fff

travel the world with beasts in your trunk: buy a wagon.

(I've been listening to MUCH James Harriet, often while sleeping, so my inner monologue features constant mention of silliness like pouring one’s self a measure and dapper dreadful and champion splendor, all delivered in a perfect english metronome. It's annoying, really.)

fff is something my family invented in the late 80's and stands for "Forced Family Fun."

(one of those three f's is meant to be ironic, James.)

Abstract

Arc welding machines are large, heavy devices that transform an alternating current (AC) input into a high-current, low-voltage, direct current (DC) output. These machines traditionally require electromagnetic transformers that account for the large size and weight. While the cost of high power silicon devices has been decreasing, the cost of steal and copper required for electromagnetic components has been increasing. This parity has created an opportunity for a cost effective DC switching welder to be introduced to the consumer market. Under the commission of a local welding equipment manufacturer, this study sets out to develop and prototype the electronics necessary for an affordable, portable battery-powered welding machine. The design is implemented with a high current buck switching circuit as well as an assortment of feedback, control and safety circuitry necessary to complete the product. Using simulation, bench validation and the bounds of real world cost limitations, this project will develop a market-ready welder.

Truck update

Though undocumented, i have been putting a tiny amount of time and money into the ratty rat truck. (Or as some call her, "El Burrito.") It doesn't have much interior, which is how i like it, but I did miss having a light in the cab. So i decided to build a rat rod appropriate LED light using the rear dome from an old bicycle light.



Departing from the norm, I decided to use small, low power LEDs rather than the usual face-melting monster lights that would require fans and heat management and all that noise. Simple components with a nice cap on to add the fancy "Dimming" effect that seems to be all the rage in them cars from this generation.



Then i built a bend arm using a ball-and-lock jiggy from one of those "helping hands" project holders. And because the truck has no head liner, I'm an aspiring weld-master and this is a rat truck, i done welded the mount in place.



And then i gave it a switch.



And now it works like a champ. Sturdy, metal, bright and Low power with 360 degrees of rotation. Made with parts from the basement. Biggity.

Stupid 7

Stupid 7

Why are fractions of 7 so much harder than the other 8 digits?

1/1 = 1. This gets better, I swear.
1/2 = Half. Its a half. See my point yet?
1/3 = A Third. .3333 forever. Well known.
1/4 = A Quarter. Half a Half. Also Currency.
1/5 = 20% -> 0.20
1/6 = Probably second place to the Stupid 7, but just half a third. 0.17ish
1/7 = WHO THE FUCK KNOWS?
1/8 = Half a quarter. Mental math. 0.125
1/9 = Anything over 9 is that anything repeating. 2/9? 0.22222. Also, a third of a third.


Grad school is almost over. I feel... Different