News - April 2021

In a previous newsletter CMS reported that Les Mercer is attempting to construct an automated badger feeder based on the Archimedes Screw principle to dispense peanuts. Well he has mocked up a prototype of the mechanical bits that seems to work. He bought an Arduino kit to build the clock/timer/motor control electronics but has been having problems. Some components are non-standard and so a lot of Googling and downloading of drivers and alternative wiring diagrams has been done. With minimal knowledge of electronics, he is struggling to diagnose faults when they occur.
If you have experience of building and programming Arduino electronic circuits, Les would love to hear from you. If you can help, please drop him a line at [email protected]

[Comment from Les: Just to make it clear my machine will feed peanuts to the badgers. It will not feed squirrels to the badgers!!!]

Keith Vinycomb revealed his latest fantastic creation to come out of the home workshop

A unique rocking house with a variable ride by adjusting the handle just underneath the horse's head.
Ride options: horse mode, head and tail fall and rise again............level mode, head and tail stay virtually level (no rise or fall)
and Bronco mode, head and tail rise and fall to level again. Don't know any other rocking house that does all that ?
As usual it is all made from scrap stuff around my garage, only had to buy some hardware and paint.
The superstructure is in the traditional "Vinycomb blue".