Into the blue
Documenting things I make, break, and learn
Category: Electronics
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Dummy Rails Are Not Optional 6 min read Back to the lathe again this week. There is no grand story to tie all the topics of this update together. This post simply summarizes the work done in the past weeks. Materials & Tools ESP32 DIN rail mount All the electronics will be mounted to a…
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When the concept works beautifully – except in reality 8 min read This week we will take a small break from the Mini Lathe story, a series that is getting longer and longer. I knew it had to be around here somewhere…where could it be? Probably on that shelf behind this box…No – but it’s…
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Goodbye LCARS 6 min read „VFDs? Again?? You must be kidding me, how boring!“ is probably what you‘re saying. Fear not, it is not directly about VFDs but related. Happy? Screen Layout Like I promised, this post only grazes the VFD. In the last post I established the proof of concept, getting something to display…
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Vacuum, Phosphor and Patience 9 min read After raving about VFDs in the last part, there is just no other way than diving into that topic here. I’ll cover trials and tribulations on the way to shoot electrons at phosphor in vacuum – or in more practical terms: setting up tools, wrestling with code, and…
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Turning Metal, Turning Habits 9 min read It finally happened: I have a lathe! This is a machine tool I have always wanted to own and work with. Somehow it just never happened. Workshop space limitations, power outlet restrictions, money, priorities, etc. Even when launching into a huge development project, significantly expanding my workshop capabilities…
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A hands-on build of a DIY F-16 Integrated Control Panel for DCS in VR. From sourcing parts and 3D printing to solving hardware quirks and design compromises, this project explores how far physical controls can push immersion—and where it’s better to stop before chasing perfection.
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Blocks Off, Brains Off 9 min read I am a pilot. (Quick explanation: How do you spot the pilot at a party? He‘ll tell you 🙂 Every time I take to the air, I’m reminded that what goes up must also be logged. Meaning, I have to keep a logbook with all my flight times.…
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From Failure to Final Form 9 min read Right, let‘s do this again. This time the right way. I took out another board and components and remembered an old reflow oven I had won years ago at a company raffle. They had upgraded to a better one and gave it away to the employees. Nothing…
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I Could’ve Carried a Flashlight. I Chose Chaos. Again 5 min read One weekend I was pondering the question of what should go into my EDC bag (yes, another side-project. There are so many😅). I decided my EDC shouldn’t be about survival and gear for unlikely emergencies, but about things I actually use — and…
Into the blue 