Do-It-Yourself

Another weekend is coming,what can I do to be productive?  What else, another DIY stuff!

So what is DIY? Wikipedia says:

The DIY ethic (do it yourself ethic) refers to the ethic of being self-reliant by completing tasks oneself as opposed to having others who are more experienced or able complete them for you. It promotes the idea that an ordinary person can learn to do more than he or she thought was possible. 

That is why I love Do-It-Yourself stuffs, I become continuously productive. Would love to share my story on how it all started. High school, when I was introduced to computers and electronic stuffs. The time we're taught how a computer works. Well, it sort of started a spark in my interest from that green monochromatic monitor and large, soft floppy disks.

From that point on, I have gone a long way trying out different do-it-yourself stuff's that involve electronics,computer programs, household improvements, and anything that requires assembly and repair. It gives me an extraordinary sense of fulfillment watching the "electrons" go to work. I started out programming using the old GWBasic programming language. It amazes me on how you can instruct a machine (or computer) to do what you want it to display, perform automatic calculations, draw lines or play a note. Of course, that is very very far from what the computers can do now but the principle hasn't changed. You're still in command. It came to a point where I have to ask, "How exactly does a computer do it?". And so, my quest for hardware stuff began. From the first time I saw a circuit board and all the stuff in it, the spark became a burning interest.

As I look at this (an 8086 motherboard), I wondered how those little (and so I thought it couldn't be smaller) things work? How are they made? Where do they came from? I know almost instinctively that those copper traces connect them together but how and why are they connected that way. As soon as i got my hands on a resistor, I immediately destroy it to see what's inside of it. Same goes for that transistor, capacitor, IC's and those bright LED's (which only comes in green,red and amber that time). So where's the DIY stuff? It's my answer to the question, "Can I make one?".

For a school project, we were asked to make a regulated power supply. Although I really didn't understand on how it actually works, all I know is it will regulate the 220V household AC power to a lower 3V-12V DC supply, we were given a schematic diagram that look like this:

Now my interest has gone way up so I have no problems understanding that I have to connect the components like the one in the drawing. I just want to connect it one by one using wires and see if it will do the job. But then, we have to use PCB (as it should be) to connect the components. So we made a PCB design, etch it ferric chloride solution, drilled holes in it and assemble the components by soldering it on the PCB. The relatively simple process amazed me. I was then introduced to my favorite electrical tools of all time, the soldering tool. Soldering was fun but it was a total mess at first. I will post some pictures of it if I can still find some of my "baby" projects on my stash. Anyway, I did manage to assemble it despite the messy looks. The big question is, "Did it actually work?". Of course it did. I just love turning that knob and watching that voltmeter go up and down indicating the varying voltage output of the project. Got good grades for that project as well. Then, I connect it to anything that runs on electricity from a flashlight bulb, transistor radio, even my toy cars. From that point on, I became a DIY buff. Saving my allowance that time is my priority so I can buy those electronic stuff for my projects. Some of it includes a wireless microphone, transistor radios, amplifiers, running LED lights, proximity sensors / alarms, mosquito repellents, you name it. By this time, it was evident that I have this skill in electronic and electrical repair so I immediately became a self taught electronic technician. Driven by my deep interest in electronics and electricity, I began to buy books for appliance repairs, component data sheets, and electronic project magazines. It could have been much more fun if internet access was as convenient back then. As I entered college, it was easy to decide on what course should I study. I enrolled for a degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering. After passing the board exam, I got my professional license.

But then, my DIY adventures doesn't end there. I also enjoy other DIY stuff's like home improvement and automotive projects. And this is where weekends make me productive. I can replace those loose doorknobs, repair leaks, unclog the drain, make a filter for my aquarium, replace busted brake lights, oil change & radiator flush for my car, repair my daughters electronic gadgets, fix a broken mobile charger,you name it. It brings a lot of satisfaction to me being able to do things that is not part of your daily routine. Furthermore, It gives me a greater sense of accomplishment but most of all, It's a lot of fun! Saves money too.

I'm now reading how to's on welding & metal works, interesting.

I really recommend doing some DIY's. Just try it, you'll get hooked. I will share some ideas on DIY's on my future posts. For some ideas, I recommend http://makeprojects.com/  and for learning, you might wanna visit http://www.howstuffworks.com/.

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