Thingamabobs
Sunday • January 2nd 2022 • 9:54:14 pm
In the morning I came up with this beauuuuutiful idea for the video book chapter,
and it was one of those branching chapters full of colors.
I got out of my bed,
ready to start my day.
And oh my gosh,
it turned out, my amazing idea; was just an empty dream.
I dreamt up a beautiful chapter,
without actually knowing what that chapter was about.
Thanks,
dreams.
On my way back upstairs,
to dream up the video chapter for real.
I walked by my bicycle,
and briefly pondered a missing screw in my mud guard.
It actually shipped that way,
as a result my rear fender wobbles left to right like a tail.
It has been like this for over a year,
I just don't have the right screws.
I have a light beneath here,
and it is kind of important.
One step...
one step after that, I froze with a mechanic's grin.
I flew upstairs to get my electronic digital calipers,
and started measuring the screw I did have.
And I took measurements of the mount holes in my fender,
and wrote it all down with my tongue slightly sticking out to the side.
Happy with all the information I gathered,
I begun MODELING THE SCREW in blender for 3D printing.
There is built in add-on for making bolts,
but I still needed to get the dimensions perfectly.
And I ended up creating two versions,
the second screw version has a slot for a quarter to use as a screw driver.
The first version was a scary perfect fit,
but the second crossed the line of perfection, into who knows what.
I made sure to document my development,
so that I could do a little poetic write up.
I don't know what is harder to believe for me,
how much fun I had... or that I can fabricate perfect screws at the tip of a hat.
I probably shouldn't say this,
but I will spend the entire Spring admiring those screws.
And of course,
after I fixed my fender.
I crossed my arms, lifted my head,
and looked down at the over-fourteen little things I can print out to trick out bicycle.
I think my favorite is a cheap little headlamp holder,
that I can slide into my handlebar.
If I ever ride at night,
I can blink at drivers left and right of me straight from the handlebar.
But I think the first thing I'll design,
is a sophisticated little noisemaker that will make a motorcycle sound with the spokes of my wheels.
Loud pipes,
save lives.