One thing that I love to do in my spare time is buy and assemble electrical kits, such as the picture displayed below. This particular kit is a 4-way stoplight. There is a swich in the lower left-hand corner, and an adjustable time delay is located to the right of the switch (separated by 3 resistors).
I have to ask - Do you have a fun hobby that you do in your spare time?
How is this topic possible? It would imply the existance of a life outside of robotics.
All kidding aside, I like to do volunteer work as technical director for a local community theater. Build sets, lights, sound, and special effects, especially when I can work a robot or two into the set. I used pneumatics for the first time on the set of Something’s Afoot and now I am itching to use more of them on a set,molts of possibilities. I volunteer at an arena style theater, so having all three dimensions to work in is especially challenging and well
suited For remote controlled robotics.
Way to go! Including robotics into the theatrical world is great!
In fact, I recently purchased a green screen for video editing. I understand that video editing and theatrics are two different things, but they are related in the entertainment aspect of people’s lives. When I had a big project in school, I tried to take video of the showcase of said projects. Then I would create a video highlighting the memories of both the project, and the fun that went into working on it.
If I were to have the honor of volunteering as you do, I would be more interested in lighting. I feel that the two things that influence the audience during a show the most are lighting and special effects.
I am curious about one thing though; what did you use the pneumatics for? Also, what do the remote-controlled robots do on the set/during a show?
I’ve gotten so used to working 40 hours, doing robots for 90 hours, commuting, sleeping and eating the rest that I keep the pace up all year. :rolleyes: So I
- Make and fly big kites (I have a 8’*8’*20’ double box about ready to fly)
- Build electronic kits
- Ham radio (I’m K3FXS, working on moon bounce)
- Boating in the summer
- Software development on some open source projects
which leaves me 15 minutes a day to pet the cat.
I too like filling up my time. It has gotten to the point where I typically get less sleep during the summer
To fill all of that valuable time I enjoy:
Swimming
Working as a Lifeguard
Working on cars (66 Mustang and a 63 Datsun Fairlady)
Arduinos
Martial Arts (recently replaced by the gym, the TKD studio isn’t open late enough:rolleyes: )
Edit: Forgot to add photography
Oh… I almost forgot CD and Reddit, I still somehow find time to browse both of them.
Edit: Also adding pics because… yeah.
The Cars
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/295428_423171221054981_565825560_n.jpg
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/228211_200347516670687_5016291_n.jpg
The back half only, the front doesn’t exist… yet
Martial Arts (Karate from a long time ago)
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/404079_435273286511441_1691804882_n.jpg
And photography. Not my best, but my favorite
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/555625_435270066511763_1723987840_n.jpg
Hopefully this post isn’t too big.
I need more / new non-robotic hobbies, but in the past my main time sink outside of robotics was college radio. I’ve been a DJ, a music director, and Program Director of 91.5 FM WRPI in Troy, NY. As a mechanical engineer, the mostly-electrical environment of radio is still a little alien to me, but it’s certainly broadened my base a bit and I’ve learned a lot about music, communication, and leadership through my involvement with WRPI.
I think this semester I’m going to help with tech stuff for my school’s theater group. It’s low commitment and interesting enough that it should keep me busy on top of a full course load.
Can I suggest models? Building or collecting (or both) models can be a great hobby. I collect model trains. It’s more expensive than building models (because trains are premade and actually function). I’ve tried building model airplanes and cars before, but I don’t like waiting for glue to dry :o
Most hobby shops carry models. Why don’t you give that a try?
I am trying to produce a webcomic.
I also collect Poison Dart Frogs.
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/420174_10151109408059444_1331570025_n.jpg
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/527135_10151109406314444_2016273414_n.jpg
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/377011_10151109413689444_869583103_n.jpg
I’m trying to get further into R/C aircraft, but what with robotics stuff taking free time and all, I’m currently somewhat grounded. (That and I haven’t gotten around to repairing my one airplane. See robotics and free time.)
I build and fly High Power Rockets
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/36434_1511873323949_1321318_n.jpg
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/36434_1511873603956_7641861_n.jpg
2,193 feet, Mach 0.72
I have a thousand other hobbies but the only other one I’m serious about is poker.
o.O Don’t mess with Ed…
I work, and …
- I poke around with my 3DR Quad Rotor. Right now one of the motors has a bent shaft, so I’m waiting for robotics to start at the school so I can press in a new shaft. I’m also working to make their Planning Software more … user friendly…
- I’m also doing Tough Mudder in less than 2 weeks.
- I got married 2 weeks after champs this year, so there’s that to take lots of time. Recently, we’ve become addicts of Battlestar Galactica
- I also have a furry dog who turns on his demand-for-attention cuteness like a faucet. He likes to train for Tough Mudder with me.
*]I’m also poking around UDK/CryEngine to figure out if a game concept I’ve thought of is even fun. If it doesn’t work out, maybe I’ll write the story into a book. This one’s more of a ‘when I get to it’ hobby though, since no game engine seems to do what I want out of the box.
The frogs aren’t poisonous in captivity ( I found one had escaped and was hopping around the kitchen floor when I was getting ready to leave. I scooped him up with my bare hands and put him back in the tank. I quick wash of the hands and I was out the door with nary a cough).
I must say, I’ve heard of collecting animals such as snakes and lizards. But Poison Dart Frogs? How exotic! I love that!
Awesome, I’ve got a quad myself. I built the frame myself, basing it somewhat off the original arducopter frames. I even managed to sneak the arms in with the robot frame when we sent it to be anodized this year. 
If all goes well and I get the O.K. to do so, I should have a nice aerial surprise at champs next year.
I love backpacking and general outdoor adventure activities including snowboarding, SCUBA diving, and caving. As part of that I also volunteer as an advisor for Venturing, which is a co-ed division of boy scouts, through which I’ve gotten to lead youth on numerous exciting trips. I also enjoy business and have started one company and have ideas and plans to start at least two more. Also, I read, which I know is cliche and generic but applicable none the less.
I have WAY TOO MANY hobbies, according to my wonderful wife!
So, I now try to combine them so that the total count “appears” to be a bit less.
As an example, two of my hobbies are Backpacking and Landscape Photography.
These two lend them selves perfectly to being combined.
Quite often, my goal is to tell a story with the pictures, or transport the viewer to where they may never get a chance to go.
Here are a couple shots that exemplify my efforts.
This is a panorama of 1000 Island Lake with Banner Pk in the back ground. his was taken during a trip along a segment of the John Muir Trail.
Sunset from our campsite that evening.
Jake, taking it all in.
These are the gentlemen I got to share this recent adventure with. Taken at 11,100ft on top of Donahue Pass between Yosemite NP and the Inyo National Forest.
L to R:
Me. My good friend Michael Junker. My son, Jordan Kendall, he is the one to blame for my addiction to robotics. Jake Wolart, Eagle Scout and former student, now fellow mentor on 2073 EagleForce.
If you are in any way inclined toward playing with model trains, Chris, you’re in a great spot for it. RPI has a fantastic model railroad.
http://railroad.union.rpi.edu/index.php/Rensselaer_Railroad_Heritage_Website
Model railroad operations can be interesting if you like problem-solving and puzzles.
Look at mine…
Not as spectacular, but I’ve worked hard on it since I was about 7. I put it away for a few years, but as of 2010 I set it back up and starting collecting again!
The one on the link you gave is HO scale, which is very small. I find that larger O-Gauge trains are more fun, in that they have more detail. Most train sets showcase older times in America. I focused on the modern era of railroading. There is a NASCAR track on the left table surrounded by light poles. The light poles each have 1 functioning light thata illuminate the track. There is a clock, caution light, and green light on one tower (if you are a racing fan you would understand). Some have lights used for the train platform (the innermost loop). There is also a binary switch controlling 3 additional lights which illuminate the opposite side of said train platform. I also took the speakers from an old toy (an electronic piano keyboard) and soldered then to wires for a 3.5mm jack (a.k.a. a headphone slot) so I can play iPod music over loudspeakers. My main “Board”, as I call it, contains over 40 terminals (although not all are used), 2 main breakers (which I use as control switches for all accesories and for the power to the track), a keyed ignition (for the track power 
), a switch for the stadium lights, and 2 emergency stop buttons (one is on the opposite side of the table) that shut off all 18 VAC circuits (there is also a 12 VDC transformer from my old PC as well as 3 AA’s for LED’s).
The locomotive is a GE-9-44CW (also known as a DASH-9). A photo of the actual locomotive can be found here. The rail line is BNSF, based around the northwestern United States. I have 2 other locomotives- an EMD GP38-2 from Santa Fe (almost the entire western USA. Mine is a different paint scheme) and a 2-8-4 Berkshire Steam Locomotive, although I don’t use the Berkshire much.
Sorry for the novel-post, but I’m just a train nut!!! 
I collect pinball machines. With about 60 of them currently in my collection, my basement is getting full. I love the lure of the silver ball!