Is Crealitys Falcon 2 Pro Laser Engraver Really New And Improved? (A Saveitforparts Review) saveitforparts 2024-05-24 | Last year I reviewed the original Creality Falcon 40W laser engraver and had a few concerns about it. This year, Creality has a new upgraded version, the Falcon 2 Pro. They've fixed a lot of the issues I had, including a much better enclosure and improved airflow and reliability. The laser is very powerful and fast, I was able to do most of my engraving and cutting projects in under an hour per design. The included 1.6W low-power laser as a great bonus, and engraves much more detail on delicate surfaces than the main 40W laser. The only real downside of the Falcon 2 Pro are the built-in material support slats. They aren't as good as a traditional honeycomb support, and don't allow materials to be held down. For any warped or heat-sensitive materials like wood or plastic, the slat system doesn't work very well. The smoke extraction and safety features on this were great. The addition of a built-in webcam and internal light were also really nice improvements, and overcome some common issues of other lasers. You can find the Falcon 2 Pro at the links below:https://s.zbanx.com/r/j7eTqcJPlalWCode: FNPALL10store.creality.com/products/falcon2-pro-enclosed-laser-engraver-cutter?aid=zbkol01Code: FALP40WYouTube: youtube.com/@FalconLaserOfficial
Checking Out The Latest Boondock Echo - An Off-Grid Radio Answering Machine saveitforparts 2024-10-18 | The Boondock Echo is basically a radio answering machine, letting you record and play back received audio. It has some other neat features like speech to text, keyword alerts, and transmit options as well. This video was just a quick test of the latest Boondock version. This one has some features that I suggested, as well as things people suggested in teh comments from my prior video! Namely, it has more off-grid and offline features, and can be used without an internet connection or cloud tethering. While I didn't test every feature, I found a couple more use cases for this tech. First, for unattended monitoring of an unknown frequency (in this case, a supposed ham repeater from 2012) to see if and what traffic is there. Second, to record and keyword-search a large amount of radio traffic, like from a police / fire scanner. If you're a reporter looking for newsworthy keywords on radio traffic, or want to keep an eye out for a certain name or address in scanner traffic, this could be a way to do it. Thanks again to the Boondock Echo team for sending me one to try out! Here's my previous video about the Boondock Echo: youtube.com/watch?v=HYZ3HJT-xr8&t=810sYou can find the project here: boondockecho.comAnd more documentation here: docs.boondockecho.com/boondock-echoSaveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Hacking Winegard Travler Satellite Dish - First Look & Experiments saveitforparts 2024-10-16 | This is another portable satellite dish I found for free, a Winegard "Trav'ler" Ku-band antenna on a 3-axis mount. I'm hoping to do some weather satellite experiments with it, similar to what I've done with Winegard Carryout and Dish Tailgater antennas in the past. Fortunately it has a programming interface that I can use to get into the firmware and screw around with settings. I can also drive the dish directly from the console and (theoretically) aim it at things other than TV satellites. This video is just the first look at the thing, I will hopefully do more cool stuff with it in future videos. Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Behind The Scenes: Weird & Rejected Product Reviews For 2024 saveitforparts 2024-10-14 | Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Lake Adventure With Radio Controlled Electric Tugboat saveitforparts 2024-10-10 | I motorized a Tuggy sandbox last year, then the state told me it's not a legal boat! So Instead, I made it an R/C toy, that just happens to tow other boats! We took Tuggy out for a trip on the lake recently and it works great to tow around multiple kayaks! This video is sponsored by EcoFlow, who sent me the batteries for this project. You can find them at the links below:bit.ly/4gBYOypamazon.com/dp/B0DCNJB1HH?maas=maas_adg_D0D712B636C9DF55FB07CC830E8DB9AA_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maasCode: EF12VSAVEIT#EcoFlow #12VLiFePO4Battery #12VoltageBattery@EcoFlowTech: the link is youtube.com/@EcoFlowTechSaveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
This Box Sounds An Alarm When You Poop saveitforparts 2024-10-10 | The Sandland restroom is in danger! Or it could be, so I made an alert to let people know when it's occupied. That way no accidents happen! Some of the parts I used for this project include:R/C module: amzn.to/3N03yQKTimer: amzn.to/3zpL1udStrobe light: amzn.to/3zAAXymAudio module: amzn.to/3TLeVzHRelays: amzn.to/3U9iaS3Reversing circuit: amzn.to/47FalJjSolar battery bank: amzn.to/4gXQlWpAnd of course I got a lot of random parts from ax-man.comSaveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
I Threw Away My Gas Weedwhacker And Went Electric! saveitforparts 2024-10-04 | Every year I complain how terrible small gas engines are, but this year I've gone electric! I ditched my cranky, unreliable Remington weedwhacker and went with a Greenworks 40V battery unit. This isn't a sponsored review, I went out and bought this myself, but so far I love it! I got the STF309 unit: greenworkstools.com/products/40v-cordless-string-trimmer-2111702Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Obscure Tech Review: Datamyte Measuring Tablet saveitforparts 2024-10-02 | This thing is honestly kinda boring and useless. Sorry in advance for wasting 8 minutes of your time if you watch this 😅Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
September 2024 Mailbag / Behind The Scenes saveitforparts 2024-09-30 | Here's some random stuff I got in the mail this month! And cameos by the cats, because one of the letters requested more cat content! (The cats have their own channel @donnyfluff )Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Drink In Moderation saveitforparts 2024-09-27 | A handy Saveitforparts PSA!Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
I Called Peter Fairlie With Satellites (And Bounced A Call Through Starlink) saveitforparts 2024-09-26 | This is a follow-up to my first Inmarsat terminal video (youtube.com/watch?v=mOvUxoA7Ngs) where I got an outdated satellite phone system working with even older landline phone equipment. In this one I'm making some more random calls and seeing what the platform can do. People keep confusing @peterfairlie2296 and I with each other, as we both have satellite-related content. I've been watching his videos on satellite telephone calls, so now that I have my own I just had to call him with it! I even tried to use a Flipper Zero, which Peter has showcased on his channel. Sadly the Flipper didn't work very well.I also called someone who uses a Starlink phone connection, just to see what a ground to geostationary to ground to low-earth-orbit to ground connection sounds like. It was even more laggy, but the audio quality was great! Finally, I tried the system from a moving vehicle. Unfortunately the audio quality was the worst when moving, either due to the antenna constantly moving to stay locked on the satellite, or due to the speakerphone, or both. This is an Inmarsat / Glocom antenna using an L-band (~1500mhz) link to geostationary orbit. The lag time is pretty bad, especially when calling other satellite phones! It does work for Internet as well, but the service is slow, high-latency, and very overpriced. I wouldn't recommend using this for anything, as it's kind of old technology that can't compete with modern satellite systems. I just wanted to give it a try while it's still available. You can find part 1 here: Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
How To Hack Winegard Portable Satellite Dishes saveitforparts 2024-09-19 | This video looks at hacking the first three generations of Winegard TV satellite antennas. I've been able to get into debug menus on the original G1 and the G2, although the G3 is proving problematic. Both of the first two models need an RS-232 to RS-484 adapter and a special 6-pin phone cord to interface with the service port on the control board. You can then send commands and receive antenna data using a Linux "screen" command, like "screen /dev/ttyUSB1 57600". (I'm using a USB-to-serial adapter as well as the RS485 adapter). The G1 wants a baud rate of 57600 and the G2 wants a baud rate of 115200. The G2+ has a really interesting command called "skymap", which appears to do the same thing as my microwave imaging code. If anyone knows more about this program, I'd be super interested to hear about it! The G3 does not have a phone port, only a USB A jack. I have not been able to interface with this the way I could with the Tailgater brand's USB port. If anyone knows how I can get a debug console on a G3 Carryout, I'd love to know! Here's an article I wrote for the AMSAT Journal about this project: saveitforparts.wordpress.com/2024/03/19/my-mini-radiotelescope-made-it-into-the-amsat-journalMy Python code for microwave imaging / radio astronomy with a Winegard dish: github.com/saveitforparts/Carryout-Radio-TelescopeAnd some more information about the adapter cables: saveitforparts.wordpress.com/2023/12/29/another-portable-radio-telescopeCyberdeck build: youtu.be/bSJSktT07bo?si=5FXJxZcMkvKlDam1Microwave imaging dish at Open Sauce 2024: youtu.be/7tK0WXkz45U?si=2zUbvbebTe77cKymMore Winegard G1 hacking: youtu.be/4a2HjE11DcQ?si=Z5CNqez3yBobZwVMOriginal Tailgater microwave imager: youtu.be/lVOTZxNCgTM?si=4IfCjlBOvF8BKTjpSaveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Testing Powersmart 4500W Generator - At Home And Off-Grid Review saveitforparts 2024-09-12 | Lately the power grid seems to be wearing out, when I first moved to Minnesota we almost never had power outages, and I never really used my old generator. Recently however, we've been having more and longer outages, as well as more and larger storms. So when Powersmart offered to send me a generator to review, I figured it was a good time to try it! You can find the Powersmart 4500W generator here:bit.ly/3AUY4E9Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Making Satellite Calls With A 1973 Telephone (And Inmarsat Mobile Terminal) saveitforparts 2024-09-11 | Voice phone calls are so last century... so lets see if we can make some with a 1973 handset, a DTMF keypad from the 1990s, and a satellite terminal from 2009. I tried giving @userscott a call in the UK and it worked great! This is a Glocom (Hughes) GX-10, and uses the Inmarsat network of geostationary communication satellites. It has an array of helical antennas for L-band inside a small radome. I've been seeing a lot of Inmarsat equipment available lately for cheap / free. It seems to be going obsolete as Starlink and other modern providers take over the satellite communications market. People sometimes confuse me with @peterfairlie2296, check out his channel for more satellite phone stuff! Big thanks to an anonymous donor for sending me the Inmarsat terminal (you know who you are :-) ) Also huge thanks to my Patreon supporters & Youtube members for helping me make sound financial decisions like this. A SIM card for less than an hour of talk time and 5.5MB on a 15-year-old satellite phone was not cheap! Fortunately the service is still available, I'm not sure if cell phones from 15 years ago would even work today! Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
My Garage Is Full Of Cat! (Crossover with @donnyfluff ) saveitforparts 2024-09-10 | This is a crossover video with my cat toy review channel (@donnyfluff ). Give that one a visit if you like cats! This is exactly how we got Mr. Donny in our lives, this cat even looks like a smaller version of him! I don't need another cat right now, and I think this one probably has a home on the block. Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
September 2024 Stuff In Progress saveitforparts 2024-09-09 | I don't know, just some random projects spread all over the garage as usual. Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Ordering Pizza With A Satellite Phone saveitforparts 2024-09-08 | Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Touring The Fridley Ax-Man Surplus Store saveitforparts 2024-09-07 | I've previously toured the St. Paul Ax-Man location, today we're checking out the Fridley branch! These are great stores for DIY projects, crafts, electronics, inventions, and just about anything, really! They have industrial surplus, science and medical surplus, military surplus, a little of everything. My previous video on the St. Paul store can be found here: youtu.be/U-uJPIhAUu4?si=diIZCJVUVDa0YypPAnd Ax-Man's website with store locations and hours can be found here: ax-man.comSt. Paul1639 University Ave. Fridley1021 E. Moore Lake Dr.St. Louis Park8134 Minnetonka Blvd.Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Nighttime landing at South St. Paul airport (Fleming Field) saveitforparts 2024-09-05 | Recently we got to ride in a small plane with a fan of the channel, it was a really fun trip around the Twin Cities and out to Western Wisconsin! Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Trying Meshtastic Radios From A Plane (Off-Grid Messaging In The Air) saveitforparts 2024-09-04 | Recently I had the chance to go flying with a viewer and local pilot (Thanks Andy @pilotman012!). I brought along a Meshtastic node to try some wireless messaging from the air. At 2,000ft, we were basically a really tall antenna, and I could get mesh chats to go a lot farther than I could at ground level!I also did a few other Meshtastic experiments in this video, it's essentially a follow-up to my first video on the subject (youtube.com/watch?v=8WRNTkbRuCI). Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Eavesdropping on US Military satellites with DIY antennas saveitforparts 2024-09-01 | Check out the full length video here: youtu.be/ReHYn7llzy4?si=B4HcxoOc3-hhPrjPSaveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Why Dont I Own A Truck? saveitforparts 2024-08-30 | People often ask in the comments why I don't have a pickup truck for all the junk I hoard and boats I haul. I actually owned a pickup briefly, but I never found it all that useful. I lost it in an accident a few years back and have always owned Subarus since then. My Forester hauls everything I need, plus it has more seats! No offense intended to any truck owners out there! I just don't personally find a need for them. Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Downloading Images From US Military Satellites saveitforparts 2024-08-28 | This is my first try at receiving data from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP). Designed in the 1960s & 70s, these supported spy planes and spy satellites by monitoring weather and cloud patterns around the world. Since early reconnaissance satellites used film, the government didn't want to waste any on overcast areas. The DMSP satellites were declassified in the 1970s, but the radio signals are still encrypted for most of their orbital path. They only switch to clear transmissions when over the poles and over the Northern part of North America. I had mixed luck decoding some of these. In particular, I couldn't reliably receive DMSP when the satellites were passing Southbound over the US. I'm not sure if this is a quirk of my antenna hardware or just how the system operates. I had the best luck on Northbound passes, but the encryption only switched off above about 40 degrees North Latitude, so I could see the Great Lakes and points North. I'm using a modified C-band TV dish, a fold-up model generously provided by a fellow ham radio operator. My feed is a loop of copper wire inside an old aluminum dish, tuned for 2.2GHz. (I've since learned that this might not be ideal for circular signals, as the loop actually has linear polarization)I also tried a helical feed designed by @dereksgc, I had mixed luck with it but didn't realize until later that I was only receiving Northbound passes. You can find info on building helical feeds here: Some archival footage is from "The DMSP History", published by the US Government, used as public domain: youtube.com/watch?v=n3TSQx7RKtgA lot of technical documents on the DMSP system can be found here: https://eogdata.mines.edu/products/dmsp/#docsOrbit animations are from the @usradioguy Vlog (used with permission): youtube.com/watch?v=JvIygYeR_sIYou can find lots of useful satellite info at usradioguy.comI used a couple devices in this video, including the HackRF One (amzn.to/3yNXWWe) and RTL-SDR v4 (amzn.to/3SWO7fC). The RTL-SDR is cheaper but has fewer features than the HackRF. For S-Band signals I used an MMDS device to amplify and down-convert 2.2GHz. I used one like this (make sure to get the "1998" version which uses a 1998MHz Local Oscillator): aliexpress.us/item/3256802523781806.htmlI also used a Bias-Tee like this one to power my MMDS: amzn.to/4dwbFQy (There are other options like this which don't require soldering: amzn.to/4fPZksb)For recording radio signals I use SDR++ (sdrpp.org) and for decoding I use SatDump (satdump.org)If you're interested in trying easier satellite reception, I have a video about NOAA weather satellites here: youtube.com/watch?v=icADyjm3PBEAnd I have an intro to L-band satellites here: youtube.com/watch?v=w5DyJHMw7aYSaveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Can You Run A Business With The xTool P2? (55W Laser Engraver Review) saveitforparts 2024-08-26 | This is a follow-up to my review of the xTool P2 laser (youtu.be/NrEwM9DR4y0). Several people commented that it seemed better for a small business than for home use, so I wanted to try both options! While I don't plan to sell things myself, I did make a bunch of products for a future fundraiser raffle. I also tried timing how long it took to create a custom product from scratch (under 6 minutes for a simple coin or tag!). I think the xTool P2 is great for hobby and DIY work as well. It's way faster to set up and align jobs than my old lasers, and it saves a lot of time in prototyping and rapid fabrication. This makes things like signs, control panels, laser-cut parts and models, etc really easy for your own projects or for a workshop or retail operation. This is a sponsored review, but I genuinely love how easy and fast it is to prep and layout projects on this unit! Alignment was always the slowest part of using earlier lasers, and this thing automates most of that process. The only downsides I've found are the weight (~100lbs) and noise level, but those aren't really issues for my projects. It's actually nice to have a big heavy machine that keeps its calibration and remains accurate even with the occasional bump or vibration of a garage environment. If you'd like to check out the xTool P2, you can visit one of the links below, with coupon code "xToolPartner" for $80 off.US: xtool.com/?ref=lxgmjrsp&utm_medium=5306&utm_source=influencerEU: https://www.xtool.eu/?ref=lxgmjrsp&utm_medium=5307&utm_source=influencerUK: uk.xtool.com/?ref=lxgmjrsp&utm_medium=5312&utm_source=influencerFrance: fr.xtool.com/?ref=lxgmjrsp&utm_medium=6589&utm_source=influencerGermany: de.xtool.com/?ref=lxgmjrsp&utm_medium=6578&utm_source=influencerSaveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Fujinon EPT-10 Pan / Tilt Camera Mount saveitforparts 2024-08-21 | This is something I picked up at a surplus auction for about $60. I'm trying to find more info on it, so if anyone happens to know the specs for a Fujinon EPT-10 PTZ mount, I'm all ears! This might show up in a future video as an antenna rotor or something, I haven't quite figured out what to do with it yet. Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Even more great stuff from Ax-Man Surplus! saveitforparts 2024-08-19 | I get a lot of fun stuff from Ax-Man Surplus in the Twin Cities. They have three stores in St. Paul, Fridley, and St. Louis Park. They have a few regular products as well as a rotating inventory of wacky electronics, industrial stuff, materials, craft things, and more! I almost always go home with things I didn't know existed but can't pass up! You can find them at ax-man.comSaveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Fielding the worst possible Meshtastic node saveitforparts 2024-08-17 | Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Recent finds at Ax-Man Surplus in Fridley saveitforparts 2024-08-16 | Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Weird Tech Review: Touchstream Video Appliance Streaming Computer saveitforparts 2024-08-14 | This is another obscure special-purpose computer that I picked up at an auction for $5. Usually these things aren't very useful beyond their intended industry, but I got it to do some limited web browsing and play Doom. It has a flash drive with Windows XP Embedded, so it's a little more useful than some of the other single-use computers I've come across lately. This was mainly designed for small-time, non-technical users to live-stream sports, concerts, education, government proceedings, etc. The system has a video capture card and a simple touch interface. Unfortunately it's from 2012, so it encodes into extinct formats like Flash, and only in very low quality. I still don't really know what to do with the thing, other than tear it down for spare parts. Throw your suggestions in the comments! Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
I Taped A Thermal Camera To A Drone And Saved $4,500 saveitforparts 2024-08-12 | Drones are fun, infrared thermal cameras are fun, what happens when you combine them? An airborne thermal camera can find humans and animals, locate caves, scout your house for heat leaks, and do all kinds of other fun things! Normally these cost around $5,000, so they're normally only used by police, military, or rescue teams.I wanted my own thermal drone for closer to a $500 budget. Thanks to HikMicro's thermal camera products, a little duct tape, some zip ties, and a used drone from @gardenfork, I finally have one! You can find the Hikmicro Mini2 camera for Android here:amazon.com/dp/B0CP8SG388?maas=maas_adg_346BAD1320412866963B531E094783F1_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maasAnd you can find the Pocket Wifi camera here: amazon.com/dp/B09XWXS3P3?maas=maas_adg_65E5CA40B59865887892725A5BB8D789_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maasI'm still working on the legal paperwork for this contraption, because it's definitely too heavy to fly without registration and licensing. Until then, here are some test runs indoors in my surplus geodesic space radome! More information about the Sandland radome can be found here:youtube.com/watch?v=abR1BJ4_ea8Sandland tunnels: youtube.com/watch?v=O0gG5eJcVawSaveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Toy Train Through The Walls Of A Tunnel saveitforparts 2024-08-10 | Just the #shorts version of the Sandbar Train video! youtu.be/K6tBkDo6hB0Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Its a Zoo at Sandland! saveitforparts 2024-08-08 | The critters are overrunning all the structures again! Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Checking 1.6GHz For Skinwalker Ranch Signals saveitforparts 2024-08-08 | I don't usually do UFO / paranormal stuff, but people keep asking about this TV show called Skinwalker Ranch. I checked out a few episodes and tried to find some of the radio signals they supposedly encounter. While I didn't have much luck finding aliens or secret aircraft, I did come across some interesting stream gauge transmissions! Thanks to Nooelec for the HackRF One! You can find it here: amzn.to/3SyBg2VYou can find the Nooelec LaNA here: amzn.to/3WHxCWZAnd the SAWbird GOES here: amzn.to/3WLMaoISaveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Why is there an ice cream truck at 11pm? saveitforparts 2024-08-05 | Well, it's been fun knowing you all, but the siren call of mysterious ice cream jingles calls me to my doom. Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Just doing normal things in the park saveitforparts 2024-08-01 | I drive by this USGS stream gauge on the way to work and figured I'd stop to snoop on it! Data gets uploaded to the GOES satellite once a day via UHF, then sent back down to the USGS offices via L-band. Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Visiting A Cannabis Dispensary... To Explore Their Caves! saveitforparts 2024-07-31 | This former brewery cave has been completely remodeled and opened to the public. Strains of the Earth is a Cannabis dispensary in Jordan, MN, located in the former Schultz & Hilgers Brewery. The new owners have fully remodeled this historic building, including the sandstone cellars carved into the bluff. We got permission to check out the caves, including some of the normally off-limits areas. While the majority of the tunnels are open to the public, there are some hidden and less developed spots, as well as a few mysterious sealed passages. Some of these are rumored to date from Prohibition, and may have been used for bootlegging and other nefarious deeds! Check out Strains of the Earth at strainsoftheearth.com, including more information about the caves at strainsoftheearth.com/jordan-historic-cavesSaveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Im A Bad Pearent saveitforparts 2024-07-30 | I have been way too busy to take proper care of the garden this year! We've also had so much rain that the fruit trees have gone crazy, and are kind of killing themselves under their own weight! Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Trying Out The xTool P2 Desktop CO2 Laser - 2024 Laser Cutting / Engraving Review saveitforparts 2024-07-29 | The xTool P2 is a 55W CO2 Laser, which is great for engraving and cutting projects at home or at your shop or small business. This is a big, well-made unit that blows away all the small diode lasers I've tried out. It features an all-in-one enclosure with built in water cooling, air assist, and exhaust fan. The software is super flexible and can just about replace Photoshop for all the design and layout work. The two internal cameras and auto-positioning features are fantastic, and really speed up the process of laser engraving. It can cut and engrave wood and acrylic, engrave painted metals, and can even mark stainless steel. I used this for everything from making signs, marking my name on electronics, making custom coins, coasters, and home decor, and even engraving a curved stainless steel flask.If you'd like to check out the xTool P2, you can visit one of the links below, with coupon code "xToolPartner" for $80 off.US: xtool.com/?ref=lxgmjrsp&utm_medium=5306&utm_source=influencerEU: https://www.xtool.eu/?ref=lxgmjrsp&utm_medium=5307&utm_source=influencerUK: uk.xtool.com/?ref=lxgmjrsp&utm_medium=5312&utm_source=influencerFrance: fr.xtool.com/?ref=lxgmjrsp&utm_medium=6589&utm_source=influencerGermany: de.xtool.com/?ref=lxgmjrsp&utm_medium=6578&utm_source=influencerSaveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Enjoying a tasty Train Belt beer on the go! #trains #grainbelt #minnesota #wisconsin saveitforparts 2024-07-29 | Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
I Dont Understand Spot Welding saveitforparts 2024-07-27 | I found a free spot welder and can't get anything to weld. Is it broken or am I just useless at welding? It definitely goes zap, but doesn't seem to join anything together. The manual is long on metallurgy of exotic alloys and short on garage-level how-to instructions. Should I turn this into a railgun or try to actually use it as a spot welder? What would I even use a spot welder for? Feel free to leave suggestions in the comments! Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
What became of the track for our monorail? saveitforparts 2024-07-25 | When we bought one of the monorail trains from the Minnesota Zoo a few years ago, the track stayed behind. It was too hard to move and had power lines running through it. Recently the zoo suck a weird boardwalk thing on top, made out of plastic and metal so it builds up lots of static electricity. It's a fun and somewhat "electrifying" experience! Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
My Illegal Tugboat Is Now An R/C Toy! saveitforparts 2024-07-24 | The Minnesota DNR said my modified sandbox is legally a toy, not a boat. So I doubled down by making it a radio controlled toy! Now Tuggy can pull barges around, and if the barge happens to be my kayak, that's perfectly legal, right? Tuggy now has full radio control, a louder horn, and only occasionally catches on fire. I even dumpster-dived a zombie child Halloween decoration to be the new captain. Honestly I'm pretty sure this thing is more of a hazard to navigation than before, but at least it's not a "boat", so the DNR should be perfectly happy! Original Tuggy build video: youtube.com/watch?v=gKPx86pFYvIDNR smackdown video: youtube.com/watch?v=SO-Cf_5Q2aYSaveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Meet my evil dumpster child saveitforparts 2024-07-23 | Saveitforparts has a new family member, and of course we found him in a dumpster! Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Making my illegal boat more better saveitforparts 2024-07-22 | Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Trying The First Portable Computer: The Osborne 1 saveitforparts 2024-07-20 | The Osborne model 1 is described as the first commercially successful portable computer. Weighing in at nearly 25lbs and sporting a 5" screen, it wasn't really all that portable or convenient, but it did inspire many successive portables, luggables, and laptops. I recently got ahold of one at an estate auction, and it's in great shape! I did have to replace the vintage power supply capacitors, since those almost always fail on these old computers. I also replaced a faulty floppy drive with a Gotek disk emulator, and made some other small adjustments.And no, as far as I know, it can't play Doom :-( In fact it does almost nothing modern at all, and is kind of a giant pain to make compatible with anything modern! I did manage to get a few programs onto it, and we might re-visit this in the future. For now it's mostly a fun novelty and a neat way to look at vintage tech. Some of the resources I used when working on this computer include:GoTek Floppy Emulator: ebay.com/itm/234259341532?var=5338627499733-D printed adapter for the GoTek: thingiverse.com/thing:2217061Kermit disk image (bottom of the page): https://blog.nroach44.id.au/snippet-osborneone-kermit.htmlRichard Loxley's blog about Osborne file transfers: richardloxley.com/2018/04/27/osborne-restoration-part-16-transferring-cpm-softwareI'd also like to thank Iso-Tip for sending me their cordless soldering iron. It made the capacitor replacement super easy! You can find them at iso-tip.com (Use code SMART24 for 15% off!)You can also see my retro-inspired luggable cyberdeck build here: youtube.com/watch?v=bSJSktT07boSaveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
More Dumpster Diving Finds - Summer 2024 saveitforparts 2024-07-20 | Just a quick update from the last dumpster diving video, with more random treasure! Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Teardown / Parting Out Wisenet XNP-6550RH Security Camera saveitforparts 2024-07-17 | This was just a quick video with a big old security camera I got from University of Minnesota re-use (https://facilities.umn.edu/our-services/waste-recovery-services/reuse-program/reuse-program)It unfortunately came with the wrong proprietary interface connector, so I can't see if it powers up (I was too lazy to hack into the wires directly). Instead, I tore it down until I have the parts I want, and the parts I'll hoard for later! This is what the Saveitforparts channel is all about! Even though I don't have an immediate use for any of the components for this, I'm going to keep them for future projects. I'm trying to save as much as I can from going into a landfill. Stay tuned for possible future uses of the parts in this, especially the pan/tilt mechanism! Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Recent laser engraver projects (and a porch pirate!) saveitforparts 2024-07-15 | Just a couple things I've made recently with the laser engraver. Plus a fine upstanding citizen helping himself to some laser materials! Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Trying E-Ink Note Tablet (ReMarkable RM100) saveitforparts 2024-07-12 | I picked up a used e-ink writing tablet that the seller claimed had some screen burn. Turns out that's just what e-ink looks like before it's refreshed, and there's no actual damage or burn at all! This is NOT a sponsored review, as I paid for this thing (again, used, and cheap!). However, I do really like it so far! It's not 100% like writing on paper, but it's pretty close. It's much nicer for note taking than a regular tablet or older e-reader. Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
Retro Tech Galore At FreeGeek Twin Cities saveitforparts 2024-07-10 | Here on the Saveitforparts channel, I try to save as much old stuff from the landfill as I can! While I'm just one person, FreeGeek is a nonprofit organization doing this on a city-wide scale! They take donations of unwanted and obsolete tech, repair and re-sell what they can, and ethically recycle the rest. This video is a fun behind-the-scenes look at some of FreeGeek's operations, and interviews with several staff members about their departments. It's also a fun look at some of the strange retro computers and technology they encounter! Big thanks to the FreeGeek Twin Cities staff for inviting me to visit and film their operation! You can find them online at freegeektwincities.org or in person at 2537 25th Ave SMinneapolis, MN 55406 (Open afternoons Wed-Sun). Also shout out to @RetroTechToys who's also FreeGeek's technology trainer! Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.comJoin this channel to get access to perks:youtube.com/channel/UCNLRcEn78Vc62C3GkMvBgtA/joinOr support me via Patreon at patreon.com/saveitforpartsCheck out gadgets and devices I like at amazon.com/shop/saveitforparts
