The Do-it-Yourself Thread: A Home for Handymen and Artisans

[josco]

[QUOTE=HiddenMyst;43289232][t]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/62766551/Norseboard/norseboard_wip9.jpg[/t]
Looks like I need to learn to etch my own board for the keyboard controller. Its way too tall to fit currently and thats without the connections in place.[/QUOTE]

that's quite a cool piece of kit. but what on earth kind of layout is that? the keys themselves, i mean.

[HiddenMyst]

[QUOTE=LoneWolf_Recon;43290585]Could you pop in a board right underneath the left analog stick? Look like theres room there.[/QUOTE]

Unfortunately there isn't enough distance in the flexible flat cable to get the board over there.

[editline]24th December 2013[/editline]

[QUOTE=Most wanteD;43291681]that's quite a cool piece of kit. but what on earth kind of layout is that? the keys themselves, i mean.[/QUOTE]

The keyboard matrix was salvaged from an old asian word processor I had lying around the house a couple of years back. I actually started this whole project as just a challenge to get it working. Here's a picture I posted a while back of the early stages.
[t]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/62766551/P2250003.jpg[/t]

[chaz13]

I bought some 8mm coiled pipe to try to unroll as a barrel for an air rifle but I can't get it that straight. I'm going to try to heat it up with a blowtorch and roll it along the floor tomorrow, but does anyone have any other suggestions for how to sufficiently straighten it?

Failing that, does anyone know anywhere I can buy the pipe straight, or perhaps a suitable alternative?

[DeVotchKa]

Heating it up and putting something slightly smaller in it will help.

[LoneWolf_Recon]

[QUOTE=chaz13;43296866]I bought some 8mm coiled pipe to try to unroll as a barrel for an air rifle but I can't get it that straight. I'm going to try to heat it up with a blowtorch and roll it along the floor tomorrow, but does anyone have any other suggestions for how to sufficiently straighten it?

Failing that, does anyone know anywhere I can buy the pipe straight, or perhaps a suitable alternative?[/QUOTE]

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4Ka0C7TFgc[/media]

You could probably just fashion together something similiar with a few pulley wheels from your local hardware store.

[woidoi]

I'm working on a small robot platform thing (and as you can see I got the makerbeam stuff I talked about earlier)

This is V1 which I scrapped fairly quickly as it was too small

[t]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/43645231/photos/electro/2013-12-22 23.53.22.jpg[/t]

This is V2 at the moment.
[t]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/43645231/photos/electro/2013-12-25 10.26.36.jpg[/t]

V2 has a slide in mechanic for the breadboard (which isn't any use with the Arduino above it like it is atm, but it'll be when I start using another controller which goes onto the breadboard itself). The brackets in at the front are to hold stuff like LDRs (which I can use for an automatic robot which will try and hide in shadows and stuff). It's also a nice project platform in general as it holds the arduino and breadboard together, which makers it easier to move around.

Things I still have to do:

- add proper wheels
- ball caster on the back
- battery packs and holders for them to power both the controller (arduino in this case) and servos
- think of a way to keep the breadboard sliding system working with those battiery packs in it.

I should also get working on a seperate controller so I can turn it into an RC controlled car. If I plan it right I can use that controller for multiple projects.

[editline]25th December 2013[/editline]

I also got this thing which will probably come in really handy in other projects
[t]http://www.redcoon.nl/res/shop/cataloge/product_315/B366983.jpg[/t]

[garry]

You know what would be cool?

If every plug hole in your house was attached to the wifi network, or ethernet. Then you could turn it on or off using an app. Or use the app to show you which plugs are using the most energy and when. Show you which plugs are on/off.

And each plug could have an ethernet connection on it too.

[knoxed]

[t]https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1463209_10201217202701246_608458454_n.jpg[/t]

putting up some drywall sheets in a "party shed"

[garry]

What are plaster plates?

[Keitaro]

Probably just drywall sheets from the looks of them.

[jaredop]

[QUOTE=garry;43313401]You know what would be cool?

If every plug hole in your house was attached to the wifi network, or ethernet. Then you could turn it on or off using an app. Or use the app to show you which plugs are using the most energy and when. Show you which plugs are on/off.

And each plug could have an ethernet connection on it too.[/QUOTE]

I've seen power monitoring things for outlets, never a wireless one though

I looked it up and this guy is kind of doing what you're talking about;[url]http://www.ladyada.net/make/tweetawatt/[/url]

Kind of bulky but cool. I'm thinking about becoming an electrician actually.

[knoxed]

[QUOTE=garry;43314588]What are plaster plates?[/QUOTE]

yeah drywall sheets, i just didnt find the word for it.

[Sarge46]

[QUOTE=chaz13;43296866]I bought some 8mm coiled pipe to try to unroll as a barrel for an air rifle but I can't get it that straight. I'm going to try to heat it up with a blowtorch and roll it along the floor tomorrow, but does anyone have any other suggestions for how to sufficiently straighten it?

Failing that, does anyone know anywhere I can buy the pipe straight, or perhaps a suitable alternative?[/QUOTE]

Brake lines come in straight sections in various sizes, check NAPA or something.

[garry]

[QUOTE=jaredop;43315420]I've seen power monitoring things for outlets, never a wireless one though

I looked it up and this guy is kind of doing what you're talking about;[url]http://www.ladyada.net/make/tweetawatt/[/url]

Kind of bulky but cool. I'm thinking about becoming an electrician actually.[/QUOTE]

Yeah that's the kind of thing. Why can't they build them into the socket so it doesn't look any different to a normal one :(

[Metallics]

[QUOTE=garry;43322216]Yeah that's the kind of thing. Why can't they build them into the socket so it doesn't look any different to a normal one :([/QUOTE]

Presumably they don't want to advocate modifying the wiring of your house to just anybody who reads it.
I don't think it would be too difficult to encompass this in the wall, but actual remote switching of it rather than just power monitoring would be interesting and I suspect (even more) costly, you'd have to have relays and a microcontroller in each socket.

[thefreemann]

I'm assuming that some people here would have an idea of this..

What are the legal specifications for Leatherman's in the USA?

[jaredop]

[QUOTE=thefreemann;43330315]I'm assuming that some people here would have an idea of this..

What are the legal specifications for Leatherman's in the USA?[/QUOTE]

...concerning what?

I just got this one!
[thumb]http://www.rohrmanelectric.com/files/3990626/uploaded/charge-tti-ad-clsd.jpg[/thumb]

[thefreemann]

Well, isn't the 3+ inch blade length a little long for being legal in some places?

[LoneWolf_Recon]

[QUOTE=thefreemann;43331984]Well, isn't the 3+ inch blade length a little long for being legal in some places?[/QUOTE]

As far as I remember, it depends upon the state. TN has a legal blade length of 3.25" if memory serves.

[woolio1]

[QUOTE=LoneWolf_Recon;43331998]As far as I remember, it depends upon the state. TN has a legal blade length of 3.25" if memory serves.[/QUOTE]

Really?

I've got a 4.5" Gerber multitool that I picked up down at Smoky Mountain Knife Works. Have you seen some of the concealed knives they sell there?

EDIT: Just looked it up. It's 4" in TN, with certain municipalities enacting their own restrictions. Also, no switchblades.

They can pry my grandfather's switchblade from my cold, dead, switchbladey hands.

[thefreemann]

Where could I go look it up for my state? Also what kind if blade is the Leatherman one considered? Sorry I don't know about knives that much and I don't want to make another mistake as I got caught up with some legal trouble Texas two years ago

[josco]

[QUOTE=metallics;43322265]Presumably they don't want to advocate modifying the wiring of your house to just anybody who reads it.
I don't think it would be too difficult to encompass this in the wall, but actual remote switching of it rather than just power monitoring would be interesting and I suspect (even more) costly, you'd have to have relays and a microcontroller in each socket.[/QUOTE]

What if all the controllers were back at a central hub a la fusebox, and so really all you needed was one controller and a hell of a switch board type thing?

[Sarge46]

If you carry a multi tool and not a 8 inch fighting knife, 99.99% of people won't mind.
Usually your state has a website with all the laws and such if you want to be 100%.

[fpro]

If anyone remembers that strawberry thing I was doing a couple months ago, well I started form seeds and was very successful with it.
My home made grow box did it's job a little [i]too[/i] well so I had to keep the entrance flap open.
My strawberry plants kept wilting until I found out it was just too warm for them.

I think my strawberry plants will be extremely durable once they get to the stage that they can start flowering because of all they went through as seedlings. Right now, they're still in that ugly seedling stage, but I think by the end of January they will be flowering. I have about 25 plants total now and only really want like 9 or 10. I get to pick the strongest plants and will toss the rest into really cold windows to see how well they do.

[Metallics]

[QUOTE=Most wanteD;43336112]What if all the controllers were back at a central hub a la fusebox, and so really all you needed was one controller and a hell of a switch board type thing?[/QUOTE]

that would require running a lot of extra cable, which would probably be equally as pricey.

[Serj22]

I just built a bed for my toddlers out of some cedar, pine, and d.f.

[URL=http://s43.photobucket.com/user/serj22/media/CAM01930_zpsb64368a9.jpg.html][IMG]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e356/serj22/CAM01930_zpsb64368a9.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[URL=http://s43.photobucket.com/user/serj22/media/CAM01935_zpsd07a211c.jpg.html][IMG]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e356/serj22/CAM01935_zpsd07a211c.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Then took it back apart, sanded it down, sealed, and painted light brown. Father of the year...

[URL=http://s43.photobucket.com/user/serj22/media/CAM01937_zpscd6767f9.jpg.html][IMG]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e356/serj22/CAM01937_zpscd6767f9.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Fit both their mattresses perfectly and I was finally able to throw away their other junky beds and save them some floor space. Took about 6 hours to get from plan to paint.

[Sulz]

Simple and straight to the point, i liked it serj.

[Big Dumb Patriot]

[QUOTE=Serj22;43385162]I just built a bed for my toddlers out of some cedar, pine, and d.f.

[URL=http://s43.photobucket.com/user/serj22/media/CAM01930_zpsb64368a9.jpg.html][IMG]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e356/serj22/CAM01930_zpsb64368a9.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[URL=http://s43.photobucket.com/user/serj22/media/CAM01935_zpsd07a211c.jpg.html][IMG]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e356/serj22/CAM01935_zpsd07a211c.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Then took it back apart, sanded it down, sealed, and painted light brown. Father of the year...

[URL=http://s43.photobucket.com/user/serj22/media/CAM01937_zpscd6767f9.jpg.html][IMG]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e356/serj22/CAM01937_zpscd6767f9.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Fit both their mattresses perfectly and I was finally able to throw away their other junky beds and save them some floor space. Took about 6 hours to get from plan to paint.[/QUOTE]

That's very nice. I like simple furniture designs. They feel very clean and modern.

[woolio1]

Okay! I'm going to need some help here, because I'm jumping into a project and I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing.

So I'm building a desk. Have been planning to for a while. I think I've basically got the whole thing planned out, but I want some advice on the fiddlier details.

I've got an old nightstand:

[t]http://i.imgur.com/kC2yBNB.jpg[/t]
(Note that this isn't actually the nightstand, but it's an exact replica.)

It's a Danish modern piece made of MDF and veneer. Really cheap, extremely wobbly, not great as a nightstand. I want to cut it up and integrate it into the desk design. I'm aiming for something like this:

[t]http://i.imgur.com/5FobzcO.jpg[/t]

Although I'm thinking more white with one wood-grain accent. (The drawer in the nightstand) Also, I'd have to cut down from the top about four inches to accommodate the hairpin legs I've got. They were my grandfather's, from his high school shop class, and I feel they need a permanent home.

What's the best way to paint glossed veneer? Should I prime it first? Can I spraypaint it? How can I get a good, glossy shine on the paint, without brushstrokes? I'm looking for that extremely high-gloss shine, like what you see on IKEA furniture. Lacquer, I think. Can I do that myself?

Furthermore, I need advice on the general structure of the desk. I plan on having the four hairpin legs on the nightstand, and two tapered legs on the other side. I already have the tapered legs, since I bought them for my current door-desk. Do you think that would be sturdy? My current desk wobbled until I anchored it into the drywall, and I'd prefer not to have to anchor the next one as well. If that won't be sturdy, how can I change the planned design to stabilize it?

I'm wondering what the average size for a desk is. I'm aiming for a 2' x 5' surface, which should give me space for all my things. Do you think that would be workable, or should I go with a deeper surface? I figure I can buy or build some bookshelves to flank it, which could give me room for all the crap that's already on my desk.

Any other suggestions would be great. This is the first time I'll have actually "built" anything, be it as it may that I'm more or less just cobbling together a bunch of junk I've got lying around.

[Serj22]

[QUOTE=Big Dumb American;43433199]That's very nice. I like simple furniture designs. They feel very clean and modern.[/QUOTE]

Thanks guys. I decided to go simple here and just use a lot of straight edges. That's also why i didn't use more "finish" materials - I realized they could give a crap if the bed is finished in natural woodgrain or whatever. It all made it easier to just cut it at my shop, and assemble it at home in their room. They enjoy it so I nailed the simplicity I think. I wanted to give them a lot of places to climb and stuff, and made the top boards removable so they can build forts on it. I left 3 lengths in the back long so I could add an extension to it later - maybe a ladder or a dresser thing - I dunno. I want to make them some more matching stuff but not sure what. This project was also literally less than $100 in materials. Less than you'd go pay for an ikea bunkbed.
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