Author Archives: robertwilkie

Converting a harddrive to a sander…and good info on the motors in the drive

Posted on June 8, 2017 by robertwilkie

The write up was interesting.  but what really got my attention was the information on how these DC motors work from the harddrives. https://www.instructables.com/id/Hard-Disk-Sander/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brushless_DC_electric_motor  

Posted in Cheap, robots, Tools | Comments Off on Converting a harddrive to a sander…and good info on the motors in the drive

Nice write-up on how to make a hose adapter

Posted on June 8, 2017 by robertwilkie

Pretty good write up if you need to make an adapter from one size to another.  The authors are using Fusion360 for the CAD bit. https://www.instructables.com/id/3d-Model-and-Print-Hose-Adapters/

Posted in Cheap, CNC/3D-printing, Misc-Life | Comments Off on Nice write-up on how to make a hose adapter

Make a cheap juice press

Posted on June 7, 2017 by robertwilkie

Pretty simple build.  The author says it runs about $40 in materials.  I like the use of stainless steel.  I like the homemade brake used to make the metal box too. https://www.instructables.com/id/Make-a-40-Cold-Juice-Press/  

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Looks like the NSA leaker was bit by a Xerox Machine

Posted on June 7, 2017 by robertwilkie

I got a kick out of this.  The leaker, a contractor that should have known better, printed out the documents she leaked on a Xerox machine that has timestamp, serial number, etc printed on the documents in invisible form to … Continue reading →

Posted in Printer Security | Comments Off on Looks like the NSA leaker was bit by a Xerox Machine

OK so the next time I see a pipe clamp at a garage sale

Posted on June 7, 2017 by robertwilkie

I may convert it to this.  Now I would not buy all this material to make the build.  Harbor Freight seels a drill press vise for $15 (before coupons).    But if I pick up one at a garage sale…. https://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-DIY-Drill-Press-Vise/

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Getting Serial data from Arduion ot RPi to MySQL with CoAP

Posted on June 6, 2017 by robertwilkie

I have heard bits about CoAP in the past, never thought past that.  Looks like CoAP could be a good simple interface for IoT builds.  This one is getting sensor data out to the rest of the system https://www.instructables.com/id/Serial-Data-From-Arduino-to-Raspberry-Pi-to-MySQL-/

Posted in android, Arduino, Cloud, Linux, Misc-Life, RaspberryPi | Comments Off on Getting Serial data from Arduion ot RPi to MySQL with CoAP

Make a portable Commode

Posted on June 5, 2017 by robertwilkie

Too funny.  They entire thing (except the toilet seat) is make from from scratch. https://www.instructables.com/id/Travel-Commode-Port-A-Potty/

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Another PC power supply conversion

Posted on June 5, 2017 by robertwilkie

This one is a bit nicer than most write ups I have seen where the author shows pictures of the work to do inside the power supply.  Most write ups I have seen assume you know what you are doing. … Continue reading →

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Simple how-to on using an arduino to control an LED strip

Posted on June 2, 2017 by robertwilkie

Pretty straight forward write up if you are interested to do this. http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/connect-led-light-strips-arduino/

Posted in Arduino, Cheap | Comments Off on Simple how-to on using an arduino to control an LED strip

Passic Phone Speaker

Posted on June 2, 2017 by robertwilkie

I so want to make this.  Just alot of work.  Maybe a good build for teenage kids where they make it.  I have seen other cheap passive speaker builds for phones, but not as nice looking as this one.  An … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life, woodworking | Comments Off on Passic Phone Speaker