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Hand-soldered SSOP microchip in breakout board
I suppose that not all is bad, previous posts notwithstanding. Illness has conspired to prevent me from sharing much of what I’ve done lately, but as I’m feeling better now, here is something new.
Tonight I discovered that I can solder SSOP SMD components by hand with [...]
I’ve been out of commission for a while, haven’t I? My wife had jury duty nearly all of this past week, which made me primary care-taker for our little daughter. I understood in only an abstract sense the amount of work Amy does in caring for our child; I understand now in a much more concrete sense. I also know that I would be a terrible single father. I really rely on her, and I’m incredibly thankful to have someone I can rely on as my partner.
Thank you, Amy.
This weekend, however, I’ve gotten quite a lot of modeling work done; here is a brief overview (with, perhaps, more detailed posts to follow over the coming week). Continue reading…
Stock photograph of the BBB Arduino Rev E (mine's actually a Rev D)
This weekend, I completed assembly of my first Arduino, a BBB (Bare Bones Board) kit from Modern Device Company. Thanks to Chip for the board! I haven’t tested it yet, because I don’t have, as it turns out, a suitable [...]
Well, it’s been a while, hasn’t it?
During my most recent visit, my brother-in-law very generously gave me some of his tools he didn’t need anymore, including one of his airbrushes, a Paasche VL (whose past life is on display). And for Fathers’ Day, my delightful wife gave me a compressor to drive it.
Continue reading…
The Streets of Akiba
I’ve very nearly completed modeling the streets surrounding the north-west corner of Akihabara Station. The photo may not look like much, but the street outline—meticulously cut from scaled satellite imagery—is fringed with scale curbs and pedestrian ramps. I have still a bit of cleanup to do, and I also [...]
 AkiPla circa 2006 Here’s my current target: A strip mall under Akihabara Station called Akiba Station Plaza, or AkiPla for short (note: Since my trip to Tokyo, it’s become an Ishimaru, a chain of electronics and home-appliance stores). You’ll need to click on the pathetically small thumbnail to see it clearly. It’s plastered in ads, and has merchandise practically spilling onto the street. Not only is the interior lit, but there are lots of little spotlights at the top illuminating…well, what they are meant to illuminate isn’t quite clear. They are directed at the corrugated metal. There’s lots of great modeling possibility in this little scene.
Continue reading…
Quinntopia recently asked about my construction techniques. I never really thought to say anything about that, but perhaps I should. So here are some thoughts, if not actual methods, on how I’m proceeding with the construction of Akihabara Station.
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The unpainted taxi stand
I’ve begun cutting plastic for Akihabara Station. I love this part of modeling. I’ve got the parking loop and taxi stand (taxi noriba in Japanese) complete. I just need to paint it. I’ve also got some of the adjoining sidewalk and plaza complete. After painting, there are stop- [...]
David Smith recently posted an article demonstrating several prototype research methods available on the Internet.
Many of us know about Google Maps, and the Street View feature.
 Bird's eye view of Akihabara Station I had no idea about Microsoft’s Live Maps Bird’s Eye View feature, however: Satellite imagery taken at an oblique angle (rather than straight down) that can reveal a lot of interesting architectural detail.
Continue reading…
Station on printed plans
With Shogatsu in storage until November, my attention has returned to Akihabara Station. Here’s where we stand: I have some viaduct station, some paper mockups of buildings, and a plan for the streets and sidewalks. Doesn’t look so bad, for basically a few laserjet printouts. I’m a little disappointed [...]
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