Trying to do some "media stuff" you know, social-like

Hey all, I'm trying out a couple of new things!

1. Tumblr: alphapen.tumblr.com
2. Instagram: instagram.com/prometheuslights

One of my Kickstarter backers actually started the Tumblr page for my Prometheus Writes project. A very awesome idea and a nice gesture! So, if you want to see/post some pen pics, that is the place! 

I also decided to sign up for Instagram and will be trying to use that for more "off the cuff" photos of work in progress and my daily win/fail routine.

Besides, I hear this is what all the kids are into these days. 

Preon Pocket Clips are Back in Stock!

I just finished up a new batch of Preon Clips. Get 'em while they are hot! (LINK)

Check out this Kickstarter: Jack wrench for electric guitars, amps, and FX pedals

Hi all,

Do you have an electric guitarist in your life? Is Christmas coming this year? Then click this link! 

Sorry if you've already seen this from me, I'm just trying to help a buddy out :) My shop-neighbor Bill Hoff just launched this Kickstarter project. He runs a one man machine shop two doors down from me and invented this awesome jack wrench that prevents you from damaging any of the jack components while tightening the jack nut. Lame if you are at home, a gigantic disaster if you are at a gig, expensive in either case.

Even if you aren't a guitarist, you probably know one! It would mean the world to Bill (and maybe his future) if you'd be willing to share his project with your friends, family, and social media outlets. There is nothing on the market like this, so if anyone can hook up this project with some "music industry" attention that would be amazing!

Thanks,

Jason

Old Toasters & New Tools

I just had some custom made LED mounting bases manufactured, which are very awesome. However, it was going to cost and outrageous amount of money to have LED soldered to them by a third party vendor. Soooo, I decided to make my own Reflow Toaster Oven! Don't worry, that's not as terrible of an idea as it sounds. I purchased a Black & Decker FC150 Infrawave oven like the one below.

Black & Decker FC150 Infrawave toaster oven

Basically any toaster oven with infrared heating elements will work. The FC150 is very old and hard to find, but is one of the original "host" ovens used when this kind of mod became popular...oh...a bunch of years ago. The main reason I wanted this model, is I knew there was space inside the side panels for all of my kit. The upgrade involves some fancy electronics that you'd need a degree to identify and assemble, but in the internet age...ETS Techincal already makes a kit! Let's open this bad boy up shall we? 

Yes, it's as much of a mess as it appears to be. (Click for a larger image) 

I didn't really take any "process" shots but this is about 3/4 of the way through the conversion. It's reasonably simple if you have some basic knowledge of AC wiring, DC wiring, and relay wiring. No biggie right? :) The main part of the kit is a microcontroller with an integrated LCD display and external keypad. You basically disconnect ALL of the existing wiring/controls and install the new kit in the side panel of the toaster. I also installed a sheet of adhesive backed thermal shielding to help isolate the electronics from the heat inside the oven. Blah blah right? Where is the video?!

Best Viewed in Full Screen (1080P HD)!

Kickstarter Progress Update: Alpha Pen

Hey folks,

I figured some of you would be interested in the Kickstarter progress/process even if you didn't back the project. All of my updates are public...except for boring administrative stuff that only applies to backers :) So you can just follow this link and find the current update and all of the past updates as well!

Please don't forget to check out my YouTube channel as well! Here is my last fancy pants update video created by Whitmore Productions. I have other short behind the scenes videos about the pen project and other flashlight esoterica too :)

Charger Upgrade: MP1 to MP1S

Xtar has a new version of the MP1 (the MP1S) and this will supersede the previous charger. All lights will now ship with the MP1S! This updated version features extendable battery spacers to accomodate a range of li-ion batteries, from the standard 18650 that powers the Alpha, to smaller 16340 and 18350 batteries. The charge current remains at 500mA because it is a USB based charger. Check out the new MP1-S on my website (link) !

New Product: XTAR WP2 Double Bay Charger

Hi folks,

I just got in a batch of the Xtar WP2 chargers so you can charge two batteries at once! This model also includes spacers so you can fit everything from a full size 18650 to the shorter 16340 (CR123 size) or the 18350. The WP2 also features a selectable charge current of 500mA or 1000mA. Because of this higher charging current, it is not USB compatible, but it comes with a standard wall plug. You can also set the charger to setting "0" and this activates the USB port on the charger, so you can plug in your other USB devices and charge them. Check out the WP2 on my website (link)!

Selectable Output: Please be sure you know which setting to use (500mA or 1000mA). Basically the 1000mA setting is for larger batteries, and 500mA is for smaller ones. The charge current should not exceed the battery capacity! For example, a 500mAh battery should be charged at 500mA. 1000mA should not be used on a battery with less than 1000mAh of capacity. It can be dangerous to exceed the charging capacity of your battery.