Improvements – Page 17 – The Smell of Molten Projects in the Morning

Thunar WEBP Thumbnails

For whatever reason, the Thunar file browser in XFCE does not automagically show thumbnails for webp images. Some searching produced a recipe, although the displayed webp.xml file needs the last two lines to close the tags:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<mime-info xmlns="http://www.freedesktop.org/standards/shared-mime-info">
    <mime-type type="image/webp">
        <comment>WebP file</comment>
        <icon name="image"/>
        <glob-deleteall/>
        <glob pattern="*.webp"/>
    </mime-type>
</mime-info>

The magic copy-to-clipboard button includes those tags, so I suppose it’s another case of being careful what you believe on the Intertubes.

Going through the steps displayed images of the Subpixel Zoo:

Thunar - webp previews — Thunar – webp previews

They’ll turn into layered paper patterns:

Subpixel Zoo - Quattron RGBY Shifted - detail — Subpixel Zoo – Quattron RGBY Shifted – detail

2025-02-05

HQ Sixteen: Thread Cone Locating Disk

After installing (if that’s not too fancy a term) the horizontal thread spool adapter on the HQ Sixteen, I laser-cut an acrylic disk to keep thread cones centered on the other vertical spool pin:

HQ Sixteen - thread cone base locator - installed — HQ Sixteen – thread cone base locator – installed

It’s trivial: an 11 mm circle to clear the washer and a 55 mm circle to locate the cone.

However, I cut that disk with a 56 mm OD, because that’s what I measured on half a dozen cones. Come to find out at least some cone bases are juuust slightly oval and they latched onto that disk like they were gonna be best buddies forever.

Rather than cut another acrylic disk, I laser-cut a friction ring from a scrap of stamp-pad rubber and jammed the disk against the chuck with a live center:

HQ Sixteen - thread cone base locator - turning — HQ Sixteen – thread cone base locator – turning

A few minutes of sissy cuts made the disk nicely round and concentric with the inner hole, with a little file work knocking the edges off the rim.

Done!

2025-02-04

HQ Sixteen: Horizontal Thread Spool Adapter

After watching the thread pull off the spool around the vertical spool adapter in an increasingly tight helix, I built a horizontal adapter:

The thread now pulls off perpendicular to the axis, the way we thought it should, and the helix is gone.

The adapter base plate fits snugly over the vertical pin, with the lip over the edge stabilizing the whole thing. The spool fits on a ¼ inch acrylic rod tightly press-fit into the side wall and, although it’s not shown here, the vertical adapter press-fits onto the end of the rod to keep the spool from wandering off.

The solid model shows the arrangement:

HQ Sixteen - horizontal thread spool adapter - solid model — HQ Sixteen – horizontal thread spool adapter – solid model

It builds standing on the wall to prevent any significant overhang:

HQ Sixteen - horizontal thread spool adapter - PrusaSlicer — HQ Sixteen – horizontal thread spool adapter – PrusaSlicer

So we’ve reconfirmed our original knowledge that ordinary thread spools must feed off the side, not over the top. Living in the future with rapid prototyping and simple production is good!

You can buy a Horizontal Spool Pin Clamp, but what’s the fun in that?

Fun fact: although the vertical pins on the machine are ¼ inch in diameter, the thread on the end is neither the obvious ¼-20 nor the second-guess 10-32. Instead, it’s M5×0.8, perilously close to the 10-32 thread used in the handlebar setscrews. Don’t apply brute force when this thing doesn’t screw neatly into that hole.

The OpenSCAD source code as a GitHub Gist:

	// HQ Sixteen – horizontal thread spool adapter
	// Ed Nisley – KE4ZNU
	// 2025-01-26

	include <BOSL2/std.scad>

	Layout = "Show"; // [Show,Build,Base,Wall]

	/* [Hidden] */

	ID = 0;
	OD = 1;
	LENGTH = 2;

	WallThick = 10.0;
	BaseThick = 5.0;

	PinOD = 0.25*INCH; // vertical spool pin
	PinWasher = [PinOD,11.0,2.0]; // pin base washer
	PinOffset = 49.0; // pin center to edge of platform

	Spool = [0.25*INCH,50.0,55.0]; // maximum thread spool
	echo(Spool=Spool);
	SpoolClearance = [5.0,2.0,5.0];

	SpoolOC = [-PinOffset + PinOD/2 + SpoolClearance.x + Spool[OD]/2,
	Spool[LENGTH]/2,
	BaseThick + SpoolClearance.z + Spool[OD]/2];

	BasePlate = [PinWasher[OD] + PinOffset + BaseThick,
	Spool[LENGTH] + SpoolClearance.y + WallThick,
	BaseThick];

	Protrusion = 0.1;

	$fn = 1234; // smooth outer perimeters

	//———-
	// Construct the pieces

	module Base() {
	difference() {
	union() {
	left(BasePlate.x/2 – BaseThick) back((SpoolClearance.y + WallThick)/2)
	cuboid(BasePlate,rounding=BaseThick,edges=[FWD+LEFT,FWD+RIGHT],anchor=BOTTOM);
	back((SpoolClearance.y + WallThick)/2)
	cuboid([BaseThick,BasePlate.y,BaseThick],
	rounding=BaseThick,edges=[FWD+BOTTOM,FWD+RIGHT,BACK+BOTTOM],anchor=LEFT+TOP);
	}
	left(PinOffset) down(Protrusion) {
	cylinder(PinWasher[LENGTH],d=PinWasher[OD]); // washer clearance
	cylinder(2*BaseThick,d=PinOD);
	}
	}

	}


	module Wall() {

	difference() {
	union() {
	hull() {
	right(BaseThick)
	cube([BasePlate.x,BaseThick,WallThick],anchor=FWD+RIGHT+BOTTOM);
	back(SpoolOC.z) right(SpoolOC.x)
	cylinder(d=Spool[OD]/2,h=WallThick);
	}
	back(SpoolOC.z) right(SpoolOC.x)
	cylinder(d=Spool[OD]/2,h=WallThick + SpoolClearance.y);

	}
	back(SpoolOC.z) right(SpoolOC.x) down(Protrusion) zrot(180/8)
	cylinder(d=Spool[ID],h=2*WallThick,$fn=8);
	}


	}

	module Adapter() {

	union() {
	Base();
	back(SpoolOC.y + SpoolClearance.y + WallThick)
	xrot(90)
	Wall();
	}



	}


	//———-
	// Show & build the results

	if (Layout == "Base")
	Base();

	if (Layout == "Wall")
	Wall();

	if (Layout == "Show") {
	Adapter();

	left(PinOffset)
	color("Gray") {
	cylinder(d=PinOD,h=2*SpoolOC.z);
	cylinder(d=PinWasher[OD],h=PinWasher[LENGTH]);
	}

	up(SpoolOC.z) right(SpoolOC.x) back(SpoolOC.y)
	xrot(90)
	color("Green")
	cylinder(d=Spool[ID],h=Spool[LENGTH]);
	}

	if (Layout == "Build")
	up(SpoolOC.y + SpoolClearance.y + WallThick)
	xrot(-90)
	Adapter();

view raw HQ Sixteen – horizontal thread spool adapter.scad hosted with ❤ by GitHub

2025-02-03

Monitor Mount: USB Hub Clamp

Along with the Beelink PC, putting the Anker USB hub on the monitor mount pole helped tidy the cables just a little bit:

Monitor pole clamp - Anker USB hub — Monitor pole clamp – Anker USB hub

It’s still jumbled, but at least the cables aren’t wagging the hub.

This clamp needs only one M6 screw into a square nut:

Monitor Pole box clamp - solid model — Monitor Pole box clamp – solid model

Again better seen in cross-section:

Monitor Pole clamp - PrusaSlicer preview — Monitor Pole clamp – PrusaSlicer preview

The OpenSCAD code extrudes the shape from a 2D arrangement, then punches the screw through the side:

// Monitor Pole box clamp
// Ed Nisley - KE4ZNU
// 2025-01-23

include <BOSL2/std.scad>

/* [Hidden] */

ID = 0;
OD = 1;
LENGTH = 2;

Protrusion = 0.1;

Box = [22.5,45.5,25.0];         // Z is clamp height
BoxGrip = 5.0;                  // on outer side clearing connectors

PoleOD = 30.5;

WallThick = 5.0;

Kerf = 3.0;                     // clamping space
Clearance = 2*0.2;              // space around objects

Washer = [6.0,12.0,1.5];        // M6 washer
Nut = [6.0,10.0,5.0];           // M6 square nut

MidSpace = 35.0;                // pole to box spacing

ClampOAL = Box.x + MidSpace + PoleOD + 2*WallThick;

//----------
// Build it

        difference() {
            linear_extrude(height=Box.z,convexity=5)
                difference() {
                    hull() {
                        right(MidSpace/2 + Box.x/2)
                            rect(Box + 2*[WallThick,WallThick],rounding=WallThick);
                        left(MidSpace/2 + PoleOD/2)
                            circle(d=PoleOD + 2*WallThick);
                    }
                    right(MidSpace/2 + Box.x/2)
                        square(Box + [Clearance,Clearance],center=true);
                    right(MidSpace/2 + Box.x)
                        square([Box.x,Box.y - 2*BoxGrip],center=true);
                    left(MidSpace/2 + PoleOD/2)
                        circle(d=PoleOD + Clearance);
                    square([2*ClampOAL,Kerf],center=true);
                }
            up(Box.z/2) {
                xrot(90)
                    cylinder(d=Washer[ID] + Clearance,h=2*Box.y,center=true,$fn=6);
                fwd(Box.y/2 - Washer[LENGTH])
                    xrot(90) zrot(180/12)
                        cylinder(d=Washer[OD] + Clearance,h=Box.y,center=false,$fn=12);
                back(Box.y/2 + Nut[LENGTH]/2)
                    xrot(90)
                        cube([Nut[OD],Nut[OD],2*Nut[LENGTH]],center=true);
            }
        }

The alert reader will have noticed I didn’t peel the protective film off the hub, which tells you how fresh this whole lashup is.

2025-01-31

Monitor Mount: Beelink Clamp

Clearing the clutter off the top of the laser put the monitors up on mounts clamped to its wings, which required an adapter between the monitor and the mount’s standard VESA bracket:

The Beelink PC has an adapter plate intended to put it on that VESA bracket, too, but a quick test showed the power button pointed downward in an inaccessible spot. I eventually realized the Beelink would fit neatly on the monitor mount’s pole:

Monitor pole Beelink clamp - front — Monitor pole Beelink clamp – front

The view from the other side:

Monitor pole Beelink clamp - rear — Monitor pole Beelink clamp – rear

The clamps have recesses for an M6 square nut and an M4 brass insert:

Monitor Pole BeeLink clamp - solid model — Monitor Pole BeeLink clamp – solid model

Which is better seen in a cross-section:

Monitor Pole Beelink clamp - PrusaSlicer preview — Monitor Pole Beelink clamp – PrusaSlicer preview

The M6 screw uses the same hex wrench as the rest of the monitor mount and the M4 screw fits the VESA bracket. Sometimes, you just gotta go with the flow.

Pondering those pictures will show why the nut and insert must be on opposite sides. I came that close to building one to throw away.

The OpenSCAD source code extrudes the overall shape upward, then punches the screw holes & fittings horizontally:

// Monitor Pole Beelink clamp
// Ed Nisley - KE4ZNU
// 2025-01-23

include <BOSL2/std.scad>

/* [Hidden] */

ID = 0;
OD = 1;
LENGTH = 2;

Protrusion = 0.1;

PoleOD = 30.3;

WallThick = 5.0;

Kerf = 3.0;                     // clamping space
Clearance = 2*0.2;              // space around objects

Screw = [6.0,10.0,6.0];         // M6 SHCS, LENGTH = head
Washer = [6.0,12.0,1.5];        // M6 washer
Nut = [6.0,10.0,5.0];           // M6 square nut

Insert = [4.0,5.8,10.0];        // M4 insert

ScrewSpace = Washer[OD];        // pole edge to screw center spacing

Block = [4*ScrewSpace + PoleOD + 2*WallThick,PoleOD + 2*WallThick,2*Washer[OD]];       // Z = clamp thickness

//----------
// Build it

        difference() {
            linear_extrude(height=Block.z,convexity=5)
                difference() {
                    rect([Block.x,Block.y],rounding=WallThick);
                    circle(d=PoleOD + Clearance);
                    square([2*Block.x,Kerf],center=true);
                }
            up(Block.z/2) {
                right(PoleOD/2 + ScrewSpace){
                    xrot(90)
                        cylinder(d=Washer[ID] + Clearance,h=2*Block.y,center=true,$fn=6);
                    fwd(Block.y/2 - Washer[LENGTH])
                        xrot(90) zrot(180/12)
                            cylinder(d=Washer[OD] + Clearance,h=Block.y,center=false,$fn=12);
                    back(Block.y/2)
                        xrot(90)
                            cube([Nut[OD],Nut[OD],2*Nut[LENGTH]],center=true);
                }
                left(PoleOD/2 + ScrewSpace) {
                    xrot(-90)
                        cylinder(d=Insert[ID] + Clearance,h=2*Block.y,center=true,$fn=6);
                    fwd(Block.y/2 - 1.25*Insert[LENGTH])
                        xrot(90)
                            cylinder(d=Insert[OD] + Clearance,h=Block.y,center=false,$fn=6);
                }
            }
        }

It’s done in PETG-CF, which looks surprisingly good in a chonky sort of way. I’ll find out how well it withstands moderate clamping forces.

2025-01-30

HQ Sixteen: Thread Spool Adapter

The HQ Sixteen consumes thread at a prodigious rate, so it’s set up for large thread cones. Mary sometimes uses ordinary thread spools (leftovers from sewing projects) for short practice sessions and wanted an adapter to hold the little things in place:

Thread spool adapter - installed — Thread spool adapter – installed

Those of long memory should recall previous adapters for both sizes and their notes about how thread should peel off spools & cones. I considered an adapter with a horizontal spool axis, but contemporary machines apparently don’t bother with such niceties. We may need a right-angle adapter to let the thread pull off from the side, but we’ll start simple and fix it if needs be.

Update: It needed fixing.

The solid model looks about like you’d expect:

HQ Sixteen - thread spool adapter - solid model — HQ Sixteen – thread spool adapter – solid model

The small crosswise hole in the hub gets an M3 setscrew pushing a rubber pellet slightly into the central bore for a friction fit. The OpenSCAD code can distribute any number of such holes, but one seemed entirely adequate.

The code shrinkwraps a hull() around two cylinders to create the tapered sides, thus giving the thread less surface to drag across. I have PrusaSlicer set to produce scarf joints around the perimeter and the edges came out surprisingly smooth, with only one rough spot requiring deft Xacto knife work. It’s made from white PETG for a smoother finish than PETG-CF.

The OpenSCAD code consists mostly of constants defining the various physical measurements and a few lines assembling the model:

// HQ Sixteen - thread spool adapter
// Ed Nisley - KE4ZNU
// 2025-01-21

include <BOSL2/std.scad>

/* [Hidden] */

PinOD = 0.25*INCH;

RingOD = 50.0;      // outer perimeter of thread ring
RingEdge = 3.0;     // height of ring edge & tapers
RingAngle = 45;     // upper & lower tapers wrt vertical

RingOAH = 3*RingEdge;

ScrewOD = 2.5;      // tap for setscrew compressing rubberdraulic piston
NumScrews = 1;

HubOD = 25.0;
HubThick = 2*ScrewOD;
HubSides = 12;

ScrewCL = RingOAH + HubThick/2;

AdapterOAH = HubThick + RingOAH;

Protrusion = 0.1;

NumSides = 12*3*4;   // smooth outer perimeter

//----------
// Build it


difference() {
    union() {

        hull() {
            linear_extrude(RingOAH)
                circle(r=RingOD/2 - RingEdge*tan(RingAngle),$fn=NumSides);

            up(RingEdge)
                linear_extrude(RingEdge)
                    circle(d=RingOD,$fn=NumSides);
        }

        linear_extrude(HubThick + RingOAH)
            rotate(180/HubSides)
                circle(d=HubOD,$fn=HubSides);

    }

    down(Protrusion)
        rotate(180/HubSides)
            cylinder(d=PinOD,h=2*AdapterOAH,$fn=HubSides);

   for (i=[0:NumScrews-1]) {
        a = i*360/NumScrews;
        zrot(a)
            up(ScrewCL)
                yrot(90)
                    zrot(180/6)
                        cylinder(d=ScrewOD,h=HubOD,$fn=6);
    }

}

Putting the adapter in the light box revealed the same problem as photographing white dogs in snowstorms:

Thread spool adapter - white on white — Thread spool adapter – white on white

There was no contrast to be enhanced anywhere, although the rubber pellet definitely stands out.

2025-01-29

Hotel California: Vole Edition

Although we had considerable success trapping voles during the last half of the 2024 gardening season, Mary found a description of what might be a better technique: a box with small entrance holes taking advantage of rodent thigmotaxis: their tendency to follow walls. The writeup shows nicely made wood boxes, but I no longer have machinery capable of cutting arbitrarily large wood slabs into pieces.

I do, however, have a vast pile of cardboard boxes:

That’s a rat-size trap.

A smaller box has room for two mouse-size traps (one hidden on the left):

The general idea: plunk the box in a garden plot, arm the trap(s), close the lid, and eventually a vole will venture inside, whereupon wall-following leads to disaster. Apparently bait is optional, as wall-following inevitably takes them over the trap pedal. I won’t begrudge them a walnut or two, should bait become necessary.

Cardboard is obviously the wrong material for a box in an outdoor garden, but I figure they’ll survive long enough to show feasibility and I can deploy a lot of small boxes before having to conjure something more durable.

Yes, those are laser-cut rounded-rectangle holes: 30 mm and 40 mm, assuming voles care about such things.

Edit: More on voles.

2025-01-28