Arne
@androidarts.bsky.social
"a custard pie dropped from a stepladder six feet high."
Art, old games, miniatures, gunpla and electronics.
http://www.androidarts.com
https://mastodon.gamedev.place/@androidarts
(No twitter account anymore)
Art, old games, miniatures, gunpla and electronics.
http://www.androidarts.com
https://mastodon.gamedev.place/@androidarts
(No twitter account anymore)
While waiting for my package I started looking for a space to see if I could fit a model railway anywhere. Technically I could fit it on my office desk. It's all about choosing the right curve radii. I would need to build a platform up for terrain and lake/mining pit. Stole stencil from product img
November 7, 2025 at 8:43 PM
While waiting for my package I started looking for a space to see if I could fit a model railway anywhere. Technically I could fit it on my office desk. It's all about choosing the right curve radii. I would need to build a platform up for terrain and lake/mining pit. Stole stencil from product img
Found a baggie with what might be a LEGO mixels set--not sure which. Built a Dragonfly MOC from it.
November 5, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Found a baggie with what might be a LEGO mixels set--not sure which. Built a Dragonfly MOC from it.
Oh-hi there budding buddy, do you perhaps know where all of my water fleas went?
November 3, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Oh-hi there budding buddy, do you perhaps know where all of my water fleas went?
Just realized that I've never been able to get my 311s to work! I've read and reread the ti datasheet. Then I remembered that I usually fall back on the 358. And that worked the moment I plugged it in! It just has the comparator inputs and an output. Handles the full 0-12V turn of the divider. Phew.
October 28, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Just realized that I've never been able to get my 311s to work! I've read and reread the ti datasheet. Then I remembered that I usually fall back on the 358. And that worked the moment I plugged it in! It just has the comparator inputs and an output. Handles the full 0-12V turn of the divider. Phew.
Ah, I don't think an LM311 is needed. I fiddled around a bit and came up with two BC548 powered off a regulated source, their bases connected, but their LEDs configured so one is inverted. The shared base probe goes on one rail side (GND or +). Only gives some dimming due to (big) motor startup draw
October 28, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Ah, I don't think an LM311 is needed. I fiddled around a bit and came up with two BC548 powered off a regulated source, their bases connected, but their LEDs configured so one is inverted. The shared base probe goes on one rail side (GND or +). Only gives some dimming due to (big) motor startup draw
This is a portion/serving of chips according to the print on the bag. It's about two palms worth I'd say. You wouldn't think of reaching into the bag to snatch a few extra... would you?
October 27, 2025 at 7:56 PM
This is a portion/serving of chips according to the print on the bag. It's about two palms worth I'd say. You wouldn't think of reaching into the bag to snatch a few extra... would you?
Why use two diodes and a resistor for polarity detection when you can use 13 components instead?
I just wanted to see if I could get constant-ish brightness from variable voltage, so I used a 1N5819 -> L78L33 regulator, and two BC548 to drive the LEDs, detecting via 300K resistors to base. Stoopid?
I just wanted to see if I could get constant-ish brightness from variable voltage, so I used a 1N5819 -> L78L33 regulator, and two BC548 to drive the LEDs, detecting via 300K resistors to base. Stoopid?
October 27, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Why use two diodes and a resistor for polarity detection when you can use 13 components instead?
I just wanted to see if I could get constant-ish brightness from variable voltage, so I used a 1N5819 -> L78L33 regulator, and two BC548 to drive the LEDs, detecting via 300K resistors to base. Stoopid?
I just wanted to see if I could get constant-ish brightness from variable voltage, so I used a 1N5819 -> L78L33 regulator, and two BC548 to drive the LEDs, detecting via 300K resistors to base. Stoopid?
Actually a DPDT switch isn't needed--the center Y could be powered & flipped at STOP. The side track that's not switched will be left unpowered, so if the train hits that it will come to a crawl.
Means that when the train comes in the split also need to be upper/lower & a dbl sw is needed after all?
Means that when the train comes in the split also need to be upper/lower & a dbl sw is needed after all?
October 26, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Actually a DPDT switch isn't needed--the center Y could be powered & flipped at STOP. The side track that's not switched will be left unpowered, so if the train hits that it will come to a crawl.
Means that when the train comes in the split also need to be upper/lower & a dbl sw is needed after all?
Means that when the train comes in the split also need to be upper/lower & a dbl sw is needed after all?
This I think is the most interesting reverse loop. Unless I'm mistaken in my beginner notions, it's good enough to just park in the middle section and then flip both access points into it using a DPDT. One just has to make sure the switch is in the right entry mode or the train will hit a reverse.
October 26, 2025 at 1:24 PM
This I think is the most interesting reverse loop. Unless I'm mistaken in my beginner notions, it's good enough to just park in the middle section and then flip both access points into it using a DPDT. One just has to make sure the switch is in the right entry mode or the train will hit a reverse.
I think this is from something newer. They look tall here, but only realistic really tall person tall.
October 25, 2025 at 6:53 PM
I think this is from something newer. They look tall here, but only realistic really tall person tall.
Uh, so I found some hidden spare dough on my tax returns account and decided that I actually really did need some comfort after the dentist debacle actually. 200euro plus 60 ship. The TOMIX 91036 railyard (barely visible here) seemed like a good set for scale scenery w/ many track point & end bits.
October 25, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Uh, so I found some hidden spare dough on my tax returns account and decided that I actually really did need some comfort after the dentist debacle actually. 200euro plus 60 ship. The TOMIX 91036 railyard (barely visible here) seemed like a good set for scale scenery w/ many track point & end bits.
So I looked into other manufacturers, and the Japanese N gauge (1:150) Tomix stuff looks detailed enough (though slightly plastic'y without weathering), and it's a great deal cheaper. Looks to be 30-20% of the Märklin prices.
October 22, 2025 at 8:03 PM
So I looked into other manufacturers, and the Japanese N gauge (1:150) Tomix stuff looks detailed enough (though slightly plastic'y without weathering), and it's a great deal cheaper. Looks to be 30-20% of the Märklin prices.
Again, not ever building this, but I had to know...
This really rather conservative layout would probably end up around 3-4K euros (bought new), with woodwork, plaster of paris, flock, trees, and extra purchases. That's like my annual income now lol.
Maybe double of what I spent on GW since '90.
This really rather conservative layout would probably end up around 3-4K euros (bought new), with woodwork, plaster of paris, flock, trees, and extra purchases. That's like my annual income now lol.
Maybe double of what I spent on GW since '90.
October 22, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Again, not ever building this, but I had to know...
This really rather conservative layout would probably end up around 3-4K euros (bought new), with woodwork, plaster of paris, flock, trees, and extra purchases. That's like my annual income now lol.
Maybe double of what I spent on GW since '90.
This really rather conservative layout would probably end up around 3-4K euros (bought new), with woodwork, plaster of paris, flock, trees, and extra purchases. That's like my annual income now lol.
Maybe double of what I spent on GW since '90.
Alright, here's an iteration on the railroad layout.
The side track now meets up with the stripmine swirl, which flows better. The two sidetracks go in opposite directions. Didn't want to overload this area.
Car dump (in the forest) at middle.
More options at chem plant, allowing train flip.
The side track now meets up with the stripmine swirl, which flows better. The two sidetracks go in opposite directions. Didn't want to overload this area.
Car dump (in the forest) at middle.
More options at chem plant, allowing train flip.
October 22, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Alright, here's an iteration on the railroad layout.
The side track now meets up with the stripmine swirl, which flows better. The two sidetracks go in opposite directions. Didn't want to overload this area.
Car dump (in the forest) at middle.
More options at chem plant, allowing train flip.
The side track now meets up with the stripmine swirl, which flows better. The two sidetracks go in opposite directions. Didn't want to overload this area.
Car dump (in the forest) at middle.
More options at chem plant, allowing train flip.
I thought it would be fun to plan a model railroad layout, even though I can't build it for budget, time and space reasons.
New locomotives and wagons are in the 50-150-500 euro range, but more affordable second hand. It's probably a bit like the 40K market: stuff bought, barely used, then sold.
New locomotives and wagons are in the 50-150-500 euro range, but more affordable second hand. It's probably a bit like the 40K market: stuff bought, barely used, then sold.
October 21, 2025 at 4:08 PM
I thought it would be fun to plan a model railroad layout, even though I can't build it for budget, time and space reasons.
New locomotives and wagons are in the 50-150-500 euro range, but more affordable second hand. It's probably a bit like the 40K market: stuff bought, barely used, then sold.
New locomotives and wagons are in the 50-150-500 euro range, but more affordable second hand. It's probably a bit like the 40K market: stuff bought, barely used, then sold.
Made a "blink sketch" (can blink e.g. twice a day) that uses the WatchDog Timer and Sleep mode. The difference in power consumption is that of a week vs 10 years (1:500) on an ideal battery, and that's with my board which is already low power (I can isolate the power light, USB/FTDI & Regul). 26.5uA
October 2, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Made a "blink sketch" (can blink e.g. twice a day) that uses the WatchDog Timer and Sleep mode. The difference in power consumption is that of a week vs 10 years (1:500) on an ideal battery, and that's with my board which is already low power (I can isolate the power light, USB/FTDI & Regul). 26.5uA
Some later Permian things.
September 30, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Some later Permian things.
Hi. Redesign of the Czech ZB 47 (post ww2 era unadopted protoype), but with a curved magazine for funzies. This fully automatic rifle had an unusual rotary mechanism that was engaged by the recoil and spring, twisting the rounds up into the chamber.
September 30, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Hi. Redesign of the Czech ZB 47 (post ww2 era unadopted protoype), but with a curved magazine for funzies. This fully automatic rifle had an unusual rotary mechanism that was engaged by the recoil and spring, twisting the rounds up into the chamber.
By the way, here's the offending Windows 11 laptop. I put stickers on it so I at least get happy looking at it when turned off.
December 31, 2024 at 5:38 PM
By the way, here's the offending Windows 11 laptop. I put stickers on it so I at least get happy looking at it when turned off.
It works best on larger ICs, but I find that it helps with the black little SMD diodes too, like e.g. the [|||M2] ones.
December 18, 2024 at 1:10 PM
It works best on larger ICs, but I find that it helps with the black little SMD diodes too, like e.g. the [|||M2] ones.
Blue soldiers moving from Eastern Palace up towards the witch where the Z1 map overlaps and the Z1 sword cave is... according to the Zelda Encyclopedia. Maybe it makes more sense to place the games in different local counties of Hyrule though, given how small the older maps feel – except Z2 I guess.
December 14, 2024 at 12:47 PM
Blue soldiers moving from Eastern Palace up towards the witch where the Z1 map overlaps and the Z1 sword cave is... according to the Zelda Encyclopedia. Maybe it makes more sense to place the games in different local counties of Hyrule though, given how small the older maps feel – except Z2 I guess.
Another Zelda image update... just a bit of colour. An ancient Ooccan is examining a devolved barrelman (LikeLike ancestor). An Octorok is gathering up a dirt ball.
December 12, 2024 at 1:31 PM
Another Zelda image update... just a bit of colour. An ancient Ooccan is examining a devolved barrelman (LikeLike ancestor). An Octorok is gathering up a dirt ball.
Collectible Tektite-like bugs and some Eyegore (Armos?) variants.
Skyward Sword had collectible bugs but they were a bit too normal for my taste. I don't quite fancy the idea of earth bugs, hens, rats and horses in Hyrule as it's more of an alien world to me, with strange Leevers, LikeLikes and such
Skyward Sword had collectible bugs but they were a bit too normal for my taste. I don't quite fancy the idea of earth bugs, hens, rats and horses in Hyrule as it's more of an alien world to me, with strange Leevers, LikeLikes and such
December 9, 2024 at 11:04 AM
Collectible Tektite-like bugs and some Eyegore (Armos?) variants.
Skyward Sword had collectible bugs but they were a bit too normal for my taste. I don't quite fancy the idea of earth bugs, hens, rats and horses in Hyrule as it's more of an alien world to me, with strange Leevers, LikeLikes and such
Skyward Sword had collectible bugs but they were a bit too normal for my taste. I don't quite fancy the idea of earth bugs, hens, rats and horses in Hyrule as it's more of an alien world to me, with strange Leevers, LikeLikes and such
Who knows what this "Emerald Framer" block (at the top) in Adventures of Lolo is supposed to be. Maybe a green glass block?
I did four more figurative interpretations of it. IIRC, I used to think it was a little baby snake trapped in a cage even though it doesn't make much sense.
I did four more figurative interpretations of it. IIRC, I used to think it was a little baby snake trapped in a cage even though it doesn't make much sense.
December 4, 2024 at 2:55 PM
Who knows what this "Emerald Framer" block (at the top) in Adventures of Lolo is supposed to be. Maybe a green glass block?
I did four more figurative interpretations of it. IIRC, I used to think it was a little baby snake trapped in a cage even though it doesn't make much sense.
I did four more figurative interpretations of it. IIRC, I used to think it was a little baby snake trapped in a cage even though it doesn't make much sense.
More sketches for my Zelda page.
December 2, 2024 at 5:36 PM
More sketches for my Zelda page.