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An ebike wouldn't be an ebike without the electrical bits and pieces that assist in pushing bike and rider along. After all, it’s the electricity that puts the 'E' in ebike.

Project Mixt-E: Part 2 – The EBike Parts

An ebike wouldn’t be an ebike without the electrical bits and pieces that assist in pushing bike and rider along. After all, it’s the electricity that puts the ‘E’ in ebike. 

At this stage of the project Mixt-E build I have been able to source the majority of parts that would normally go into a bolt-on DIY kit. But instead of simply buying a complete off-the-shelf kit, I did it the way any unorganised person would – one piece at a time. There was reason behind this round-a-bout way of cobbling together a kit. Put simply, the specific electric motor for the build wasn’t available in any off-the-shelf kit – or at least I couldn’t find one…

However, while my erratic stockpiling of parts wasn’t the way a sensible person would have gone about it, it did give me an opportunity to gain an understanding of all the componentry that makes up the electrical system of an ebike.… Continue reading Project Mixt-E: Part 2 – The EBike Parts

by RB42.tech
Balancing a classic style with modern ideas is tricky to get right and something not everyone can pull off. When I started the rebuild on this neglected Raleigh Sprite 5, with the intention of turning it into an ebike, I was hoping not to fall into the same trap. Starting with just a bare frame, everything would need rebuilding from the ground up. There are many steps in the process and many square pegs that would need fitting into round holes. While in my mind I could envision something wonderful, would it turn out this way in reality?

Project Mixt-E: Part 1 – Intro

Balancing a classic style with modern ideas is tricky to get right and something not everyone can pull off. When I started the rebuild on this neglected Raleigh Sprite 5, with the intention of turning it into an ebike, I was hoping not to fall into the same trap. Starting with just a bare frame, everything would need rebuilding from the ground up. There are many steps in the process and many square pegs that would need fitting into round holes. While in my mind I could envision something wonderful, would it turn out this way in reality? … Continue reading Project Mixt-E: Part 1 – Intro

by RB42.tech
There's a funny thing about company provided service vehicles - rarely do you get a say in what you end up with, that’s up to the fleet/purchasing manager after all. The one I ended up with would not have been my first choice of make and model, nor even my second, but somehow I have ended up with this tonne and a half of station-wagon packed with annoying, interventionist technology. It would seem then that for the next four years at least, me and this chunk of steel will have to learn to get along else it’s going to be a long quadrennial.

Workshop Journal #4: The Technology Paradox – How I Wish My Car Was More Like a Vacuum Cleaner.

There’s a funny thing about company provided service vehicles – rarely do you get a say in what you end up with, that’s up to the fleet/purchasing manager after all. The one I ended up with would not have been my first choice of make and model, nor even my second, but somehow I have ended up with this tonne and a half of station-wagon packed with annoying, interventionist technology. It would seem then that for the next four years at least, me and this chunk of steel will have to learn to get along else it’s going to be a long quadrennial.… Continue reading Workshop Journal #4: The Technology Paradox – How I Wish My Car Was More Like a Vacuum Cleaner.

by RB42.tech
Have you ever simply wondered "technically what is an EV?". It's worth understanding the fundamentals of what makes an Electric vehicle an Electric Vehicle. There's so much more to EV's than simply batteries and electric motors.

EV 101: Technically What is an Electric Vehicle?

With so much new tech and innovation going into electric vehicles it is understandable for one to become overwhelmed with everything that’s happening. There are obvious examples you see every day and are easily recognisable, like how the inner city is teeming with Teslas. However, with the ludicrous rate of EV development, have you ever simply pondered “technically what is an EV?”. Before everything goes plaid, it’s worth understanding the fundamentals of what makes an EV an EV. As you’ll find out there’s so much more to electric cars, bikes, and everything else than simply batteries and electric motors.… Continue reading EV 101: Technically What is an Electric Vehicle?

by RB42.tech
We've all been at that stage. Where seemingly there is so much going on all at once and simply not enough hours in a day. It gets to a point of saturation where we can no longer work efficiently or to our fullest potential. This is how I was feeling towards the end of 2021, so before things really got too much, I had to take a break for a little while.

Workshop Journal #3: The Partial Vacation

We’ve all been at that stage. Where seemingly there is so much going on all at once and simply not enough hours in a day. It gets to a point of saturation where we can no longer work efficiently or to our fullest potential. This is how I was feeling towards the end of 2021, so before things really got too much, I had to take a break for a little while. … Continue reading Workshop Journal #3: The Partial Vacation

by RB42.tech
There has already been much discourse about Victoria's electric vehicle tax and the way it will affect the future roll out of electric vehicles. Many will claim it’s a grab for cash by the government, others will claim it’s for road maintenance. Why couldn’t it be both? Not only this but also a good sign for the future of electric vehicles in this country? #electricvehicles #electriccar #greentech #renewables #futuretechnology #technology #EV #tax #EVtax #duty #levy #excise #tariff #toll #ZLEVcharge #ZLEV #tesla #rivian #supercharger #green #solar #Australia #AU #Victoria #vic #newsouthwales #NSW #southaustralia #SA #roads @timpallas @VicGovAU @VictorianLabor @LiberalVictoria @VictorianGreens @3aw @ABC

Victoria’s Electric Vehicle Duty: More Benefits for EVs than you might think…

There has already been much discourse about Victoria’s electric vehicle tax and the way it will affect the future roll out of electric vehicles. Many will claim it’s a grab for cash by the government, others will claim it’s for road maintenance. Why couldn’t it be both? Not only this but also a good sign for the future of electric vehicles in this country?… Continue reading Victoria’s Electric Vehicle Duty: More Benefits for EVs than you might think…

by RB42.tech
What’s it like coming from a regular watch to the latest Apple Watch? After spending 12 months with one, here’s the good bits and the not so good bits of daily life with Apples wearable timepiece.

A Year of Complications With the Apple Watch

What’s it like coming from a regular watch to the latest Apple Watch? After spending 12 months with one, here’s the good bits and the not so good bits of daily life with Apples wearable timepiece.… Continue reading A Year of Complications With the Apple Watch

by RB42.tech
Comprehensive and detailed assembly instructions for the Creality Ender 3 Pro. Everything you need to know to put together and start making wonderful prints!

Creality Ender 3 Pro Assembly Instructions

RB42s assembly instructions are based on the below two factory manuals from Creality. Please reference these manufacturers manuals for further information regarding the assembly process for this particular printer. Use correct safety practices, appropriate tools (in good and working condition) and suitable personal protective equipment while assembling the 3D printer as risk of personal injury… Continue reading Creality Ender 3 Pro Assembly Instructions

by RB42.tech
The Tevo Tarantula needed a place for the LCD display to go, the solution was a nicely designed mounting bracket system that puts the screen in a prime location on the frame of the printer. In this post, I go into some of the finer details of the design and how it has transformed this cheap 3d printer.

Tevo Tarantula Display Mount

The Tevo Tarantula needed a place for the LCD display to go, the solution was a nicely designed mounting bracket system that puts the screen in a prime location on the frame of the printer. In this post, I go into some of the finer details of the design and how it has transformed this cheap 3d printer.… Continue reading Tevo Tarantula Display Mount

by RB42.tech
Part Five of a multipart series- Project West, Pimp My Trailer: The final instalment in the series! In this part all the upgraded, custom designed and manufactured parts are covered in depth. Design considerations, challenges and solutions for taking the humdrum Easytrailer (Harbor Freight) folding trailer to the next level!

Project West: Part 5 – Pimp My Trailer

Part Five of a multipart series- Project West, Pimp My Trailer:
The final instalment in the series! In this part all the upgraded, custom designed and manufactured parts are covered in depth. Design considerations, challenges and solutions for taking the humdrum Easytrailer (Harbor Freight) folding trailer to the next level!… Continue reading Project West: Part 5 – Pimp My Trailer

by RB42.tech
A brief look at the four-stroke kart race engine, Torini Clubmaxx 210, which is taking Australian Karting by storm. In this post: a look at its origins, how it stacks up agains the alternative power units and potential performance gains.

Power to the People! – A look at the Torini Clubmaxx 210

A brief look at the four-stroke kart race engine, Torini Clubmaxx 210, which is taking Australian Karting by storm. In this post: a look at its origins, how it stacks up against the alternative power units and potential performance gains.… Continue reading Power to the People! – A look at the Torini Clubmaxx 210

by RB42.tech
Part Four of a multipart series- Project West, trailer refresh: Having finished fixing the problematic rust, painting various components and gathering new parts it was time to it all back together, transforming a pile of parts into an Easytrailer once again.

Project West: Part 4 – Reassembly

Part Four of a multipart series- Project West, trailer refresh:
Having finished fixing the problematic rust, painting various components and gathering new parts it was time to it all back together, transforming a pile of parts into an Easytrailer once again.… Continue reading Project West: Part 4 – Reassembly

by RB42.tech
Part Three of a multipart series- Project West, trailer refresh: New parts are bought, designed and manufactured to replace all the old and worn out components. With the project in full swing, progress is being made on the rebuild of the Easytrailer/Harbor freight folding trailer.

Project West: Part 3 – Replacement Parts

Part Three of a multipart series- Project West, trailer refresh:
New parts are bought, designed and manufactured to replace all the old and worn out components. With the project in full swing, progress is being made on the rebuild of the Easytrailer/Harbor freight folding trailer.… Continue reading Project West: Part 3 – Replacement Parts

by RB42.tech
Part Two of a multipart series- Project West, trailer refresh: Delving deeper into the design, build and existing condition of the Easytrailer folding trailer. Starting the process of fixing rust and other damage all the while dismantling piece by piece.

Project West: Part 2 – Rust Repair and Painting

Part Two of a multipart series- Project West, trailer refresh:
Delving deeper into the design, build and existing condition of the Easytrailer folding trailer. Starting the process of fixing rust and other damage all the while dismantling piece by piece.… Continue reading Project West: Part 2 – Rust Repair and Painting

by RB42.tech

Yearly Theme: 2020 the Year of Systems

The 2020 yearly theme: The year of Systems. The need to be organised and having a streamlined workflow was at a critical point, hence the 2020 theme was all about setting up the framework for years of productive work ahead.… Continue reading Yearly Theme: 2020 the Year of Systems

by RB42.tech

CR-10 Mod: Macewen3D MK8 Drive Feed

Part: Frame Braces for Creality CR-10, Tevo Tornado, and Afinibot A31 Designer: Macewen3D Source: MK8 Extruder Aluminium Drive Feed Upgrade Cost: $29 USD Brief Comments: Well thought out and designed, big improvement over stock drive Bang for buck score: 7/10 The Standard MK8 extruder on the CR-10 is fundamentally a pretty simple design. There’s an… Continue reading CR-10 Mod: Macewen3D MK8 Drive Feed

by RB42.tech
Creality CR-10 with Z frame brace

CR-10 Mod: Frame Braces for Creality CR-10, Tevo Tornado, and Afinibot A31

Part: Frame Braces for Creality CR-10, Tevo Tornado, and Afinibot A31 Designer: Mk42Workshop Source: Thingiverse Cost: $20 (approx) for threaded rod Brief Comments: Makes your printer look beefy Bang for buck score: 5/10 Z braces are all in vogue when it comes to upgrading a 3D printer. It seems if you want to squeeze the… Continue reading CR-10 Mod: Frame Braces for Creality CR-10, Tevo Tornado, and Afinibot A31

by RB42.tech

Made: RepRapDiscount Full Graphic Smart Controller Case

Thing Part/Model: RepRap Discount Full Graphic Smart Controller Case Designer: Mightynozzle Source: Thingiverse Print Printer: Geeetech prusa i3 pro B Slicer: Cura 3.6 Layer Hieght: 0.15mm Print Speed: 60mm/s Extruder Temp: 190°C Supports: No Notes: none Material Brand: 3DFillies Type: PLA+ Size: 1.75mm Colour: Black Link: filament 1.75mm 1kg Summary Total Print Time: Top shell… Continue reading Made: RepRapDiscount Full Graphic Smart Controller Case

by RB42.tech

Design: Cricket Bat display

As a kid, I think most dream of sporting glory. Scoring the winning goal for you team in the Premier League, taking the chequered flag at the Monaco Grand Prix or getting your bowl closest to the jack on the final roll. Whatever! We’ve all had those kind of aspirations. For me, and I think… Continue reading Design: Cricket Bat display

by RB42.tech

Design: Hat display hook

I’m not a guy who’s than into fashion but I must be honest I have more hats than I would like to admit and my collection continuously grows year on year, especially given that I am a sucker for formula 1 merchandise and need my teams cap for each new season. Much like hanging pieces… Continue reading Design: Hat display hook

by RB42.tech

CR-10 Mod: Ultimate Leveling Knob Attachment

Part: CR-10 Ultimate Leveling Knob Attachment Designer: Valstrath Source: Thingiverse Cost: Some PLA and printer time Brief Comments: Do this mod first before anything! Bang for buck score: 11/10 Lets be honest, thumb knobs which come standard on a CR-10 suck. Small and uncomfortable they’re not practical for the frequent use required when leveling the… Continue reading CR-10 Mod: Ultimate Leveling Knob Attachment

by RB42.tech