August’s journey took me to Austin, Texas, where I had the pleasure of staying with my good friend Noah Kagan. His home, adorned with two pinball machines, introduced me to a world I had barely explored. I’d played pinball only a handful of times in my life, yet my wife and I found ourselves drawn to the Godzilla pinball machine, engaging in friendly competition twice a day. We strategized, cheered each other on, and gradually unraveled the secrets of this addictive game.
During my time in Austin, I delved into research on virtual pinball tables. These tables, designed to mimic the real thing in size and controls but with a monitor replacing the mechanical playfield, seemed intriguing. However, the hefty price tag of at least $5000 and the subpar hardware quality left me unimpressed. As I pondered, an idea sparked: Why not build my own pinball table? With spare monitors, a gaming PC, and plywood at my disposal, I envisioned crafting a unique table on a shoestring budget within a few days.
Back in Vegas, I decided to stay put for about a month, focusing on completing various projects. This decision aligned perfectly with the presence of friends in the city and the start of the NHL preseason. To my surprise, instead of yearning for my next travel adventure, I found myself eagerly anticipating my time in Vegas, excited about the creative endeavors that awaited.
The Projector Screen Beam: From Fall to Flawless
Years ago, a Craigslist find led me to purchase an in – ceiling projector screen for a steal. Little did I know that the rafters in my old condo would pose a problem, preventing proper installation. When I moved, the issue persisted, and I improvised a solution, hanging the screen box from the ceiling with a metal cable, leaving a 3 – 4″ gap against an irregular stone surface. While most guests overlooked the imperfection, my siblings were relentless in their teasing, urging me to fix it.
A few weeks ago, upon returning home from a trip, I walked into the living room to find the projector screen and beam had crashed to the floor. Fortunately, the damage was manageable. Instead of a quick fix, I saw an opportunity to do it right. I designed a new system, 3D printed custom French cleats, and utilized a contour gauge and a 4 – beam laser level. By a stroke of luck, the stone surface was nearly flat, allowing me to build the beam without the dreaded gap. The result? A projector screen beam that not only functions flawlessly but also meets my siblings’ high standards.
The Hot Tub Controller: A Tale of Perseverance
Months ago, during the colder months when the hot tub was in regular use, the “temperature up” button malfunctioned. Since we usually kept the tub at a constant temperature and I was already using a smart plug to control it due to a broken thermometer, it wasn’t a major issue at first. However, my attempt to diagnose the problem led to an accidental over – use of the “temperature down” button, leaving the hot tub stuck at a lukewarm 96 degrees.
The $100 price tag for a replacement controller seemed exorbitant, and when the one I ordered turned out to be for a different model, I decided to take matters into my own hands. Enter the ESP32 board, a tiny yet powerful device. For just $10 each, it boasted built – in Bluetooth, wifi, storage, and numerous header pins, and was surprisingly easy to program in C++. With a plethora of helpful libraries, I didn’t have to reinvent the wheel when it came to connectivity.
My desk quickly became a chaotic mess of buttons, displays, and thermometers as I spent a week experimenting and building. I managed to create a fully functional interface with a button and a two – line screen, but packaging it on the hot tub surface and ensuring waterproofing proved to be a challenge. When a trip loomed, I had to simplify the design, opting for wifi – only control and a less – than – ideal setup with the controller’s guts exposed on a piece of wood, protected by a bucket.
Then, Vegas was hit by a fierce storm, and my makeshift controller was destroyed. Undeterred, I returned to the drawing board. I settled on a sleek design, with a 3D – printed black plastic facade hiding a matrix of red LEDs for a simple screen. Instead of buttons, I incorporated an accelerometer for tap detection. I managed to fit all the circuitry into the old case, enabling over – the – air software updates. I added a host of cool features, from automatic cleaning cycles to freeze protection, and even installed a new RGB light that can be controlled via infrared. The hot tub controller, once a source of frustration, now stands as a testament to my determination and creativity.
These projects in Vegas were more than just tasks to be completed; they were opportunities for me to challenge myself, learn new skills, and turn everyday problems into creative solutions. Each project, with its own set of challenges and triumphs, added a unique chapter to my DIY adventure.
