GetLoFi 4017 Sequencer Kit Implementation

post from GetLoFi - Circuit Bending Synth DIY on 16 March 2010 11:56:53 PM. © GetLoFi - Circuit Bending Synth DIY

The 4017 Sequencer Kit has been available for quite some time, however the documentation has been rather lacking. Aside from that fact that it makes a great 8 step trigger circuit we have not even tried it as a Control Voltage (CV) source until now.Go get started the Sequencer circuit board needs 3 Input connections. [...]

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http://www.getlofi.com/?p=2726

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Tute Tuesday: Beaded Leaf Jewelry

post from Craftster.org Blog on 16 March 2010 10:56:00 PM. © Craftster.org Blog

Where would we be without beadizzygrl? We’d be without awesome bead tutorials like this one, that’s for sure. She created these absolutely perfect photo tutorials for the Russian St. Petersburg leaf, as well as a few others, from seed beads. Thank you for sharing, beadizzygrl!

To see this project on Craftster click here: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=341161.0

To see related projects on Craftster, check out the JEWELRY AND TRINKETS > Beads: Completed Projects board here: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?board=166.0

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http://www.craftster.org/blog/?p=7763

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Mar 17, Ridge

post from DIY-blog on 16 March 2010 10:43:16 PM. © DIY-blog

A graphical glossary definition of a roof ridge,

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http://www.builderbill-diy-help.com/ridge.html

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How Toyota VVTi works

post from Engine Modification And Maintenance (4G93T,2ZZGE,4AGE) on 16 March 2010 08:24:00 PM. © Engine Modification And Maintenance (4G93T,2ZZGE,4AGE)

In this post, I will like to post out something about Toyota technology VVTi which describe as Variable Valve Timing-intelligent. VVT-i is a way to enhance performance, economy and emissions through control of the phasing, or timing, of an engine?s camshafts.

The valves that admit air-fuel mixture into the engine?s combustion chambers, and that open to allow the burned gasses to be pushed out as exhaust, are controlled by egg-shaped lobes on these camshafts, as you see on the image to the left.
The shape of those lobes, and their positioning on the shaft, determine a cam?s timing. In most cases, cam timing is fixed, and that means that it?s a compromise that provides optimal performance only at the speed at which the engine is likely to do most of its work.

But engines operate over a wide range of speeds, from an idle speed of about 600 rpm to a peak speed of more than 6,000 rpm. What if cam timing could be optimized over the engine?s entire operating range?
That?s precisely what VVT-i does. Using a combination of electronics and hydraulics, VVT-i allows the intake cam to change phase, or timing, over a range of about 30 degrees. Changing the cam timing improves engine breathing at all rpm because the combustion chambers get an optimized volume of air/fuel mixture over a broader range of conditions. The result is more power, more torque, reduced emissions and enhanced fuel economy.
But what if we were able to change the phase of not just the intake cam, but also the exhaust cam? That?s exactly what Dual VVT-i does. By varying the phasing of the exhaust cam by about 30 degrees, we can vary the phasing of the intake cam by a wider range ? by about 45 degrees. That means there?s a broader range over which we can open and close the intake valves. And that means we can extract still more power, torque, economy and better emissions.
The way this all works is that a computer controls an oil pump, which controls an oil pressure valve. This valve controls oil pressure in two chambers of the cam-sprocket housing. Based on the oil pressure on both sides of a cam vane inside the sprocket housing, seen here in the below image, the cam?s timing will advance or retard. More oil pressure on one side of the vane rotates the cam in one direction, more oil pressure on the other side of the vane rotates it the other way. This of course is independent of its basic operational rotation, which is provided by the cam?s chain drive.
The oil pressure that controls cam position is, in its turn, based on rpm, load and throttle input. It?s all quite nicely and efficiently managed; the system?s operation is seamless, and works as quickly as a computer can think. Applied to any of our engines, dual VVT-i results in 10-12% more horsepower and torque, and in improved efficiency.
The system also performs the function of exhaust-gas recirculation (EGR) without the external hardware usually associated with this function. It works by leaving the intake valve open just a little, early on the piston?s exhaust stroke. This lets the piston blow a little exhaust gas back into the intake tract ? which is basically what an external EGR system does. So there?s no need for a separate EGR system.
There?s another benefit, as well. Use of VVT-i basically trumps cylinder deactivation. Cylinder deactivation, of course, is a way to burn less fuel by allowing a V8 engine, for instance, to run on as few as four cylinders. But cylinder deactivation works best on unladen vehicle driven at small throttle openings. If you add a load or if you accelerate, the engine has to work harder, so it picks up cylinders again and becomes a full V8. The benefits of the technology disappear. Indeed, testing has shown that it?s hard to keep these engines in cylinder-deactivation mode. If you accelerate or add a load, they go to full V8 mode, and you lose the benefits of the system.
VVT-i, on the other hand, is active all the time. It provides its benefits all the time, loaded or unloaded, to optimize economy, emissions and horsepower. That?s why we?re so enthusiastic about it.

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http://www.ben9166.com/2010/03/how-toyota-vvti-works.html

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You Light Up My… Steak

post from Toolmonger: The Week In Tools on 16 March 2010 08:01:00 PM. © Toolmonger: The Week In Tools

For some of you, grilling weather may be approaching or already here. For others, there’s no such thing as “grill weather” or “grill time,” since ALL the time is grill time. As a member of the latter group, I was researching grill lights since it’s often already dark outside by dinnertime. Until now we’ve been relying on a giant, 20-lb., retina-searing emergency lamp, but it looks like more fitting options can be had.

The Weber 7516 Grill Out Handle Light, pictured above, runs about $25 and gets pretty good reviews at Amazon [What’s This?]. The Weber light is made for Weber grills, of course, and has a sensor that turns the light on and off automatically as you open and shut the grill lid. A few reviewers mention that you need to remember to turn off the power switch on the light so it doesn’t drain the batteries.

The Brinkmann LED clamp-on grill light [What’s This?] runs about $23. The manufacturer claims it’s fine in wet weather, and it comes with 3 AAA batteries.

The 6-LED clip-on grill light from Chefs Basics [What’s This?] is less expensive at just $12, has a wide, flat grip spring clamp, and a long bendable neck. Plus, it looks a lot like Johnny-5 (or WALL-E for you young’uns), and that alone is a positive for me.

The Maverick GL-03 Cordless LED light [What’s This?] is a similar wide-clamp style, bendable-neck type with a stainless office-lamp looking head. Maverick’s name is well known in barbecue accessories, but more than a few Amazon reviewers commented that theirs died suddenly within the first few weeks.

Other options include tinier clip-on lights for around $10 all the way up to $80 LEDs that look similar to those mentioned here. There’s also the miner-style light on the helmet, or the good old MagLite tucked under your arm. And yes, you can learn to tell when meat’s cooked by poking at it with tongs. But whatever your preference, get out there and grill, and don’t let the cold or the dark stop you.

BBQ Grill Lights [Google Products]
BBQ Grill Lights Via Amazon [What’s This?]
Some Varieties of Grill Lights [Shopwiki.com]

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http://toolmonger.com/2010/03/16/you-light-up-my-steak/

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Klein Dual NM Cable Stripper/Cutter

post from Toolmonger: The Week In Tools on 16 March 2010 07:27:00 PM. © Toolmonger: The Week In Tools

I’ve recently been working on the installation of a solar system, and have found the Klein 1412 Dual NM Cable Stripper/Cutter to be very handy for the electrical work. To begin with, this tool has two stripping slots that quickly remove the outer sheath of 12/2 and 14/2 of Type NM-B (a.k.a. Romex) cable. Then it adds two stripping holes for removing the insulation of 12 and 14 AWG wires. 6-32 and 8-32 screw shearing holes, a thin serrated nose for gripping, bending, and pulling wire, shear-type blades for cutting solid copper wire, and holes for wire looping and bending. To top it off, there are cushion-grip handles, a closure lock, and spring loading so it’s self-opening.

All this can be yours for around $17.

Street Pricing [Google Products]
Klein 1412 Dual Non-Metal Cable Stripper Via Amazon [What’s This?]
Dual NM Cable Stripper/Cutter [Manufacturer's Site]

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http://toolmonger.com/2010/03/16/klein-dual-nm-cable-strippercutter/

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paper dolls with kids

post from whip up on 16 March 2010 07:22:12 PM. © whip up

My little hen has a wonderfully simple tutorial for making paper dolls (with kids perhaps).Similar Posts:book: Artful paper dolls | simple knit dolls vest | 50 activities for Kids | paper dolls: betsy mccall | my 10 favourite things for kids to do | Share and Enjoy:

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http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WhipUp/~3/2F3yFAW62JU/

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Insulation (The Sequel): Attic Stairs

Now that we’ve got the garage door insulation covered — covered, get it? — (TM 3/15/10), what about those attic fold-down, or drop-down access, stairs? The set in our current house is in the laundry room near the back door to the garage, and seems to be a source of cool or warm air depending on the season. I’ve found many options for insulating such stairs, ranging from bare-bones DIY project plans to spiffy kit installation. The installation kits seem to start around $45, then jump to $99.95 and higher depending on the size of the stairs’ opening and height of the stairs in the attic when closed.

Building my own cover box is appealing from both from the get-a-chance-to-play-with-tools and general frugality viewpoints, but I’m open to other approaches if they do a better job. What have fellow Toolmongers done? Any general pros or cons?

Draft Cap [Manufacturer's Site]
Therm-A-Lid [Manufacturer's Site]
Attic Tent [Manufacturer's Site]
Attic Stairway Insulator [Owens Corning}
Battic Door Via Amazon [What’s This?]
Attic Stairs Cover Box [U.S. Dept. of Energy]

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http://toolmonger.com/2010/03/16/insulation-the-sequel-attic-stairs/

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Phrenology Head Pin cushion

The graphics fairy has a quirky little Phrenology Head Pin Cushion tutorial and printable pdf. Similar Posts:starfruit cushion tutorial | Frangipani Pin Cushion | 52 Hats in 52 Weeks | remote control storage cushion | pin cushion organiser | Share and Enjoy:

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http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WhipUp/~3/YfaMttwBPkE/

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Projects How-To's Wrist Cuff With Button
Closure

These wrist cuffs are super simple to make, and are mega cute. Everyone will be begging you to make them one.

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http://www.cutoutandkeep.net//projects/wrist-cuff-with-button-closure