Do programmable sewing machines exist? I want to be able to provide the sewing machine with a design or logo and have it sew it for me - in this case, a nice little dog to go on the breast pocket of a golf shirt. [more inside]
posted by WhereAmI on Sep 30, 2009 - 13 answers

My espresso maker just gave up the ghost, after 15 years of great coffee and service. What's a really dependable, good new machine to purchase? [more inside]
posted by zenpop on Sep 26, 2009 - 23 answers

How did we go from basic rough hand tools to the point of having really precise tools? Specifically, how do you make a better tool from the ones you have on hand? [more inside]
posted by toomanyplugs on Aug 19, 2009 - 17 answers

Is there any way for Google Translate to process long files? It seems to kick out at around 38K.
posted by Yakuman on Aug 16, 2009 - 3 answers

Can individuals rent voting machines? [more inside]
posted by Lucinda on Aug 16, 2009 - 5 answers

Sewing Gear Filter: I have a number of sewing machines that have nylon or plastic composite gears that have broken. Some of them I can have replaced, some of them are no longer made. I am wondering about DIY bionic sewing machine parts. [more inside]
posted by Tchad on Jul 1, 2009 - 10 answers

How can I rent a soft serve ice cream maker in London, Ontario (or around Toronto) for Saturday October 10th, 2009? [more inside]
posted by saradarlin on May 13, 2009 - 3 answers

Weird coffee question for baristas or home espresso machine owners: I decalcified my machine the other day and then got sick a couple of days later. Coincidence or connection? More inside: [more inside]
posted by zenpop on May 12, 2009 - 8 answers

..Advice please? My grown stepchildren NEVER invite us to their houses...NEVER [more inside]
posted by naplesyellow on May 5, 2009 - 78 answers

Does anyone remember Hoffy papers? Obscure elementary-school learning machine memory (pre-1980 edition) ... [more inside]
posted by rikschell on Apr 30, 2009 - 2 answers

I have a Francis Francis! X5 espresso machine that I would like to sell. The problem is that it's the one referred to in this question, meaning it doesn't work. What's the best way to proceed? [more inside]
posted by veggieboy on Apr 24, 2009 - 7 answers

Was that a helicopter in my kitchen? No. It was the washing machine. Um. Help? [more inside]
posted by greekphilosophy on Apr 1, 2009 - 11 answers

I'm considering using a Airport Extreme and large USB drive as a simple backup solution for a small business (about 10 people). Has anyone used it this way, and how well did it work? [more inside]
posted by baggers on Mar 24, 2009 - 8 answers

Hi I'm trying to find a piece of art - a series of lights attached to wooden arms whose tips trace some sort of toroidal geometry. At high speeds the armature disappears and the lights form volumes as luminous wireframes, like synchronised mechanical sparklers. [more inside]
posted by doobiedoo on Mar 5, 2009 - 5 answers

Designing a COMPUTER CONTROLLED MILLING MACHINE, small, very precise, and specialized to one type of task. Help me understand the bits and drills that will do the actual carving of the metal. [more inside]
posted by StickyCarpet on Feb 23, 2009 - 24 answers

Throwing a party, where can I get a foam machine? Hosting a party on Friday in the Philadelphia area. Cant seem to find a place to get a foam machine (either online or brick and mortar). Any recommendations/suggestions?
posted by Blandanomics on Feb 18, 2009 - 2 answers

Does anyone know details of the Energy Star rebate in the Stimulus bill? I was going to buy a new washing machine today, but I'm wondering if my purchase would count if the bill isn't signed yet. And knowing how much the rebate would be may make a difference in the model I pick.
posted by saffry on Feb 14, 2009 - 3 answers

Why is my shower pump suddenly starting up when the shower is off but hot water is used elsewhere? Can it be stopped? [more inside]
posted by tulipwool on Feb 8, 2009 - 3 answers

Washing Machine troubleshooting fun! Sometimes-not-working-pump! [more inside]
posted by sdis on Jan 12, 2009 - 3 answers

Can you remember the 1970s disco songs that start with sound effects such as machine gun fire, door opening slowly , and a man laughing ominously? [more inside]
posted by cluelessguru on Dec 22, 2008 - 5 answers

Is it wise to setup Ubuntu for my parents virtual box for ie? [more inside]
posted by erifneerg on Dec 20, 2008 - 10 answers

I am stuck on a "design of machine components" project. Anyone care to take a crack? Its actually a pretty simple spring problem. [more inside]
posted by Black_Umbrella on Nov 24, 2008 - 5 answers

Recommendation for a home elliptical machine. [more inside]
posted by damn dirty ape on Nov 17, 2008 - 2 answers

On a whim I bought a cheap electronic Buddhist Chant Box off Ebay--Not FM3's Buddha Machine, but one of the myriad (so I'm led to understand) cheap boxes sold outside temples in China. [more inside]
posted by Chrischris on Nov 11, 2008 - 4 answers

A few years ago at a restaurant in a small Southern town, I witnessed a strange event involving a group of serious-looking elderly men, a bunch of coins, and a mysterious contraption… [more inside]
posted by Wroksie on Oct 29, 2008 - 9 answers

"Gift" of a sewing machine upgrade - do I want it? [more inside]
posted by GardenGal on Oct 23, 2008 - 16 answers

Can anyone recommend a cheap hobby tattoo machine? There's a bunch with varying prices online, but some anecdotal evidence never hurts. I was going to build my own until I found out how cheap some of them are, but only want to get one if it's worth it.
posted by imaswinger on Oct 2, 2008 - 2 answers

Recommendations needed for stackable, energy saver, low water washing machine/dryer combo [more inside]
posted by spicynuts on Sep 30, 2008 - 11 answers

What are your favorite bread machine recipes? [more inside]
posted by kidsleepy on Sep 9, 2008 - 6 answers

HandymanFilter: How can I stop my washing machine from leaking? (Pictures and Video included) [more inside]
posted by charlesroper on Sep 3, 2008 - 17 answers

Why aren't there universal 32->64 bit driver translator/emulators? [more inside]
posted by Mokusatsu on Aug 23, 2008 - 9 answers

OS X Backup Filter. I use a mac mini with it's limited had disc space, so also use an external USB drive to store big stuff like my iTunes Library, Lightroom Catalog, and Downloads. I need automatic backup help. [more inside]
posted by superfurry on Aug 5, 2008 - 8 answers

Would this OS/RAM/VM trick work, you think? Linux seems to allow this PC mobo double the RAM XP shows as possible; can I VM XP on a Linux host and split the RAM between the two? [more inside]
posted by penciltopper on Aug 1, 2008 - 10 answers

Heavy duty sewing machines? What do I need? [more inside]
posted by SpecialK on Jul 31, 2008 - 12 answers

Where Can I Buy A $80-$120 Espresso Machine in San Francisco (I live in SOMA) Tomorrow? [more inside]
posted by Spurious on Jul 10, 2008 - 8 answers

Can anyone recommend a good home serger? A few desired features: coverstitch, rolled hem, 4 thread. Thanks!
posted by pantufla on Jun 13, 2008 - 3 answers

Do I need a surge protector for my new washer? [more inside]
posted by Marky on Jun 4, 2008 - 5 answers

Why does my Windows XP machine keep trying to route my computer names to capiqcorp.net [more inside]
posted by benjh on May 2, 2008 - 6 answers

What is this machine glimpsed in the 1978 movie "Up in Smoke"? [more inside]
posted by Mitheral on Apr 16, 2008 - 13 answers

My FrancisFrancis X5 espresso machine has water coming out everywhere except where it's supposed to. [more inside]
posted by veggieboy on Apr 6, 2008 - 6 answers

Am I crazy, or is there a book about a man trying to voyage to the afterlife? [more inside]
posted by gc on Mar 14, 2008 - 18 answers

I'm looking for images that combine human bodies with machine heads.

Two examples are the Freaky Flicks mascot and Andrzej Klimowski's cover illustration for Faber and Faber's 1992 edition of Vargas Llosa's Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter.

Do you know any more?
posted by sushiwiththejury on Dec 28, 2007 - 4 answers

Syncing up 2 USB Hdd on a Mac and Font converting software (PC to Mac) [more inside]
posted by spinko on Nov 27, 2007 - 4 answers

Ever made slushy cocktails? We're renting a slushy machine for a party in a week. We're looking for recipe ideas... [more inside]
posted by sycophant on Nov 17, 2007 - 20 answers

Trying to find a company that makes a machine that can make food moulds in the shape of an animal. Anyone? [more inside]
posted by scottMontgomery on Oct 30, 2007 - 3 answers

Anyone know of a DIY workshop/machine shop in NYC? (Ideally something like a Techshop). [more inside]
posted by nazca on Oct 8, 2007 - 1 answer

I have a really squeaky printer. I tried WD-40, but the squeakiness comes back. One of my engineering friends suggested that I needed something similar to sewing machine oil, but perhaps a little thicker, since the gears are plastic. Any ideas on what kind of lubricant I should get? And where I could get it? Aside from the squeakiness, this REALLY is a good printer (Canon MP130), and I really don't want to get another one.
posted by ssnickerer on Sep 27, 2007 - 14 answers

Can someone give me some backstory on this? [more inside]
posted by pjern on Aug 27, 2007 - 8 answers

I need to purchase a new washing machine and I am considering a front loader but I need some advice. [more inside]
posted by bluesky43 on Aug 7, 2007 - 36 answers

I put a roll of film in the washing machine (by accident). Is it destroyed? [more inside]
posted by lou on Jul 28, 2007 - 12 answers