We always enjoy seeing our products being modified, revamped and DIY-ed, as well as the results of these transformations.
Our customer Vera Kark provided us with some thoughtful feedback on adding mechanical tweaks to improve our Solar GraviTrack build and documentation. She also painted the brown MDF of the machine. She used tempera paint on the wood components still in panelized form, and the GraviTrack's performance seemed to be unaffected.
The GraviTrack looks great in vibrant jewel tone colours, however, we do not recommend applying paint to the hand mechanism itself. You can paint the base and the rails, avoiding the hand mechanism completely. The moisture and the thickness of the paint might affect the precise tolerances of the moving parts, and will interfere with its proper functioning. Another relatively safe option might be felt tip marker since the moisture from alcohol evaporates quickly.
Photos & video by Vera Kark
P.S. Also, a particularly bad idea is painting your GraviTrackafter the assembly is completed. Even though we were using a very watered down acrylic paint, the mechanism seized up the moment the paint became sticky. Don't be like us. Take care of your GraviTrack.
Sometimes we get the opportunity to help out select people who are developing projects for a good cause. One of those things dear to our hearts is inspiring children with science and electronics. So when John Porter came to us looking for a hand to make a musical gear project as part of an exhibit […]
Today we have two superstars - the Kossel Pro 3D Printer and the SketchBoard. Both are relatively new add-ons to the Solarbotics website. Initially created as a Kickstarter project and designed around the OpenBeam aluminum extrusion system, Kossel Pro is now available for purchase. It comes with a spool of 1.75mm PLA filament (random color) […]
Yes, we're approaching the time of the year when it's the darkest and all you want to do is sip tea and huddle around the ... soldering iron! The first of our specials is the "KHSB1 - Learn Robotics Book Special". It includes a copy of our popular "Junkbots, Bugbots, and Bots on Wheels", plus […]
We are now stocking the Microchip PIC16F877A microcontroller individually that is used in our K SV-PIC kit. It is a very versatile and powerful chip, and you don't even need to buy 1000 at a crack! As well, we are selling the motor that is straight out of the GM2/3/8/9. Dontcha just hate it when […]
Solarbotics has been operating for more than 25 years, bringing electronics know-how and supplies to both the electronics professional and hobbyist. We'll be happy to help you too!
Solarbotics, Ltd. is not responsible for misprints or errors on product prices or information. For more information, please see our Terms and Conditions.
Warning: This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov for more information. This item was manufactured prior to August 31, 2018.