we moved to fredhack.blogspot.com

we've consolidated our blogs.  the new blog is at http://fredhack.blogspot.com/

3D printer part III - the z-axis

we choose to go with a black pipe frame for the z-axis.  we cut down the existing head carriage to fit the new design then mounted everything in place.  we almost have a fully functional 3D printer.  just need lead screw and motor for z-axis, then testing.

all sport rebuilt

we found this great old beat up all sport trike at a farm auction.  took it as seen for $5 dollars. also picked up a couple of 3.5hp briggs&stratton motors that we pieced together.  with an hour of design prep to inform our purchases we went to the hardware store and grabbed the parts we needed to build a drive train.  after some cutting, tweaking, and testing, we had this vehicle running at about 25mph by the end of the day.  it was a fun low cost engine hack.

  

all sport - farm auction $5 

custom built drive train - clutch, sprocket, shaft, chain, bearings, etc

briggs & stratton - $5

drive train up close

new lab at fredhack - new rack, soldering station, 3D printer

after spending a pretty good portion of the night getting the structural aspect of our z-azis on the 3D printer in completed and built, we spend the rest the night and the next morning putting together this new lab.

rack of stuff

 soldering station

 3D printer

diplomatic status - hacdc

decided to take a trip to hacdc and check it out.

this is the front door to hacdc.  its in the upstairs area of a nice older church building

very cool banner above their door

look at all this cool stuff.  it was everywhere. especially liked the old electronics.

 they use this area for teaching classes and what not.  fredhack is working to get some table and chairs going within our compound so we can do classes and community stuff.  soon, soon.

 a smaller but effective looking mill.  there was a makerbot nearby as well.  the perfect tool combo.

 is the picture blurry, or do they just have so much stuff 

random hardware - ti launchpad

we have a few of these ti launchpads laying around.  not a fan of this board, but hey, a board is a board.

UAV electronics have arrived

pictured are an assortment including AVR programmer, motor controller, and most important the IMU