Forum section: "Materials, techniques, processes and tools"?

[Miles]

Perhaps you feel something is being missed. Casting/Molding merely pops up from time to time, but since not much is said I don't see why it would have it's own group.

The idea is to have one extra forum for general technology - all the items in the list... This would help to keep techniques from getting lost in vehicle specific forums.

[MitchJi]

Hi,

Yes, when a clever technique, or some such, is disclosed in a build thread, a more detailed exposition and discussion might take place in the Materials, techniques, processes & tools forum. It would then be easier to access.

Excellent idea.

BTW how do you plan to restrict it to "clever techniques" ?

[Philistine]

Great idea for a section. In many ways (speaking as a noob myself), it is the skills and knowledge in such a section that would allow you to take a build to anywhere interesting and satisfying. I think I would learn a lot from such a section. I tend to do everything in the hardest, most inefficient and frustrating way, and then often later I see a way how some guy took the elevator. Essential basics like fabbing torque arm solutions would even fit into such a section I would have thought (sorry to raise a subject primarily of interest to the hub-dresser).

[fizzit]

This looks like it would be useful! It would be really cool to have a section that covers the procceses that people have used to do things like oil cooling hub motors, attaching hall sensors to outrunners, modifying controllers, etc

[Farfle]

I like it alot, lots of secrets hidden in build threads that would be best displayed where people can see it.

[Pure]

But who would be responsible for moving those secrets to the right forum once they are revealed.

I personally think if we are going to add a new sub forum, one for trouble shooting/ help needed threads would serve a better purpose. As it is now it's a bit confusing where to post if your bike isn't functioning properly. I mean dose it go in the general bike forum cause its an e-bike, or does it go in the technical forum cause the answer to your problem in a technical one, or does it go in the battery forum because it might be battery related. Having one set place for problems would make the whole process a lot more stream lined.

[999zip999]

1. Solder wick techique. Use a silicon wire and just pull some of the small wires as needed. The silicon gives you a handle.

[amberwolf]

I've woundered if we don't also need a Basic Electronics section, and a Basic trouble shooting guide.

Many of the people who come here don't know V/R=I or that I*V=W. And many don't know how to do basic troubleshooting.

Those don't need forums for them, they need Wiki sections and articles. Feel free to write or edit them, even just a teeny tiny starting bit is still a start.
http://endless-sphere.com/w

[Miles]

But who would be responsible for moving those secrets to the right forum once they are revealed.

I personally think if we are going to add a new sub forum, one for trouble shooting/ help needed threads would serve a better purpose. As it is now it's a bit confusing where to post if your bike isn't functioning properly. I mean dose it go in the general bike forum cause its an e-bike, or does it go in the technical forum cause the answer to your problem in a technical one, or does it go in the battery forum because it might be battery related. Having one set place for problems would make the whole process a lot more stream lined.

The OP, perhaps after prompting. Also, anyone could post a link with an amplification or request.

The question of where to post is sometimes tricky. It depends a bit on the depth of the problem. If you wanted to ask "which is the best hub motor for X?" you'd ask it on Ebikes General Discussion. If you want to ask "why is my hub motor making a noise?", you'd ask it on Ebikes Technical. If you wanted to ask about or detail a modification with theoretical considerations you might post in the Motor Technology section.

[Dauntless]

Hi,

Yes, when a clever technique, or some such, is disclosed in a build thread, a more detailed exposition and discussion might take place in the Materials, techniques, processes & tools forum. It would then be easier to access.

Excellent idea.

BTW how do you plan to restrict it to "clever techniques" ?

Well, clever is in the eye of the beholder, eh? My question is how do you PREVENT it from being restricted to someone's idea of clever? People separating themselves here has worked pretty well, you start doing the separating that probably won't be popular.

It depends a bit on the depth of the problem. If you wanted to ask "which is the best hub motor for X?" you'd ask it on Ebikes General Discussion. If you want to ask "why is my hub motor making a noise?", you'd ask it on Ebikes Technical. If you wanted to ask about or detail a modification with theoretical considerations you might post in the Motor Technology section.

And it should say that way.

[Miles]

It's just another option Dauntless. I haven't intended to imply anything beyond that. Where do you think the present categories came from?

[kevo]

Probably a dumb question, but can a single thread be cross referenced (without multiple copies) within different forum sections and look like it is posted in each Just curious. Sorry to be OT w/ BBS detail.

[MattyCiii]

What about "and suppliers"?

I'd have been totally hosed with my ATS drive install if not for someone suggesting EBikesSF.com. I'd have messed up my first wheel build if not for advice from JRH. I bought my first motor from Methods, then went on to but some of his custom parts. I'm very happy with the service from all three, but I perhaps wouldn't know where to have looked were I not a long time ES reader.

I can see how such a category can create contention - even an appearance of conflict of interest in the case of the ES Forums owner - but I'd rather hear what people have to say about various suppliers than have to search the wide open Internet and hope for the best.

[Miles]

What about "and suppliers"?

I thought this was covered here? viewforum.php?f=11

[e-bike-is-fun]

Fantastic idea Miles!

Include a section on connector styles. I've got a killer rig to accurately test down to uOhm's right now. (yes, 1ohm/1,000,000)

Justin saved the forum at great personal expense!

What's the story on that.?

[deVries]

The idea is to have one extra forum for general technology - all the items in the list... This would help to keep techniques from getting lost in vehicle specific forums.

+1 Another excellent idea by the genius Miles.

When you start the subject area, I suggest you do the first post in each topic. Why? Because you can then go back in later in the future to reference build threads (newer build threads) or specific posts that appear that reveal the best ideas or techniques, etc. That first post of yours for each topic could/should provide links to the best threads or posts you know of. So, it becomes "the sticky" for the thread. Of course, others can add more info, etc. as time goes on doing new posts after that initial 1st post of yours. But at least you will have that reserved space to edit & change as time goes on.

Great idea, Miles.

[MitchJi]

Hi,

The idea is to have one extra forum for general technology - all the items in the list... This would help to keep techniques from getting lost in vehicle specific forums.

What are we waiting for?

I could have used it (not a big deal) for this:
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=39447

heavy duty (50lb & 250lb) releasable-reusable nylon zip ties

[TylerDurden]

Let's kick off this new section with my self-serving question about cutting & machining aluminum:

I don't own a mill. I have a lathe, tablesaw, drillpress, bandsaw, jigsaws, routers, mitersaws and angle grinders.

I'd like to cut and dado 5/16" thick 6061 flat aluminum. One cut is 5/32" wide and one is 9/16".

I can send it to a shop or get a buddy to mill it... but if it can be done in a home shop, I'm game to try.

Doable?



p.s. I tried to upload a .stp file, but nogo.

[Miles]

p.s. I tried to upload a .stp file, but nogo.

Just rename the file as PDF or Zip it.

[Thud]

TD,
Your table saw will make that part in short order.
I would use a triple chip low angle blade & take several passes to work out the rough channel, then you can make a pass on the router table with carbde tiped bit for a nice finish.

The challange will be the .062"w grooves.....I would look for a thin kerf skillsaw blade (again in the table saw) & take shallow passes till you reach desired depth.

I will also recomend making some good push blocks as the alloy will generate some heat while is being cut. Save yourself a tense moment of hot fingertips in the middle of a pass.

So when are we going to see this new section Miles?

[Miles]

So when are we going to see this new section Miles?

Good to see everyone's keen..
Soon, hopefully... We're discussing it in the context of other changes.

[liveforphysics]

I'm excited for the new section.

[Miles]

Keep them coming. It's all useful ammo

[TylerDurden]

Thanks for the tips gents. I am revising the plan and I will post it in the new section when all is ready.

[Miles]

I've requested that .stp and .dxf be added to the file types accepted for upload.