-25T14:56:10.797-07:00Casting Apples<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dAJjsxUJyGU/S_xFzLzJnbI/AAAAAAAAADU/bghf3aXJKks/s1600/DSCN1557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dAJjsxUJyGU/S_xFzLzJnbI/AAAAAAAAADU/bghf3aXJKks/s320/DSCN1557.JPG" /></a></div>This apple was cast in Aluminum using a green sand mold and the "coping out" method. The parting line was placed at the largest diameter of the apple, about 3/4 of the way up. The flash has not been removed yet, so the parting line is clearly visible. The images below show the detail on the top and bottom of the casting. A real apple is also shown for comparison (not the same apple used to make the mold)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dAJjsxUJyGU/S_xF7vUa1DI/AAAAAAAAADk/8hGWptCEJkg/s1600/DSCN1559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dAJjsxUJyGU/S_xF7vUa1DI/AAAAAAAAADk/8hGWptCEJkg/s200/DSCN1559.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dAJjsxUJyGU/S_xF5g0jD3I/AAAAAAAAADc/qD1LVvp5RC8/s1600/DSCN1560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dAJjsxUJyGU/S_xF5g0jD3I/AAAAAAAAADc/qD1LVvp5RC8/s200/DSCN1560.JPG" width="200" /></a>SamCohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07381969208576048638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3582324753928900006.post-39198076650796988262010-03-29T17:38:00.000-07:002010-03-29T17:54:22.017-07:00Computer Fixin's Part Deux, the FinaleToday the screen came in. It was simple to install, with the hardest part being to remember where the screws go. Because of this I tried turning it on before adding the hardware, as can be seen below.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-5cjrcTB4qY/S7FLhpqNhmI/AAAAAAAAAEY/YU3feI03Gy0/s1600/IMG_0100.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-5cjrcTB4qY/S7FLhpqNhmI/AAAAAAAAAEY/YU3feI03Gy0/s320/IMG_0100.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454223665213048418" border="0" /></a><br />After I got it all put together it was fine. Hooray!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-5cjrcTB4qY/S7FJgKJLNTI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/pHQwd8X7UJs/s1600/IMG_0099.JPG"> </a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-5cjrcTB4qY/S7FJfho0_0I/AAAAAAAAAEI/paxN2DBoLiU/s1600/IMG_0101.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-5cjrcTB4qY/S7FJfho0_0I/AAAAAAAAAEI/paxN2DBoLiU/s320/IMG_0101.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454221429676769090" border="0" /></a><br />For the record, I bought the screen on Ebay. The supplier was in China, and the screen came from Shenzen, China via UPS. Total time on this project was about 1 hour.Minionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074541895978080255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3582324753928900006.post-3194697534874942582010-03-14T11:21:00.000-07:002010-03-14T12:36:07.948-07:00Computer Fixin's Part Deux, Laptop Fixin'sMy sister bought a Laptop recently, it is a Gateway NV7802U. Not a bad machine, it has a 2.2GHz processor, 4 GB Ram, and a 500GB. <a href="http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5270693&CatId=4938">Tiger Direct review.</a> Last week, I was told there was a problem and I said I would take a look. Below, it is in its natural state.<img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-5cjrcTB4qY/S50uHTrKpyI/AAAAAAAAAC8/GwaQLnae6X8/s320/IMG_0077.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448561827263457058" border="0" />Unfortunately, when it is powered up, it is obvious what the problem is. She stepped on it and broke the screen. I found a replacement screen for the Laptop model on ebay for $149.99 but I thought if I might open it up I could find the model of the screen. The idea was, I might find the screen directly for less money somewhere.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-5cjrcTB4qY/S50uHPLasjI/AAAAAAAAAC0/s5sGszxewbY/s1600-h/IMG_0078.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-5cjrcTB4qY/S50uHPLasjI/AAAAAAAAAC0/s5sGszxewbY/s320/IMG_0078.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448561826056548914" border="0" /></a>After some fairly difficult figuring out, I was able to pull the screen out. It was a little funny as there is a webcam in the cover just above the screen. There was also two screws in the bottom of the laptop that had to come out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-5cjrcTB4qY/S50uGQSP2eI/AAAAAAAAACs/z7t5XxmW5tA/s1600-h/IMG_0079.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-5cjrcTB4qY/S50uGQSP2eI/AAAAAAAAACs/z7t5XxmW5tA/s320/IMG_0079.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448561809173764578" border="0" /></a>After taking it out, I turned the screen over to find the model. Voila! Here it is, a Samsung LTN173kT01-A01. You may notice that the screen (and the laptop, for that matter) was very recently made. "0935" is a date-code meaning 2009, week 35. This puts it late August of 2009.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-5cjrcTB4qY/S50uF2qJtpI/AAAAAAAAACk/5rHqAsUgGF4/s1600-h/IMG_0084.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-5cjrcTB4qY/S50uF2qJtpI/AAAAAAAAACk/5rHqAsUgGF4/s320/IMG_0084.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448561802294703762" border="0" /></a>Unfortunately, my plan hit a wall when I could only find this type of screen for more than $149.99. It turns out that the replacement for the Gateway that I found on Ebay is not this model, but instead an LG LP173WD1-TLA1 and the LG is cheaper. It looks like the LG would fit, but I am currently doing research to conform. I can imagine that Gateway manufactured this laptop (and the rest during this run) with whatever parts they could get at the moment and this screen happened to be a Samsung. At other times, they might use the LG.<br /><br />Stay tuned to see if I can fix it.<br /><br />-MinionMinionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074541895978080255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3582324753928900006.post-57609465426031549842010-03-08T07:43:00.000-08:002010-03-08T08:03:41.601-08:00Ground LoopsLast week at work, we proved that ground loops with an oscilloscope can be a bad thing. Here is a description of what happened, but the pictures mostly speak for themselves. As I understand it (I was not present) the issue occurred when a setup involving 277 volts was present. Our oscilloscope was not plugged into earth ground through the third prong, which was supposed to help look at AC signals. Unfortunately, the 'scope was plugged into the PC via the serial port (to wave capture) and then the serial ground provided at path for potential disaster. Basically, all the grounds in the circuit should be at the same point (voltage), ours were not.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-5cjrcTB4qY/S5UbjtgM9qI/AAAAAAAAACU/TqhPm1AXXk8/s1600-h/DSCN4046.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-5cjrcTB4qY/S5UbjtgM9qI/AAAAAAAAACU/TqhPm1AXXk8/s320/DSCN4046.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446289624698517154" border="0" /></a>This picture is from the serial port on the back of the 'scope. Notice anything odd?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-5cjrcTB4qY/S5UbjtgM9qI/AAAAAAAAACU/TqhPm1AXXk8/s1600-h/DSCN4046.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-5cjrcTB4qY/S5Ubj4mb2SI/AAAAAAAAACc/CSQSoiN2zWE/s1600-h/DSCN4045.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-5cjrcTB4qY/S5Ubj4mb2SI/AAAAAAAAACc/CSQSoiN2zWE/s320/DSCN4045.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446289627677448482" border="0" /></a>Same board, different angle. In this picture you can almost see the lifted traces on the board as well. That trace goes from one of the pins on the DB9 to the chip. The yellow cap. next to the chip isn't looking great either.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-5cjrcTB4qY/S5Ubjcj3jwI/AAAAAAAAACM/_5sFUwlNMUI/s1600-h/DSCN4049.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-5cjrcTB4qY/S5Ubjcj3jwI/AAAAAAAAACM/_5sFUwlNMUI/s320/DSCN4049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446289620150488834" border="0" /></a>As it turns out, since the loop was through the PC, it was not spared either. Shockingly similar failure to the 'scope. Lucky for all of us, the hard drive was spared any damage and a duplicate PC was located to replace this lost one. The 'scope, however, could not be replaced as easily.Minionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074541895978080255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3582324753928900006.post-36420131175830867442010-03-04T19:30:00.000-08:002010-03-05T22:32:31.288-08:00Give him the Clamps!Last September, me and Freshman were in the Barre/Montpelier area to pick up some fireworks, and we stopped at R+L Archery to check out some more fun things. When there, I saw cray fish on sale for $0.50 each (as fish bait.) So what could I do? I picked up a few and I named them all clamps. Long story short, I have one left.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-5cjrcTB4qY/S5B-7WT6O3I/AAAAAAAAAB8/RXBrGwdrsZc/s1600-h/ClampsSide.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-5cjrcTB4qY/S5B-7WT6O3I/AAAAAAAAAB8/RXBrGwdrsZc/s320/ClampsSide.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444991507557399410" border="0" /></a><br />Notice the food to the right, and the electrical box in the back. He calls that home. Sometimes I don't see him for days while he is hiding. The point of this post is a new development. Recently, clamps molted, why not, and when he did, he came out with one less claw. Actually, he came out with the whole arm missing. The question is, will it come back?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-5cjrcTB4qY/S5B_JdvEEWI/AAAAAAAAACE/TGVCTzmRgB4/s1600-h/ClampMissing.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-5cjrcTB4qY/S5B_JdvEEWI/AAAAAAAAACE/TGVCTzmRgB4/s320/ClampMissing.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444991750068506978" border="0" /></a>Minionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074541895978080255noreply@blogger.com1