Thanks Bakster for compliment.

Perhaps it would not take you that long. It has been over a year for me, working in all my spare time. I find that speed of progress is in proportion to degree of loving to do it. Some parts are more loving than others. It can be surprising what turns out to be loving or not.

I have been doing some landscaping over the last few days. Filling in the gaps between road and footpaths etc with foam. Beforehand, I dreaded the idea of doing it. Never done it before, and felt some apprehension of doing a poor job of it. As I was progressing from the most easiest sections, my confidence in using the foam increased. Now I love using the stuff. Found myself working longer hours in the day because of it.

mmthrax

  P

eterPan

As soon as I got back from my ride, I got stuck into building the new section.

This may be an Aussie thing.  I am going to interpret this as "I then settled into building the new section."  This way, to me, it sounds like you were enjoying yourself, as opposed to be manacled below decks.

You are doing some great work, and it looks like a really cool bike trail too.  Double the fun!!

Hi Mark.

'settled into'? No mate, got right into it with gusto! 

Yep, the bicycle ride along the Richmond River to Wardell bridge (12 km) is really nice. Along River Drive there is hardly any traffic, and it runs between the cane fields and the river bank. It does not get any better.

PeterPan

Thanks Bakster for compliment.

Perhaps it would not take you that long. It has been over a year for me, working in all my spare time. I find that speed of progress is in proportion to degree of loving to do it. Some parts are more loving than others. It can be surprising what turns out to be loving or not.

I have been doing some landscaping over the last few days. Filling in the gaps between road and footpaths etc with foam. Beforehand, I dreaded the idea of doing it. Never done it before, and felt some apprehension of doing a poor job of it. As I was progressing from the most easiest sections, my confidence in using the foam increased. Now I love using the stuff. Found myself working longer hours in the day because of it.

 

PeterPan

'settled into'? No mate, got right into it with gusto!

Oh Ok.  Just wanted to clarify.  Over here, if you get "stuck into" doing something, you got the "short straw", or the "wrong end of the stick".

The scenery is fantastic.  Sounds, and looks like a great ride.  There is no scenery even remotely like that in my neck of the woods. 

Peter Pan

I find that speed of progress is in proportion to degree of loving to do it. Some parts are more loving than others. It can be surprising what turns out to be loving or not.

Bakster

Peter... there is a lot of wisdom in what you wrote.

Yeah Steve, I am of the opinion that Peter is some kind of sage genius.  He has the knack for being able to say things that resonate and make sense.  Things that are already inside you, but he finds them hidden in a mental sock drawer somewhere and reminds you of them.  

There is this "Bakster" cat that is also inspirational to me.  That is the beauty of this forum.  I love it.  It's like free sunshine every day. Keeps me picking away at it. 

mmthrax

There is this "Bakster" cat that is also inspirational to me.

Mark... you are a scholar and gentleman. Thanks for the kind words, Sir.

Still looks amazing, love how she's coming along. 

I think I my problem is I love too much stuff since I can't seem to commit to any one project and keep spreading my attention around way too much. 

Bakster

... If it doesn't work -- it doesn't work...

Bakster, that is a good attitude to have.

Some people have trouble accepting failures. Usually those same people (perfectionists) have trouble accepting successes too, for they always find imperfections to worry about.

We were not born with an instruction manual. Life is an experiment, and some things will blow up in our face. The best we can do is dust off, learn from it, and try something different. The only thing that gets us to try again is the fact that most of the time things don't blow up. So it's worth the risk to keep experimenting.

mmthrax

...He has the knack for being able to say things that resonate and make sense.  Things that are already inside you, but he finds them hidden in a mental sock drawer somewhere and reminds you of them... 

Thanks mmthrax.

It is like you said, it's nothing new, but revealed again what we already know.

We all have cover-stories veiling the truth. Introspection dissolves these veilings to reveal the truth. So, all I am doing is being honest. 

Gamera

Still looks amazing, love how she's coming along. 

 I think I my problem is I love too much stuff since I can't seem to commit to any one project and keep spreading my attention around way too much. 

Thanks Gamera.

I had that same problem for many years. Once a project got worked out, or I already knew exactly what to do, the task turned into a chore. So I looked elsewhere for a challenge. Hence, a stack of unfinished projects.

Then I saw modellers doing 'what ifs'. They changed a predictable outcome to uncertainty. Hence, the challenge to see how it will turn out.

That is why I never took up model making from kits. When I discovered scratch building, I thought, "that's the way to go for me".

There is a partial house included in the chosen area to be covered in the landscape.

So I figured out the most likely measurements a builder would use.

Using scrap timber, Masonite, matchsticks and clear Perspex, a house was to be built. I always want to build a house .

mmthrax

There is this "Bakster" cat that is also inspirational to me.

Too right, mate.
Does more with less more often than I can even imagine.

He has but one flaw:  His skills drive me to drink, but won't drive me home again afterward

CapnMac82

Does more with less more often than I can even imagine.

You honor me, sir.  Thank you. 

CapnMac82

He has but one flaw:  His skills drive me to drink, but won't drive me home again afterward

Yeah--that's a problem alright. If I lived closer I'd drive you home. Chances are--I'd stay for a few first and then we'd both need a driver home. 

mmthrax

 

PeterPan

'settled into'? No mate, got right into it with gusto!

 

 

Oh Ok.  Just wanted to clarify.  Over here, if you get "stuck into" doing something, you got the "short straw", or the "wrong end of the stick".

The scenery is fantastic.  Sounds, and looks like a great ride.  There is no scenery even remotely like that in my neck of the woods. 

 

Its not just an Ozzie thing, in the ok it also means to do somthing with enthusiasm. It might not always be somthing you enjoy doing, but you get stuck in and get the job done. 

PeterPan

There is a partial house included in the chosen area to be covered in the landscape.

So I figured out the most likely measurements a builder would use.

 

Using scrap timber, Masonite, matchsticks and clear Perspex, a house was to be built. I always want to build a house .

 

 

Nice start on the house Peter. That first pic, the one top left, is the white line the edge of the display.

Bish

...That first pic, the one top left, is the white line the edge of the display.

Yes mate.

Each room has a clear LED light. The circuit is a sequencer. It turns on one light at a time. Each light (room) is on for about 20 seconds. It makes it look as if someone is going from one room to the next.

Been a couple of weeks since I looked in on the progress of this project.....All I can say is your overall skills are amazing, from electronics to wiring to design and building.

Going to be a crowd pleaser for sure.

Thank you goldhammer for your response.

___________________________________

Painted Bridge Street (Drive).

Made a fence which borders the house.

Yoiks ! ! 

 It seems like you have run into something we have at the Museum . We started with one thing and it seems to feed on itself ! Good on you , though !

Ho;

 If he has a big pot of coffee , I'll drive you guys home !

Ah !

 Tis a fair looking bird in the front room there .Do you have her name ? LOL.LOL.

Thanks T.B. for your responses.

Tanker - Builder

Ah !

 Tis a fair looking bird in the front room there .Do you have her name ? LOL.LOL.

 

You almost got it right Be aware, she's a bit Kinky, her name is LOLA. 

At this stage, both the brass tubing I ordered and a photograph of the bridge showing the swing-gates arrived. These gates were replaced, in 1995, for boom-gates. No clear photograph of what they look like is on my desktop. This is the best image I've got, and it will do.

Used whatever materials I could find: flat wire, washers, brass tubing, #8 fencing wire for axels, used thick tinplate for gate arm to servo motor, terminal connectors for couplings, and fly-screen for chain-wire meshing.

The gate axles are unseen by the observer controlling the bridge. Originally wanted to add the servos directly under the road, but they were too obvious.

It great how you are putting in al that extra detail like the house and road. Great job on those. What are you planning on useing for the ground around the house.

To Highjack momentarily . 

 Does anyone remember Micheal Jordan ? He said and I quote  "I don't mind failure . BUT , I do resent those who Don't even try "

Thanks Bish.

Bish

...What are you planning on useing for the ground around the house.

Tanker - Builder

To Highjack momentarily . 

 Does anyone remember Micheal Jordan ? He said and I quote  "I don't mind failure . BUT , I do resent those who Don't even try "

 

Designed a circuit to suit this type of servo mechanism.

Then made a printed circuit board (PCB) to accommodate four servo controllers. The two blue trim-pots, per circuit, is for tuning in the exact open and close positions for the gate. This PCB will be installed in the control box under the table.

Made wooden brackets for both the servos and the gate axles. Installed them under the table.

Made brackets to fit over the two sets of gate levers (that link to servo arms). These brackets contain microswitches which will enable panel lights, and other circuits, to the positions of the gates (opened / closed).