Author Archives: robertwilkie

Using an RPi to control your garage door

Posted on October 17, 2018 by robertwilkie

Good idea, seems like alot more wires going to the relay than I would think you need. But it looks like the author is using an older RPi (original one I think) in this project, so this could be a … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life, RaspberryPi | Comments Off

Buying stuff from China

Posted on October 16, 2018 by robertwilkie

Several of the stores, like AliExpress, Banggood, Lighttake, and Gearbest I have heard of. And out of the 4 only lighttake have I had an issue with. TomTop, geekbuying, tradingshenzhen…are new to me. https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/buy-tech-china-safely/

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Make you own veggy slicer

Posted on October 15, 2018 by robertwilkie

OK Igot a kick out of this one. Neat build, but not so sure I would do it unless I had to do alot of slicing. https://www.instructables.com/id/Electric-Onion-Slicer/

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Build your own High Voltage Generator

Posted on October 12, 2018 by robertwilkie

Nice idea, the author needed something that could do high (100V) voltage but with a low current. I am pretty impressed he did this with a battery no less. https://blog.theledart.com/blog/archives/2148

Posted in Misc-Life, Tools | Comments Off

Drawbot with RPi only

Posted on October 11, 2018 by robertwilkie

I like this build over ones from years past, looks like $100 in materials? Its come a long way and now it does not even need an arduino to control the motors, instead everything goes thru a RPi Zero. https://www.instructables.com/id/Drawbot/

Posted in Cheap, CNC/3D-printing, Linux, Misc-Life, RaspberryPi | Comments Off

Make some soft vise clamp pads

Posted on October 10, 2018 by robertwilkie

Use one of those giant rubber erasers from the dollar store. Good idea but I would like to see a better way to get it to hold into the vise. https://www.instructables.com/id/Vice-Soft-Jaws-Cheap-and-Easy/

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Nice Jig to sharpen planer blades

Posted on October 10, 2018 by robertwilkie

OK if you can sharpen something on a grinder it is way more faster than by hand. But…you can screw things up faster too. The author made a nice and simple jig to use with a tabletop grinder to do … Continue reading →

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Make a pumpkin pallet display

Posted on October 9, 2018 by robertwilkie

Cool build. https://www.instructables.com/id/Pallet-Pumpkin/

Posted in Cheap, woodworking | Comments Off

Make a simple Brushless DC motor

Posted on October 7, 2018 by robertwilkie

Good way to teach kids motors using some cheap materials. https://www.instructables.com/id/Brushless-DC-Motor/

Posted in Cheap, Teaching and Learning | Comments Off

Make a solar balloon..or buy one for $20

Posted on October 6, 2018 by robertwilkie

This is pretty cool build, the author uses garbage bags but apparently you can get a kit now these days to do it. Me…I think I would buy the kit. https://www.instructables.com/id/Ten-Meters-DIY-Solar-Balloon/ kit https://www.amazon.com/TEDCO-Tedcotoys-Activity-50-foot-Balloon/dp/B00LW7WGRK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1538489093&sr=8-2&keywords=Solar+balloons&dpID=51hrZ0Yx1YL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch&linkCode=sl1&tag=inst0af-20&linkId=71fdae7d442355e16ca96398fc64eb29&language=en_US

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life, Teaching and Learning | Comments Off