Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Bulk soap insink dispenser modification

So I installed a new kitchen faucet and it came with a soap dispenser.  It came with this TINY little bottle.  This thing just begged me to change it, so I did.  Check it out HERE

I loved this so much I also did this to my bathroom sink. ( Also in above link )

ChromeCast on Motorola Lapdock

In this very simple 'How To' I will show you how to use your lapdock as a portable tv thanks to ChromeCast.

Things you will need:
1.  Motorola Lapdock (charged or with power adapter)
2.  Google ChromeCast
3.  HDMI-A female to HDMI-D male adapter
4.  HDMI-D coupler
5.  Very short or in this case a retractable USB-A to USB-micro cable

 Just plug everything in as shown.


So it looks like this.

And Presto! Just be very careful as this causes high leverage on the port!
Enjoy!

Update 08/06/15

I started using this with the amazon firestick.  This truly makes it a stand alone portable/cordless wifi-TV!

CONS:
speakers are WAY to quiet and I will have a fix for that sometime in the future.

Friday, January 28, 2011

New home...

Recently been messing with Google sites and I believe that would make a better home for what I am doing here.  So over the period of the next week or so, I will be moving everything over there.  I will post a link as soon as I have the framework of the site done.
*Update* link to site is here

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Bluetooth ... Phone

Moved HERE

Craftsman Professional 13" Planer

Yet another Craigslist find. Model 351.217430.  Which isn't that old, yet kinda hard to find much about it online.

No Mods planned.... Yet
Just refurbishing.

1.  Order replacement parts that were missing or damaged.  (Done)
2.  Clean up and re-oil machine.  
3.  Add new parts.

In progress as of 12-23-10

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Restoring a Heston & Anderson 6" Jointer Model# 8650

This nice tool has a 60" table all cast iron and 3/4 enclosed cabinet.  It houses a B-line ( Brown-BrockMeyer Co. ) 3/4HP Motor. Frame #RM-720-R

Things I need to fix Mod.

1.  Motor mount bushings.
2.  Industrial switch add-on.
3.  Rewire with 12Ga cord.
4.  4" Dust collection cover.
5.  Find new blades.
6.  Replace switch with industrial style switch.

1.


Temp. blurry cam image...


*Note* 1/24/11
  I'm still having a problem finding rubber bushings for this machine, its a 1/2"IDx3/4"OD with a width of 3/8".  If you know anything about these bushings or where to find them, leave a comment! Thanks!

As of 01/02/10 ... Post in progress, project currently on hold.

Rebuilding/Modifying a Delta contractor saw model 10 (34-410)

Just got this saw with a 50" Biesemeyer fence and router table insert.  Found this great deal on Craigslist.  When I got this thing hole and powered it on I noticed there was a problem.  The arbor bearings were bad. Took me a few days to figure out a good way to replace those.  Finally I decided to use a bearing puller separator from Harbor Freight.  Not that I wanted to but because they were the only ones that had a tool big enough and long enough to pull them off and pull the new bearing all the way on again.

next up is the mods.

1.  PALS system add-on.
2.  Industrial power switch mod, akin to my drill press.
3.  Built in 12ga extension cord for Table saw and router add-on.
4.  Build on a folding extension table.
5.  Build in dust collection for both router and TS.
6.  Add Industrial switch for router.
7.  Add more drawers for storage.

1.  This Product from In-Line Industries seems like a great idea.

2.  Again I used the switch from a craftsman product.  And to meet electrical requirements I got it out of a matching powered table saw of

Obviously in progress... and on hold
As of 12/7/10


Photos:




Monday, November 15, 2010

Cyclone Cleaning

Forget dyson, how about putting a cyclone separator on a shopvac.  This makes any vac a 2 stage machine.  Check out it out here.

I can't wait to get one and make a cart for both.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Modifying a DeWalt DW718 CMS

I recently bought this saw from Home Depot after it went on sale to include the DeWalt stand (DW723).
After assembling it, i noticed a few things I wanted to modify.

1.  The power cord comes off the back of the motor, Change that to out the slide rail tube. (Finished)
2.  Make something to help catch the dust (Researching)

1.  This, I thought was just a cheap way to make the power cord come off the saw.  On the Ridgid 12" CMS it comes out the slide tube.  The reason the Dewalt didn't do it this way is there is very little room as they wanted the saw to make very tight (60*) miter cuts and have very high clearance.  Since I don't need that I don't really care, just as long as I can make a 45+-2* I'll be fine.  So I cut thick pipe strap and bent it 90*.  and use the saw dust port holder screw.  Then used a "P" cable clip and a M4-20 bolt washer and a nut.  to protect the cable I'm using spiral cable wrap.

2.  The best thing I can think of is a big plastic tub with a hole in the bottom for a vacuum hook up.

Photos:

Monday, November 1, 2010

Modifying a Delta 17-950L Floor Drill Press

I recently acquired this tool as it was being clearanced out of my local hardware store.  On arrival home I noticed some thing I wanted to change before putting this machine into full operation.

1.  Change the switch to something that's more of a real switch. (Finished)
2.  Wire lamp into mains. (Finished)
3.  Make laser also work from mains. (Finished)
4.  Add mobile base (she be a heavy beast) (postponed - need plywood)
5.  Reroute power cable to behind motor so it is out of the way of the rack. (Finished)
6.  Modify table tilt bolt to have handle (postponed {requires press to work})

1.  The switch I always liked for heavy duty power tools I found on a Craftsman Professional drill press.  I sourced them for replacement parts, the switch, cover, and "off" paddle cost me $22 with shipping Here Model# 152229010, parts in diagram #50, 51, 52.  I Initially thought this change over would be very simple as it looked like it just might fit. on arrival, it did not.  So I decided to take out the original switch, and use the original metal plate as a mounting bracket for the the new one.  I used a Dremel an a cutting wheel for the rough cut, the grinder wheel for fitment.  Its not pretty, but it doesn't matter as it will not show up.  Next I drilled the holes after aligning where I wanted the final placement.  Then tapped them with a M4 .7 tap. and used M4-25 bolts with washers.  Be sure to use washer behind the switch as it needs space as the overhang of the cover wont let it mount securely.  I used 4 washers. This modification also aids in future upgrade to 220 mains when you want to upgrade the motor.



2.  I used the old hole that used to be the one for the main power cord. Since it will now be move to the back of the machine. this opens up for the lamp cable to be routed into the front panel.  This also requires modifying the metal cable stays.


3.  This requires the use of a very small 9v adapter.  I'm using one from an old defunct answering machine.   I mounted the adapter with a hose clamp and thick pipe strap steel plate. It was trick to get the adapter and the switch to fit with the adapter in the housing.  I ran the 9v cable through 1/4 tubing to reduce risk of harming cord. I also ran this cord through with the lamp cord strain relief.



4.  I found the HTC-2000 to fit the bill with layers of plywood for a base.  Found it on amazon HERE.


5.  This is something that just makes me scratch my head on why they didn't do this.  Put the exit of the power cord clear in the back past the motor.  I used a screw on cable strain relief from McMasterCarr 69915K64
drilled a hole in the back near the motor.  I used a Lennox 3/4" Bi-metal hole saw to make the hole for this strain relief.





6.  This will take a bit of machining skills.  To make this I have drawn out how to make it.  So far the idea is to use the same handles they use on the bottom of the table including the spring loaded part.

As of 12/10/10

3D Printer update

Wow, nearly a year ago I posted my Interest into owning a FDM.  Well that dream is starting to finally take shape.  I have already started sourcing parts to build a RepRap II aka Mendel. Currently I have already cut the bar and threaded rod, and about half of the assembly is done.  Things I still have to do are finish construction of the chassis, get the electronics, and figure out how to make the extruder.  Right now I have put this project on short hiatus till I have a few other things done that in turn will also help build this machine.  Otherwise I hope to have this project completed before the end of the year. (I will add photos soon.)

Friday, October 30, 2009

3D Printing


I have seen a FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) machine before and I was totally intrigued. After hearing about www.makerbot.com from Twit.tv from floss weekly. They explained their open sourced project and selling kits. But what really got my eye is that the RepRap project, that is the grandfather project of makerbot made version 2 called mendel. their first version put me off as I just never liked the problems it had, jamming, costly, hard to build. Now that a new version came out earlier this month, I looked at it and thought, yes this can be something I can build and use.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Customer Relations...

oh boy where to start...
I think everyone knows the peril brick and mortar stores are facing as online retailers are snapping up business. Everyone knows the advantages of brick and mortar though. being able to see the product, making sure you have the right one and works for you need.
So today being the very nice weathered day it was i went to the garage to take the motorcycle for a spin. yet the faint oder of gasoline had me wondering what might have a leak. only to my dismay it wasn't the gas can i had hoped. To my surprise it was from the motorcycle main fuel line. so i got a screwdriver to close the stopcock on the gas tank. only to have a bit of gas gush from the screw. great i thought, there's the problem. so a bit later i went to the last parts place we have here to order a part and maybe get a few things to further a local business relationship with said shop. only to my dismay after them looking up the part to tell me that it would be much cheaper to buy this part online through their website they also use to sell parts. so i inquire what the difference would be if i just bought the part right now. so i get the run around of being told that the reason they make it cheaper so they don't have to serve people at the counter... then he starts to really push me saying just go home and order it... i couldn't believe what i was hearing... knowing there is no way to argue about this i said thank you and put the other stuff i was going to by on the shelf, and left. now that they have shooed me away as a customer, I'm going to buy from some other website that actually specializes in such a sale. they obviously didn't want my business when i came to them, and besides i saved almost $12. not only did they lose me as a customer, they lost my respect to recommend them to others.

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Photography


Well I did it, Finally got that big dSLR I wanted to get for many years. Even though its winter right now I have taken a lot of photos. Been posting some of my best work in the link above. Soon I plan to have an acount with Istockphoto.com and sell from there.

Saturday, February 16, 2008

New Posts

Yes i know I haven't posted in a while... but if you follow my Jaiku feed that has plenty of activity. I have been compiling a predictions list for 2008 for companies and trends. As for what i have been up to and not posting.. House renovations. i shall post updates at a later time of progress made. Till then, Chow

Thursday, June 28, 2007

MacBook Pro Battery - Bloated


Well this was one of those... "it couldn't happen to me" things. One day i was using my notebook, when i noticed the battery icon flashing form charging to full and back every second or so... i knew something was up but i just thought a reboot would fix it. only to notice when i took it off its stand that the battery was about 2x times what it should be. so i called applecare and had it replaced. WTG SONY!... what will be your next blunder?

For more photos click here

Food


To all those who say i don't cook.. HAH
Tilapia, wild rice, corn and bread sticks
mm mm good

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

A Hero Lost


Don Herbert was my greatest inspiration to the world of science. He Died yesterday @ 89 at his home in Bell Canyon after a long battle with multiple myeloma.
He was someone i wanted to meet, just never had the chance, and now never will.
Im sure he will be remembered by everyone he inspired all the years he did his tv show. to make people think how things work, why they work, and to experiment.

original story:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-herbert13jun13,0,457794,full.story

Monday, April 9, 2007

It does exist

Well I thought this was just a photoshop on the net. Hah! Nope it does
exist. And no I don't have a clue why it has that name.