Finished Modified Gingery Metal Shaper Rick Sparber 2026-09-23 | Finished Modified Gingery Metal Shaper
A 3D Printed Spotting Drill Cross Drilling Guide Rick Sparber 2022-12-10 | This tool was drafted using Alibre and printed on my Prusa 3D printer. See Thingiverse for the .stl files and assembly instructions: thingiverse.com/thing:5698789
X-Box Controller On my CNC Mill Rick Sparber 2022-09-05 | Using An X-Box Controller and the ReWASD software, I am able to transmit any keystroke to my Centroid CNC12 software. I've already done a video on those functions. Recently I realized that I could add another feature which makes this interface even more useful. Each axis has its own joy stick and I was not using one of the two directions on each one. I've since mapped the ability to adjust speed. For example, if I tilt the X joy stick to the right, we move in a positive direction along the X axis. If I move this joystick up, we speed up. Push down, and we slow down. Combining these movements, I can push the joy stick up and to the right and I will move in a positive direction and speed up. When I like the speed, I move the joy stick so it is only to the right.
Micro Manual Pulse Generator, Version 2 Rick Sparber 2022-09-05 | I decided to make a second video on this device because it has more capabilities. I also found that the price of the Leonardo has doubled so the cost is now more like $20 for the electronics. Although you can pay as much as $1000 for a commercial-grade MPG, hobby versions can cost as little as $70.Using the two buttons, I can move any of the axes in steps of 0.1 thou, 1 thou, 10, thou, continuously in slow mode, and continuously in fast mode. In the Continuous mode, the dial sets the direction and speed.Since recording this video, I've added an LED between the two buttons. While the feedrate override is changing, I light the LED to tell the user to wait. It also flashes each time you jog.
A $10 Manual Pulse Generator Rick Sparber 2022-08-24 | My CNC mill is controlled by Centroid although this device should be compatible with MACH too. There are two buttons, a potentiometer, and a Leonardo which is Arduino compatible. The total cost for the electronics should be under $10.I failed to mention that you do need to be able to program the processor but I will be giving away the software.The CNC PC sees my MPG as a keyboard so no additional software is needed.
Using My Third Wheel on My Lectric XP 1.0 eBike Rick Sparber 2022-07-21 | I am showcasing a few things here. First, is my detachable third wheel which I use to maneuver the bike when it is folded. To prevent the crank from jamming into the frame when I move the folded bike backward, I slip the chain using a simple tool. Then, to gently keep the front wheel aligned with the rear wheel when it is folded, I made a screw-on disk that engages the kickstand. iI am also trying out my new wireless mic. Hopefully, you will notice the an improvement over previous similar videos. detachable third wheel: rick.sparber.org/ThirdWheel.pdf chain tool: rick.sparber.org/ThirdWheel.pdf page 5 screw on disk: rick.sparber.org/SecuringEbike.pdf page 3
My Newest Analog Electronic Edge Finder in action Rick Sparber 2022-04-22 | The circuit was not complete in this video but is now. Details can be found at rick.sparber.org/CNCcompatibleAnalogEEF.pdf. You can see that it is repeatable to within the resolution of my finger Dial Test Indicator which has major divisions each 0.001 inch and minor tick marks every 0.0005 inches. I ran touchdown 5 times in a row and read 0.0 every time.
Aligning a vise on a mill Rick Sparber 2022-02-16 | For more detail, please see rick.sparber.org/ViseAlignment.pdf.This procedure is new to me. It showed me that with a vise aligned to the x-axis within 1/2 thou I was out 2 thou in 4 inches due to play in the ways. Time to dig into that problem next.
An Analog Electronic Edge Finder Rick Sparber 2022-01-13 | This device can detect when a cutter or probe contacts a reference surface. Unlike most Electronic Edge Finders, this instrument does not require the probe to be electrically insulated from the spindle. Accuracy is entirely a function of the runout of the machine. The model demonstrated here is for manual use but changing it to work with a CNC system would be simple.The circuit uses one dual opamp, 7 resistors, two capacitors, two LEDs, and two pushbuttons.See rick.sparber.org/AnalogElectronicEdgeFinder.pdf for more details.
A Dual LED Analog Indicator Rick Sparber 2021-10-05 | See rick.sparber.org/DualLED_Dimmer.pdf for details.The gas gauge on your car probably does not tell you exactly how many gallons, or liters, remain in your tank. Instead, it tells you what you need to know - when all is fine and when you should start to look for fuel. This duel LED indicator follows the same design philosophy but, instead of using a moving needle, it uses the relative intensity of two LEDs. If you look at the time stamp of the video, you will see the top LED come on at 4 seconds and goes completely out at 47 seconds. This means that the half way point is at about 26 seconds. As a test, watch the video and pause it when you think the LEDs are at the same brightness. Note the time stamp. Does it indicate around 26 seconds?The flickering you see in the video is an artifact of the high speed flashes of the LEDs interacting with the frame rate of the video.
A Tool for Placing Stickers On an Envelope Rick Sparber 2021-09-19 | I can print up nice-looking address stickers but if they go onto the envelope crooked, it looks like a ransom note. Here is a technique that takes the skill out of placing those stickers.
Lowering an Inflatable Kayak from a high dock Rick Sparber 2021-05-06 | The standard way to lower a kayak from a high dock is by attaching a line midship and lowering it into the water. My AirVolution has lift handles fore and aft but not midship. Here is a technique that uses these lift handles plus cuts the weight needed to lower and raise in half. I only need fore and aft lines, no special equipment.
Removing a Slotted Screw Using a Power Screwdriver (Updated title) Rick Sparber 2021-05-06 | (Updated text) Driving slotted screws with my electric screwdriver is best done with a sleeved bit holder. However, removing slotted screws can be problematic. The bit is hard to get into the slot and it tends to slip out as I back out the screw. Here is a simple way to reduce slippage and make engaging the screw very easy.The video quality is not that great but I think you can still understand the idea.
Drill Press Vise Attachment for Drilling Channel and Angle Rick Sparber 2021-04-08 | Drilling thin walled channel can be difficult because it tends to deflect under the pressure of the drill. This attachment solves this problem over a wide range of wall thicknesses. It can also be used for angle stock.
A Maintenance Stand for a Lectric XP eBike Rick Sparber 2021-04-01 | The Lectric XP is heavy, at 62 pounds. Maintenance stands that can handle this weight are expensive plus take up a fair amount of space. The stand presented here was made from scrap and consists of two pieces. For details, see rick.sparber.org/RepairStand.pdf
A dual slitting tool for extension cords Rick Sparber 2021-03-29 | This is the latest evolution of a tool that removes the sheath from an extension cord. See rick.sparber.org/CableSheathStripper.pdf for details.
eGas Gauge Simulation Rick Sparber 2021-03-18 | Normally, it takes about two hours to fully discharge the battery on my eBike. By switching the software to the simulator mode, I have compressed this to about 2 minutes. The number of flashes indicates which quarter so, for example, 3 flashes means 3/4 full. When the top LED is flashing, it means I'm in the top third of this quarter. When both LEDs flash, I'm in the middle third. And when the bottom LED is flashing, I'm in the bottom third of the quarter. When I'm near empty, the flash pattern changes. It changes again when completely empty.For example, when you see Both LEDs flashing twice, it means we are in the center of the second quarter, or 1/2 full.Full details of the eGas Gauge can be found at rick.sparber.org/eBikeGauge.pdf
A Power Cable Sheath Cutter Rick Sparber 2021-03-15 | This tool was the result of a great collaboration between my readers and myself. Here are the details: rick.sparber.org/CableSheathStripper.pdf. The design has evolved so please consult the article before making one.
Limiting Bandsaw Movable Jaw Pivoting Rick Sparber 2021-03-05 | The movable jaw on my horizontal/vertical bandsaw rotates as it is being moved. By adding a pin, the problem is solved.
Power Driving The Horizontal Bandsaw jaw Rick Sparber 2021-03-04 | Here is a way to turn a trashed hockey puck into a useful too. It lets you drive the handwheel of the bandsaw jaw feed with an electric drill.
Checking Your Lectric XPs Rims Rick Sparber 2021-02-27 | Using a bit of copper wire, you can visually test that your rims are running true.
Using a repurposed slide as a ramp to load/unload my Lectric XP eBike Rick Sparber 2021-02-19 | A sheet metal slide makes a great ramp. I clip it to my Honda Fit and can easily load and unload my Lectric XP.
Details of Safely folding up, rolling, and lifting the Lectric eBike Rick Sparber 2020-10-16 | I present a few tricks to tame this beast.Details can be found at rick.sparber.org/SecuringEbike.pdf
Securing a Folded Lectric eBike Rick Sparber 2020-10-13 | I am demonstrating how I can roll my Lectric eBike forward and back without the usual problems.Details of the additions I have made to the bike can be found at rick.sparber.org/SecuringEbike.pdfRick
Sharpening A Pattern 99 Figure Skate Rick Sparber 2020-10-12 | I've been sharpening my wife's figure skates for over 5 years with this home made machine. It takes about 75 millionth of an inch per pass. The carrier follows a pattern mounted below the blade. This pattern contacts that steel disk under the grinding wheel. In this way, the ground profile is always exactly the same after each sharpening. I get about 22 sharpenings out of each pair of skates.
video of ice skate sharpening machine Rick Sparber 2020-09-16 | This is a tour of my figure skate sharpening machine. Details can be found at rick.sparber.org/fssm.pdf
Inflating and Deflating of An AirVolution Kayak using a Ryobi Low Pressure/High Volume Pump Rick Sparber 2020-08-20 | I am using an adapter that transforms a Boston Valve fitting to fit a Military Valve. It has a piece of weedwacker line across the opening to depress the plunger. The fitting is made of Delrin and took about 30 minutes to make on my lathe. Details of the adapter will be supplied later.
Connecting a spaghetti line directly to a hard pipe Rick Sparber 2020-07-28 | Drip irrigation uses a 1/4" OD tube that connects to an emitter on one end and to a larger pipe at the other end. Here is a simple tool plus procedure that lets you make the connection with little effort.
Optical Software Debugging Tool Rick Sparber 2020-07-12 | See Rick.Sparber.org/OpticalBasedDebuggingTool.pdf for details.
Speed Drive Rick Sparber 2020-04-15 | This tool makes adjusting any C-clamp quick and easy.See rick.sparber.org/C_ClampSpeedDrive.pdf for details.
Spinning Nuts On A Threaded Rod Rick Sparber 2019-10-24 | Manually spinning a nut along a threaded rod is tedious. Here is how you can use a drill to get the job done quickly.
RunCam2 Under Direct Control of a Pro Micro Rick Sparber 2019-04-24 | For details, please seerick.sparber.org/electronics/ControllingRunCam.pdf
Circuit Board Drill Index System Rick Sparber 2019-04-07 | For more information, please seerick.sparber.org/DremelIndexTable.pdf
Electro-etching Using Stick On Label Masks Rick Sparber 2019-03-24 | This video shows how I use salt water, a power supply, and a stick on label to mark aluminum and steel. This procedure should be done in a well-ventilated room or outside.
