# The Spark Gap - Episode 23

- Show: [The Spark Gap](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap)
- Published: 2014-12-10
- Length: 38m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-12-10-the-spark-gap-episode-23
- Listen: https://thesparkgap.net/the-spark-gap-episode-23

## Summary

Hosts Carl and Corey discuss their numerous unfinished electronics and maker projects, attributing the stalls to lack of time, space, and technical roadblocks. Carl details an unused robot arm with an Arduino, a stalled custom automotive gauge project limited by PCB size, and a frustrating emulation setup using an ECS Liva mini PC. Corey shares his abandoned rear-projection multitouch table prototype and a 3D printer enclosure project, while also noting his own stalled Christmas light synchronization system plagued by a hot microcontroller.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-12-10-the-spark-gap-episode-23#t=0) Introduction: The Problem of Unfinished Projects
- [2:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-12-10-the-spark-gap-episode-23#t=126) Carl's Robot Arm and STM32 Plans
- [6:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-12-10-the-spark-gap-episode-23#t=369) Corey's Rear Projection Multitouch Table
- [11:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-12-10-the-spark-gap-episode-23#t=677) 3D Printer Enclosure and CNC Router
- [12:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-12-10-the-spark-gap-episode-23#t=766) Carl's Ducati Motorcycle and Custom Gauges
- [21:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-12-10-the-spark-gap-episode-23#t=1272) Corey's Christmas Light Sync System
- [22:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-12-10-the-spark-gap-episode-23#t=1375) Carl's ECS Liva Emulation Setup
- [30:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-12-10-the-spark-gap-episode-23#t=1804) Burnout and Career Reflections

## Topics

- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Founder wellbeing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/founder-wellbeing)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Arduino (chip)
- STM32 (chip)
- Raspberry Pi (chip)
- ECS Liva (product)
- Ducati 748 S (product)
- NES 30 (product)
- Freescale (chip)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [498: To Consume Stickers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-04-04-498-to-consume-stickers) (Embedded.fm)
- [Making It #018: All over the place](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-04-24-making-it-018-all-over-the-place) (Making It)
- [Episode 241: Sketching with a Bandsaw](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2019-12-13-episode-241-sketching-with-a-bandsaw) (Making It)
- [Work on it for 10 years...](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-12-30-work-on-it-for-10-years) (The Amp Hour)
- [260: We Talked a Lot](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-09-14-260-we-talked-a-lot) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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