Author Topic: LED flasher project & PowerPoint-based template for enclosure drilling  (Read 2904 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline JuiceKingTopic starter

  • Regular Contributor
  • *
  • Posts: 233
  • Country: us
This 555-based LED flasher is very elementary and easy to put together on a breadboard in only a few minutes, but making a permanent version and precisely mounting it in an enclosure was a challenge and a good learning experience. Because I "winged it" and built this directly from the schematic, the soldered version you see here took at least 2 hours (and much desoldering wick) to get right, and then another 3-4 hours to make the box!



My previous attempts to make enclosures with a freehand drill were very clumsy, so this time I planned ahead carefully and worked on better technique. I used a caliper to accurately measure screw hole distances and bolt diameters, and then drew templates using Microsoft PowerPoint, printed them, and taped them to the box to get the holes in just the right spots. This worked. Amazingly, the scaling of the printer was spot-on, first try. Without a drill press and calibrated stage, I can't think of another way to do this. I'd love to hear what others do.
« Last Edit: August 11, 2012, 03:34:06 pm by JuiceKing »
 

Offline T4P

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 3697
  • Country: sg
    • T4P
Re: LED flasher project & PowerPoint-based template for enclosure drilling
« Reply #1 on: August 11, 2012, 04:30:58 pm »
I print a template for my boxes  ;D
Based on the 1590BB template for my 1590BB boxes
 

Offline ftransform

  • Frequent Contributor
  • **
  • Posts: 728
  • Country: 00
Re: LED flasher project & PowerPoint-based template for enclosure drilling
« Reply #2 on: August 11, 2012, 06:36:48 pm »
That looks like a quality box.  I would recommend getting a 90$ harbor freight drill press though, they are not too bad.
I feel like I learned to fly after using one for the first time. The days of tonguing the drill at the right angle were over!
 

Offline Christopher

  • Frequent Contributor
  • **
  • Posts: 429
  • Country: gb
Re: LED flasher project & PowerPoint-based template for enclosure drilling
« Reply #3 on: August 11, 2012, 06:42:16 pm »
I'd suggest not using an electrolytic cap, because of the high tolerance. Try a ceramic instead, your time value will be more accurate :).

 

Offline JuiceKingTopic starter

  • Regular Contributor
  • *
  • Posts: 233
  • Country: us
Re: LED flasher project & PowerPoint-based template for enclosure drilling
« Reply #4 on: August 11, 2012, 07:38:54 pm »
I'd suggest not using an electrolytic cap, because of the high tolerance. Try a ceramic instead, your time value will be more accurate :).

LOL. Also, that electrolytic cap will probably need to be replaced in 20-30 years!
 


Share me

Digg  Facebook  SlashDot  Delicious  Technorati  Twitter  Google  Yahoo
Smf