Difference between revisions of "Todd Welsh"
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I am new to this making thing. If I need to solve a problem with software I can write it myself, download it or more likely modify downloaded code. If I need to solve a problem with hardware... I don't know where to begin. I read this online book: http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/ It does pretty well until you get to transistors. | I am new to this making thing. If I need to solve a problem with software I can write it myself, download it or more likely modify downloaded code. If I need to solve a problem with hardware... I don't know where to begin. I read this online book: http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/ It does pretty well until you get to transistors. | ||
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| + | I enjoyed the arduino class dry run. It was my first time soldering anything substantial. No (bad) burns. Once I got the hand of my soldering iron (It is a little slow to heat up) everything went great. I just need a few changes to be able to connect the arduino board to my power supply / board and I will be set. | ||
To get started, I bought several "packs" from digikey and some others. A couple of solderless breadboards. I'm working my way through a power supply from here: http://www.play-hookey.com/analog/experiments/plus_5_volt_ps.html | To get started, I bought several "packs" from digikey and some others. A couple of solderless breadboards. I'm working my way through a power supply from here: http://www.play-hookey.com/analog/experiments/plus_5_volt_ps.html | ||
Revision as of 15:26, 23 December 2009
Todd Welsh
Computer Programmer (VB.net)
Hobbies: Beekeeping, Tae Kwon Do instructor
I am new to this making thing. If I need to solve a problem with software I can write it myself, download it or more likely modify downloaded code. If I need to solve a problem with hardware... I don't know where to begin. I read this online book: http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/ It does pretty well until you get to transistors.
I enjoyed the arduino class dry run. It was my first time soldering anything substantial. No (bad) burns. Once I got the hand of my soldering iron (It is a little slow to heat up) everything went great. I just need a few changes to be able to connect the arduino board to my power supply / board and I will be set.
To get started, I bought several "packs" from digikey and some others. A couple of solderless breadboards. I'm working my way through a power supply from here: http://www.play-hookey.com/analog/experiments/plus_5_volt_ps.html
Next I would like to make an altoid tin soldering fume extractor: http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2008/04/diy_fume_extractor_1.html.
From there I think I should be able to tackle this solder practice kit: http://www.makershed.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MKEL2 and the learn to solder kit http://www.makershed.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MKEL4
I forsee a chicken-and-egg problem because the fume extractor requires soldering and I would like to have the fume extractor while I practice soldering....
Projects I am thinking about long term: 1) I want to make some kind of remote monitoring device for beehives where It would sms/tweet/blog/whatever the status of the hive. It would have to be solar power or low power/battery. For communication I would like to use a cheap old cellphone. There are several DIY projects on line that say how to do parts of this. It is just a matter of mashing them all together for my pupose. 2) An interface that would translate buttton presses from a game controller to keyboard buttons in the OS via USB. I'm trying to figure out a way to do it cheaply. (keyboard controller chips are more expensive than cheap keyboards!?!?.) Static electricity will be an issue.
