Tenacious Creations

FROM PRINTS TO PRECISION: ASSEMBLING THE ARCTOS ROBOTIC ARM

Ben Schmidt — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 17:40:07 +0000

Every complex mechanism starts somewhere. For our latest project—the Arctos Robotic Arm—the journey began with a tub full of raw, 3D-printed components.

Looking at a pile of structural pieces like this, it’s easy to see the challenge: turning a collection of discrete, printed parts into a rigid, highly precise robotic assembly.

The Build Challenge

Building a functional robotic arm requires managing tight tolerances. While 3D printing is excellent for rapid prototyping and complex geometries, it introduces variables like material shrinkage and layer-line inconsistencies.

Our focus for this project includes:

Mechanical Fit & Alignment: Ensuring bearing pockets and pivot points are perfectly concentric to prevent binding.
Structural Rigidity: Optimizing the assembly sequence so the high-torque actuators don’t introduce flex into the arm’s geometry.
Component Optimization: Bridging the gap between a digital CAD model and a physical, high-duty-cycle mechanism.

Documenting the Process

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be documenting the entire assembly process right here on Deviations. We will cover everything from hardware integration and axis calibration to the technical hurdles we hit along the way—and how we solve them.

Stay tuned for the next update as we move these parts from the bin to the assembly table.

Chinese Diesel Heater Is it Worth It?

Tenacious Creations — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 16:50:02 +0000

Will Chinese Diesel Heater Work To Heat A Garage in Canada in Winter? After running this heater in my garage for close to 10 days and in -40’C weather, here is my review.

Link to heater – https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09C38YZDH?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Link to Thru Port Exhaust – https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09QKS1KPC?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Chinese Diesel Heater In Shed

Tenacious Creations — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 14:52:51 +0000

Sadly my shop does not have sufficient power to install permanent heat. To be able to continue to work during the cold winter months here in Saskatchewan, I needed a temporary solution. That is where the Vevor Diesel heater designed for off grid applications came into play. Over all this worked fairly well.

Utility Trailer Rebuild

BenAdmin — Sun, 05 Dec 2021 22:45:42 +0000

We were looking to build a utility trailer for picking up projects and materials.

After checking with SGI (our local governing body). I found out it costs $400 to get a new vin.

It was cheaper to just purchase an old trailer that I could use for the vin and the parts.

Pliers Drawer Tool Box Organizer Ideas

Tenacious Creations — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 22:12:22 +0000

After redoing my screwdriver drawer. I found another drawer that required attention.

Using kaizen foam definitely made a huge improvement to me being able to find and use my pliers.

Fixing RV Fridge Freezer Door

Tenacious Creations — Sun, 11 Apr 2021 18:52:35 +0000

Last year we purchased a 1982 Vanguard Motorhome on a Ford Chasis.

It needs TLC and so every year we fix a little bit more.

This fix was for the 3-way rv fridge freezer door. Luckily I was able to find a premade model to print out the part I needed.

3D Printed Key Fob Repair

BenAdmin — Sun, 04 Apr 2021 19:28:27 +0000

My key fob to unlock the doors for my 2004 Ford F150 was basically destroyed.

I figured this would be a good project for the 3D printer.

This was printed in two pieces. This means it took a couple of test prints to get the two parts to fit together properly.

Fixing the Chaos with Kaizen Foam

Tenacious Creations — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 23:29:42 +0000

The most hated drawer in my toolbox, the screwdriver drawer. Always messed up, open it up and they move so you can’t close the drawer. You could never find the one you are looking for. That was until I fixed it with Kaizen foam. An awesome product!

Grooming A Maker

Tenacious Creations — Mon, 08 Apr 2019 15:02:33 +0000

When I was a kid, I was always taking things apart to figure out how they worked. Most times I could put them back together again and in working order. There were some things though that never worked again after I was through with them. I loved figuring out how things worked because then I could use that knowledge to build my own creations. Some of which work and some, well not so much.

Working with wood was never my thing and in fact, I told myself I didn’t like it. Somewhere along the line, I convinced myself that I didn’t like woodworking. Then my dad, a skilled woodworker, told me I could have his old wood lathe.

It was in rough condition but never the less I loaded it onto the truck and brought it home with the intent of getting it working again. While working on it in the garage I found that my son Jackson really wanted to help. Being that he was four I had to figure out things that he could do that would still be contributing to the project. I hated being given make-work projects and I was sure he would hate it too. Working with him and teaching him how to use tools was a lot of fun. I noticed the spark of a maker in him and it awoke the maker in me.

While working on the lathe I was watching YouTube videos on lathe work. Anyone how has gone done the YouTube rabbit hole knows YouTube shows you similar videos. It was while watching these videos that I thought hey I should give this a try. Maybe even get to the point of building new kitchen cabinets for our house.

All the while having my son Jackson helping and learning that he too can make things.

Follow along, laugh at my mistakes and maybe learn something along the way.

Ben J. Schmidt

Making Crates

Tenacious Creations — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 14:49:08 +0000

We had a bunch of scrap pallet wood to use up. After planing it down to a uniform thickness we went ahead and made these crates.

They are now proudly being used as toy storage.