- Welcome to The Steampunk Forum at Brass Goggles.
The Lighter Side of Steampunk
News:
For Forum status and technical updates, follow @vonCorax on Twitter X, and @vonCorax@mastodon.social on Mastodon.
Recent posts
#71
Tactile / Re: Victorian Boombox Mark IV
Last post by J. Wilhelm - September 03, 2024, 04:05:44 AMAlright, so I lied. Well, I didn't lie, I changed my mind. I tackled the optical drive first and I'm still thinking about the radio/TV segments.
Partly, I decided to go with the optical drive first, because it's by far the easiest part of the peripherals to build. I just had to install the power USB hub inside, drill a hole through the back for an external USB jack, and then use the rest of the USB ports in the hub inside the box to connect whichever peripherals I need, including the optical drive. For the external USB jack housing I used the base of a wireless external Wi-Fi card I had somewhere in my electronics box. It looks very funky, but it's very strong, and I sort of like it (see picture below).
The only thing I don't like about my current setup is an external cable that does a loop with an ancient-format Mini USB plug into the back of the optical drive (see picture above). These types of USB jacks are hardly found outside of camera equipment, even though the optical drive was manufactured as early as 2023. This particular cable I'm talking about uses the mini USB plug for data coming from the optical drive, and then inside the boombox the same cable splits into another USB jack that connects to the deWalt power supply (this "Y-cable" is my "common rail" +5v voltage supply for all the peripherals and the hub, so it's rather important). The solution to that ugliness is to obtain a 4 wire flat ribbon cable and solder to a right angle Mini USB connector (if there's such an animal), and the other end of the Y-cable. I hate having to make special USB cables, but I've had to do it several times already, and it's rather simple because you're only dealing with 4 to 5 wires which are always color coded.
The approach to the installation of the disc drive was minimalist. The idea is that sometime in the future either I'll have to replace the drive due to wear and tear or maybe adapt another drive, such s a laptop optical drive (yeah I know they don't exist anymore- well, they do if you don't mind installing a refurbished drive made in 2012). Laptop drives have their advantages and disadvantages. They tend to be older, but they're slightly more durable, have a rather beefy 13 pin (mini?) SATA + power connector, and there is a cornucopia of brands that made laptop drives in the same format, so you're always able to find a replacement like the other one I have (see below and notice it has a Y cable as well).
I decided to mount the optical drive by gluing to its sides a pair of rounded molding pieces. I went out of my way to isolate the drive from possible vibrations from the bottom of the boombox by using four minuscule rubber washers, and a double layer of heavy duty 3M mounting tape. Four brass screws are used to secure the side molding to the boombox case.
Theoretically, this drive can be replaced sometime later on in the future (crosses fingers).
Which brings me to my next point: this whole boombox peripheral setup has proven to be remarkably sound in terms of heat and power management. If you remember, these were two big issues in the middle of the build, and the computer was rather sensitive to both heat and lack of power. I solved the two issues by isolating heat sources from one another, basically by mounting the peripherals externally, rather than inside of the box, by thinking "out of the box" quite literally. The computer and screen are isolated from the amplifier. The disc drive is isolated from everything else, and there are multiple redundant power connections all interconnected with the same "common rail" voltage. This is a novel approach that you don't see in traditional commercial devices, where the tendency is to pack as many components, as closely as possible inside a single box. So overheating is inevitable without proper ventilation.
Partly, I decided to go with the optical drive first, because it's by far the easiest part of the peripherals to build. I just had to install the power USB hub inside, drill a hole through the back for an external USB jack, and then use the rest of the USB ports in the hub inside the box to connect whichever peripherals I need, including the optical drive. For the external USB jack housing I used the base of a wireless external Wi-Fi card I had somewhere in my electronics box. It looks very funky, but it's very strong, and I sort of like it (see picture below).
The only thing I don't like about my current setup is an external cable that does a loop with an ancient-format Mini USB plug into the back of the optical drive (see picture above). These types of USB jacks are hardly found outside of camera equipment, even though the optical drive was manufactured as early as 2023. This particular cable I'm talking about uses the mini USB plug for data coming from the optical drive, and then inside the boombox the same cable splits into another USB jack that connects to the deWalt power supply (this "Y-cable" is my "common rail" +5v voltage supply for all the peripherals and the hub, so it's rather important). The solution to that ugliness is to obtain a 4 wire flat ribbon cable and solder to a right angle Mini USB connector (if there's such an animal), and the other end of the Y-cable. I hate having to make special USB cables, but I've had to do it several times already, and it's rather simple because you're only dealing with 4 to 5 wires which are always color coded.
The approach to the installation of the disc drive was minimalist. The idea is that sometime in the future either I'll have to replace the drive due to wear and tear or maybe adapt another drive, such s a laptop optical drive (yeah I know they don't exist anymore- well, they do if you don't mind installing a refurbished drive made in 2012). Laptop drives have their advantages and disadvantages. They tend to be older, but they're slightly more durable, have a rather beefy 13 pin (mini?) SATA + power connector, and there is a cornucopia of brands that made laptop drives in the same format, so you're always able to find a replacement like the other one I have (see below and notice it has a Y cable as well).
I decided to mount the optical drive by gluing to its sides a pair of rounded molding pieces. I went out of my way to isolate the drive from possible vibrations from the bottom of the boombox by using four minuscule rubber washers, and a double layer of heavy duty 3M mounting tape. Four brass screws are used to secure the side molding to the boombox case.
Theoretically, this drive can be replaced sometime later on in the future (crosses fingers).
Which brings me to my next point: this whole boombox peripheral setup has proven to be remarkably sound in terms of heat and power management. If you remember, these were two big issues in the middle of the build, and the computer was rather sensitive to both heat and lack of power. I solved the two issues by isolating heat sources from one another, basically by mounting the peripherals externally, rather than inside of the box, by thinking "out of the box" quite literally. The computer and screen are isolated from the amplifier. The disc drive is isolated from everything else, and there are multiple redundant power connections all interconnected with the same "common rail" voltage. This is a novel approach that you don't see in traditional commercial devices, where the tendency is to pack as many components, as closely as possible inside a single box. So overheating is inevitable without proper ventilation.
Mk. IV with the optical drive tray open. The computer power switch doubles
as a lamp bright enough to illuminate the tray and disc.
as a lamp bright enough to illuminate the tray and disc.
#72
Off Topic / Re: GAAAAAHHHHHH Mk.VI: The Re...
Last post by Justin Time - September 03, 2024, 03:47:55 AMQuote from: rovingjack on September 03, 2024, 02:59:04 AM... But something is wrecking my ability to function, and it's real.
I'm sorry you're having such a rough time. The medical community really sucks sometimes. "It's just nerves, try to calm down" or "it's all in your head" were always my favorite things to hear from doctors
If you can, get your "doctor" to give you an undated, physical lab sheet that you can keep on you and take to a lab any time you have symptoms. That was the only way they finally diagnosed my Graves Disease with Hashimoto's Syndrome (my thyroid was seriously effed up).
Sorry if this comes off as sticking my nose in too much.
JIT
#73
Off Topic / Re: GAAAAAHHHHHH Mk.VI: The Re...
Last post by rovingjack - September 03, 2024, 02:59:04 AMQuote from: Justin Time on August 27, 2024, 05:28:37 PMQuote from: rovingjack on August 17, 2024, 02:06:44 AM...my flairs/episodes of shakiness are way more obvious when they happen, I'd pretty much recovered from symptoms milder than this before spring
Have you had your thyroid checked? Thyroid trouble is often overlooked in the US and the blood work (TSH & T3 levels) to check it MUST be during the manifesting of symptoms. I cannot stress that enough; if you aren't having a shaking episode when blood is drawn, the test will be useless.
Sleeplessness, racing thoughts and tremors are very common symptoms of hyperthyroidism which can be genetic or come about due to extreme or constant stress. The thyroid is dismissed by many "Doctors" as "minor", but if a thyroid problem is left untreated it can become very serious, even fatal.
Not trying to freak you out, just the facts as I've personally experienced them.
JIT
I've mentioned it to docs who schedule a single blood test for weeks or months later.
I've a half sister who recently got diagnosed with hashimotos.
I brought it up because in the thick of my 2 month severe sleep deprivation we I had unrelated procedures which came with fasting blood sugar tests that came back just above 100, I have some hand shakes, I am 6'2" walked 2 miles a day and ate less than 1500 calories a day, sometimes less than 900 calories. yet I gained 15 pounds in the last year. fatigue, panic attacks, digestive upset, muscle and bone pain, temperature intolerances (both cold and heat)... and a few other issues. But there's a boat load of dismissal being given to me.
I'm not saying it is or isn't thyroid or my cinnamon being recalled for lead levels after I'd used it all, or post COVID stuff, or an undiagnosed underlying condition... But something is wrecking my ability to function, and it's real.
#74
Tactile / Re: That 'big project' I've be...
Last post by James Harrison - September 02, 2024, 05:19:27 PMQuote from: SeVeNeVeS on August 31, 2024, 11:33:48 AMQuote from: James Harrison on August 26, 2024, 11:26:38 AMSo, now I have the fun task of deciding what will be on the 2025 Programme. Watch this space, I guess.
Maybe pull the bath out and do it right, it still leaks, don't look great and is a basic bodge on top of a bodge on top of bad fitting in the first place. Ditch the shower curtain and install a screen for a drip free shower experience.
Love the rest and I particularly like the fact you took time to line up the tiles on the boxing.
The devil is in the details.
Bit harsh I know, but there you go, all round a grand job.
I don't disagree that there are a few compromises and rough edges and bits that could do with being improved.
But if I were to set that as a target next year, it would feel that the project has stalled. The room is now actually in a usable state and I don't think I want to be taking it back from that anytime soon unless I absolutely have to.
I have a few ideas of what I want to do next year, but no idea yet what form that will take. It will be another part of the house though.
#75
Textual / Re: The New New Brass Goggles ...
Last post by von Corax - September 02, 2024, 04:32:27 AMI have added my treatise on the categories of Underling.
#76
Textual / Re: The New New Brass Goggles ...
Last post by von Corax - September 02, 2024, 02:13:48 AMMorozow has added a page for the Steampunk Party in St Petersburg.
Perhaps some enterprising member could create a page for the Lincoln Asylum, which recently appeared in my Google Discover feed.
Perhaps some enterprising member could create a page for the Lincoln Asylum, which recently appeared in my Google Discover feed.
#77
Off Topic / Re: Hilarious pictures you've ...
Last post by morozow - September 01, 2024, 06:10:55 PMFrom September 1st. Knowledge Day.
#78
Tactile / Re: That 'big project' I've be...
Last post by SeVeNeVeS - August 31, 2024, 11:33:48 AMQuote from: James Harrison on August 26, 2024, 11:26:38 AMSo, now I have the fun task of deciding what will be on the 2025 Programme. Watch this space, I guess.
Maybe pull the bath out and do it right, it still leaks, don't look great and is a basic bodge on top of a bodge on top of bad fitting in the first place. Ditch the shower curtain and install a screen for a drip free shower experience.
Love the rest and I particularly like the fact you took time to line up the tiles on the boxing.
The devil is in the details.
Bit harsh I know, but there you go, all round a grand job.
#79
The Engine Room / Re: Stand By to Repel Boarders...
Last post by RJBowman - August 30, 2024, 04:22:33 PMHere's another spammer:
https://brassgoggles.net/forum/index.php/topic,54421.0/topicseen.html
https://brassgoggles.net/forum/index.php/topic,54421.0/topicseen.html
#80
Anatomical / Re: Steampunk Confectionery "S...
Last post by ominouzzz - August 30, 2024, 12:15:47 PMI recently discovered an interesting website with various chocolate creations: https://www.barbara-luijckx.com/barbara-decor/. They also have some inspiring desserts and recipes.