Weaving on a loom is fun. I gave my son a simple loom for Christmas, and he wove an entire scarf on Christmas Day. This got me thinking about building a computer controlled loom, maybe one that could weave any pattern imaginable. I liked the idea of taking software back to its very origins with … Continue reading
This year I scratch-built a Double Helix costume for my 11-year-old son Simon. This was a bit tricky because the character was only released on Oct 5th, so reference art was a bit thin on the ground. I did a combination of an original pattern for sewing the jacket plus 3D printing of the goggles, … Continue reading
I’ve invented a new and exciting way to probe circuits more precisely. An old idea used in a new context. After using it, I can say it is a must for any electronics bench. What is it? I have been building electronic circuits for a long time, but only in the last few years have I … Continue reading
Here’s an cheap and easy way to accurately press metal thread inserts into 3D printed objects. 3D printing provides a wonderful way of making custom boxes for all your projects. Often these boxes are held together with self-tapping screws driven into plastic holes. That’s great if you are only opening and closing the boxes a few times, but … Continue reading
Do designs in alignment, but then break up all the objects into “cut sheet” layers organized by the material they need to be cut from. Do design in exact dimensions without kerf compensation, those tiny .002 changes are nearly invisible and will drive you crazy. “Did I already compensate that?” I only every apply the compensation to a copy of … Continue reading
For Christmas I designed and built six steam-punk owl clocks that have a novel faux Nixie Tube display. Nixie tubes are wonderful with their glass tube bodies and brightly glowing numerals, but think how wonderful a solid-state low-power any color “Nixie Tube” would be! The basic idea is that you position an LED at the … Continue reading
Retro Tech Journal 