Author Topic: Gadget WEEKENDS (Read 778094 times)

app103 · « **Reply #325 on:** August 15, 2014, 01:25 PM »

There's got to be a site out there that does repurposing...
-Renegade (August 15, 2014, 07:32 AM)

Speaking of repurposing, buy yourself another one of those shave brushes and use it exclusively for this.

Renegade · « **Reply #326 on:** August 15, 2014, 08:47 PM »

There's got to be a site out there that does repurposing...
-Renegade (August 15, 2014, 07:32 AM)

Speaking of repurposing, buy yourself another one of those shave brushes and use it exclusively for this.
-app103 (August 15, 2014, 01:25 PM)

Given the price of them here (everything here is expensive compared to there), a cheap, small paint brush might be better, but yes - definitely an idea.

We've got a calligraphy paint brush around here somewhere. It would likely be ideal as it's long and thin enough to get into those tighter spots, e.g. between components.

app103 · « **Reply #327 on:** August 16, 2014, 12:22 AM »

a cheap, small paint brush might be better, but yes - definitely an idea.
-Renegade (August 15, 2014, 08:47 PM)

Please be sure not to buy anything synthetic for the job, and only those bristle types that are naturally anti-static (badger, black sable, boar). And don't reuse brushes that have been previously used for paint or other substances.

Renegade · « **Reply #328 on:** August 16, 2014, 12:55 AM »

a cheap, small paint brush might be better, but yes - definitely an idea.
-Renegade (August 15, 2014, 08:47 PM)

Please be sure not to buy anything synthetic for the job, and only those bristle types that are naturally anti-static (badger, black sable, boar). And don't reuse brushes that have been previously used for paint or other substances.
-app103 (August 16, 2014, 12:22 AM)

The calligraphy brush we have is natural hair. For paint brushes, I wasn't thinking of synthetic as they build up static charges, but good point to bring that up.

app103 · « **Reply #329 on:** August 16, 2014, 01:23 AM »

a cheap, small paint brush might be better, but yes - definitely an idea.
-Renegade (August 15, 2014, 08:47 PM)

Please be sure not to buy anything synthetic for the job, and only those bristle types that are naturally anti-static (badger, black sable, boar). And don't reuse brushes that have been previously used for paint or other substances.
-app103 (August 16, 2014, 12:22 AM)

The calligraphy brush we have is natural hair. For paint brushes, I wasn't thinking of synthetic as they build up static charges, but good point to bring that up.
-Renegade (August 16, 2014, 12:55 AM)

Not all natural hair is anti-static, which was part of my point. Don't chance it if you don't know specifically what kind of hair it is.

ewemoa · « **Reply #330 on:** August 16, 2014, 03:44 AM »

Thermomix. Totally insane. Just crazy what you can do with it. Off the hook. No words to describe it. I'd heard about it and thought, "Meh, whatever." No... It's simply mind-blowing.
-Renegade (July 12, 2013, 06:59 AM)

So, how has this one been since your original post?
-ewemoa (August 15, 2014, 04:51 AM)

Simply. Amazing.
-Renegade (August 15, 2014, 07:22 AM)

Thanks for sharing!

Dare I ask if there are any downsides you've noticed (you got yours as a gift IIRC -- but perhaps maintenance costs)?

Renegade · « **Reply #331 on:** August 16, 2014, 04:33 AM »

Dare I ask if there are any downsides you've noticed (you got yours as a gift IIRC -- but perhaps maintenance costs)?
-ewemoa (August 16, 2014, 03:44 AM)

So far I can't see a downside to it. No maintenance so far, and I put it through the gears pretty hard sometimes.

mouser · « **Reply #332 on:** October 16, 2014, 10:15 PM »

Ok here's a gadget: YONANAS

Screenshot - 10_16_2014 , 10_01_34 PM_ver001.png

The price fluxtuates on amazon.com; i bought it for $29 which seems a good price for it.

What it is: It takes frozen bananas (and other frozen fruit), and mashes it up into a consistency that is like ice cream.

There are video reviews of it all over youtube, lots of people (who are on a diet) swear by it. it's certainly a healthy alternative.

Personally I did not particularly love the taste of the frozen banana results (which is bizarre since i have been eating whole frozen bananas for years; maybe just a bad batch of bananas; a friend here really liked the banana results) but frozen peaches were great.

As to whether you really need a dedicated tool to do this.. You couldn't really use a blender as it would either fail to pulverize or make soup out of it from the heat. Another major advantage to a tool like this is that it is built to be very easy to clean. There are now alternative product competitors to this product that sell for similar price; they probably all function similarly.

ewemoa · « **Reply #333 on:** October 17, 2014, 03:05 AM »

Is it loud?

mouser · « **Reply #334 on:** October 17, 2014, 03:34 AM »

They have a new much more expensive model that is supposed to be much quieter (with a more powerful motor), so if you use it frequently you might consider that.
This model didn't seem as loud as i feared though -- quieter than a loud blender.

TaoPhoenix · « **Reply #335 on:** October 31, 2014, 11:42 PM »

Okay, I haven't visited gadget weekends much, but I figured I'd chime in this time.

In this age of planned obsolescence, it's nice when something gives you its money's worth!

Anyone have one of these circular perpetual calendars? (Mine is almost identical, but only has a 40 year range, not a 50 year one.)

It astounds me that I somehow managed to hold onto it ... it's "just what it is", but through all my moves, my subconscious apparently kept telling me to keep it in that "box of special things at the top of the moving pile". Mine is from 1999, with a range of 1999-2038. Being the creaky old birdie I am now, as of this year I have managed to hold onto it for 40% of its rated value ... with 60% left! That's the best $20 I ever spent! (I got it at a gift store somewhere.)

ewemoa · « **Reply #336 on:** November 01, 2014, 07:58 PM »

I guess it can also be a sort of countdown reminder for:

https://en.wikipedia...ki/Year_2038_problem

TaoPhoenix · « **Reply #337 on:** November 02, 2014, 11:17 AM »

I guess it can also be a sort of countdown reminder for:

https://en.wikipedia...ki/Year_2038_problem
-ewemoa (November 01, 2014, 07:58 PM)

Haha good catch! I'd heard about that, but the odds of my getting one that happens to end on that exact scenario are ultra rare! (I mean, it was from 1999, I'd barely heard about the throes of Y2K - I was actually in a temp job assignment once doing some data checking about that!)

IainB · « **Reply #338 on:** November 08, 2014, 11:36 PM »

I have been given an unwanted 1st generation Mac Mini with the DVI graphics port:

Mac-mini - 02 dvi back view (with notes) 750.png

I got this and other pix from Wikipedia - Mac Mini .
The question is. What good use could I put this device to, or is only good for scrap?

4wd · « **Reply #339 on:** November 09, 2014, 12:55 AM »

Mac Mini Toilet Paper Dispenser

Install Linux on Mac Mini

KynloStephen66515 · « **Reply #340 on:** November 09, 2014, 01:06 AM »

I have been given an unwanted 1st generation Mac Mini with the DVI graphics port:
(see attachment in previous post)
I got this and other pix from Wikipedia - Mac Mini .
The question is. What good use could I put this device to, or is only good for scrap?

-IainB (November 08, 2014, 11:36 PM)

Doorstop?

IainB · « **Reply #341 on:** November 09, 2014, 01:16 AM »

Yeah, yeah, yeah. And a sea anchor for a lightweight dingy.
So, no use at all, then, eh?

KynloStephen66515 · « **Reply #342 on:** November 09, 2014, 01:38 AM »

Yeah, yeah, yeah. And a sea anchor for a lightweight dingy.
So, no use at all, then, eh?
-IainB (November 09, 2014, 01:16 AM)

I guess it could be useful for a home media center if you got rid of whatever Crapple OS it runs...then install Linux instead...use it for storing movies or whatever on it, connected up to your main home TV?

IainB · « **Reply #343 on:** November 09, 2014, 02:00 AM »

...Install Linux on Mac Mini
-4wd (November 09, 2014, 12:55 AM)

That link says one requirement is "...A Mac mini late 2012 with OSX in a perfect state (if not you can reinstall OSX to start with, I did that)". That's a later model.
Even if I had that model, I'm not sure that installing Linux on it would be of any real use to me, anyway.

Pity. I hate throwing stuff away.

IainB · « **Reply #344 on:** November 09, 2014, 02:06 AM »

...I guess it could be useful for a home media center if you got rid of whatever Crapple OS it runs...then install Linux instead...use it for storing movies or whatever on it, connected up to your main home TV?
-Stephen66515 (November 09, 2014, 01:38 AM)

Yes, I couldn't see anything much else of use for it except extending its original purpose. But Linux? Apparently not feasible or worthwhile with this model?

KynloStephen66515 · « **Reply #345 on:** November 09, 2014, 02:11 AM »

...I guess it could be useful for a home media center if you got rid of whatever Crapple OS it runs...then install Linux instead...use it for storing movies or whatever on it, connected up to your main home TV?
-Stephen66515 (November 09, 2014, 01:38 AM)

Yes, I couldn't see anything much else of use for it except extending its original purpose. But Linux? Apparently not feasible or worthwhile with this model?
-IainB (November 09, 2014, 02:06 AM)

Meh, I just have a hatred for all things Apple...so for me...well, I would have declined to take it

KynloStephen66515 · « **Reply #346 on:** November 09, 2014, 02:58 AM »

I just went back and read all 14 pages of this thread...at 8:30am on a Sunday...wtf am I doing with my life?

barney · « **Reply #347 on:** November 09, 2014, 03:02 AM »

I just went back and read all 14 pages of this thread...at 8:30am on a Sunday...wtf am I doing with my life?
-Stephen66515 (November 09, 2014, 02:58 AM)

Develping eyestrain $:-\$ ?

Renegade · « **Reply #348 on:** November 09, 2014, 04:25 AM »

Possible inspiration?

4wd · « **Reply #349 on:** November 09, 2014, 04:56 AM »

Pity. I hate throwing stuff away.
-IainB (November 09, 2014, 02:00 AM)

If you have no use for it, stick it on ebay - that way you might get some use out of it.