Sunday, January 10, 2010

New PIC 169 flasher

The new LED flasher for the rear logic display arrived a couple of days ago.


Also, the fourth book in the Fate of the Jedi book series, "Backlash," will be released this month, so keep a look out for it....if you're into the novels that is.

John

[Update: 01/18/2010] I just discovered that the above mentioned book "Fate of the Jedi: Backlash's" release date has been bumped from January to March 2010. I sense the Dark Side is behind this.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Skin work and new parts

Today I removed the panels and filed down the burs on the rear inner set or part "B".

I also ordered a new PIC Flasher kit from Carl's Electronics to replace the one that doesn't work anymore.

John

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Started work on Aluminum Skins

Good golly it got cold here.

I have a few days off for New Years so I'm taking this opportunity to start work on the skins. Remember there are 4 main pieces, 2 inner and 2 outer layered one on top of the other. Using blue painter's tape I placed a piece on each panel I removed as a label and another on the skin skeleton so I know where each panel came from. For example, I designated the front inner as part "A" and the rear inner as part "B". Then each piece would be labeled as "A-1", "A-2", etc.
Today I worked on the outer rear, or part "D". It is not exactly fun. First I used a loose hacksaw blade to cut through the tabs holding the panels to the skeleton. Once that was done I used a metal file to file down the remaining bits of the tabs so they're flush. The picture below shows all the pieces from part "D" cut out. A large piece of part "D" is removable to allow for a rear panel door to gain access to the inside of the body by means other than the top with the head removed.


As for the PIC Flasher that doesn't want to power on, I can't figure out why it won't work so I'll have to order a new one. Oh well.

More updates to come little by little. Once the spring thaw comes, I'll have lots more to post as I return to the shop.

John