User:IanM

Hi, I'm Ian M,

I'm just another RML member who's reasonably competent with electronics, including digital and MCUs, computers and mechanical stuff, after a couple of decades in the consumer electronics service trade.

Other interests include sailing and boat maintenance - not that I do much nowadays - and reading SF. I used to be seriously into Sinclair 8 bit computers, and still have a fair bit of vintage Sinclair kit, in various states of operability. I also have a few vintage PCs.

My motto should probably be: "Knows entirely too much about not enough subjects!"

Projects

• My main project back in 2021 was a robot buggy.

• In 2022 I was assembling, tuning and upgrading a £99 3D printer, and learning the necessary software to fully use it.

• In 2023, I was heavily involved with repairing, maintaining and upgrading the RML CJ18A lathe.
• This year (2024) I've been getting into CNC machining.

CJ18A mini-lathe

My CJ18A mini-lathe notes are here. I'm now one of the Lathe trainers and maintainers, and can provide your Lathe Induction (ask on Telegram). Thanks IanB for my Induction back in 2022.

£99 3D Printer

ZHUHAI CTC DiY I3 3D printer - a Prusa I3 mk1 derivative, very similar to the RML Geetech machine, except with a laser cut plywood frame. Its not perfect yet but is a usable workhorse.

Robotics

My two wheel 'taildragger' Arduino robot buggy build notes are here and my notes on replacing the USB lead, used for monitoring and firmware upload, with a WiFi 'tether' are here.

Other Stuff

• I'm collecting my OpenSCAD notes here and my CNC notes here.

• I've also got some notes on Running Atmel Studio 4 on Win10, as I saved an Atmel STK500 AVR programmer/dev board from the RML eWaste bin. If you need to parallel or HV program an Atmel AVR in DIP package, or HV program one on a board with an ISP header, I can probably help.

Useful Links

Plastics

[Hard to Bond Plastics?] - Henkel (Loctite)'s notes on bonding difficult plastics, surface treatments etc.

[Light Guide Techniques Using LED Lamps] - Notes on designing light guides, with an emphasis on efficient use of LED sources. Agilent Technologies' Application Brief I-003

Soldering & Brazing

[Soldering And Brazing] by 'Tubal Cain' (a pen-name of Tom Walsh), Workshop Practice series #09, Argus Books, ISBN-10: 0852428456

Screw Fasteners

Screw Drives - Wikipedia's list of screw head/driver types. Good for finding the proper name for that obscure screw head so you can try to buy a driver for it!