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Epoxy chess pieces

For my Makerspace project I worked with Ben. We made epoxy chess pieces, first we got the molds for the chess pieces. Then we filled them up with water to get the volume and see how much epoxy we would have to mix. We then mixed the epoxy and poured it in the molds. Our first attempt didn’t turn out well so we had to redo it. This time we made sure to pour slow to make sure all the parts of the mold were filled. Are second attempt turned out perfect.

Dollhouse Table

This quarter I made a table for a dollhouse. Designing this table was an easy progress because it was a simple drawing. I had to measure the lengths to be sure it was a perfect cut. After I drew my model, I made it in the laser machine to cut out the correct measurements. This is the first step to different furniture that will be added to a dollhouse.

Fiber optic LED lamp

Over first quarter I made a fiber optic LED lamp. I did this by 3D printing a base, frame, and a cover that a found online. I first printed the frame and cover using the big green 3D printer, and then it broke, so I had to print the base on the tiny orange printer (which ended up not mattering all that much because I had to redesign it to fit an RPi Pico instead of the Arduino microcontroller it was designed for.) After two failed attempts at printing the base, the third one finally worked and I was able to begin assembly.

The first thing I did was make sure it all fit, which it didn’t, so I used some sandpaper and made it fit. Then I soldered together an LED strip and wired it through the frame and into the base, After that, I soldered the LEDs to the RPi Pico and ran a test code to make sure everything worked.

I glued the LEDs into the frame and lined them up with the holes for the fiber optics, I also screwed in the RPi and put some code on it that made it colorful. Finally I took a 5000x3mm fiber optic cable and cut it into random lengths to fit into the holes at different angles, and then it was done.

Black Walnut Table

This quarter I helped cut a 2×9 plank of black walnut wood. One half of it had a natural curve that would look good as a table, but the other side was straight. We wanted to cut the plank in half, to make a similar curve on the other half. After cutting the plank in half, we used a chainsaw to cut the curve, and then a sander to make it smooth. We plan to put these two planks together and pour epoxy in the curved space to make a table in the next quarter. 

Our man-made curve on half the black walnut plank

Fish Tank Project

We’ve mostly done research for this project so far. Just looking at what to buy for making a fish tank and researching strategies to make a self-sustaining fish tank. We tested some water in a fish tank to check if it would leak we are thinking about using. We finished the list and are ready to buy the stuff.

Fish tank assistance

During the first quarter I worked in a group with Amelia and Mary to build a fish tank. I helped move equipment, and harvested water from a nearby pond for algae and microorganisms. We plan to assemble the fish tank later this year and make it somewhat self sustaining.

First Crochet Project

For this quarter I chose to continue working on a crochet project I started during the end of the summer. I used a amigurumi crochet pattern that I was able to download. However, it was written for intermediate crocheters, and used terms that I had never heard before, so I spent a lot of time using the internet to decode the pattern that I had– searching up different stitches and techniques. I realize I shouldn’t have started with a penguin, but it was entertaining and looked cute enough for me to feel like it was worth it.

Making a mini model ecosystem

I used the laser printer to make a bunch of shapes that are all precisely the same size. Those shapes are then glued together to create a custom box the perfect size for this project. It will eventually hold things like sand and epoxy to create the illusion of a realistic little pond or lake.

engine teardown

taking a engine apart to show how it works and for fun. it a power washing engine. i found it on the side of the road for free and took it home and started taking it apart. it has 1.5 hp. it was in good condision. the engine is very rusty on the outside.

the piston

sticker

basically, at home I am making my closet door filled with stickers that make me happy and on this one I wrote the name of my favorite movie with a little model habit underneath. i love the entire theme that euphoria gives and i love the process of stickers. this took me only about 30 minutes.