• Surgery Success!

    brucejdii • 01/16/2023 at 17:47 • 0 comments

    Otter had his surgery to close the hole in his skull in Dec 2022; his recovery went extremely well and has been back to being an incredible kitten - he'll have the opportunity to grow up to be a healthy loving creature!

  • Cap Version 2.0 - wire Ear Loops

    brucejdii • 09/23/2022 at 20:49 • 0 comments

    This is a jig for the laser cutter.

    The ends are soldered together. the Wire is 12 inches long


  • Otter is a beast

    brucejdii • 09/23/2022 at 20:44 • 0 comments

    I've been thinking about doing version 2.0...

  • Working with the Cupcake Holders

    brucejdii • 09/09/2022 at 00:50 • 0 comments

    As it turns out, ordering some 3" (actuallly 3.17") diameter cupcake holders worked out really well!  They were  inexpensive, quick, and easy to cut.  Also, There was a decision to add venting holes for Otter's condition.  Cutting it from the button to top seemed to prodcue the best results.

    The edges need to be cleaned up a bit... it seemed the the bulb tip actually worked better than the razor blade tip... E6000 glue works incredibly quickly when setting the two materials together...

  • Utilizing a safety Quick Release Clip

    brucejdii • 08/25/2022 at 23:46 • 0 comments

    We wanted to utilize a Quick Release Cat Collar clip into the design... ultimately I ended up purchasing some quick release collars, cannibalized the clips and went with a simple loop with the velcro straps...  To remove the clips I used a razor blade attachment on the wood burning tool (I got the blade tip from Michaels)

  • Failed Computer Concepts

    brucejdii • 08/25/2022 at 23:41 • 0 comments

    Here are some pics of Digital iterations of Helmet Ideas:

  • Failed Iterations

    brucejdii • 08/13/2022 at 00:11 • 0 comments

    Although the Helmet Shell looked really good, it's a little too difficult to get it 'just" right without constant immediate access to Otter... so I'm not able to get a good fit on him, plus the little guy is growing like a weed and would need a constant updated helmet.  The other Caps are flats cutout, then heated and formed over my aluminum foil covered 3d printed buck... not amazed by the results...

  • Velco Chin Strap

    brucejdii • 08/13/2022 at 00:07 • 0 comments

    I wanted the chin strap to be as basic as possible- so just a simple loop... The velcro I used has a really soft touch.  I'm working on a quick release iteration.

  • Plastic Shell Styles

    brucejdii • 08/13/2022 at 00:04 • 0 comments

    Here are some of the plastic shell styles I was developing... I used a wood burning pen to melt out the shape.  The razor blade worked the best, the part in the picture is using the nubbin' and wasn't as clean.

  • Neoprene vs Craft Foam

    brucejdii • 08/13/2022 at 00:01 • 0 comments

    You can pick up inexpensive 1/4 craft foam at Michaels, the neoprene wasn't pricey either... however The Craft Foam wasn't AS pliable as the neoprene; although you can heat shape the Craft Foam with a heat gun/ blow dryer...