The Art Of MacGyvering: Thinking and Tinkering
Sunday, 15 September 2013
Saturday, 10 August 2013
Leather and natural Crafts to Make
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=766slOm7e08
Salmon skin leather (made in Sweeden):
take off meat and fat
soak in wood ash
secure with salt keeping around ph of 4?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gp0ASwSQP0o
nettle fabric:
http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/09/2012/austrian-nettle-fabric-tells-of-bronze-age-trade
Tuesday, 2 October 2012
DIY Generators
One route seems to be making generators out of stepping motors (printers, scanners, floppy drives etc) which run at a low speed which are good for wind power. The only problem is that Stepper motors output an A.C voltage which is of little use for our battery charging application. So you need to build a rectifier to turn the A.C into DC.
Instructions:
Stepping motor, 8 diodes, battery pack AAA
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-a-Coffee-cup-model-wind-charger/?ALLSTEPS
http://www.thebackshed.com/windmill/assemblyMini2.asp
http://www.instructables.com/id/Bike-Generator/?ALLSTEPS
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-floppy-drive-wind-generator/
http://solar.freeonplate.com/floppy_windmill.htm
http://www.instructables.com/id/Wind-Generator-from-old-scanner/?ALLSTEPS
Shopping list:
-8 x 1N4001 Rectifier Protection Diode
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20-x-1N4001-Rectifier-Protection-Diode-/310399628812#vi-contentHow it works:
http://hackaweek.com/hacks/?p=595-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Another route is to use pre existing DC motors found in electric scooters then use a charge controller to power either a battery or as well as an output e.g. light, appliance etc.
Instructions:
good instructions on how to build and where to run drive via chain drive
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-To-Build-A-Bicycle-Generator/
http://www.c-realevents.demon.co.uk/steppers/stepmotor.html
http://www.reuk.co.uk/Electricity-with-Stepper-Motors.htm
Shopping list:
-1 x 24 VOLT 250 WATT ELECTRIC E-SCOOTER MOTOR 24v 250w
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/24-VOLT-250-WATT-ELECTRIC-E-SCOOTER-MOTOR-24v-250w-/180837266199?pt=UK_Toys_Games_Outdoor_Toys_ET&hash=item2a1abdb317-1 x 1N4001 Rectifier Protection Diode
-1 x 30A Solar Regulator 360W Solar Panel Charge Controller 12V /24V 30I
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/30A-Solar-Regulator-360W-Solar-Panel-Charge-Controller-12V-24V-30I-/120953586302?pt=UK_Gadgets&hash=item1c2965427eSunday, 8 July 2012
Make do and Mend: shop front inspiration
There is maybe some things I can learn from her project and use to make Skill Share a successful community space e.g. what days to have our workshops open? tuesday to saturday? how to make the space practical but inviting? etc
Friday, 9 March 2012
Skill share Opportunity: Bring and Fix
We have all suffered the annoying experience of having the sole of a shoe ‘flapping about’ because it has come apart and needs gluing back to the shoe, or having buttons missing on a shirt! Or, things left broken on a shelf for ages, the niggly stuff like how to remove stains, or some practical ‘good old advice’ for a bugging issue.
Something to be checked over by a critical friend. An older person struggles with using a mobile phone or a computer: why couldn’t a neighbour or local person show them how to? There is probably one, but there hasn’t been an opportunity for those two people to meet and connect.
Bring & Fix is an intergenerational fair that brings together local people of different ages under one roof to share their skills and knowledge. It is an event where individuals ‘fix’ small things for each other, seek and provide advice and come up with solutions. It aims to connect generations and build sustainable communities through recognisable events that can be repeated in one’s locality or community on a regular basis. It’s a celebration of the talent and skills in our neighbourhoods, and by re-using and recycling it also reduces waste.
EXAMPLES OF SKILLS THAT CAN BE USED
- Putting something back together, gluing something
- Sewing a button back on, hemming a garment
- Knitting, quilting, embroidery advice
- Recycling clothes
- Resolving a computer or IT issue
- Teaching someone how to use camera or mobile phone. How to Google
- Gardening advice
- Repairing/maintaining a bicycle
- Advice on food, cooking
- Help with a presentation, something to write up, editing
- Budgeting; basic understanding of accounting reports
WHO CAN IT BE FOR?
Any community, group, club, or association can use Bring and Fix to bring their neighbours together.
- A seasonal celebration and for a specific group– e.g. International Women’s Day where a group of women could get together to use the event to fundraise for a women’s cause
- It could be run on themes like health; gardening; small repairs; sewing; recycling; IT; workshops for job applicants.
- A fundraising opportunity: for every item fixed, each participating person of a community donates money to a chosen charity
INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO PLAN AND RUN A BRING AND FIX EVENT
Contact Philippe Granger, Development Manager at Rushey Green Time Bank Tel: 020 7 1381772
email: bringandfix@rgtb.org.uk
- Bring and Fix is a creation of Philippe Granger and is part of the London Leaders 2011 programmesupported by the London Sustainable Development Commission. Watch a video here.