For the last week and a half I've been working on doing a complete network rebuild for a client, including all the servers and desktops. They are very heavily Exchange based, so the new servers had to be running Windoze. In their old environment the users were storing all their files on their local computer. This created obvious problems whenever they changed offices or when there was a hardware failure on their computer. When the time came to setup the new Windoze servers the first thing...

I just got the two narrow slots working on my Pepsi machine. I fabricated the cams out of tempered hardboard. I used 3/16" not because I wanted it to be stronger but because I had small scraps if it around and I didn't feel like getting out an entire 4'x8' sheet of 1/8" and cutting off a piece. The cam doesn't actually move any of the machinery, all it does is click the switches at the right time. Because of this I was able to make it out of wood. As it turned...

Ok, so it's a Pepsi machine and not a great pyramid. But it must weigh at least half as much. Did I mention that soda machines are really, really heavy? In the house! Yes, it's in the house now. Yes, I need to start keeping my eye out for sales on soda. Yes, I did it by myself. And no Mom, I didn't hurt myself. This is definitely an exercise in the use of mechanical advantage and simple machines: wheels, ramps, and wedges. Before we get started though, let's take a moment...

I just finished hanging the last of the new shop lights I purchased last week. What a difference! I hung 6 four-foot lights with 2 bulbs each. It's like a real workshop now! Before After

Last night when I got home the first thing I did was tinker with the Pepsi machine some more. I got out the flashlight and searched all over looking for the thermostat control (still haven't found it). While searching I found the rod linkage that goes onto the narrow slot. Didn't find any cams, although I'm considering trying to fabricate them. I have a drawing on the inside of the door that shows what it looks like. I'm not sure how old the machine is, but it's largely an...