Category: Videos

PIC Programmer History

9/4/2014

I released a new video on my YouTube channel for those setting up a home lab and who may want a little help choosing a PIC Programmer. I actually go back to the first hobbyist PIC programmer called the PICSTART 16B1 and then take the viewer through some of the most popular PIC programmers in history to get us to where we are today.

By no means did I cover every design, just the highlights from my years of experience. There are still many designs out there so it can be confusing but in the end I recommend sticking with the official PICkit programmers, though building your own like my PK2 is fun and you can learn a lot.

The video is short but hopefully viewers like it enough to subscribe and let me know they are watching and hoping for more. I plan to release future videos in three categories; 3D print projects, beginner electronic projects and tips for the home lab. Check it out and let me know your ideas for what you'd like to see in a future video.

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3D Printed Solder Spool Bracket

9/2/2014

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When I first bought my Davinci 1.0 3D printer, I actually wondered if I would find enough stuff to print to justify the purchase. I've owned it for about 4 months and the thing has been running non-stop and I have a backlog of projects to print. I have some designs that I print for resale and it's helping to fund a potential 2nd 3D printer. I need the extra capacity so I can print my own designs while I print designs for other people. One of the latest prints for hire was a Solder Roll Bracket that mounted to a pegboard wall. One of our sponsors, gamersoption.com, needed 8 of these built-up for their ever expanding production line of XBOX and PlayStation Custom Modded Controllers.

They sent me a starting design, which was created in TinkerCad, which was a simple L Bracket with a post sticking out to hold the solder roll. From there I went to work modifying it to fit the pegboard wall that was at the back of their assembly work benches. I added a triangular strengthening support and also posts to line up with the holes in the pegboard. A hole was added to the original L bracket so they could install a screw and nut. One prototype run and the design was proven to work great.

I then when to work printing a batch of them, eight to be exact. The design was agreed to be open sourced so you can get it at Thingiverse. I produced a YouTube video showing how the design was done so if you get a chance, check it out above or at this YouTube link.

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Davinci 3D Printer iPhone Tripod Mount

8/8/2014

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I just launched another YouTube video. This time I show you how I 3D printed a tripod holder for my iPhone 5. I found the design on Thingiverse and then modified it in TinkerCad.

The original design had equal height sides that the iPhone sat between. But that resulted in one side blocking my view when filming. So I loaded the .stl file from user SamCass into TinkerCad and modified it to hold my phone with case and lowered one wall.

I printed it at 0.4mm height and 10% fill. It printed in about 30 minutes. The design is simple but effective. I can easily remove the phone and review the video clip.

If you like this project then please subscribe to my YouTube Channel. I hope to have more coming very soon.

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YouTube Video on Solder Tip Cleaner

8/6/2014

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I've had a YouTube Channel for a while but never did much with it. Then recently settled on the theme I'd like to have and that's "How-To" for the beginner. "How-To" get started with electronics, "How-To" get started with 3D printing, and more. So I've started posting more videos.

I decided to make the videos shorter and to the point to start. I've found many YouTube channels have videos that run on too long and the hosts just talk and talk or worse, don't talk at all and just show you a computer screen as they scroll around.

My first official video is about my recommendation for a solder tip cleaner. It's the one I use in my own lab and its quite inexpensive but works great. I set up a small lab in my garage next to my Davinci 3D printer. It makes a nice recording area.

The featured product is the solder tip cleaner shown to the left. It's heavy weight, non-skid bottom and brass shavings make it ideal for cleaning tips.

I've used so many sponges and light weight cleaners before only to find out they didn't work as well. So I'm trying to save the beginner's out there a little time and hassle based on my experience.

If you like what you see in the video, please subscribe to my channel on YouTube. I'll be posting more and will be coordinating topics with the blog here as well. I want them to compliment each other not compete for your attention. If you have a topic you'd like to see, shoot me a suggestion through my contact page.

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Fun With Animate it App

3/11/2014

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I'm planning on launching a Video Blog soon and in the process have tried various different tools for creating special effects. One I found was the Animate It app for iPad. Its from the people that gave us the Wallace & Gromit stop action videos. It is a lot of fun to play with though I don't know how useful it is for a video blog since I can just speed up a video if I want to get through a section quickly.

So I figured I'd share this little test video with my audience and let you be memorized by the building of a CHIPINO module kit. I needed one for a project so two birds with one stone.