Countdown to 2025 - #7 - Fixing a Mouse (and my Top 3 repair jobs)

Countdown + Datatalk + DIY

It takes money to replace broken stuff. I'd rather save some money by trying to repair it first. If possible.

Which isn't always possible, but at least I managed to repair this simple computer mouse. Which made me think what else I fixed over time?

Using Ikea Ivar to store 3D Printer build plates

3D Printing

Plates, plates, plates...

I gathered a rather large number of plates when doing all sorts of 3D Printing experiments, and had to put them somewhere... Now I do have a lot of Ikea in my home, including the versatile Ivar rack.

Ikea Fornuftig + 3D Printer

3D Printing + Air Quality + Ikea

In the past I used a Dremel 3D20, and when printing PLA the whole room started to smell... which can't be good. These days I am the proud owner of a Bambu Lab X1C, and I plan to print ABS and PETG, and the one little test print I made smells, even though the X1C has a filter inside the enclosure.

Is that dangerous?

Ikea Ivar Door (Hinge) Mod (104.530.72)

DIY + Ikea

Ikea has a new (?) product called a 'door', also known under the catchy nominator '104.530.72' 😎

Actually, they have two versions. I have used the rattan version here. Both though are not of a quality that would warrant the price. (40+ bucks, Ikea? Seriously?)

USB-C / Thunderbolt / USB4 / USB-C Docking Stations

Datatalk

I needed to figure out what kind of USB-C cable I needed for a docking station, and then things got complicated really fast 😁

So, did you know that you don't need high speed cables if you want to connect (multiple) monitors over USB-C? Or that different combinations of adapters, cables and devices offer different charge speeds because they negotiate -- if they're all new enough, of a decent quality, and have a chip? Read on...

LED Lamps and Life Expectancy

DIY.

LED lamps use less energy and last much longer. Though, perhaps, not as long as often suggested.

Ikea suggests their LED lamps can last up to 20 years. Well... probably... if you leave them off.

Fastin... Faston... Stekers en kabel voor LED verlichting (Dutch)

DIY + Domotics + Dutch

Hoe koppel je LED verlichting? Of andere gelijkstroom spullen? Er zijn allerlei producten in de handel, maar sommigen zijn belachelijk duur, onhandig groot, of gewoon niet te krijgen.

Nou zijn er ook de zogenaamde AMP en FASTON klemmen. De FASTIN-FASTON zijn niet perfect (je kunt met een beetje moeite (en geweld) de steker 180 graden draaien, met alle gevolgen vandien) maar voor mijn toepassing zijn ze goed genoog.

Nerd - Level 2.1

3D Printing.

Define 'nerd'...

If it's a person who enjoys an overly complex technical solution for a problem that doesn't need to be solved... then... Yes! Guilty, your honor!

My own kids, fairly used to their father being a bit... euh... eccentric 😁 shake their heads in disbelief (and perhaps a little disappointment). Which means... Mission accomplished!

3D printing a LED driver enclosure - 2 - Work in progress

3D Printing + Domotics + DIY

Long ago 😅 I said I was planning to design my own enclosure for a led driver and led controller. Of course, reality interfered and lots of other things got in the way.

Still, I made some progress. And hit a couple of snags on the way...

3D printing a LED driver enclosure - 1 - What

3D Printing + Domotics + DIY

I always found 3D printing fascinating, but with too many hobbies I just never found the time to delve a bit deeper into yet another timewaster...

Then, a year ago or so, I ran into a heavily discounted Dremel 3D20, and without knowing anything about this printer (or about 3D printing in general) I bought it...

Ikea quality - The Oven's Tail

DIY + Ikea

Ikea is well known for their affordable furniture. You may dislike the style or wonder about the quality, but in general Ikea is considered value for money.

Yet...? Let's tell a tale about an Ikea oven and its tail...

Sluipverbruik 2e ronde (Dutch)

Dutch + Domotics

Ben je een nerd, heb je wel een slimme meter maar nog geen BeeClear? Gelijk eentje aanschaffen! (En nee, daar verdien ik niets aan 😄)

Met behulp van de BeeClear en een power meter heb ik mijn sluipverbruik in kaart gebracht. Helaas zie ik niet veel ruimte om er iets aan te doen... 😞 Zal nog wat puzzelen en uitzoeken, maar ja...

Mounting a Tab3 7" tablet in a kitchen

DIY

With all the recent security scares you may want to carefully consider what you want to do with it.

But... if you decide you still want to put a tablet in your kitchen, then here's an example with a Samsung Tab 3 7".

BeeClear en de slimme meter op sluipjacht (Dutch)

Review + Domotics + Dutch

De meeste huishoudens hebben tegenwoordig een 'slimme' meter. Die 'slimheid' zit hem voornamelijk in het voordeel voor de energie bedrijven die veel gemakkelijker je meter kunnen uitlezen, maar gelukkig kun je er zelf ook wat mee.

Bijvoorbeeld sluipverbruik aanpakken i.c.m. de BeeClear.

A tree hugger goes Faktum

DIY + Kitchen

About paper, plastic, and re-purposing Ikea kitchens... I would never call myself a 'tree hugger' (and I have a PS3, PS4, and too many airmiles to prove that) but even I think sometimes it pays to be smart... either for the environment, or just for the money.