Its been a while

I have been looking and looking at this. Every part is sitting on my bench staring at me!

I need to make the pulley system. I don't have the wood parts to build these. I need to make the parts.

My fear of screwing it up is keeping me from completing it. I hate this. I go out there and pick up the parts and think about ways to make the pulleys. I am stuck because of fear.

Well I will get something done today. Probably testing all the electronics. Fear!!!!

I will also post pictures of the completed things. That always helps me move forward.

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Bootloader and issues

I am using Windows

So I have finished building all the pcbs.
I finished the USBtinyISP.
I have installed the drivers for the USBtinyISP and check the device manager to see if they are running correctly.
I have JP3 closed (did not have before and AVRDUDE did not connect to Target
I have the 6 pin connected
I have installed and run AVRDUDE. AVRDUDE is now working because I closed JP3
GDBserver/serial now works.

Now that is working. whew!

Next I will add the next step actually bootloading

All electronics done

I have all the electronics parts completed. But, and it is a bit but. On the USBtinyISP I soldered the USB connector on the back side of the board. So I have bought a new one.

I should have paid more attention to what I was doing. Listening to music and thinking while working is not good for me. Oh well. And my laptop is in the shop getting its power connector fixed. Taking pictures is going to have to wait. AHHHH!!!

I will place all the electronics on their mounting.

Surface Mounting Components

I will never use leaded solder again. It pops and sends little pieces flying. What a disaster. I cleaned off the board as much as possible and redid it with non-leaded solder.

Motherboard is complete

Well things work better when I use better tools. I got a heat pencil. Boy did that make the job easier.

Tomorrow I will build the AVRprogrammer. I will also post pictures tomorrow.

Nice.

Third time is a charm

Well, I received the motherboard (3). Tomorrow I will solder the surface mounted part. I will take pictures and post them here. Wish me luck.

The second Motherboard

Well I burnt another pcb. I soldered the parts perfectly, but the board, well burnt. Oops.

Front

I have decided to buy a hot air soldering pen. This should solve my problems with surface mounted parts. I had good luck with the hot air paint stripping gun, but it lacked fine control. I could not get the bridge of solder off. The pen should allow for fine control.

I ordered all the physical parts for the cupcake. I like working with Makerbot. They are helpful and supportive. They have an easy store and great instructions.

Looks like I need the right tools for the project in order to get the proper results.

When I get the parts I will post pics of my progress.