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Aligning a Servo Motor to a Harmonic Drive: A Technician’s Custom Jig Solution
The Goal: Perfect Precision. The Problem: My Own Mistake. For my CNC project, I chose a Harmonic Drive (a type of strain wave reducer). Why? Because its unique mechanism—using a Circular Spline, a Flexspline, and a Wave Generator—provides near-zero backlash. This allows for the kind of ultra-precise angular control that other gear systems can’t touch….
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DIY Boiler Temperature Sensor (NTC 50K Thermistor) Replacement: A Technician’s ‘Right to Repair’ Saga
Pre-Winter Checks? Sometimes It’s Already Too Late. Winter is just around the corner, that magical time of year when we all start nervously checking our boilers. We tell ourselves to check them before the first…
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An Old Logbook Entry: Defusing a $5 Christmas Light Bomb
⚠️ EXTREME WARNING: DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS. SERIOUS RISK OF SHOCK, FIRE, AND DEATH. Before you read any further, understand this: This post is a cautionary tale, NOT a tutorial. It describes a foolish risk…
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Declaring War on Tangled Cables: DIY Coiled Extension Cord
A Universal Annoyance Unless you live completely off-grid, you know this sight: the chaotic mess of tangled power cords. The humble extension cord (or “power strip”) is an indispensable tool in modern life, bridging the…
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Stop Using Faucet Covers. Removing It Is the Only Way to Guarantee No Frozen Pipes.
The Annual Winter Is Coming Ritual As the weather gets colder, the annual ritual of “winterizing” begins. For me, the first task is always dealing with the outdoor faucet (or “spigot”) that my wife uses…
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My Da Vinci Experiment: Using My Non-Dominant Hand to Fight Brain Fog
A Technician’s Disclaimer: I’m No Neuroscientist Let’s get one thing straight before we begin: I’m a self-proclaimed clumsy technician, not a brain surgeon. I have zero medical knowledge, let alone a grasp of complex neuroscience….
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Custom Ribbon Cables Are Easy. Here’s the One Trick You Need to Know.
Why bother making your own cables? Flat ribbon cables with IDC connectors are everywhere in the world of electronics—inside computers, CNC machines, 3D printers, you name it. Most of the time, they come bundled with…
