With thanks to Tim for a great deal of assistance, the shelves have been assembled and are drying on the radial arm saw workbench. The glue should be set by this time tomorrow.
Following that, they just need to be trimmed to length and placed on the mounting rails. I can hit this Tuesday after the meeting if no one beats me to it.
My ribs have healed to the point that I can make it down to start working on this again (as long as I don’t sneeze). Apologies for my absence in the middle of the process, but breaking ribs really really hurts.
I plan on being there tomorrow for the meeting.
I purchased an industrial rework iron today for the electronics area. I got a used metcal mx500 (14mHz) power supply with the brand new metal hand-piece, RF cable, cartrdige tip, accessories, and stand. We’re $278 all-in including shipping (PSU is heavy).
I prefer having one cartridge iron with a high end handle for SMT work. Like a mill, I can buy my own cartridges and not have to worry about being unable to work due to someone using a fine hoof tip for drag soldering QFC’s as a pry bar. Thermaltronics tips are on $17 on amazon (no need to buy brand name metcal).
I’m planning on coming in tonight to restart work on the electronics area.
Lorin
I took my old xytronics station home to look at it closer earlier in the week.
I think that there is a PSU / internal error, not just a bad iron. 
(It’s either that or all the other accessories I have are not compatible with it)
I’m going to try and take another look at it this weekend and see if there is anything obviously blown up but I’m expecting it’s going to go to scrap.
-Dave
I came to the same conclusion after testing the PSU and referencing some online schematics. I just wasn’t sure nor familiar enough with xytronics.
The de-solder side worked fine last time I checked, so it’s still good for that, right? Or should I pick up a desolder gun to run on shop air too?
L
You can pick up the replacement for that station for $275… http://www.ebay.com/itm/Xytronic-LF8800K-Soldering-Desoldering-Rework-Station-with-100-wattt-handpiece-/152148623821?hash=item236cc3c1cd:g:wU8AAOSw7NNUJDNA
desolder only base station, compatible with all the handpieces we have $69: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Xytronic-968-Temperature-Controlled-Desoldering-Station-/291687521380?hash=item43e9ee5c64:g:AWUAAOSwzhVWtQzT
nice used Pace unit for $251 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pace-ST-115-Digital-Desoldering-Station-SX80-handpiece-FAST-SHIPPING-E-/302134097458?hash=item4658987632:g:BrEAAOSwnbZYI7Xg
-D
Since we have shop air, we also have an option of just picking up the metcal desolder gun for $50. It runs on the supply I ordered.
When I start my 3D printing project, I do plan to do some light soldering in order to pass the time while stuff is printing. I just wanted to ask beforehand if it would be alright to work at the tables (by the projector, used during the meetings & such)? I bring my own soldering tools & supplies (may need an extension cord depending). I just wanted to make sure there wasn’t a rule or preference about where we’re allowed to solder & such. Thank You.
Not near the kitchen! 
it is preferred to keep the soldering at the benches if possible. People do sit at the tables and eat (I’d hate to be eating with lead on my hands personally). with the state of the electronics area, it may be difficult to find benchspace, I totally understand! If possible to move some of the electronics components taking up room and make space there, that would probably be preferred. When will you be at the hive? Have you had the “formal” tour yet?
Cheers,
Tiffany
Jaime, one bench is now completely clean and set up for soldering and hot air rework. You can also simply move the items on the back bench and use that too – I cleaned the table top and checked all the power a while ago. Those benches are best due to lighting, ESD mats, fume concerns, etc.
Lorin
thank you.
All,
Here’s the update:
We have a microscope with an impressive 9" working distance and boom arm for SMD & other stuff. We received 10x, and 2 20x eye pieces (one of those should be a 5x). I’ll send a 20x set back in exchange for 5x. Still, works great with the 10x in there.
I received:
The used PSU is coming Monday most likely.
I went ahead and ordered a USED Metcal DS1 desolder gun for 110.00 (won an auction) http://www.newark.com/metcal/mx-ds1/desolder-hand-piece/dp/41B5513. It includes all air hoses and cables (the cables for this one are expensive). These are super powerful and run well on shop air.
We have the reflow electronics. I will test the “pizza oven” to see if it makes the cut (1-2 degrees C per sec). If not, I’ll find one of the black and decker convection toasters I know work very well.
So far we are under budget, even considering that I didn’t anticipate needing a new desolder gun so soon.
Since it’s only 45 bucks or so to get a used PS2E power supply (the single port version of mx-500), should we get another one so the desolder gun and rework station can live independently?
James has been rocking and rolling on the chapbook, and it’ll be in place to cut PCBs soon enough.
I was down on Monday. I plan on getting back to work at Hive tomorrow and this weekend.
Lorin
I’ll try to swing down tomorrow and drop off the old Xytronic desolder station, which has the burned out PSU for soldering. What time are you going to be around? I have to make the trip to drop off pipe for Andrew anyway.
-D
I’ll be in around 10am. Thanks for helping us all out.
Some recent changes to the electronics area
1. We have mounted Iron Holders to the wooden shelf to further reduce the number of things lying on the workbench
2. Moved Iron, hot air, and vacuum bases off of the workbech and onto the shelves... The cords are long enough to reach any location on the bench so this frees up a lot of space
3. Raised top shelf one not higher to provide more space inbetween the two shelves
4. Changed the location of a powerstrip, Moved from
Middle bay to left bay, this is to reduce the temptation from fellow hive members to unplug the electronics bay equipment
Feel free to provide any feedback
I got a decent amount amount done on the extractor hood. NOT EVERYTHING IS GLUED TOGETHER!!! PLEASE BE CAUTIOUS MOVING! To finish this stage of the project, one piece needs cut and unioned back together at a different angle, four pipes need glued and holes need drilled in pipes. I didn’t do final glue up to facilitate drilling.
Per discussion with Lorin, there is a detachable hose attachment with a shut off valve as well as a plugfor when not in use.
Seeing as Lorin wants this for caustic shit, I got an adapter to go up to 4" PVC. That should be sufficient to the blower, then charcoal and out or whatever. More discussion here.
Sorry for PVC dust. I didn’t want to use our loud ass shop vac after curfew.
D
AWESOME. Looks super rad. Thanks Dave.
I’ll be in this afternoon to keep working on the the reflow toaster and other schtuff.
L
If you can bring some of the LED lights you have, I can work on attaching them. Or you can. Also, home depot+lowes didn’t have much in the way of mylar. When I last built a grow room, I got a roll of mylar sheet at worm’s way.
Does anyone have an approximately 4’ x 3’ sheet of reflective mylar they can spare?
-D
Anyone know where the Solid State Relay and Thermocouple for the toaster are? I’ve got the control board ready, and the temp is testing 2 degrees per sec (without insulation!). Just need those to finish the job…