The Gizmologist's Lair

AKA Center for Research on Things You Shouldn't Try At Home

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giz·mol·o·gy also gis·mol·o·gy n., pl.giz·mol·o·gies. The scientific study of, or the body of knowledge pertaining to, gizmos.
giz·mo also gis·mo n., pl.giz·mos. A gadget, contraption, contrivance, or other mechanical device or the parts thereof, the name of which is forgotten or unknown.

Some nut the security cameras caught wandering around the workshop. This is why I have bars on the windows.

The Gizmologist, in full battle gear.

"Watch out ... he's up to something diabolical."

- Bill Scott

Largely Irrelevant Random Quotation:

Disclaimer:

It's Not My Fault

The Gizmologist and his assignees reserve the right to NOT be responsible for the correctness, incompleteness, stupidity, quality, dangerousness, scariness, or other unspecified value, or the lack thereof, of the information, opinions, reprehensible nonsense, questionable tall tales, or anything else, herein non-bindingly provided at no obligation, expressed or implied, whatsoever. Amen.

Projects

1/5 Scale Sherman Tank:

1/5 scale Sherman Tank!
Tank Plans are now available!
Tank Showroom - folks who are building the tank!
Pneumatic Cannon

1/6th Scale MkV Paintball Tank:

Metal Casting:

Minilathe and Metalworking:

Miscellaneous Projects:

Interrupted Projects:

Other:

Resources for Tinkerers

The Gizmologist's Notebooks:

Off-Site References:

Fundamentals of Engineering Reference Handbook by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). 17.5 meg PDF download, but well worth it.
Lessons in Electric Circuits by Tony R. Kuphaldt et al.
A Guide to Filing a Utility Patent
How to drill a Square Hole
An Introduction to Ball Bearings by NTN products
Notes on Design and Analysis of Machine Elements by Douglas Wright. This site is simply awesome.
Bolt Science, more than you ever wanted to know about bolts.
Bearing Technical Information, from QBC Bearings.
Copper Tube and Fitting Manual includes dimensions, pressures, etc
How to Make Springs
Foundry 101 Aluminum and Brass Casting Guide.
Anodizing Aluminum by Ron Newman
United States Patent Database
Martindale's Reference Desk: Calculators On-Line
Metric Conversions courtesy of Wiha Tools.
Animated Engines
Animated Virtual Mechanisms by Brock Institute for Advanced Studies (Java required)
Animated Clock Escapements by Mark Headrick - check out his eBook, too.
All About Pumps by Russell D. Hoffman, includes animations
The Gingery Metalworking Series: Build a Metal Shop from Scrap from Lindsay's Technical Books
Hobbicast at Yahoo Groups.
Henley's Twentieth Century Formulas, Recipes, and Processes at ChestofBooks.com
How to Draw a Straight Line at The Cornell University Library: Historical Mathematics Monographs
Kent's Mechanical Engineer's Pocket-Book, 1907 Edition, at Openlibrary.org

Heroes

ToolGirl Mag Ruffman, actress, contractor, and wicked wit.
Science Hobbyist site by Uber Gizmologist Bill Beaty.
Richard Feynman, a sheer, unmitigated genius.
Bruce Simpson - would you believe a homemade cruise missile? Yes! Lots of pulse jet engines, too.
Trevor Blackwell built a Segway-style balancing scooter. Too cool.
David Hahn, the nuclear boy scout and ultimate do-it-yourselfer.
Red Green, "any tool can be the right tool!"
Rube Goldberg, the American Heath Robinson
W. Heath Robinson, the British Rube Goldberg.
Schlock Mercenary, my favorite web cartoon.

Sources for Parts:

Surplus Center my favorite.
SmallParts.com gears, sprockets, springs, tools...
McMaster-Carr Supply sells everything.
Grainger.com sells almost everything.
Phoenix Manufacturing Company, a source for pulleys and belts.
American Science & Surplus, a good source for wheels, bearings, etc.
Harbor Freight, lots of (cheap) tools, VERY slow shipping.
Enco machine tools, fast shipping
Alumilite casting resin and moldmaking materials.