My Computer Lab or... how I stopped worrying and learned to love containers... So I have been meaning to write about my hobby "datacenter" for a couple years now. I finally have it running
hacks I made a G4 iLamp from a iMac G4! I was making it to sell, but I think I’ll keep it. It’s splendid. I did remove the arm spring, but kept the action. The lamp can bend down and swivels
Adding headrests to the back seat of a 2000 Jeep Cherokee (XJ) – Part Two Ok, so I found a neighbor that was able to get the welding done for me. You’ll see why later, but in retrospect I would have mounted the brackets about another 1/
Adding headrests to the back seat of a 2000 Jeep Cherokee (XJ) - Part One My kid has outgrown his booster seat, but we have continued to use it for far too long because the back seat of my Jeep has no headrests. I set about solving that
Replacing the battery in the original Boogie Board message tablet We love our Boogie Board message device. Its been a good run at least 8-10 years since I purchased it new and the clear button no longer wipes the screen. Simple enough – the
Solution for OctoPrint's update "git diff failed with returncode 129" issue So I have been wrestling with performing updates within OctoPrint’s GUI update manager. Returncode 129… every… time. I searched the web. The only answer was that maybe my local git repo was
Looking for a soldering mat? Try a (less expensive) baking mat instead. I was searching for a soldering mat for my new work surface in my new basement’s office. I was not happy with the available sizes (and prices) for larger, branded silicone rubber
Turn Supermicro's Java IPMIView into a native Mac Application In my struggles with managing a few Supermicro machines I recently acquired, I finally found a clean way to run their Java IPMIView/iKVM software on my Mac. You can find the code
DIY Store Foam Medieval Practice Sparring Sword One afternoon, like many others, I found myself engaged in an intense battle with with my son on the backyard grass. This day’s chosen weapons are blocky foam replica swords from some
Smoothing out 3D printed parts 3D printed parts look cool and unique, but sometimes you want them to look like something that isn’t 3D printed. And to achieve this, you need to cover up or smooth out
3d printing Awesome, inexpensive 3D printer filament I stocked up on a bunch of filament a couple years ago, but my stock is starting to run out. In the past I’ve mainly used plastic from Ultimachine and Faberdashery – but
Building the Avonos Classic Stormtrooper Kit [Part 2] In this installment, I thought I would highlight some of my methods for to allow easier snapping of the parts that have bends and curves. For items like the arm and leg pieces,
Building the Avonos Classic Stormtrooper kit [Part 1] So I got my Anovos Classic Stormtrooper kit on Friday. I’m so happy the helmet was a completed part, as that would most certainly be the most challenging part of the costume
40w 40W Chinese Laser: More upgrades Made some upgrades over the long weekend: Took out the stock work holder in preparation for the adjustable Z bed. It is hard to see in the first picture, but all but two
40w 40W Chinese Laser: First cuts with open-source toolchain Now, since I haven’t removed the stock work area, and because of the way the machine homes before the cut, I had to rest the test piece up higher than the normal
40w 40W Chinese Laser: Public Service Announcement: Clean your mirrors and lenses! Don’t trust that your mirrors and lenses will be even remotely clean. Remember when I mentioned I saw some soot on the lens carrier? Well, today I took it out for a
40w 40W Chinese Laser: Brain Transplant! I’m removing the stock controller board. The proprietary software is terrible. It is getting replaced with the Open Source RapRep RAMPS G-Code controller. Thanks to the customized Marlin firmware by TurnkeyTyranny, this
40w 40W Chinese Laser: First cuts! Today I finally wrangled a Windows XP machine back into shape so that I could run the stock software that works with the stock controller board. I did the test cuts on 1/
40w 40W Chinese Laser: Improvements This is currently just a list of the upgrades I intend to make on my new machine. I’ll add links as I complete each item: Add LED interior lighting Remove controller and
40w 40W Chinese Laser: Upgrade Parts List and RAMPS conversion All of the following links are for items on Amazon. With a few exceptions, all qualify for Prime free shipping. RAMPS Parts: RAMPS + Arduino + Stepper Drivers RAMPS LED Display E-Stop Switch Power Supply
40w 40W Chinese Laser: Unboxing I ordered mine from the San Leandro, CA facility. It shipped on a Monday via FedEx. It arrived two days later, on Wednesday. I was surprised at the size of the unit – I
New solution for getting PLA to stick to your print surface I’ve been tipped to a new solution for PLA adhesion that works incredibly well. I’ve printed objects with square corners that cover nearly the entire print bed (190mm) and it works
OLI Project: Polargraph - Arduino UNO Version I was recently reminded it would be nice see a write up of my experience of building a Polargraph that is controlled via a Ardunio Uno. The kit from polargraph.co.uk is
OLI Project: $50 radio control transmitter: from meh to yeah! My cheap 4-channel TX needed an upgrade, so I went large ($50!) and got myself a Turnigy 9x v2 for Christmas. Months later it arrived. I just got to messing around with it
Solution for http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:39468 Took me a while to figure this one out – takes a well calibrated printer to allow the blocks to slide and interconnect as designed. [