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Sci Fi Your Pi
Blog Sci Fi Your Pi: PiDesk - Project Update #8
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  • Author Author: fvan
  • Date Created: 7 Jun 2015 4:11 PM Date Created
  • Views 1856 views
  • Likes 4 likes
  • Comments 14 comments
  • design_challenge
  • touch_motion_controls
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Sci Fi Your Pi: PiDesk - Project Update #8

fvan
fvan
7 Jun 2015

Previous posts for this project:

  • Sci Fi Your Pi: PiDesk - Project Description
  • Sci Fi Your Pi: PiDesk - Project Update #1
  • Sci Fi Your Pi: PiDesk - Guide: Setting Up the Raspberry Pi 2
  • Sci Fi Your Pi: PiDesk - Project Update #2
  • Sci Fi Your Pi: PiDesk - Review: Bare Conductive Touch Board
  • Sci Fi Your Pi: PiDesk - Project Update #3
  • Sci Fi Your Pi: PiDesk - Guide: Stepper Motors with Gertbot
  • Sci Fi Your Pi: PiDesk - Project Update #4
  • Sci Fi Your Pi: PiDesk - Project Update #5
  • Sci Fi Your Pi: PiDesk - Guide: Controlling NeoPixels with the Raspberry Pi A+/B+
  • Sci Fi Your Pi: PiDesk - Project Update #6
  • Sci Fi Your Pi: PiDesk - Project Update #7

 

  • Project Update

 

Project Update

image

 

The weeks are flying by at incredible speed. I also managed to lose my wallet last weekend causing a lot of administrative headaches to block bank cards, request new identity card and driver license, etc ... Some things move more quickly than others and I already have a bank card, which I used to purchase some of the components for the project.

 

First, I ordered a 5m addressable LED strip from eBay, to be integrated in the desk, as the tests using the Raspberry Pi to drive a 1m version were successful. It should take about two weeks to get here, giving me enough time to make the necessary shapes in the desk's surface to put them in.

 

Then, a trip to Ikea was in order. I knew which desk I wanted for my project, the shortest path to its location and the shortest path to the exit. The plan was perfect, in and out in 10 minutes. There was just one issue: my wife tagged along for the ride. Needless to say she needed to see the entire store to get some ideas, picked up some extra items, wanted my opinion on new sofas, etc ... Can anyone relate (please say you can ...) ? Anyway, the trip took much longer than expected, but I have the desk I wanted for my project, for less than 10 EUR (I already had a set of legs).

 

Finally, a trip to the hardware store to get a new tool: an oscillating multitool. I figured this would make it easier to perform controlled cuts in the desk's surface without having to slice through completely (cheap Ikea desks have some kind of cardboard mesh inside). It's a tool I'll be able to use for many other things, so I consider it a good investment for the future.

 

So, more of a preparation week, as I move on to the actual build of the project. I'll be drawing some patterns on the desk next week and hopefully start making some cuts.

 

Stay tuned!

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Top Comments

  • DAB
    DAB over 10 years ago +2
    Good move, I use my multitool often around the house and on projects. DAB
  • mcb1
    mcb1 over 10 years ago in reply to shabaz +2
    I'll ring Jude tomorrow to check. I'll see if he has the pdf he can send me. Mark
  • fvan
    fvan over 10 years ago in reply to escapeman +2
    That's very convenient, my knowledge is limited to "kötbullar" As you may have seen in Sci Fi Your Pi: PiDesk - Project Update #9 I had no feelings of guilt taking the tool to the table
Parents
  • Workshopshed
    Workshopshed over 10 years ago

    Not tried those oscillating multitools, would be interested to see how they perform.

    After visiting our local Ikea regularly for about 7 years now I've just about worked out the subtleties of the showcase maze. We've also a "junk" area in ours which I often purchase small pieces of metal from.

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  • mcb1
    mcb1 over 10 years ago in reply to Workshopshed

    Workshopshed

    Andy 'The Shed' magazine did a test on a number of them available locally.

    The biggest difference they found was in the blade performance.

     

    It was also important to let the blade do the cutting.

     

    Mark

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  • Workshopshed
    Workshopshed over 10 years ago in reply to mcb1

    I've read "The Shed" it's a good magazine but the postage to the UK costs more than the magazine itself.

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  • shabaz
    shabaz over 10 years ago in reply to Workshopshed

    Hi Andy,

     

    Check out the digital edition which is good value - I too originally wanted the paper edition but as you say that is not cost-effective.

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  • Workshopshed
    Workshopshed over 10 years ago in reply to shabaz

    Once the challenge is over I may have some free time to do things like reading magazines etc image

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  • mcb1
    mcb1 over 10 years ago in reply to shabaz

    I can't get into my Digital Edition ...

    Maybe he's cut me off ...image

     

    It's in the Aug-Sept 2012 but I suppose that isn't any help ..

     

    Mark

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  • shabaz
    shabaz over 10 years ago in reply to mcb1

    I can't seem to access the content to that particular issue either. Page 4 of it renders, but the other pages appear blank. The other issues seem ok, but I also noticed any issue older than April/May 2013 is only viewable and not downloadable from what I can tell.

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  • shabaz
    shabaz over 10 years ago in reply to mcb1

    I can't seem to access the content to that particular issue either. Page 4 of it renders, but the other pages appear blank. The other issues seem ok, but I also noticed any issue older than April/May 2013 is only viewable and not downloadable from what I can tell.

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  • mcb1
    mcb1 over 10 years ago in reply to shabaz

    I'll ring Jude tomorrow to check.

    I'll see if he has the pdf he can send me.

     

    Mark

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