theWhiteNoise.net - Web Log

12/29/2005, Thursday

Hammers & Fingers Don’t Mix

Filed under: — Brandon @ 7:39 pm

 

This is what happens when you whack your finger with a hammer.  Mkay?  So don’t do that.  

Tn_DamagedFinger 002

This was a small price to pay for the incredible structure I was working on at the time of the injury.  A structure that will change man-kind as we know it, an object that will baffle scientists world-wide, a creation that may blind you with its glory if gazed upon too long:  A wall to keep my mom’s new puppy from getting into her study.  Yes, you heard right!  I couldn’t take a picture of the final project because it is still patent-pending & I don’t want the Russians to steal the idea.  However, I can describe the creation code-named “The Wall.”  It’s approximately 4 feet high & 6 feet wide framed out in 2×2’s, has an arch in the middle to surround a dog crate opening, and is sheathed in a hard puppy-proof plastic.  See, my mom’s study has a tiled area that leads to a carpeted area.  She wanted the puppy to be able to walk in the tiled area & go into her crate, but not enter the carpeted area, thus “The Wall” was constructed.  OK, this post is already ridiculously long to describe this thing, so this is the end!

 

12/18/2005, Sunday

New Amp Installed

Filed under: — Brandon @ 11:55 pm

I swapped out my old California Profile 400 watt amp (about 250 watt RMS bridged) for this Rockford Fosgate Punch “900 watt” amp (about 375 watt RMS bridged) in my Mustang today.  I decided to put a sub in the SUV, so it gave me the perfect opprotunity to upgrade the Mustang’s system, since it gets used the most.  The old amp has a loose connection and would cut out on rare occassions.  If I mount it differently in the SUV I think it will work fine.  If not, I’ll hunt down the loose connection & fix it.  I’ll post pictures of that later.

Amp_Pic1

While I was in there, I cleaned up & hid the excess wire.  It looks much cleaner now.

Amp_Pic2

Here’s what it looks like lit up in the dark.  Black & red – it matches the car!

Amp_Pic3

 

12/6/2005, Tuesday

Car Computer Cabinet Progress

Filed under: — Brandon @ 1:09 am

Well, after a run to the local Harbor Freight to pick up a circular saw (my 14V cordless one wasn’t cutting it - literally), I made some progress on the car computer cabinet. Here’s an in-progress picture:

I need to recut the top - somehow I cut it too short. I decided to lengthen the box from my original plan & I have a feeling I forgot to add the length to the top dimensions. Oh well, I was lucky to get most of the other stuff right on the first try! I guess learning Trig does pay off. Unfortunately, I’m gonna have to wait for the snow to melt outside to saw some more. I guess I could just fill my condo with saw dust…Hmmmmm

12/3/2005, Saturday

Sat Project: Car PC Housing

Filed under: — Brandon @ 9:38 pm

I started working on a mounting box for my car computer today. Basically in an attempt to get the thing in the car & at least usable by the time I drive to FL over the X-mas holiday. I would like the components a little more organized than this:

I realized my original plan of having a pull-out drawer in the trunk wouldn’t work with the space constraints I have. I’m now going for a box that will house all the components with an angled front which will fit flush against the back seat from the trunk side. This way all of the components will be available by flipping down the back seat. I drew up the plans today & swung by Home Depot to pick up the material. Tomorrow the fun begins - saw, drill, screw, repeat. Hmm, that sounded dirty except for the “saw” part. ;)