The Garage: A craft-y type thread for handypeople

My workplace wants to get rid of old computer hardware. Among them Dell Axiom X31 and X51V PDAs in working order. Now, the regulations are that we're supposed to sell them before deeming them unsellable and throwing them in the trash, so the older models (three or four of them) are listed at some six bucks a piece, and the newer model is listed at 11 bucks.

Time to spend 17 bucks and start designing a wrist-mounted case for those things (most probably made of laser-cut acrylic, EVA foam and nylon straps). Because hey, if I can have a working PipBoy, I will have a working PipBoy! Sure, I'll have to plunk down another 11 to 15 bucks a piece on new batteries as the old ones are practically dead at this point (covered by the caveat emptor info), buy a SD card and learn how to make themes for old Windows Mobile, but hell, the possibilities are certainly interesting.

Can't decide on the Vault Suit trim: cartoonish canary yellow or a darker, gold-ish tone?

That's a tough one. You could compromise with a buff or straw yellow, I guess. :/

edited 29th Jun '15 3:06:39 PM by Euodiachloris

Once I get money I am going to get a sewing machine and make at least one floor length circle skirt. Quick to make, protects me from the sun, still remains cool, work appropriate, I feel like a princess.

Also much cheaper than buying one.

I've finally got myself a loom!

Well, it actually happened a month ago, but I've finally got time to post the result. This bracelet◊ definitely needs more work, but even this first try would look good with some hippie dress, I think.

I'm still churning out the knitting projects. Need to photograph some of them so I can put pics up on Ravelry (I'm "ozbourne" there too).

Mostly what I'm doing right now is blanket squares, since they're small enough to work on in summer weather, where bigger projects can get warm when they drape into your lap. 'Though I've got a sweater going too, working on it in the evening in my air conditioned room.

I really want to get into resin work, especially since my sister in law is a fashion designer. I would really like to make her a huge jar of handmade buttons and clasps to give her for a present.

I bought a broken joystick for one of those 8-bit computers. Y'know, one of those RS-232 ones.

Because pretty much all those heavy weapons in Fallout seem to have a joystick for the trigger. Sure, why not, my plasma cannon can too.

Also, as for the resin work, I was wondering about making some Helghast and WH 40 K Imperium themed buttons.

edited 25th Aug '15 2:20:01 PM by NotSoBadassLongcoat

For buttons and beads I really want to get into ceramics, but my house definitely doesn't have a place for a kiln

your projects are so fun.

the firing problem is the reason I was looking into resin. You can bake some clays but I don't know how strong that would be.

Turns out that I can build the plasma cannon out of random $8 things. Airsoft gun that looks like a pygmy M249? Eight bucks. Super Soaker with a detachable tank and a front that looks like a good barrel mount for the plasma cannon barrel? Eight bucks. An aluminium c-beam to serve as structural support? That's six bucks, even. And I still have a sixteen-inch perspex tube left over from my XCOM backpack project!

There are polymer clays, but they can be toxic, so I'd rather not go near that

Ooo, good point...ekk..

My plasma cannon project just hit a snag. I had to pretty much take the entire Arduino rig apart, hardware and software, in order to pinpoint the error.

After putting everything back together, it turns out that it works properly. It just needs an audio amp because the speaker is barely audible right now.

edited 2nd Sep '15 10:38:19 AM by NotSoBadassLongcoat

I'm working on a project for class which includes a costume. I have about a billion (note: may be a slight overestimation) yards of light purple polyester chiffon, and had no intention of cutting the stuff. So I draped a costume. I've got to say that was the funnest exercise ever. It's light and wonderfully sensitive! But I don't have to worry about getting dirt on it! (Even though I cleaned the floor anyway and took off my shoes.)

We're not obligated to finish projects, but I think I'm going to do it anyway and take a picture once I'm done. I've already spent two hours on this and it was fun!

It also involves a lot of beaded accessories.

I'd love to see the end results!

I've got to get back to sewing now that fall weather is here (i usually love to do yard work in the summer). Brielle has not yet decided on her halloween costume, so maybe I'll start on Little Guy's costume first.

So I ordered everything I need for the audio amp and 16-bit audio input. That and two superbright LE Ds, maybe they'll be enough and I won't have to splurge on a 3W Cree jobbie.

Progress picture.◊

I had three little pouches of black seed beads and basically decided to try and use them all up in this project. I'm on my second pouch. Over the past three days, I have spent eight fucking hours of work on this thing!!! Although I must admit, it is going splendidly. The most difficult part is, predictably, the netting.

Points if anyone wants to guess what it is!

edited 7th Sep '15 10:01:39 PM by Leradny

my guess issssss...a snood?

Nope!

Same costume, different component.◊ This is a belt!

It's not all black, by the way. The main costume is maybe 10 yards of a lavender chiffon. Polyester, but it still looks amazing when it's draped.

AAAARGH. The shop ran out of amp chips and will have a new delivery of those in the next two weeks. Since the rest of my order is useless without an amp chip, I told them to hold my order until it can be completed.

On the other hand, I think I can afford shopping for lasers at Dealextreme, even if I have to order $30 worth of overpriced cheap crap to get free shipping.

So, since a hardware chain store was opened in a nearby mall, I went to familiarize myself with the layout. And after I'm done building the plasma cannon, I think I'll give Gilgamesh Wulfenbach's Lightning Stick a go. All I need is an ATTiny85 chip, two LE Ds, a momentary switch, a triple AAA battery rack and a buzzer or a vibration motor for the worky bits, and a PET preform, a wooden dowel, some PVC pipes and perforated sheet metal for the aesthetics.

Oooh now that's a fandom I'd recognize! You should try making the heterodyne lamp too!!

Oh, that's funny. I made the zappy stick for my kid's Halloween costume last year. I used a dowel, some wood finials, a test tube with screw-on cap from a child's science activity kit, and a blue glowstick folded in half. :D

The spawn wishes to be the Joker for Halloween, complete with giant hammer.

I can make a suit, but I am not sure where to proceed with the Hammer. I want it strong enough to let him swing it around, but not do too much damage...

That is a hard balance.

I've made larping weapons. This will be hard.