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Practical Assisted Living Systems 2904 Pine Ridge Road, Oklahoma City, OK 73120, Phone 405-752-4241, Email: vmnowl@juno.com, Fax 405-752-4636 ABOUT P.A.L.S. > P.A.L.S. is an unfunded group of volunteers dedicated to using their individual talents to assist those with unique requirements for existing in today's society. > P.A.L.S. volunteers are not trained in any of the fields of therapy, medicine or care giving. Therefore, they work closely with and under the direction of therapists, nurses, doctors and special education teachers that do have the training to understand and interpret the needs of the individual receiving services from P.A.L.S.. MISSION STATEMENT: > To combine science and craftsmanship into a medium for creating practical tools for living living life to the fullest possible level for all individuals with unique needs. > To adapt existing technology to meet the unique needs of each individual. > To design devices to stimulate individuals to accomplish goals heretofore beyond their reach. > To design ways that assistive devices are within the financial reach of all that need them. > To share the information, design, patterns, and ideas developed by P.A.L.S. with any individual that can benefit from using such equipment. > To provide training for groups of teachers, therapists, nurses, care givers and other professionals that are capable of determining the individuals need for unique equipment. > To provide free consulting services on the design and construction of assistive devices for individual teachers, therapists, nurses and care givers. > To promote the dissemination of information from other sources regarding the design and construction of assistive devices. FEES, CHARGES, ETC. > No member of P.A.L.S. will ever accept payment for any service that he/she provides as a part of the P.A.L.S. service. > Recipients of P.A.L.S. services are encouraged to reimburse a P.A.L.S. volunteer for any materials that the volunteer uses to construct a special device. SEMINARS > Seminars are available to develop the technology in any interested group to adapt existing toys and equipment and to design new equipment. The seminars consist of a display of numerous devices, verbal instruction on the subjects of 'A Five Minute Course in All That You Will Ever Need to Know About Electronics', 'A Three Minute Course in The Fine Art of Soldering', 'Where to Find Willing Hands to Help You Construct Devices' and instruction in the construction of several of the displayed devices. > Seminars may be expanded to include hands-on soldering, adapting of toys and/or construction of switches. A small fee (usually $10.00) will be charged to cover the cost of materials for two devices which the individual will take home. OTHER PROMOTIONAL SERVICES > P.A.L ' S. will provide speakers to groups of interested citizens from which we hope to encourage individuals to volunteer with organizations serving challenged citizens. > P.A.L.S. will provide displays at vendor shows and other events. Note: All services are subject to the schedules of the volunteers. INNOVATOR'S IDEA SHEETS THE FINE POINTS OF SOLDERING: TOOLS AND SUPPLIES 1. THE SOLDERING IRON - For the type of soldering that one will do in modifying toys, making switches, etc., a small 30 watt electric soldering iron will be quite adequate. [Radio Shack Cat. #64-2067 b] 2. SOLDER - Use lead-free rosin-core solder such as Radio Shack Cat. #64-027. DO NOT USE SOLDER INTENDED FOR PLUMBING WORK! 3. DESOLDERING BULB - Unless you are one of those perfect people that never makes a mistake you will occasionally want to remove something that you have soldered. A desoldering bulb is a good investment. [Radio Shack Cat. #64-20861 4. HOLDING DEVICES - Soldering small devices can be tricky without something to help hold the devices. A 'Third or Extra' hand device is available for about $10.00 [Radio Shack Cat. # 64-2063] or a mini-vise for about $5.00 [Radio Shack Cat. # 64-2094]. 1 prefer the mini vise for most work. A couple of wooden snap clothes pins can be used for minimal work. 5. SOLDERING - Something is needed to protect the kitchen table cloth while you are soldering. A sample piece of plastic laminate makes a wonderful surface. Ask your lumber dealer if he can give you a sarnple chip or small scrap. 6. SOLDERING TIP CLEANER - Keep a small damp sponge or cloth on which to wipe the tip of the hot iron to remove excess solder and solder by-products. 7. CLEANING - Occasionally you need to polish some copper before you try soldering to it. A small piece of very fine sandpaper is a good addition to your soldering kit. THE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES TO DO EXPERT SOLDERING WORK SHOULD COST YOU ONLY ABOUT $20.00 ($15.00 IF YOU SKIP THE MINI-VISE). {BASED ON PRICES FALL 1996} SOLDERING PRINCIPLES 1. Solder does not make a strong mechanical joint. Where possible wrap the wires or hook them through the holes in a jack, etc. 2. Excess heat can damage electronic components. When soldering a wire to an electronic component, `tin' the wire with solder, place it against the connection on the electronic component, and briefly touch the very tip of the soldering iron to the connection. 3. When soldering to non-electronic components such as jacks, plugs, etc., you must apply enough heat to the heavier metal contacts to make the solder flow on the metal connections. If you don't get the metal hot enough you will get what is called a `cold joint'. The wire will still wiggle in the hole and will not make a good electrical connection. 4. All components must be clean and free of oil or contaminants before soldering. 5. You cannot solder aluminum. HEY, YOU HAVE LEARNED ENOUGH TO START YOUR CAREER IN SOLDERING! A LITTLE PRACTICE AND YOU WILL BE TEACHING OTHERS.
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