A three-month project came to a close this week! The Wrist Mounted Chording Keyboard had instructions written for the wrist rig portion, which took a whole day, and it was finally published as an Instructable. The text written for these projects is rarely copied from blog posts, much like these Saturday morning updates they are written from scratch to ensure good flow, continuity, and an encompassing knowledge of the procedure. Hopefully this approach doesn't lead to details being omitted. The title, Always Handy, was selected as a shorter, and catchier title for the wrist rig.
Despite the effort taken for this project it was not well-received on Instructables.com. The specialty appeal of the project may have been too narrow for the demographic attracted to Instructables. Learning from the Conductive Paint Instructable, which was wildly successful, despite being a quick project, a general appeal seems important to be popular. This should not be a surprise.
Usually my busy weeks meant that a lot of project work happened but this week was busy with work-work. My company sent me to North Dakota for a start-up and I worked longer hours than normal. This meant that I had little time for myself to do project work, projecting (project-eeng). A couple of single-day projects were dredged out of my repository to fill the gaps.
The first single-day project was a Rack Gear I designed for OpenSCAD six month ago. This project was sitting on the shelf for three months before I even started the Chording Keyboard project. Rack gears are useful in linear movement and even LEGO makes them for their Technic line of blocks. Mine aren't natively compatible with LEGO but some plastic glue and careful measurements could force the matter.
The second single-day project was a t-shirt customized with a bleach wash. This technique was hardly created by me but the results looked like they might be fun so I gave it a shot. I was happy with the results and a t-shirt that was sitting at the bottom of my clothes pile has become one of my favorite shirts. Unlike versions which add paint or ink nothing was added to the shirt so the texture and softness were not affected.
The technique was basically
A new project was started which won't be as lengthy as the keyboard but will be part of my cyberpunk costume. My right wrist will feature the automated keyboard but the left arm will host lock picks held on over-engineered holders meant to act as quick retrieval and quick deployment holsters. This look was important to show the cyberpunk aspect of "High tech and low life."[1][2]
A sketch was made which was the concept of the pick holders. Basically, a set of lock picks were purchased to be costume pieces. Observe all laws regarding owning lock picks and don't even think of using them unless your legally allowed to do so. Measurements were taken from the cosmetic picks and a simple model was made in OpenSCAD.
More accurate measurements were taken from the lock picks and style was added in the form of my personal symbol in the end instead of a simple circle. Measurements were taken by referring to a print of the previously modeled version and seeing how much space needed to be added or subtracted. This goes against the measure-twice-cut-once methodology but does make for fast prototyping with less stress. Always a trade-off when prototyping and further unbalanced by 3D printers which allow for inexpensive and almost effortless prototypes to be generated in real-space.
The rest of the weekly summaries have been arranged by date.
First time here?
Completed projects from year 1
Completed projects from year 2
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com/
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information in this blog, or linked by this blog, are not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim claim property or assets based on their post.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
Text written for instructions
Despite the effort taken for this project it was not well-received on Instructables.com. The specialty appeal of the project may have been too narrow for the demographic attracted to Instructables. Learning from the Conductive Paint Instructable, which was wildly successful, despite being a quick project, a general appeal seems important to be popular. This should not be a surprise.
Page view of Always Handy Instructable
Usually my busy weeks meant that a lot of project work happened but this week was busy with work-work. My company sent me to North Dakota for a start-up and I worked longer hours than normal. This meant that I had little time for myself to do project work, projecting (project-eeng). A couple of single-day projects were dredged out of my repository to fill the gaps.
The first single-day project was a Rack Gear I designed for OpenSCAD six month ago. This project was sitting on the shelf for three months before I even started the Chording Keyboard project. Rack gears are useful in linear movement and even LEGO makes them for their Technic line of blocks. Mine aren't natively compatible with LEGO but some plastic glue and careful measurements could force the matter.
Versatility of OpenSCAD rack gear program
The second single-day project was a t-shirt customized with a bleach wash. This technique was hardly created by me but the results looked like they might be fun so I gave it a shot. I was happy with the results and a t-shirt that was sitting at the bottom of my clothes pile has become one of my favorite shirts. Unlike versions which add paint or ink nothing was added to the shirt so the texture and softness were not affected.
The technique was basically
- Mask off a section
- Spray a mixture of 1/2 bleach and 1/2 water over the intended area
- Wait while processing
- Rinse off bleach
Custom t-shirt
A new project was started which won't be as lengthy as the keyboard but will be part of my cyberpunk costume. My right wrist will feature the automated keyboard but the left arm will host lock picks held on over-engineered holders meant to act as quick retrieval and quick deployment holsters. This look was important to show the cyberpunk aspect of "High tech and low life."[1][2]
A sketch was made which was the concept of the pick holders. Basically, a set of lock picks were purchased to be costume pieces. Observe all laws regarding owning lock picks and don't even think of using them unless your legally allowed to do so. Measurements were taken from the cosmetic picks and a simple model was made in OpenSCAD.
Concept drawing
First model. Simple
More accurate measurements were taken from the lock picks and style was added in the form of my personal symbol in the end instead of a simple circle. Measurements were taken by referring to a print of the previously modeled version and seeing how much space needed to be added or subtracted. This goes against the measure-twice-cut-once methodology but does make for fast prototyping with less stress. Always a trade-off when prototyping and further unbalanced by 3D printers which allow for inexpensive and almost effortless prototypes to be generated in real-space.
Second revision of lock pick holder
The rest of the weekly summaries have been arranged by date.
First time here?
Completed projects from year 1
Completed projects from year 2
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com/
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information in this blog, or linked by this blog, are not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim claim property or assets based on their post.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
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