Thread by @geekgalgroks

It has been too long.

I am going to clean off my workspace and solder.

And because I like a challenge,

Today's project is the Cordwood puzzle from @boldport

No instructions, this will be interesting.

Components came loose in a bag.

The best guess for assembly is from the circuit boards.

And the easiest thing to figure out is where to put the six transistors. So I will start there.

Soldered in place.

The next obvious thing looks like the headers.

I'll use washi tape to hold them in place while soldering. I've accidentally branded my finger with a header pin and I don't want to repeat that experience.

I still have pretorn washi tape ready and waiting from the last project I did.

Taped and ready to solder.

Looks pretty good.

Next will be the ginormous LEDs.

Remember

"I'm positive this leg is longer."

And the positive shape on the board is a square.

Remember solder and irons get hot.

Now I have to figure out how to get all these resistors (and single capacitor) between these two boards.

Holy shit! I got them lined up and in.

Crap. I still have to get the capacitor in.

Haha!

I trimmed the legs down so I didn't have to lift the top board much to get it to slide in.

And it fell out while I was putting the standoff in.

I made a rattle?

[Video: Hand rocking two circuit boards screwed together. Resistors are sliding back and forth between them.]

Taped so I can begin the soldering party.

I hate soldering next to LEDs.

I'm always scared I'm going to melt them.

Huzzah!

Everything soldered and the capacitor still slides in so it is taped and ready to join the party.

Soldered in place.

And now is where I cheat to figure out where the wire goes because 🤷‍♀️

Because I don't trust myself to cut the right amount for each length, I'm doing this one at a time.

In place and they don't touch each other!

And now to connect the power to each side.

The wires need to cross but not touch. Square pad to square pad on the other side, same with the circle.

I have made respect for electrical engineers and electronics repairers of old.

(Mad respect not made but whatever)

Feeding the wire across was difficult. This should be an adventure.

Complete!

The wire leftover is just enough to go between the two boards.

And now I dig through my electronics supply pile for a power supply.

I keep meaning to get something more reasonable, but repurposed computer power supply it is.

But more importantly,

IT WORKS!