Author Archives: robertwilkie

Use cardstock as a cutoff wheel

Posted on February 14, 2017 by robertwilkie

I wondered sometimes if the cheap dremel cutoff wheels at Harbor Freight where paper, maybe I was right.  This article (video) goes over using cardstock to cut wood with it.  Its the speed that really counts for the cut. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap, Tools | 1 Comment

HashID, interesting python tool to ID hashes

Posted on February 14, 2017 by robertwilkie

This is an interesting tool that you can use to figure what time of hashes are used.  This can come in handing not just with hacking/pen testing, but with development as well as you may deal with different things that … Continue reading →

Posted in Security, Software Development | 2 Comments

Add a Milling Table to your drillpress

Posted on February 13, 2017 by robertwilkie

I like this build but I am a little mixed on doing this.  The quill on a drillpress isn’t exactly built for side to side movement.  More up and down.  So with light materials I guess this would be OK, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap, Tools | 3 Comments

Build your own shield with leftover wood and a dog bowl

Posted on February 13, 2017 by robertwilkie

The centerpiece is a dogbowl.  I thought that was pretty clever.  Note that the author used all new materials, but I am pretty sure you could do the same thing with scraps. http://www.instructables.com/id/Epic-Viking-Shield/?ALLSTEPS

Posted in Cheap | 1 Comment

Interesting alternative for the CDROM CNC build

Posted on February 9, 2017 by robertwilkie

The author has one axis move the table of the object in x direction, and the top is the y axis.  Clever idea. http://www.instructables.com/id/CNC-Made-From-Garbage/?ALLSTEPS  

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

Make your own snap circuits

Posted on February 8, 2017 by robertwilkie

Snap circuits are nice to teach kids about circuits, but…they are expensive, and if you want more custom stuff there isn’t much out there.  This video shows how to design and make your own. http://hackaday.com/2017/01/26/3d-printing-makes-electronics-a-snap/

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life, Teaching and Learning | Comments Off on Make your own snap circuits

One cork, and LED, and electric tape and you have a simple tester for coin batteries

Posted on February 8, 2017 by robertwilkie

Beats breaking out the meter to test the battery. http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-3v-Coin-Cell-Battery-Tester/?ALLSTEPS

Posted in Cheap, Tools | 1 Comment

Convert a GRBL with arduino CNC v3 Shield to use a servo for the Z axis

Posted on February 8, 2017 by robertwilkie

So you built one of the CDROM CNC’s and have a CNCv3 shield instead of a cobbled together setup.  The author goes over how to tweak it so you can use a servo in the z axis over a stepper. … Continue reading →

Posted in Arduino, Cheap, CNC/3D-printing, Misc-Life | Comments Off on Convert a GRBL with arduino CNC v3 Shield to use a servo for the Z axis

A cheap and simple tape dispenser

Posted on February 7, 2017 by robertwilkie

OK this is going on the build list.  I wonder if I could find an IKEA mailbox shelf I could convert….hummm.  Either way this is a nice simple way to have a tape station for mulitple different tape types. http://www.instructables.com/id/Central-Tape-Stations/

Posted in Cheap, Tools | Comments Off on A cheap and simple tape dispenser

Nice portable paint booth

Posted on February 7, 2017 by robertwilkie

I like how the thing has a built in filter system to catch any extra spray.  Its a nice build but…well I’ll just go outside.  🙂 http://lifehacker.com/build-a-portable-spray-paint-booth-for-your-workshop-1792061720

Posted in Cheap, Tools | Comments Off on Nice portable paint booth