Author Archives: robertwilkie

Make a box fan

Posted on May 22, 2017 by robertwilkie

The author took an old exhaust fan and made a pretty nice looking box fan.  I have some old power fans from other projects that would be a good build here. https://www.instructables.com/id/Personal-Fan-Using-Old-Exhaust-Fan/

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life, woodworking | Comments Off on Make a box fan

Another simple CDROM CNC plotter

Posted on May 22, 2017 by robertwilkie

Another nice build with an arduino.  The author uses an arduino nano and some L293D chips which keeps the cost down compared to some CNC CDROM builds.  I also like the use of a pen spring to help keep the … Continue reading →

Posted in Arduino, Cheap, CNC/3D-printing, Misc-Life | 1 Comment

Turn an old gift card into a portable weapon

Posted on May 19, 2017 by robertwilkie

Pretty clever idea.  May help buy you enough time to get out a bad situation. https://www.instructables.com/id/Self-defense-Gift-Card-Knuckles/

Posted in Cheap, weapons | Comments Off on Turn an old gift card into a portable weapon

Use a vinyl cutter to make circuit boards

Posted on May 18, 2017 by robertwilkie

OK this is pretty funny, the author uses a vinyl cutter to help make circuit board.  Not a bad idea. Cameo Cutter Makes SMD Stencils

Posted in Cheap, CNC/3D-printing, Misc-Life | Comments Off on Use a vinyl cutter to make circuit boards

Make a remote control snowblower

Posted on May 18, 2017 by robertwilkie

This is a multi year build.  The author took parts from 2 snowblowers, and electric wheelchair, tossed in an arduino and built this.  I think he says the total cost was around 1200…most in the snowblower/wheelchair bit.  Me…I am tempted….but … Continue reading →

Posted in Arduino, Cheap, Misc-Life, robots | Comments Off on Make a remote control snowblower

Cool mechanical Iris build

Posted on May 18, 2017 by robertwilkie

I like this build. Would I do it? ….Maybe, the author posts everything up I would need.  Just the metal working bit might be a challenge for what I have. Make an Awesome Mechanical Iris

Posted in Misc-Life, woodworking | Comments Off on Cool mechanical Iris build

Wait, I can get to Lynda for free?

Posted on May 18, 2017 by robertwilkie

Apparently its possible thru your library account (guess what I plan to try). http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/lynda-com-free-library/

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life | Comments Off on Wait, I can get to Lynda for free?

Turn a google phone into a google home system

Posted on May 17, 2017 by robertwilkie

OK so you add a speaker and turn on google now and bam…google home.  But…I think you need to be running a relatively recent version of Android to do this.  I am guessing 5.0 and up?  So if you got … Continue reading →

Posted in android, Cheap, Misc-Life | Comments Off on Turn a google phone into a google home system

Microsoft Joining the rest with Linux and IoT

Posted on May 17, 2017 by robertwilkie

Microsoft has apparently released code for Linux that will allow for IoT devices to contact Azure based systems. https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/05/11/microsoft_azure_iot_cloud_offering/

Posted in Arduino, Linux, Software Development | Comments Off on Microsoft Joining the rest with Linux and IoT

Ubertooth, for sniffing bluetooth

Posted on May 17, 2017 by robertwilkie

Been some time since I tinkered with bluetooth.  Looks liek the tools are still moving along with the latest bluetooth specs. pemcracker – Tool For Cracking PEM Files

Posted in Security | Comments Off on Ubertooth, for sniffing bluetooth