Solvology: the art of solving it

the shed being build

Just a showcase of some things I design and build: hydraulics, metalwork, woodwork, composites, electronics and software. One person, one shed, one Unimog.
Projects take as long as they take.

the lifting roof being build

Lifting shed roof

The roof goes up so the shed doesn't have to.

The Unimog's crane needs far more headroom than a sensible shed has. Instead of a 4.5 m tall shed, hydraulic cylinders lift the roof while driving in or out, then lower it again. Operated from an app.

Will allow for full drive-thru once done.

  1. Idea
  2. Design
  3. Build
  4. Test
  5. In service
DriveHydraulic cylinders
ControlApp - relays - valves
SafetySafety valves, hydraulic accumulators
Lift height85 cm
Cylinders4, single acting

Hydraulics, pipefitting, woodwork, welding, electronics, software

Build log
  1. : Final preparations added in construction.
  2. : Final root cladding added.
  3. : Basic roof construction.
  4. : Town's longest hinge fabricated (4.2m).

Rotating pool cover

A pool cover that doubles as a terrace.

A welded, composite-clad half-round cover that rotates on an axis to close over a kidney-shaped pool. Driven by an electric motor, operated from an app.

  1. Idea
  2. Design
  3. Build
  4. Test
  5. In service
StructureWelded frame, composite cladding
DriveElectric motor
ControlApp
SafetySafety bumper, escape hatch, pool alarm
Span6 m

Welding, composites, electronics, software

a retro wall phone

Das Telefon

A retro PTT wall phone with a language model on the line.

The original bell, rung by a motor driver. A new microphone. A Raspberry Pi inside that connects the handset to an online language model via WiFi, which answers in various voices. It also rings at random, because it can.

Programmable via the rotary dial.

  1. Idea
  2. Design
  3. Build
  4. Test
  5. In service
BrainRaspberry Pi 4
BellOriginal, motor-driven
VoiceOnline LLM API, privacy settings on, capped budget

Electronics, software, restoration

workshop donkey lifting a 6m oak beam

Workshop donkey

A pallet truck that grew a hoist.

A pallet truck with a small trailer crane and hoist welded on. It carries the heavy parts to where the work is, and lifts them into place when it gets there.

  1. Idea
  2. Design
  3. Build
  4. Test
  5. In service
BasePallet truck
LiftingTrailer crane with hoist
Safe working load450 kg crane, 1000 kg truck

Welding, fabrication

Unimog fuel pack

More range, and some to share.

An of the shelve add-on diesel/HVO100 tank for the Unimog 406. Dual quick-attach couplings connect it to the original tank with pressure equalisation, so it works as extra range. A 12 V pump fuels other vehicles from it.

HVO100 picked mainly for longevity.

When unloaded the tank simply functions as a fuel station for car and Unimog.

  1. Idea
  2. Design
  3. Build
  4. Test
  5. In service
Tank400 L ABS, double-walled, drip tray, UN marked
CouplingDual quick-attach, pressure equalisation
Pump12 V, for fuelling other vehicles
TransportStraps and hoist with crane

Pipefitting, fuel systems, vehicles