Illogical Madness

moving

2011-01-20T04:33:00.000-06:00

Decided to move this blog to ac9g.blogger.com everything is still there. Just changing the name to something more suitable.

Installing a mobile home downdraft furnace in a garage

2011-01-07T04:27:00.003-06:00

A guy at work gave me a great idea to find a used mobile home furnace to use in a garage. This is great as they are super cheap when picked up used, I paid $120 for this one. The one I got a hold of was a Century FG80C2 downdraft Natural gas furnace.

Things I'm going to change/add

1. Add a switch so the blower will run when thermostat "calls" not when plenum is hot.
2. Move power cable to back.
3. Build intake airbox with filter holder.
4. Internal relay box for status and remote command.

Notes:

Gas line.

This was something I planned for months in advance and ran a non metallic conduit that would house "Proflex CSST". This is Corrugated Stainless Steel tubing. This made it possible to easily make the underground run and not have to try and fit black iron pipe together and then worry about how long it will last from rusting underground.

Even though you can re-plumb an entire house gas system with this stuff, there was something I learned about it when I was reading the product installation and sizing primer. You can size this just like normal BIP, but the mfg. recommends sizing up when using something like a fireplace or when noise could be bothersome as the pipe's corrugation make the gas "howl" or "hiss".
*update* 1/17/11 This didn't turn out to be the case. I have run this system for about 4 hours, no such noise nor problems have arrose.

01/07/11
   Finishing up installing the gas line. To elevate it from the floor a bit, I'm going to use cement blocks. This should help it from blowing air right on the floor causing it to stir up dust.
   I searched for quite a while online. I could not find anything about this furnace. Just so glad nothing is really different about these things even through the years. I'm going to guess this thing is from the 60s from the use of hammer finished paint and can't be earlier as the use of vinyl power cords and not fiber wrapped like in the 50s.
   Something I have been drawing up is the use of relays to have a remote switch in the house with a status light. This same system idea will also be in use to turn on the air compressor in the basement. This system will be very easy to implement as I ran a 25 conductor cable from the house and the garage. The use of terminal strips are a must for easy expansion and reconfigurability.

01/12/11
  When Wiring this up, I found the "fan" control from the thermostat didn't work as it should. Since I'm just using a SPST switch for the "auto/on" fan control I knew something was up. When I took the Panel off inside the furnace. seems someone removed the fan relay and did some modifications. Owell, this is kind of in my favor as I want to add more relays to the basic wiring anyway.

1/13/11
  Ordered new relays from McMaster-Carr, 24vac than can handle 16amps at 120 which is perfect for the fan relay. Another is going to be wired in parallel to the electro gas valve to give me a status light when it is "heating". The third relay is for making when the fan should be kicked on. IE all furnaces start the fan after the plenum have reached a preset temperature. This will allow the fan to kick on when the thermostat "calls" for heat this will help remedy the massive oversizing of a furnace for the space as it will slowly heat the plenum, this in turn will slow down the "cycling". Still finalizing some of the schematics or I would post them.

1/14/11
  Furnace is installed and running, now that it is heated in there I can work on the more fancy wiring.

1/17/11
  After using the system for a bit now. It turns out that this is not oversized for the garage, but nearly just right. Currently working on the homemade wired remote control system. Pictures, digrams, schematics will be added when completed.

TBC

Bluetooth ... Phone

2010-12-23T04:46:00.002-06:00

I had this idea for a few years now, to make an old land line phone with REAL BELLS work as a bluetooth headset for a cell phone. Now I can't take full credit for this as I heard of Steve Wozniac built one of these years ago. I loved the idea, and wanted to build my own.

Version 0.1 (previous version)
Simple handset from phone with bluetooth headset mounted inside. Very simple yet very eerie looking.

Version 0.2 has (Current Version)
1. Tabletop touch tone phone.
2. Dial tone.
3. Ability to dial out.
4. Working bells.
5. 10 cell NiMh battery pack.

Version 0.3 will feature (Researching/parts gathering)
  All of Ver 0.2 plus following
1. Working rotary dial
2. 10 cell Sanyo Enelope battery pack.
3. Ext charger.
4. Auto/on switch.

Version 0.4 (planning)
  All of Ver .3 plus
1. Internal charger.
2. flashing "ringer" light.
3. Ringer "silent" switch
4. Dial light via red LED
5. handset posts light via red LED
6. Internal Voltage regulating power supply, for continuous operation.
7. Universal External 12v/2a power supply.

Current model notes. Current 0.3 version trying to invent a way to mount the batteries. Best idea so far is to use 4-40 long bolts through the bottom and zip tie the packs to them, best semi- permanent mounting solution. Mounting the circuit boards are nearly the same way, using 4-40 screws with stand-offs. The Auto/on switch refers to the ability to have the device auto power off when charging plug is inserted into a "switched dc power jack". To get the rotary dial to work with the bluetooth board I have, I used a pulse-tone converter. The bluetooth board i'm using is the cobra Phonelinx. Which has been disassembled and soldered in power and phone lines. Later models I might desolder the board LEDs and mount them else where, but since I want this to mainly be obscure, I made it so you can only see them from underneath via small drill holes in the phone.

Future Ideas

To make a "ringer flashing light" I thing i'm going to use a Radioshack neon bulb and mount, but use it only for the mount as it has the "look" that i want for a domed light. but since a neon would take more draw that needed and not be very bright. I will use a super bright red LED with a 100k resistor wired in parallel to the ringer.
   The "Dial light" i'm still researching. An idea that came to me the other day was to use license plate bolts with LEDs already mounted in them, then to use a black rebar cover with a hole to cover the bolt, solving the mounting and the look as well as making it a fast solution. I cant mount LEDs from behind as there is to much mechanical gearing in the way from the dial. But using plastic fiber optic might be a future possibility.
   The idea of using an internal charger is to be able to plug this unit in and have it work just like a desk phone and never have the battery die. Even though this adds complexity and cost, this really makes it a set it and forget it extension of your phone. This will also make it so you can use any dumb 12v cord that can supply 2a of current to run/charge the phone, i.e. in the car.

Pictures

Work in progress as of 12-23-10

Craftsman Professional 13" Planer

2010-12-23T04:31:00.002-06:00

Yet another Craigslist find. Model 351.217430. Which isn't that old, yet kinda hard to find much about it online.

No Mods planned.... Yet

Just refurbishing.

1. Order replacement parts that were missing or damaged. (Done)

2. Clean up and re-oil machine.

3. Add new parts.

In progress as of 12-23-10

Restoring a Heston & Anderson 6" Jointer Model# 8650

2010-12-07T18:27:00.005-06:00

This nice tool has a 60" table all cast iron and 3/4 enclosed cabinet. It houses a B-line ( Brown-BrockMeyer Co. ) 3/4HP Motor. Frame #RM-720-R

Things I need to fix Mod.

1. Motor mount bushings.
2. Industrial switch add-on.
3. Rewire with 12Ga cord.
4. 4" Dust collection cover.
5. Find new blades.
6. Replace switch with industrial style switch.

1.

Temp. blurry cam image...

As of 01/02/10 ... Post in progress, project currently on hold.

Rebuilding/Modifying a Delta contractor saw model 10 (34-410)

2010-12-07T18:20:00.003-06:00

Just got this saw with a 50" Biesemeyer fence and router table insert. Found this great deal on Craigslist. When I got this thing hole and powered it on I noticed there was a problem. The arbor bearings were bad. Took me a few days to figure out a good way to replace those. Finally I decided to use a bearing puller separator from Harbor Freight. Not that I wanted to but because they were the only ones that had a tool big enough and long enough to pull them off and pull the new bearing all the way on again.

next up is the mods.

1. PALS system add-on.
2. Industrial power switch mod, akin to my drill press.
3. Built in 12ga extension cord for Table saw and router add-on.
4. Build on a folding extension table.
5. Build in dust collection for both router and TS.
6. Add Industrial switch for router.
7. Add more drawers for storage.

1. This Product from In-Line Industries seems like a great idea.

2. Again I used the switch from a craftsman product. And to meet electrical requirements I got it out of a matching powered table saw of

Obviously in progress...
As of 12/7/10

Cyclone Cleaning

2010-11-15T02:38:00.004-06:00

Forget dyson, how about putting a cyclone separator on a shopvac. This makes any vac a 2 stage machine. Check out it out here.

I can't wait to get one and make a cart for both.

Modifying a DeWalt DW718 CMS

2010-11-10T02:14:00.003-06:00

I recently bought this saw from Home Depot after it went on sale to include the DeWalt stand (DW723).
After assembling it, i noticed a few things I wanted to modify.

1. The power cord comes off the back of the motor, Change that to out the slide rail tube. (Finished)
2. Make something to help catch the dust (Researching)

1. This, I thought was just a cheap way to make the power cord come off the saw. On the Ridgid 12" CMS it comes out the slide tube. The reason the Dewalt didn't do it this way is there is very little room as they wanted the saw to make very tight (60*) miter cuts and have very high clearance. Since I don't need that I don't really care, just as long as I can make a 45+-2* I'll be fine. So I cut thick pipe strap and bent it 90*. and use the saw dust port holder screw. Then used a "P" cable clip and a M4-20 bolt washer and a nut. to protect the cable I'm using spiral cable wrap.

2. The best thing I can think of is a big plastic tub with a hole in the bottom for a vacuum hook up.

Photos:

Modifying a Delta 17-950L Floor Drill Press

2010-11-01T03:42:00.032-06:00

I recently acquired this tool as it was being clearanced out of my local hardware store. On arrival home I noticed some thing I wanted to change before putting this machine into full operation.

1. Change the switch to something that's more of a real switch. (Finished)
2. Wire lamp into mains. (Finished)
3. Make laser also work from mains. (Finished)
4. Add mobile base (she be a heavy beast) (postponed - need plywood)
5. Reroute power cable to behind motor so it is out of the way of the rack. (Finished)
6. Modify table tilt bolt to have handle (postponed {requires press to work})

1. The switch I always liked for heavy duty power tools I found on a Craftsman Professional drill press. I sourced them for replacement parts, the switch, cover, and "off" paddle cost me $22 with shipping Here Model# 152229010, parts in diagram #50, 51, 52. I Initially thought this change over would be very simple as it looked like it just might fit. on arrival, it did not. So I decided to take out the original switch, and use the original metal plate as a mounting bracket for the the new one. I used a Dremel an a cutting wheel for the rough cut, the grinder wheel for fitment. Its not pretty, but it doesn't matter as it will not show up. Next I drilled the holes after aligning where I wanted the final placement. Then tapped them with a M4 .7 tap. and used M4-25 bolts with washers. Be sure to use washer behind the switch as it needs space as the overhang of the cover wont let it mount securely. I used 4 washers. This modification also aids in future upgrade to 220 mains when you want to upgrade the motor.

2. I used the old hole that used to be the one for the main power cord. Since it will now be move to the back of the machine. this opens up for the lamp cable to be routed into the front panel. This also requires modifying the metal cable stays.

3. This requires the use of a very small 9v adapter. I'm using one from an old defunct answering machine. I mounted the adapter with a hose clamp and thick pipe strap steel plate. It was trick to get the adapter and the switch to fit with the adapter in the housing. I ran the 9v cable through 1/4 tubing to reduce risk of harming cord. I also ran this cord through with the lamp cord strain relief.

4. I found the HTC-2000 to fit the bill with layers of plywood for a base. Found it on amazon HERE.

5. This is something that just makes me scratch my head on why they didn't do this. Put the exit of the power cord clear in the back past the motor. I used a screw on cable strain relief from McMasterCarr 69915K64
drilled a hole in the back near the motor. I used a Lennox 3/4" Bi-metal hole saw to make the hole for this strain relief.

6. This will take a bit of machining skills. To make this I have drawn out how to make it. So far the idea is to use the same handles they use on the bottom of the table including the spring loaded part.

As of 12/10/10

3D Printer update

2010-11-01T01:20:00.000-06:00

Wow, nearly a year ago I posted my Interest into owning a FDM. Well that dream is starting to finally take shape. I have already started sourcing parts to build a RepRap II aka Mendel. Currently I have already cut the bar and threaded rod, and about half of the assembly is done. Things I still have to do are finish construction of the chassis, get the electronics, and figure out how to make the extruder. Right now I have put this project on short hiatus till I have a few other things done that in turn will also help build this machine. Otherwise I hope to have this project completed before the end of the year. (I will add photos soon.)

3D Printing

2009-10-30T20:38:00.008-06:00

I have seen a FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) machine before and I was totally intrigued. After hearing about www.makerbot.com from Twit.tv from floss weekly. They explained their open sourced project and selling kits. But what really got my eye is that the RepRap project, that is the grandfather project of makerbot made version 2 called mendel. their first version put me off as I just never liked the problems it had, jamming, costly, hard to build. Now that a new version came out earlier this month, I looked at it and thought, yes this can be something I can build and use.

Customer Relations...

2009-03-05T21:17:00.003-06:00

oh boy where to start...
I think everyone knows the peril brick and mortar stores are facing as online retailers are snapping up business. Everyone knows the advantages of brick and mortar though. being able to see the product, making sure you have the right one and works for you need.
So today being the very nice weathered day it was i went to the garage to take the motorcycle for a spin. yet the faint oder of gasoline had me wondering what might have a leak. only to my dismay it wasn't the gas can i had hoped. To my surprise it was from the motorcycle main fuel line. so i got a screwdriver to close the stopcock on the gas tank. only to have a bit of gas gush from the screw. great i thought, there's the problem. so a bit later i went to the last parts place we have here to order a part and maybe get a few things to further a local business relationship with said shop. only to my dismay after them looking up the part to tell me that it would be much cheaper to buy this part online through their website they also use to sell parts. so i inquire what the difference would be if i just bought the part right now. so i get the run around of being told that the reason they make it cheaper so they don't have to serve people at the counter... then he starts to really push me saying just go home and order it... i couldn't believe what i was hearing... knowing there is no way to argue about this i said thank you and put the other stuff i was going to by on the shelf, and left. now that they have shooed me away as a customer, I'm going to buy from some other website that actually specializes in such a sale. they obviously didn't want my business when i came to them, and besides i saved almost $12. not only did they lose me as a customer, they lost my respect to recommend them to others.

Photography

2008-12-31T08:13:00.003-06:00

Well I did it, Finally got that big dSLR I wanted to get for many years. Even though its winter right now I have taken a lot of photos. Been posting some of my best work in the link above. Soon I plan to have an acount with Istockphoto.com and sell from there.

New Posts

2008-02-16T22:54:00.002-06:00

Yes i know I haven't posted in a while... but if you follow my Jaiku feed that has plenty of activity. I have been compiling a predictions list for 2008 for companies and trends. As for what i have been up to and not posting.. House renovations. i shall post updates at a later time of progress made. Till then, Chow

MacBook Pro Battery - Bloated

2007-06-28T11:03:00.001-06:00

Well this was one of those... "it couldn't happen to me" things. One day i was using my notebook, when i noticed the battery icon flashing form charging to full and back every second or so... i knew something was up but i just thought a reboot would fix it. only to notice when i took it off its stand that the battery was about 2x times what it should be. so i called applecare and had it replaced. WTG SONY!... what will be your next blunder?

For more photos click here

Food

2007-06-28T10:52:00.001-06:00

To all those who say i don't cook.. HAH
Tilapia, wild rice, corn and bread sticks
mm mm good

A Hero Lost

2007-06-13T06:26:00.000-06:00

Don Herbert was my greatest inspiration to the world of science. He Died yesterday @ 89 at his home in Bell Canyon after a long battle with multiple myeloma.
He was someone i wanted to meet, just never had the chance, and now never will.
Im sure he will be remembered by everyone he inspired all the years he did his tv show. to make people think how things work, why they work, and to experiment.

original story:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-herbert13jun13,0,457794,full.story

It does exist

2007-04-09T03:04:00.000-06:00

Well I thought this was just a photoshop on the net. Hah! Nope it does
exist. And no I don't have a clue why it has that name.

Heaters, now air conditioners

2007-02-18T06:43:00.000-06:00

Its still february ... we just had 15 inches of snow and its been below
freezing for weeks now.... and all the big box stores are getting rid of
portable heaters and getting airconditioners.. but they forgot last year
it snowed 6 inches oin the middle of march.... just to prove this...
here is the first picture of the airconditioners that arrived at menards
feb 12

Casio GSHOCK MT-G

2007-02-14T10:09:00.000-06:00

Well I finaly did it. I broke my coveted G-SHOCK. I only broke a band
pin so its already fixed. This watch has taken it all. Being thrown,
hit, whacked agaisnt things, been though an ultra sonic cleaner,
whacked agaisnt the side of an engine block while a wrench slipped. Yup
its been through a lot. And it still works like new. And no scratches
on the face!.. Wtg casio

Your name in space

2007-02-13T23:14:00.001-06:00

How would you like to write your valentine on a space craft? well you can!

http://www.yournameintospace.org/

2007-01-27T17:06:00.000-06:00

i know i told about every friend i know about this but it just keeps getting better.
a company called Blendtec has a monster comercial belnd and they demonstrate that they can blend anything from ipods to glass marbles. very cool, i want one

here are the videos

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=Blendtec

2007-01-17T22:28:00.001-06:00

I read about these a while back 4 for 5 months ago and finally seen them
on the market. Its a cup of coffee or hot chocolate in a self heating
cup. It uses an exothermic reaction based on quicklime. Aka concrete.
You just open the bottom of the can. Push a button and then flip it
over and in 5-8 minutes it will be piping hot. I tried it today its
quite amusing. Yet incredibly wasteful. And a bit expensive for 9.5 oz
for $2.89 @ schnucks.