Pater Practicus
Practical dad – maker, mender and modeller – sharing project videos on YouTube.
Pater Practicus
Practical dad – maker, mender and modeller – sharing project videos on YouTube.
A Practical Dad
Who am I?
My name is Brendan McGrath, and I'm a practical dad – making, mending and modelling all sorts of things from railways to Raspberry Pi, blenders to JoyCons – and sharing project videos on my YouTube channel.
This website
On this site you'll find many of the files that support the projects in my videos, from .stl files for 3D prints to parts lists for Lego builds. Just head to the downloads page where you'll find what you need.
Latest project videos
Class 153 Inspection Train
Easy Fix for a loose Bamix blade
Easy Fix for a loose Bamix blade
Combining a modified Hornby Class 153 and Raspberry Pi powered WiFi video camera for a realistic driver's-eye view of my model railway layout.
Easy Fix for a loose Bamix blade
Easy Fix for a loose Bamix blade
Easy Fix for a loose Bamix blade
Tightening a loose Bamix blender blade is incredibly easy - all you need is a pair of long-nosed pliers. So, before you spend ££s on a replacement, watch this simple how-to guide.
Video-call status indicator
Easy Fix for a loose Bamix blade
Waterslide decals - with white
Tired of Zoom call interruptions? Here's how to make your own Raspberry Pi Pico powered status indicator to tell everyone when you are busy, or if you're free to chat.
Waterslide decals - with white
Fixing a Nintendo Switch Joy Con
Waterslide decals - with white
Domestic ink-jet and laser printers don’t have white ink, so how do you make your own waterslide decals for use on darker backgrounds? Here’s one way to do it.
Fixing a Nintendo Switch Joy Con
Fixing a Nintendo Switch Joy Con
Fixing a Nintendo Switch Joy Con
Unable to play your favourite Switch games because of a dodgy SL/SR button? Here's precisely how to fix it yourself - it is a bit fiddly, but it needn't take you long.
Flashing level-crossing lights
Fixing a Nintendo Switch Joy Con
Fixing a Nintendo Switch Joy Con
Here's how to make realistic flashing level-crossing signs for your model railway - entirely from scratch - using a Raspberry Pi Pico as a controller and surface mounted LEDs.
Popular videos
Model railway baseboard joints
Simple LED lights for older locos
How to clean a Velux loft window
My three secrets for perfectly aligned AND easy assembly modular baseboard joints.
How to clean a Velux loft window
Simple LED lights for older locos
How to clean a Velux loft window
Manual or motorised, here's how to clean the outside of your Velux skylights - from inside!
Simple LED lights for older locos
Simple LED lights for older locos
Simple LED lights for older locos
How to add directional headlights to older model rail locos - plus simple DCC upgrade
