@Aleph(0)
In the name of equitable allocation of 'rotten tomatoes' -- Please be advised that you are welcome to 'paste' my suggested 'emphasis guidelines' as a preamble to your addendum!

HP, Ok I'll edit them to top of draft too

1) When you wish to quote or 'scare quote" use " or ' but not _
2) Emphasize via (in order of 'strength') bolding, Bolding & italicizing, Bolding, italicizing and underling, Increased font size -- Or any combination you feel effectively emphasizes your point
3) In the interests of avoidance of 'broken links' -- Instead of linking images, please download the image then upload same to your post. (Inasmuch as the tutorials represent educational material, 'fair use' will apply to display of most images).

 

HP here's rough draft sorry cuz no time to thoroughly proofread I did some emphasis and combing out brevity but I know it still sucks So I say instead of reminding me how dumb I am plz just help out with it ok?

Just so you know, I composed in Winword and pasted to here so I had to reformat and VPN sucks as bad as ever! And I already told you why I can't just use another computer for nonprofessional use so stop nagging me about that!

HP here are the guidelines you PMed to me:

1) When you wish to quote or 'scare quote" use " or ' but not _
2) Emphasize via (in order of 'strength') bolding, Bolding & italicizing, Bolding, italicizing and underling, Increased font size -- Or any combination you feel effectively emphasizes your point
3) In the interests of avoidance of 'broken links' -- Instead of linking images, please download the image then upload same to your post. (Inasmuch as the tutorials represent educational material, 'fair use' will apply to display of most images).

Here is rough draft of addendum

Surgical tools with commonly available, less expensive nonsurgical counterparts:

Hemostats
Modern surgical hemostats are nothing like their non surgical counterparts.
Non surgical hemostats are mechanically and thermally better suited to electronics work.

Scalpels
Xacto tools and their equivalents are acceptable for almost all non surgical precision sectioning needs.

Endoscopes
AFAIK Hardware store inspection cameras aren’t available with instrument channels but can be as good as endoscopes for just viewing. Drain inspection cameras can carry tools but are totally too big for electronics except inspecting potted power distribution transformers and like that. It is a lot cheaper to buy a range of inspection cameras than a single VES!

Picks
Picks are useful for prototyping and repairing PC boards, soldering and general purpose. Nonsurgical grade picks are ok as long as they are made of stainless because aluminum is too weak and solder alloys to regular steel. Plated steel is ok too if the plate material is inmiscible with solder.

////Delimiter here/////

Surgical tools which are useful for electronics:

Curettes
Curettes are surgical instruments for superficial debriding of endovisceral tissue so use apart from medicine is for sculpting plastic or removing contaminates from hard substrate where carefully controlled low angle cut depth is required.

Curette types

Solid curettes are just small, elongated spoons with sharp edges like grapefruit spoons only smaller with narrower bowl.

Fenestrated curettes are open so the blade is really just a looped, inclined band with sharp inside edge.


Cannula, syringes, catheters and so on:
Electronics use is for precise application of chemicals and removing potting oils and like that. You can buy them cheap at pharmacies but they’re probably age restricted and you should tell pharmacist why you’re buying them even if he or she doesn’t ask! Be prepared to sign for them and show ID!

If you can find them, glass syringes are very nice and totally reusable but you have to clean up immediately if used for applying adhesives!

Otoscopes
Non medical use is general purpose low power microscopy and inspection of blind bores, and like that. If you order from ebay plz make sure instrument is fitted with otoscope head cuz opthamoloscope is good for examining fundus of human eye and that’s all! Plz see pics of both tools so you can know difference!

Specula
A speculum is useful to expand or draw back and hold flexible or elastic material out of way without damage or necessity of sectioning to provide access for inspection or maintenance. It’s a tool you probably wont use too often but it pays for itself first time you need it! I say you should just get the stainless instrument in first place but the super cheap disposable plastic type is ok for light use where high temps are not issue but don’t ever count on the plastic to be nonconductive! Common electronics uses include fitting waveguides, winding inductors, placing large circumference clamps and dilating non rigid tuned VHF cavity amplifier cylinders for repair to conductive coating.

I can’t think of similar nonspecific tool except maybe to say heavy duty locking salad tongs working backwards


Radiological safety and measurement equipment
For xray generating projects you should have leaded apron scarf and gloves plus xray dosimeter Don’t bother with emulsion badges or enrollment in dosemetry program because they’re privacy invasive and basically useless for realtime exposure monitoring. I say complete RaySafe system is totally perfect but some ppl might say too expensive for new hobby! So even xray certified quartz fiber direct reading dosimeter is ok but I prefer xray certified EPD with alerting feature. In addition to dosimeters, GM counters and ionization chambers sensitive to gammas with PE down to 10 kev are a must for testing shields or just qualitative monitoring. It’s important for safety that you remember that only certified xray dosimeters worn as directed can be trusted for accurate xray dose indication! Also you should know that very low PE xrays aren’t accurately detectable by any standard survey meter or xray dosimeter so nothing is a substitute for distance and shielding! HP says she plans to dedicate entire tutorial to health physics when we get to xray generators so count on totally more detail than you can stand!


Warning! Avoid GamaScout!
GamaScout general purpose GM counter is cheap, consumer grade dreck sold to unwary under false pretence of professional grade instrument! I bought 7 units new from three different reputable distributors and no two came close to agreement on any test source! If you are saying what did I expect for just $500 apiece I’m just saying you can do much better than GamaScout for your money! GamaScout is poorly engineered junk with telltale hook of embedded battery to make customer return unit to factory for replacement! (Rechargeable model is just as bad cuz embedded rechargeable battery eventually dies too) Honest manufacturers of quality products don’t game their customers like that! Now I’m telling you that I have owned and worked with a huge variety of portable instrumentation in my life so I can say that engineered necessity to return it to the factory for routine maintenance is well known scam of inferior quality consumer electronics! Here’s another thing, GamaScout’s labeling claims it’s accurate for xray dosimetry but it is not! It’s true that no general purpose GM counter is accurate for low PE dosimetry but the difference is GamaScout lies about it (except in fine print).

Medical lasers
I say general purpose uses for burning lasers are too limited to be worth the safety risks.
If you insist on lasers then whatever you do plz don’t trust filter goggles! Just put laser setup in a separate light-tight room with video camera and watch operations on monitor!


Nonmedical miscellaneous useful as electronics tools

Predrilled steel construction kits
If you can find metal “Erector set” (sic.) it is extremely useful for prototyping electromechanical machinery and like that! It was originally sold as toy that went to plastic for safety but metal sets are available on ebay and I think there is equivalent metal set manufactured under a different brand name?

A source of clean dehydrated dusting gas
You shouldn’t use commercial dusting spray and like that because nanny state US govt. forced them to add bittering agent to prevent absolute losers from improving gene pool by inhaling fluorocarbon gas! Despite Govt and industry lies it is known fact that bittering agents leave residue and contaminate indoor air even when product is dispensed as gas!
An easy alternative is to pass compressed air through calcium chloride beads. If you don’t have proper glassware you can use just mason jars but make sure to change CaCl2 when it gets too damp. You can dehydrate CaCl2 again by just heating it but to be useful it has to be in form that allows air to pass through so you could just boil solution dry and coarsely grind CaCl2 residue. Other possible option is carbon dioxide cylinder sold for soda fountain or paintball or fire extinguisher I haven’t checked it out but if it’s anhydrous then only precaution is to prevent contamination from condensation of atmospheric humidity from evaporative cooling when dispensing CO2

I will add more to this list as needed

 

I'll go to the foot of our stairs!!!

I must confess I never thought I'd see it! --- Good job!


So that I may attach images, please do the following:

'Edit' the addendum, select the BBcode option (the spanner icon ['blue style'] or the page icon ['Orange style']) at the extreme upper right of the edit window, copy all text then paste it into a 'plain text' (ASCII file) to be emailed to my home Addy - The foregoing will allow me to re-integrate an intact copy of your post...

Hey Aleph! -- I owe you both an apology and my sincere thanks!!!

I've got a lot on at the moment (as usual) -- I'll get back to this ASAP

All the best
HP

 

So that I may attach images, please do the following:

HP My vpn doesn't let me send email with attachments so I set format to regular text b4
I pasted it so should be just raw commands w/o formatting

 

HP I wasn't specific about speculum type cuz most useful type for nonmed tool has anatomy specific name that some ppl will say is gross and offensive or too funny HP I say not catering to immature ppl is all well and good but if they're too busy giggling or being appalled that's a distraction that we don't need! Anyhow some ppl outside medicine aren't accustomed to casual anatomical references so it doesn't necessairly mean they're immature just different code of _mentionability_ That's just my opinion so you can take it for what ever its worth

 

HP when you were telling about stainless steel scrap did you mean tanker trailers? HP I understand now cuz even if you took entire scrap value it wouldn't begin to slightly cover what you paid for them! Why did you junk them out? I thought that project was on track? HP not to be pressuring you but I hope you have plan B cuz I've been looking forward to that for like 3 years! Just saying!

 

HP My vpn doesn't let me send email with attachments so I set format to regular text b4
I pasted it so should be just raw commands w/o formatting

Thank you! -- I'll have a look later on!

HP I say not catering to immature ppl is all well and good but if they're too busy giggling or being appalled that's a distraction that we don't need!

Agreed! -- How truly "one must, at certain junctures, sacrifice a digit to save a hand" -- (Or, CIP, cater to delicate and/or immature sensibilities to achieve effective communication) -- The catalogue images (via representation of scale and form) will guide interested readers to the correct instruments -- and, as always -- "If they've got questions -- we've got answers"

HP when you were telling about stainless steel scrap did you mean tanker trailers?

Correct.

HP I understand now cuz even if you took entire scrap value it wouldn't begin to slightly cover what you paid for them!

For the 10^∞'th time I am only too happy to have so readily disposed of them!!! --- All I 'lost' was my initial investment - as failed 'ventures' go - that constitutes a very 'soft landing'!

Why did you junk them out? I thought that project was on track?

Because, as I discovered to my cost, 'non-magnetic' in metallurgy-speak ≠ non-ferromagnetic (IOW: I failed to do my 'homework')

HP not to be pressuring you but I hope you have plan B cuz I've been looking forward to that for like 3 years! Just saying

No worries! -- I've already got a 'line' on sufficient quantities of acceptable forms -and- this time, a metallurgist to inspect same prior to purchase --- So you may look forward to supa-dupa electrets within the year

All the best!
HP

 

Perhaps one our resident 'wizards of Google' can ferret it out for us

While I had to Google to get a reference page, the name I think your referring to is, "Mechano". Erector set was one of my favorite toys as a child. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meccano

Here's also a link to the many "Erector set" copies over the years - http://www.girdersandgears.com/systems.html

It was originally sold as toy that went to plastic for safety

Pretty sure the metal Erector set is still available, or at least it was a few years ago.

 

Meccano is to Erector as Dinky is to Matchbox. The former was from England and the latter from U.S.A.

 

Shortbus and Mrchips tnx! I can put that in the tool resources list

HP Cuz we need to get on with it, I say you should edit addendum to how you want and add it to tutorial. Only thing is it's applicable to whole series so I say it should be stand alone or be chapter in separate post which could be called just _resources_ for explanation and sources of special tools and parts?

So now I comment on your edits and comments

I owe you both an apology and my sincere thanks!!!

HP I appreciate thanks but apology is not necessary cuz you're right about me _larking about_ HP you know I've always been that way and probably will until I'm in my coffin! And even then don't count on my staying there!

Note: Under this heading I suggest addition of:
-Rongeurs
-Tenacula
-Retractors
-Extenders
-Misc forceps (apart from hemostats)

>Rongeurs, OK
>Tenacula, OK
> Retractors & Extenders & forceps I say are self explanatory?

HP you said about speculum:

Additionally, stay away from polymer and disposable stainless steel instruments! The former lack structural integrity and thermal versatility

HP I say you're right except in some uses transparent jaws are needed, like for repairing damaged coil stock it helps to see exactly the dress of the wire. Now I am saying cordless yoke illuminator is good to have too!

{Note: technical grade CaCl2 is commonly available as a variety of low-temp 'ice melter'}

That's true but you have to make sure it is only ingredient!

HP I am saying other special tools worthy to recommended are HV _Hot Stick_ and Kerr cell LVM but nitrobenzene is nasty in untrained hand so what do you think?

Also plz tell me mathematical relations for series diodes

 

you're right about me _larking about_ HP you know I've always been that way and probably will until I'm in my coffin...

--Emphasis added--
Try as you might, it seems there's just no suppressing that 'cheery' outlook of yours! Ya know... Someone your age has no business entertaining such thoughts! -- 'Clock watching' is no way to spend a life! Trust me! You have plenty of time to grow old and expire in the decades to come. Then too, there is the distinction between you and the organism you inhabit -- but now I'm straying into the 'no post zone' of religion

And even then don't count on my staying there!

Inasmuch as I expect you'll outlive me, I'll hold off on the garlic necklace... -- Thanks for thoughts all the same

HP Cuz we need to get on with it, I say you should edit addendum to how you want and add it to tutorial.

Only thing is it's applicable to whole series so I say it should be stand alone or be chapter in separate post

Inasmuch as the above quoted statements are antithetical, 'what say' I edit it as you suggest, then we'll decide when/where to place it?

>Rongeurs, OK
>Tenacula, OK

Will you compose the descriptions or shall I?

> Retractors & Extenders & forceps I say are self explanatory?

I would say the same for all the instruments! -- So... there's no need to '"roll your eyes" at me!

HP you said about speculum:
HP I say you're right except in some uses transparent jaws are needed, like for repairing damaged coil stock it helps to see exactly the dress of the wire

In consideration of their low cost, addition of same to one's 'tool chest' can't hurt! -- That said, I concur with your monition as regards electrical conductivity of certain plastics! -- Nor should one rely upon the properties of 'electrosurgical coatings' outside of intended application!!!

Re: Calcium Chloride 'ice melter"

That's true but you have to make sure it is only ingredient!

Good point! --- FWIW 'pure' CaCl2 ice melter is generally marketed as "effective down to -40°F" and in the form of ≈4mm (Dia) spherical pellets (the approximate dimensions of "#1 field" shot).

HP I am saying other special tools worthy to recommended are HV _Hot Stick_

Inasmuch as standard "lineman's tools" are too cumbersome for our purposes, construction information (Re: said 'convenience') will be featured as a step in the next tutorial...

Also plz tell me mathematical relations for series diodes

Gladly! But please be more specific! -- As you of all people seem to be well aware - there are just so many hours on the clock!

All the best
HP

 

Inasmuch as the above quoted statements are antithetical, 'what say' I edit it as you suggest, then we'll decide when/where to place it?

HP, Tnx! Plz edit to your taste and do the descriptions for other tools too! HP I've been getting negative feedback to email (from ppl we know) saying I was too graphic about medical use for OB/GYN instruments. So I say they are being crybabies cuz I was not talking about instruments' intended use! So I say you can do better job of wording so emotional babies don't lose their dinner reading addendum?

HP sorry cuz I have to go for now but I can help more later in week

 

HP I've been getting negative feedback to email (from ppl we know) saying I was too graphic about medical use for OB/GYN instruments. So I say they are being crybabies cuz I was not talking about instruments' intended use! So I say you can do better job of wording so emotional babies don't lose their dinner reading addendum

Are you shitting me? The world has acute sensitivities these days. For being so acute, they get damm ugly quickly.

 

HP I've been getting negative feedback to email (from ppl we know) saying I was too graphic about medical use for OB/GYN instruments. So I say they are being crybabies cuz I was not talking about instruments' intended use!

I've received a couple email comments along those lines myself -- FWIW My response is to sincerely advise that we greatly appreciate feedback however on the thread only! -- I suggest that you do likewise! -- It is my stance that, are we to transcend the shortcomings of YouTube, Instructables and their ilk as regards this topic (i.e. a comprehensive treatment of serious EHT design) transparency and responsiveness to our readers is essential!

For the record: It seems our 'off list' critics preference for email to posting here (or to PM) owes to desired concealment their on-list identities? --- To be clear: inasmuch as said correspondents are personally known to us -- there is no security issue! -- I sincerely invite them to participate here (on this thread) - while I cannot guarantee that we'll always agree, I can promise that we're open to - and will duly consider - any and all genuine concerns!

So I say you can do better job of wording so emotional babies don't lose their dinner reading addendum

First off there's no need for name-calling! Let's face it! - There are more pleasant matters to be reminded of than physical exams, surgery or health issues in general! -- Then too, two of the instruments under discussion are specific to 'reproductive' organs/tissues, a subject which, even at this late date, remains something like 'taboo' to many -- So... Instead of insulting and mocking our readers let's work with them, Ok?

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Below is a first pass edit of your Addendum (to but non-inclusive of "radiography equipment")-- note that underlined blue text represents my edits whereas {blue text in braces} represents my comments.
Although it may seem I have censored your 'style' I assure you that such, where it occurred, was the unintended side-effect of major re-working of a paragraph for other reasons (as annotated) -- Should you have problems with anything I've done -- tell me about it!!!
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////


Surgical tools with commonly available, less expensive nonsurgical counterparts:

Hemostats
Modern surgical hemostats are nothing like their non surgical counterparts.
Non surgical hemostats are mechanically and thermally better suited to electronics work.

Scalpels
Xacto tools and their equivalents are acceptable for almost all non surgical precision sectioning needs.

Endoscopes
AFAIK Hardware store inspection cameras aren’t available with instrument channels but can be as good as endoscopes for just viewing. Drain inspection cameras can carry tools but are totally too big for electronics except inspecting potted power distribution transformers and like that. It is a lot cheaper to buy a range of inspection cameras than a single VES! video endoscopy system. {Expansion to avoid confusion with 'virtual endoscopy system'}

Picks
Picks are useful for prototyping and repairing PC boards, soldering and general purpose. Nonsurgical grade picks are ok as long as they are made of stainless because aluminum is too weak and solder alloys to regular steel. Plated steel is ok too if the plate material is inmiscible with solder.

////Delimiter here/////


Curettes
Curettes are surgical instruments for superficial debriding of endovisceral tissue so use apart from medicine is for
{Medical applications are not germane to this discussion}

Non-medical applications for curettes include sculpting plastics and removing contaminates from hard substrates where a carefully controlled low angle cut depth is required.

Curette types
Solid curettes are just small, elongated spoons with sharp edges like grapefruit spoons only smaller with narrower bowl -- useful where retrieval of 'parings' is desirable.
Fenestrated curettes are open so the blade is really just a looped, inclined band with sharp inside edge. {Stricken for 'perspective bias'}


{Assortment of fenestrated uterine curettes}

Trocars, Cannula, syringes, hypodermic needles, catheters and their ilk:

Electronics use is for precise application of chemicals and removing potting oils and like that. You can buy them cheap at pharmacies but they’re probably age restricted and you should tell pharmacist why you’re buying them even if he or she doesn’t ask! Be prepared to sign for them and show ID!

Common non-medical use includes precise application of chemicals, removal of potting oil, etc... Although available at low cost from pharmacies, syringes and hypodermic needles, owing to their 'popularity' with intravenous substance abusers, will likely be age restricted -- moreover, it is highly advisable that the purchaser apprises the pharmacist of their intent even if he or she doesn’t ask! Be prepared to sign for them and show ID!

{RE: The above -- where reasonable anticipation of equivocation is manifest --- please - back your suggestions with your rationale for same! -- Nothing turns a reader of technical/scientific literature off more than: "because I said so" or "That's the way it is"}

If you can find them, glass syringes are very nice and totally reusable but you have to clean up immediately if used for applying adhesives!


Inasmuch as I failed to locate a decent image online -- here is photograph of such an (all glass) syringe and associated 'plunger' (from my lab stock) -- Note that glass is the best choice for its chemical and thermal properties...

Otoscopes
Non medical use is general purpose low power microscopy and inspection of blind bores, and like that. If you order from ebay plz make sure instrument is fitted with otoscope head ]cuz because opthamoloscope is good for examining fundus of human eye and that’s all! Plz see pics of both tools so you can know difference!

[Image of a standard otoscope]

{Image of a standard opthamoloscope}

Specula
A speculum is useful to expand or draw back and hold flexible or elastic material out of way without damage or necessity of sectioning to provide access for inspection or maintenance. It’s a tool you probably won't use too often but it pays for itself first time you need it! I say you should just get the stainless instrument in first place but the super cheap inexpensive disposable plastic type is ok for light use where high temps are not issue but don’t ever count on the plastic to be nonconductive! Common electronics non-medical uses include fitting waveguides, winding inductors, placing large circumference clamps and dilating expanding non rigid tuned VHF cavity amplifier cylinders for repair to conductive coating.

{Edit note 'dilating' vs 'expanding' -- Although 'dilate' is not an exclusively medical term, it's well-established association with the medical application of the instrument under discussion favors an alternate term as applied to non-medical applications -- hence the expedient of the not entirely synonymous verb 'expanding'...}

{For these purposes my first choice is a 'standard' Winterton (2.45 cm by 13.83 cm) -- Alternatively a (large) Pederson or Cusco is acceptable -- Graves is inapplicable to most (non-medical) applications owing to its increased distal end girth ('spoon-bill form', if you will). Additionally, stay away from polymer and disposable stainless steel instruments! The former lack structural integrity and thermal versatility while the latter never fail to fail when most needed! --- Quality instruments of this type are quite inexpensive! Again, my advice is that you acquire a reusable Winterton and get on with your life!}

To be clear: My remarks here have no bearing whatever upon the relative or absolute merits of the instruments as applied to their designed purpose! --- I am addressing their suitability to certain, non-medical applications only!

Image of a Winterton speculum (recommended):

{Image of a "Cusco-esk" speculum fashioned of polycarbonate}

I can’t think of similar nonspecific tool except maybe to say heavy duty locking salad tongs working backwards

Radiological safety and measurement equipment
For xray generating projects you should have leaded apron scarf and gloves plus xray dosimeter Don’t bother with emulsion badges or enrollment in dosemetry program because they’re privacy invasive and basically useless for realtime exposure monitoring. I say complete RaySafe system is totally perfect but some ppl might say too expensive for new hobby! So even xray certified quartz fiber direct reading dosimeter is ok but I prefer xray certified EPD with alerting feature. In addition to dosimeters, GM counters and ionization chambers sensitive to gammas with PE down to 10 kev are a must for testing shields or just qualitative monitoring. It’s important for safety that you remember that only certified xray dosimeters worn as directed can be trusted for accurate xray dose indication! Also you should know that very low PE xrays aren’t accurately detectable by any standard survey meter or xray dosimeter so nothing is a substitute for distance and shielding! HP says she plans to dedicate entire tutorial to health physics when we get to xray generators so count on totally more detail than you can stand!
{Inasmuch as the topic of radiological safety and health is, as Aleph points out, a 'chapter' in itself -- I will leave this discussion in abeyance for the nonce --- which is to say I concur with the above -- as far as it goes...}

Warning! Avoid GamaScout!
GamaScout general purpose GM counter is cheap, consumer grade dreck sold to unwary under false pretense of professional grade instrument! I bought 7 units new from three different reputable distributors and no two came close to agreement on any test source! If you are saying what did I expect for just $500 apiece I’m just saying you can do much better than GamaScout for your money! GamaScout is poorly engineered junk with telltale hook of embedded battery to make customer return unit to factory for replacement! (Rechargeable model is just as bad cuz embedded rechargeable battery eventually dies too) Honest manufacturers of quality products don’t game their customers like that! Now I’m telling you that I have owned and worked with a huge variety of portable instrumentation in my life so I can say that engineered necessity to return it to the factory for routine maintenance is well known scam of inferior quality consumer electronics! Here’s another thing, GamaScout’s labeling claims it’s accurate for xray dosimetry but it is not! It’s true that no general purpose GM counter is accurate for low PE dosimetry but the difference is GamaScout lies about it (except in fine print).

{I wish to add my voice to Aleph's as regards the all-around low quality of the Gamma-scout! --- The embedded battery --alone -- renders it little more than a disposable instrument! -- Then too there are the misleading claims, poor quality control, etc, etc, etc --- As Aleph points out you can do much, much better for the price!!!}


Medical lasers
I say general purpose uses for burning lasers are too limited to be worth the safety risks.
If you insist on lasers then whatever you do plz don’t trust filter goggles! Just put laser setup in a separate light-tight room with video camera and watch operations on monitor!
--Emphasis added--
{Amen!!!}


Nonmedical miscellaneous useful as electronics tools

Predrilled steel construction kits
If you can find metal “Erector set” (sic.) it is extremely useful for prototyping electromechanical machinery and like that! It was originally sold as toy that went to plastic for safety but metal sets are available on ebay and I think there is equivalent metal set manufactured under a different brand name?
--Emphasis added--

{Perhaps one our resident 'wizards of Google' can ferret it out for us?}


A source of clean dehydrated dusting gas
You shouldn’t use commercial dusting spray and like that because nanny state US govt. forced them to add bittering agent to prevent absolute losers from improving gene pool by inhaling fluorocarbon gas! Despite Govt and industry lies it is known fact that bittering agents leave residue and contaminate indoor air even when product is dispensed as gas!
An easy alternative is to pass compressed air through calcium chloride beads. If you don’t have proper glassware you can use just mason jars but make sure to change CaCl2 when it gets too damp. You can dehydrate CaCl2 again by just heating it but to be useful it has to be in form that allows air to pass through so you could just boil solution dry and coarsely grind CaCl2 residue. Other possible option is carbon dioxide cylinder sold for soda fountain or paintball or fire extinguisher I haven’t checked it out but if it’s anhydrous then only precaution is to prevent contamination from condensation of atmospheric humidity from evaporative cooling when dispensing CO2
{Note: technical grade CaCl2 is commonly available as a variety of low-temp 'ice melter'}

I will add more to this list as needed

Kind friends! --- Please know that we will be most grateful for any and all feedback! Positive or negative! --- Speaking for myself - this open-loop operation is sorely testing my dynamic range!!!

 

Are you shitting me? The world has acute sensitivities these days. For being so acute, they get damm ugly quickly.

FWIW -- Aleph is far more professional and, indeed, sensitive than her 'on line' persona suggests --- Why I am forever coming to her defense escapes me - Still... There it is!

Many sincere thanks for your honest observation/input!

Best regards
HP

 

I find some of the devices... fascinating.

 

I find some of the devices... fascinating.

Indeed! -- There is something of 'wonder' vested in the pan-disciplinary utility of most 'implements' -- That said, inasmuch as 'tools' are but extensions of human faculties, perhaps I'm too easily 'intrigued'?

While I am tempted to suggest/introduce several additional, highly useful, (albeit "non-standard for electronics work") instruments - I feel doing so -at this point- would accomplish little more than protraction of this digression from an already 'snail-pace' effort -- Hence the 'plan' is introduction of 'new' instruments as their utility is 'encountered' in the course of the tutorial series --- This addendum serving as an 'anchor' reference, as it were...

BTW Should any of you (our readers) have suggestions for 'non-standard' instruments, "hints & kinks", etc... please let us know! -- You will be given full credit for your ideas! -- Further to that, please be advised that we do not insist upon medical devices/systems -- only that [the suggested] devices are commonly available

@Wendy --- Many thanks for your feedback!!!

Best regards
HP

 

Your 'medical devices' until the advent of Ebay, wouldn't be relevant for most people. Much of that kind of thing aren't even available to the general public. Until the internet and Ebay, I can't even buy a new mask for my CPAP machine (locally) without a prescription.

 

Your 'medical devices' until the advent of Ebay, wouldn't be relevant for most people. Much of that kind of thing aren't even available to the general public. Until the internet and Ebay, I can't even buy a new mask for my CPAP machine (locally) without a prescription.

@shortbus -- Sincere thanks for raising this issue

For these purposes an important distinction exists between 'controlled' and 'regulated', inasmuch as, in the latter case, FDA jurisdiction extends only to items offered or used as medical devices! -- Controlled devices/substances, on the other hand, are categorically restricted to possession, transfer, use and manufacture only by (or on the order of) appropriately licensed individuals -- Fortunately, there are very few 'controlled' medical devices (which coming under jurisdiction of the DEA, NRC, etc...) --- As a practical matter (Re: FDA regulated but non-controlled devices) legality of sale/transfer sans license or order is down to labeling. In some cases the receiver will be asked to sign a sworn statement to the effect that the device will not be used for medical purposes or the device will be marked/modified such that it is flagged/rendered unsuitable for medical use... --- The principal aim of the FDA in this regard is assurance of healthcare integrity via prevention of unlicensed [medical] practice (Can we say: Hyfrecator wielding beauticians?!)

Please note --- Should any of our readers experience (or anticipate) difficulty obtaining the medical devices suggested here - whether owing to regulation, availability, expense, or, as seems to be an issue with some readers, mere 'distaste' -- No worries! -- They are merely conveniences and by no means required for completion of any project in this series --- It seems this entire 'instrument discussion' has taken on a disproportionate 'life' all its own -- for which I apologize!

Best regards
HP

--Edited for clarity--

 

@shortbusbully ↑
Your 'medical devices' until the advent of Ebay, wouldn't be relevant for most people. Much of that kind of thing aren't even available to the general public. Until the internet and Ebay, I can't even buy a new mask for my CPAP machine (locally) without a prescription.
That's strange. Surely you would be able to purchase a new mask directly from the manufacturers of the machine.