Society of Robots - Robot Forum
General Misc => Misc => Topic started by: Canabots on October 28, 2012, 09:10:38 AM
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Hello all!
I haven't posted much lately, and my robotics hobbying has been less active as well because of busy life. I just started university however, and I'd really like to build more again.
That being said, on residence at the university, I'm not allowed a soldering iron. Has anyone been in this situation on gotten around it?
I have done a little Googling on conductive glue, however, I'm not yet sure how plausible it would be, if at all. I can imagine it might be a bit of a mess, and may provide a bit too much unwanted resistance.
Thanks for any help!
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No knowledge of conductive glues.
However I'll suggest finding the instructor that teaches any electronics labs and see if you can obtain access to a lab with a soldering iron.
Another is to check for Clubs that have access to an electronics lab. Then you'll meet other 'like minded' people to share experience and brain storming for projects.
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Personally, I'd have a soldering iron in a drawer anyways ;). In particular, one that plugs straight into the wall is nice and compact, rather than a variable-temperature setup...
I'm assuming a similar environment to the dorms I lived in as an undergrad. Alcohol was banned... but that sure didn't stop my peers from stocking their rooms with such either. Plus, there's bound to be a first warning and you can plead ignorance to that rule. We had a similar such rule that prohibited toasters and other heat-generating devices.
That all said, I strongly agree with waltr's suggestions too; networking and working in/for labs adds a ton to the value you get out of college/university.
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I am in a similar situation and I kind of go by "if they don't see it, it doesn't exist" ;)
Hide your iron for dorm inspections, dont burn down your dorm, and you should be good!
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Well, alcohol isn't banned, but glass bottles are. (Huzzah for cans! They make for good robot bodies!...)
I'm not so worried about being able to hide it, nor causing a fire, but right above my workspace in my room, there's a nice fat smoke detector that would cause my building and 2 attached buildings to evacuate...not ideal, especially during a bad canadian winter.
I'm actually part of the robotics club, and am quite involved in the CANSAT team. There's definitely people I can ask there about access to the electronics labs for soldering, especially since our meetings are often in some of the labs.
Thanks!
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Soldering electronics really shouldn't set off smoke alarms. I actually have my workdesk set up right under one in case I accidentally set it down in the wrong place and walk away. I've never had any problems even though I'm careless and always end up burning insulation, electric tape, heat-shrink, etc.