The Smell of Molten Projects in the Morning

Ed Nisley's Blog: Shop notes, electronics, firmware, machinery, 3D printing, laser cuttery, and curiosities. Contents: 100% human thinking, 0% AI slop.

The New Hotness

  • Improved Shoelace Ferrule Aglets

    After considerable evaluation, the Customer decided the shoelaces were still too long and said the hex-crimped ferrules were entirely too rough and tended to snag on things. This time, I prepared the ferrules by chucking them in the lathe:

    Ferrule - original flange
    Ferrule – original flange

    The steel rod inside the ferrule encourages it to remain round and not collapse while I’m filing off the flange that normally holds the plastic strain-relief doodad:

    Ferrule - reshaped flange
    Ferrule – reshaped flange

    I snipped another half inch off each end of the laces and crimped on the prepared ferrules:

    Shoelace ferrule aglets
    Shoelace ferrule aglets

    Which were definitely too jaggy, so they now sport an epoxy coat:

    Ferrule aglets - epoxy coat
    Ferrule aglets – epoxy coat

    Alas, JB Kwik epoxy has a pot life measured in minutes, so the last ferrule looks a bit lumpy. They seem to work fine and the Customer is happy with the results.

    Memo to Self: Next time, dunk the ferrules in a pot of slow-curing JB Weld and let them drain overnight.