On Method
[OFFLINE pending rewrite (which means, ironically, that it is unfinished)]
The joys of finishing even a little, even too late.
Inspiration
Quick notes on and references to the people and things which have pretty much determined my life.
The following sections tend to be strongly related to each other - their common theme being the maintenance and reverse engineering of old machinery by an amateur. They'll frequently cross-link to each other and to other parts of CircuitousRoot where I actually work with these machines.
Drafting and Drawing
Including Varkon
(For CR project and drawing numbering scheme, see CR Project Organization
Parts Symboling Systems
They're very interesting. Really. Sometimes at least.
Measurement
[NOT MUCH YET]
There is a strong link between measurement and the history of gaging systems (for which see the Notebook on that subject in the History of Technology section, below.
History of Technology
A few topics in the history of technology, considered more conventionally as history rather than as tinkering in the workshop. The emphasis is on bibliography and reference, not original studies. At present, the only subject addressed at all is that of dimensioning, tolerancing, and interchangeable manufacturing.
On the Reverse Engineering of Big Old Machines
"Reverse Engineering" is an important (if controversial) field today, but it seems mostly to be practiced by industry for profit - with corresponding access to fancy tools. I've found very little information about reverse engineering the kind of old machinery I like (Linotypes, typecasters, etc.) using tools commonly available in the home hobby machine shop. I haven't even found much information on the underlying principles which might illuminate such an undertaking. It seems that actually attempting to rebuild the 19th century industrial base in the home workshop is a relatively rare pastime, which is a shame.
Optics and Photography
Theory (only one small part done so far) in a Historical Suvey and Practical Demonstrations, [Photographic Bellows], [Microscopy and Photomicrography], [the (Pentax®) K-Mount], Optical Bricolage (i.e., camera and microscope hacking), [Making Lenses], and a [Miscellany]. In short, anything but the art of photography itself.
Safety
[MSDSs] [Glove and Chemical (In)Compatibility] See also Solvents.
Solvents
[Hydrocarbons: Basic Chemistry. Kerosene. Mineral Spirits.] [Ketones: Acetone] [For each: Glove and Chemical (In)Compatibility]
Lubricants and Coolants
Are these "Preliminaries" (because so many things need lubrication and cooling) or "basic Materials" (because they are materials, and basic)? I've got them classified nominally in the " Basic Materials" section, so this is a link there.
Cutting Tool Geometry
This is a link to Basic Processes: Machine Shop -> Cutting Tool Forming and Sharpening
What Is It Called?
It's a lot easier to learn about something if you know what it's called. These are just miscellaneous notes, starting with a polemic on the wrong names applied to common things.
Workshops
[NOT DONE] Cleaning, Organization, and Philosophy; Building Workshop Equipment
Building my workshops.
Research Tools
Notes on Researching and Downloading Old Patents. Image and Text Manipulation (extracting images from PDFs). Copyright Research References.
Research Sources and Artificer's Resources
Sam Brown Bibliography. Finding Diderot & d'Alambert. Undetectable Data Corruption with JB2/JBIG2 Formats and the corruption of historical texts in the digital world.
Presentational Conventions
My odd (but I hope effective) conventions for writing. Why "{ }" for bibliographic citations?
Computer Programming
As much as I try to keep my workshop time involved with physical things, computers seem to intrude everywhere. Here are miscellaneous minor topics of noncommercial computer programming in support of my workshop hobby.
All portions of this document not noted otherwise are Copyright © 2006-2015, 2022 by David M. MacMillan.
Circuitous Root is a Registered Trademark of David M. MacMillan.
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons "Attribution - ShareAlike" license, version 4.0 International. See http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ for its terms.
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