More Cat Feeder Adventures.


I’ve spent a good portion of this week working on my next-generation cat feeder. I disassembled the feeder we had been using and salvaged some of the parts. The new design has to work reliably if we are to feed the cats when we go out of town. It’s got to be critter proof, too.


I’ve had to assemble and disassemble everything on this new design fixing issues along the way. Yesterday I had the feeder wheel all set up when I quit. Today when I cranked it up the motor was too weak to turn the wheel. I disassembled the motor (this is the rotisserie motor we got for 25 cents) and found it had some corrosion and crud on all the metal gears. I polished the gears and added some lubrication and put everything back together. I had to play around some with the axle to make it turn as easily as possible. Tonight the basic feeder is together (food bin, feeding wheel, motor drive) and works without food in it. Tomorrow, with luck, I will put on the finishing touches, check that it also works loaded with food and set it out to feed the cats.


I’m now through 14 of the 17 CDs in the Harry Potter book. I think this is the best-written one.


My left hand is healing more slowly than I expected. I’m still wearing the splint part-time. By the end of the day my left hand and right thumb feel as if they never are going to get better. It’s been 3 weeks since I fell. Maybe I’m just impatient.

It was a cool 46 degrees this morning. We are supposed to have a beautiful fall weekend. Penny and I are planning on finishing up any “have to do” items tomorrow and just enjoy the good weather on Saturday and Sunday. Our fu actually starts Friday night when we join Pam at Ruth’s Chris Steak House for dinner.