Notes From a Maker

  Jigs are absolutely essential in a lot of things that I build. They allow for repeatability, and generally makes my life considerably easier when fabricating anything. With CAD and 3D printing becoming mainstream, the jig making process has become even easier and precise. Not only can 3D printers print out models, they can be used for functional, dimensionally accurate prints too. To demonstrate the versatility and ease of 3D printed jigs, I will be going over three examples of jigs I made and how printing them was the better option. Drill Guide Before I had a drill press, I had to find some way to drill perpendicular holes in things with a handheld drill. Ordinarily in materials like wood, that accuracy wasn't super important, but it becomes super important when working in metal with multiple bolt holes that had to line up. My first thought was to drill a straight thru hole in a block of wood and use that to support and line up the shaft, but making sure that was straight first ...

There's a few ways to transmit mechanical power from one place to another, but arguably the three most common methods are using a chain, a belt, or gears. In my research for a drive system for my electric mountainboard, I found quite a bit of information on what's good for what. I want to summarize my findings here. Drives 101 Chain Drive Image Credit: Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), Public Domain Chain drives transmit power using the tensile force of a chain. There's many different kinds of chains, all designed for certain tasks. At its core, a chain is made up of many links with rollers, which interface with the teeth in a sprocket. When a sprocket turns, the teeth pulls one end of the chain, which turns the other sprocket. Chain sizes are generally standardized based on the dimensions of the chain. This dictates what sprockets can be used. They can also be stacked together to form wider chains, which can handle greater loads. Some sizes also have ...