This year I finally attended the Vintage Computer Festival West at Computer History Museum in Mountain View, CA.

My own computing roots are in the Atari 8-bit, which during my childhood was the most popular machine in Poland. Today my vintage interests revolve around nostalgia and working on small hardware/software projects recreating some of the 8-bit feel.

#computers #diy

Amateur Radio’s Field Day ¹ is the last weekend of June. And this year it was my deadline to build and get my HF QRP station on the air. I’ve been working towards this goal on and off, slowly but surely for over two years. While SSB and digital modes are interesting, I found the basic low power CW and minimal equipment to be fascinating.

#hamradio #diy

Microsoft Windows 10 will be unsupported as of October 2025. The upgrade requirements will effectively obsolete a lot of older still performant machines OR expose their users to security vulnerabilities.

While the upgrade from Windows 10 to 11 is free, Microsoft is forcing unreasonable requirements. I go over the important ones and work around others to upgrade my living room SteamPowered gaming computer.

#diy #computers

The filament spool roller on FLSUN SR 3d-printer (their base-model) is nothing more than a simple metal tray against which the spool will loudly overcome the friction and skid around.

During one cold evening I designed and printed a replacement roller using supplies I already had in my workshop.

#3dprinting #diy

Our family car has a roll-up trunk cover which protects its contents from prying eyes. The sliding mechanism relies on two pins, protruding from brackets in the cover, to slide forward and backward within the trunk.

Recently one of the pins broke and I replaced it with a 3d printed part.

#3dprinting #diy #cars

I’m making available my CWmouse iambic paddle for purchase.

I designed it for my own use as a lightweight, hand-held, portable paddle based on micro-switches. Use of these switches gives it a crisp action not unlike that of a mouse button or a mechanical keyboard.

I’m so happy with the final result, that I decided sell them.

For more information, high resolution pictures and to order one, visit cwmouse.com.

#hamradio #3dprinting #diy #cwmouse

Year is ending and we all make end year summaries. Here is a great presentation on personal #project #priorities , choices and #finishing . Make #2025 projects finish!! #diy #engineering https://youtu.be/4jgTCayWlwc?si=AiufutZmCuLV19pv

#devel #diy #masto2hugo

My budget 3d printer is ready for duty. To me it is a tool and I expect reliable printing. Speed & finish are secondary, but it needs to make strong prints which are dimensionally accurate. #FLSun SR #upgrades to make it that: - Capricorn bowden tube - PEI magnetic build plate - upgraded fan shrouds (printed) - filament roller (printed) - LED lights (mounts printed) - tripod webcam adapter (printed) - #octoprint setup - lots of calibration and tuning

#3dprinting #diy #masto2hugo

#diy #engine #dehumidifier . Even when hangared, aircraft engines will go through temperature cycles and ingest humid air which condenses on metal parts causing corrosion. A solution is a closed loop system pumping dry air through oil filler neck and collecting “exhaust” via the breather. Instead of paying hundreds $ I built my own for $50. The 6lb of dessicant will require reconditioning every few months - TBD.

#diy #aviation #c140 #masto2hugo

To maximize longevity of my #generator I prepared 1Gal of ethanol free gasoline. Since ethanol will bind with water, all that is needed is some #chemtrails liquid!! I used a clear fuel resistant container, fabricated a drain nipple and used 0.2Gal of dyed chemtrails. Add 0.5Gal gasoline, mix well and settle for 12 hours. With 10% ethanol, 0.25Gal dyed water will settle and can be drained. That + fuel stabilizer + marvel oil is good for at least 12 months.

#diy #mechanic #masto2hugo

Nice clear post-frontal #weather after the “Bomb Cyclone” passed with rain and reasonable wind. Beforehand, I got the generator out for a 6mo run, it fired right up and I ran it for 20min to flush the carb. As a test, I tried operating the fridge on #generator . This “1800W” Pulsar can run in non-power saving medium rpm mode & governs up as load increases, BUT! not fast enough for fridge compressor to not stall. I would see 1000W for 3sec and then fridge would give up :/ #diy …continued…

#diy #masto2hugo

6mo maintenance day. Rotated tires + had them re-balanced. Old school oil change every 3k miles, but I save time with an oil extractor pump. Using FRAM Ultra Synthetic filters rated for 20k miles I change the filter every 3rd oil change. Between frequent oil changes and Idemitsu GF6 synth I hope to make 200k+ :) Washed exterior, detailed, vacuumed, washed interior upholstery, conditioned plastics & leather. Even splurged on a new car smell air freshener :)

#diy #cars #miata #mechanic #masto2hugo

Another weekend #diy project - 20-30% power increase on #Honda #Grom . These are made for affordable, reliable, daily transportation - which means lots of power is “left on the table”. I already have high flow exhaust, so remaining easy power upgrades were: intake, camshaft and ECU retune. Went with Chimera short ram intake, Decha Performance HR camshaft and DHM ECU stage2 retune. Now the motor keeps pulling hard above 7k whereas before it ran out of breath.

#diy #motorcycles #mechanic #masto2hugo

#ATGATT - All The Gear All The Time is a good way to increase #motorcycle safety. I wear full length gear, including chest and rib armor, along with full height adventure boots. Using the gear should be painless, convenient and quick. In my case the pain was old freestanding always wanting to tip coat hanger. Then I had a wall mounted replacement, but it was crowded. Today I grabbed some 2x4, wall anchors and hooks and solved it for real!

#diy #motorcycles #cars #masto2hugo

#Honda #Grom seat is quite uncomfortable and this weekend I fixed it. I used an aftermarket high-grip skin and a 2.5cm thick gel pad. I also re-profiled the seat to round out an annoying ridge between front&back. I was hoping for a straight across shape (motocross style) but didn’t have foam + hotwire to build it up. It looks 8/10, high grip, and comfort got a big upgrade. Not bad for a first attempt.

#diy #motorcycles #mechanic #masto2hugo

Today #diy replaced another switch + #repaired the shell with baking soda and super glue. Next time I’ll use Japanese Omron switches :) #Logitech #trackman #marble is my pointing device for last 20 years. Introduced with PS/2 in 2002, later revised for USB + 4-buttons and discontinued in ~2022. On amazon a new-old-stock from Logitech sells for $209!!! On ebay new one sells for $150 and used for $45. I have three units. My daily driver already had 2 switches replaced and another 1 switch.

#diy #masto2hugo

Got a fancy #cwmorse .us machined aluminum #cw key. Dual paddle, ball bearings, magnetic tension and base, and fully adjustable. Very precise and a big upgrade from the 3d printed #cwmorse unit. I started with their single 3dp paddle and added stronger springs but it didn’t feel consistent. This one DOES! Some downsides: loud contact clicks, need to hold horizontal due to heavy arms, can’t touch tension adjustment screw when operating. Rating it 8 while #3dp was 4.

#3dprinting #diy #hamradio #cw #masto2hugo

I bought #honda #grom for 3 reasons: - a) as customize and mod project (cheap) - b) get comfortable working on engine internals (cheap) - c) learn to wheelie (cheap and non-intimidating) I’ve been shopping for stunt bars (see c) and finally decided on #AngryStuntz unit - reasonably priced, beefy, should work with most tail tidys. Install was quick, but I needed to trim the tidy to make it all fit under the bars + drilled out from metric to imp.

#diy #motorcycles #mechanic #masto2hugo

The replacement “premium” gasket for clutch-side engine cover arrived. 3x the price of #Honda cork-n-paper but worth it!! Strong fiber base + nice silicone bead. I laid the bike down, kept oil in, didn’t make a mess, gasket wasn’t sliding during installation and I was done in 20min. Previously, I had the #Grom on a stand and considered laying it down too hacky. But! that way is superior - better lighting, no mess, gasket doesn’t slide…

#diy #motorcycles #mechanic #masto2hugo

Another weekend project, this time Honda Grom. Todo: remove oil spinner, install high flow oil pump with rear pickup, install 60% over clutch springs and billet lift plate with six bolts, and a Kitaco clutch cover with cartridge oil filter. This will make oil changes a 5min job, will flow 30% more oil for better cooling and no oil starvation when front wheel is off the ground!! Clutch upgrade fixes OEM’s slippage. Spinner removal saves 2.5lb!!

#diy #motorcycles #mechanic #masto2hugo

Done with #KTM #Babyduke 390 \o/ Installed aftermarket airbox cover filter under the seat. Doubles intake filtered surface area for moar power & sound! Previous owner damaged threads of fairing nut plates by trying to use non-metric bolts. Chased threads with a M6 tap, epoxied cracked catches and replaced one broken catch with a hardwood block + a wood screw!! :) Finally quickened the throttle via Powertronics: 80% twist gives 100% power! whoa!

#diy #motorcycles #mechanic #masto2hugo

With bike on stand and waiting for parts, I couldn’t resist finding something to do. The rear lamp was crooked, so took tail apart & found alignment studs cracked - ordered new lamp. Then upgraded mirrors, ordered intake mod which adds filtered air-path from under the seat and backed up the PowerTronics. Old 112-link chain was stretched a WHOLE link - it NEEDED replacing -> bling orange EK. Waiting for more parts :) No 10mm wrenches were lost 😆

#diy #motorcycles #mechanic #masto2hugo

Drivetrain service on #KTM “Baby-Duke” 390 after I measured the chain stretch and it was out of spec. Installed new rear spools, removed the old chain, old front and rear sprockets, removed 4mm of grime in the front sprocket housing, cleaned the chain guides and serviced the air filter. Now I must wait for new parts. I already changed the oil, bled the brakes and flushed with new brake fluid in the spring. 10k miles on this motorcycle so far!!

#diy #motorcycles #mechanic #masto2hugo

This is what happens when hobbies spill over - #motorcycles #cars :) The overhaul included new wheels, new dual ignition, new spark plugs, new injectors, new heat shields, new wiring and new instrumentation, along with a good cleaning. This is our ~7 year old #grill with a solid frame, but with rusted out hot side. I replaced $80 worth of parts and now it should last another 7 years :) No waste and it took less time than assembling a new grill.

#diy #mechanic #masto2hugo

For safety, while flying in backcountry or in case of an emergency, I protect my head against Cessna A-pillar with a Team Wendy SAR Tactical helmet. Recently my old headset died and I upgraded to David Clarke One-X. I engineered a new 3d printed Peltor mount for ear cups. DC’s have great design, where I attached an adapter onto existing #4-40 post and bolted through it. PLA here works only in compression.

#3dprinting #motorcycles #aviation #diy #masto2hugo

Q. Are these rims safe to use if i dress up and smooth out the damage? Dont care about looks too much - just safety.

followup:

After discussing with engineer friends, gear heads and car nuts, I determined these are salvageable. A determined #diy hour later with 6" grinder and a heavy duty scotch brite wheel removed all stress risers. Now on to iso, alodyne, distilled water, wipe and paint.

#miata #diy #cars #masto2hugo

https://hackaday.io/project/190258-lm317-radiator-case 12V to 36V input, 9V output regulator for ham radio use with handheld Kenwood TH20A in a car.

#diy #3dprinting #hamradio #masto2hugo