Mk.6 EMP -Experimental Modular Project-

The milling on the frame pieces is complete. I added half-lap joints to all of the parts so they lock together flush. As seen in the left side of this image.

I just need to drill and tap the front and back pieces.

I'll go back to the machine shop tomorrow to get the L-channel aluminum cut.

So far the plan of doing all of the machining myself is going quite well. I don't see anything else in the project that I can't accomplish on my own. The machine shop simply has some really expensive tools that make certain tasks much easier, and now that I know how to use them I can just chug along.

 

Guh, tapping aluminum is boring and severely annoying. I'll have some photos later tonight.

Edit: $%^&*T! My tap just broke in the hole I was trying to thread...

 

In other news, I have everything ready to start working on the plug-bus.

The original image is a massive 3200 x 7600 pixels (12"x6"@600dpi) and needs to be printed on an 11x14 sheet of photo paper using a laser printer.

 

Have you patented any of these ingenious ideas displayed in this project? If you haven't I would patent some, because you don't want some computer company to make millions off your ideas. Just a thought.

 

Filing a patent wouldn't be all that much better than an informal copyright when it comes to enthusiast level products. Besides, I have a running archive of not only conceptual images but of forum posts, source files, etc.
I'm not worried about that. What I am worried about is how freakishly slow this project is going to progress if my arthritis doesn't ease up and the fact that I may need to do a semester abroad this summer in order to finish college.

 

Okay, I have some bad news. This is my 5th night in a row of not being able to fall asleep until I'm nearly passing out due to how uncomfortable my arthritis pain is. I went to the doctor yesterday and I will find out soon whether or not this is the fault of Lyme disease (which has become an epidemic in this county) or my arthritis shifting from what it was to something more akin to Rheumatoid arthritis.
I'm hoping it's Lyme Disease, not that anyone should ever hope that they have Lyme disease. Or let's just say it would suck slightly less if it were Lyme disease because there are known-effective medications for that where-as Rheumatoid arthritis, or whatever else, would require a full three-ring circus to find an effective medication for.

Either way I'm finding it difficult to do anything since my hips, knees, and occasionally shoulders are slowly becoming less cooperative. Just managing to attend the classes I have on my schedule this semester is becoming a hit-or-miss proposition.
The short end of the stick seems to be that no matter what the doctor tells me this week, I will either be incapacitated by powerful antibiotics for a month, or I'll be spending most of my free time going to doctors for several weeks.

I need a nap...

 

Dang. That sucks man. Will be praying for ya, hope it gets better-- try a chiropractor?

 

Chiropractors aren't known to specialize in parasites or arthritis.

 

Good luck Captain Slug, chronic pain is something that is unique to each person. No one here can know how it does or doesn't effect you (probably makes you feel horrible) - but that won't stop us for pulling for you. Take care.

 

My chiropractor has helped many with arthritis, but the whole lymes thing would be an issue. Just a thought.

 

Here's to a great project and hoping things work out for you.

 

I atleast have medication that works now.
And with that I got some more work done at the machine shop yesterday. And at home today I just finished the drilling and tapping this afternoon so the case frame sides are complete. From here-on I will include a thumbnail image from the 3D model with the part I am working on highlighted so that the images are more clear.


All pieces can be removed if needed. Tomorrow I'll start working on the middle frame pieces that also act as the slides for the rest of the case parts. They will bolt onto the angle aluminum parts shown, making the frame a complete unit while still being easy to disassemble.

 

Sweet that you got the pain taken care of. And sweet that the mod is back underway, lookin forward to it!!

 

this is one very impressive mod keep up the good work!

 

Incredible work, you have my eye.

Also this might be the most well laid up log with the new addition of 3d-renders of the parts you're working on. Good work.

 

Its good you got your arthritis under control. If you don't mind me asking, how'd you get it in the first place? Too much typing?

 

I haven't had a chance to read through the whole log (it's 01 AM), but man, you are a genius - and a balsy one too. I've had some similar ideas for a long time but I always thought "Nah, not gonna happen". Too bad about the arthritis, must be a real pain - in more ways than one. But you can't let it get the better of you - keep fighting. From what I've seen you're doing an amazing job so keep it up.

- ed out

P.S: promise I'll read through the whole thread, I just need to catch some Z's

 

I caught a head cold so progress is stalled for a day or two. I'm thinking about how best to make the case handles, and once I feel better I'll be working on the middle frame/slide pieces as well as the carrying handles.

I was born with an unknown type of arthritis that afflicts every joint in my body with symetrical stiffness, discomfort, and hyperlaxity. I don't have any joint damage, and I don't get any swelling so I test negative for osteo and rheumatoid arthritis. Since I'm neither of the commong types finding effective medications has been a hit-or-miss process. My symptoms are most often aggravated by dramatic changes in barometric pressure or strain from physical exercise (therefore I can't do any on a regular basis).

 

i know how hard it is to live with arthritis as my mum suffers badly with it. i really hope you can get better for italy. can i ask what you study? great build mate well planned.

 

Sounds like that wasn't the first time you've explained that to someone.

Anyways, I hope the cold passes soon. I'm really looking forward to some updates.