Philomath Classic Car Show 2011

Time for the Philomath Classic Car Show! I can’t really add anything to the pictures with text, so just enjoy the sights. That’s what we did.

After the show we went over to Amy & Ryan’s for Lauren’s fifth birthday party. Henry took a ride on the zip line.

The Awesome Button

Henry noticed a Staples Easy Button while we were perusing the wares at Goodwill last week. He immediately remembered the Make: Online “"Awesome Button” project and told me we should buy the button.

When we returned from our shopping trip I fired up the internet and reviewed the video. Apparently I needed a Teensy USB development board. So I ordered two, one with pins for breadboard prototyping and one for the Awesome Button. Honestly I’m itching to order a couple more now that I know how AWESOME they are.

The Teensies (Teensys? Teesii?) arrived and I collected the rest of the needed items from my hoardings and downloaded the needed software from the Teensy and Arduino sites.



Henry disassembles the Easy Button.



The button is exposed.



Testing the button with an old Radio Shack 300 in 1 project kit (bought years ago at a yard sale and hoarded for just such a use).



Henry’s new favorite tool, my Ideal wire stripper. He also learned that horseplay and soldering irons don’t mix. It was some good father-son time and I didn’t take any process pictures because we were having too much fun (and trying to keep him from burning himself again on the soldering iron.) I do need a better soldering iron and soldering station, a small gauge wire stripper and I could stand to buy some more fun electronic components. I’m almost as new to electronics as Henry so it’s nice that we can learn together.



Testing…



It’s Awesome.



Still making him smile.

I Cleaned Max’s Keyboard

How-To Geek just posted on cleaning your keyboard in the dishwasher. I decided it was time to clean Max’s keyboard. As you can see it’s somewhat filthy.

Ok, it’s disgusting. But what do you want, he’s 6 and has been using it for at least 3 years.

I took apart the keyboard. I decided to not use the dishwasher and instead manually wash it. I only cleaned the top half as one of the commenters in the How-To Geek article suggested. The bottom half I just wiped clean with a damp rag. I scrubbed all the keys and surfaces with a toothbrush and dish soap. After that I hosed it off outside. I shook all the water out and allowed it to air dry.

I’m glad I didn’t put it in the dishwasher as I almost lost the clear plastic bezel for the LEDs. I found it sitting on the ground outside.

Much better.

See the difference? Now to clean the rest of our keyboards.

Small Side Projects

Just some fun/needed projects I’ve done lately.

A friend gave me two old beige mid tower ATX cases. I painted one black and decided to add some ventilation slots (this is the same case I punched the fan vent hole in) as the existing vent was minimal.

Nothing fancy, just did it by eye.

It needs some front bay covers still.

I also forgot to paint the reset button. More work is needed. My growing pile of PC parts.

The glass knobs I bought (from the Habitat for Humanity store) kept separating from the metal stem. Terrible glue job.

So I pulled them all off.

Use the lathe to remove most of the old adhesive and turn the rim to the same angle as the glass, for a better bond.

It wasn’t that exciting.

Some 2 ton epoxy and they are happily joined. the problem seems solved.

Several Shop Nights

Here are some pictures from the past month of “Open Shop” nights at my buddy Kent’s shop.

He built the lock for his son’s upcoming wedding. Locked…

Unlocked…

That’s phosphor bronze spring wire.

One of the hinges he made for the box which the lock locks.

George was sorting out some problems with an M1 carbine action.

Kent cutting a groove in a Honda motorcycle clutch for Carey.

Tapping on a band, which fits in the groove, to tighten up the clutch.

The lock is finished.

Kent and Bill messing with their electronic lighter project.

Nichrome wire glowing.

Max Is Six

Max turned 6 on Sunday. We had a party in the Philomath City Park. It was cold and blustery but didn’t rain.

Kids frolicking on the playground.

It was rather windy so Kiko held up the cake box lid to shield the candles. As an aside, Kiko Denzer is an author of many books on earth ovens and other earth art and building projects and Ryan Mayfield (he of the moustache in the back) is the author of Photovoltaic Design and Installation For Dummies. I really need to write a book.

Max blows out the candles.

Kids eating cake.

Aidan tries to break the piñata. Notice the children don’t have blindfolds…this is as much for our sakes as theirs.

Max and Eben playing.

Making A Large Hole The Easy Way

I wanted to remove the perforated fan grill on an old ATX case I’m rehabilitating.

First I drilled a 3/4” hole with a step bit.

Then I got out the largest Greenlee punch I have.

And my hydraulic driver. One of the best tool scores of my life, I paid $7.00 at a yard sale. Look at the price of a kit on Amazon.

Assembled through the 3/4” hole. A little easy pumping…and the punch makes the hole.

Releasing the hydraulic pump.

The hole and slug. This is a lot easier than using a hole saw.

Windows 7 and Computer Price Update

As I mentioned in the Computer Love post below, I bought the Windows 7 family pack. It's on sale right now at Amazon for "only" $99.99

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade Family Pack (3-User)

As I said, this is only an upgrade, not full version but the price is the lowest I can find, right now. The price seems to change almost daily... Obviously the reason I'm posting this is to drive a little Amazon Affiliate traffic, but it is a good deal...and I only found it because I was surfing for some other stuff...I'm such a shill...

UPDATE: It's back up to $123.99. It's interesting to look at historical Amazon pricing with camelcamelcamel.

The power supply I used is on sale at Newegg as well, 10% off using a promo code (An10psu ends 3/27, and I don't make any money off of it...)