Author Archives: robertwilkie

Nice set of videos on how to customize a chef knife

Posted on November 29, 2016 by robertwilkie

Or any knife.  Its a nice tutorial. http://makezine.com/2016/11/14/how-to-make-your-own-chefs-knife/

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life, weapons | Comments Off on Nice set of videos on how to customize a chef knife

How to run an ESP8255 for a long time on a battery

Posted on November 29, 2016 by robertwilkie

Nice write up on how to basically use “sleep” to slow down the ESP8255 so that it doesn’t drain a battery like crazy.  This is pretty common with alot of embedded systems where they need to “sleep” between times they … Continue reading →

Posted in Arduino, Misc-Life | Comments Off on How to run an ESP8255 for a long time on a battery

I now know what to do with my leftover spraypaint

Posted on November 29, 2016 by robertwilkie

The author calls this “hydro dip painting”.  But a quick search turns up this is called marbling.  Either way its a nice looking way to add character to a paint job.  And is an easy setup too. http://www.instructables.com/id/Hydro-Dip-Painting/

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Build a tesla coil

Posted on November 29, 2016 by robertwilkie

Nice build and I like how the author shows it working with a CFL bulb.  It would not be too much of a challenge to build this too. http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-a-Simple-Portable-Mini-Tesla-Coil/

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life, Teaching and Learning | Comments Off on Build a tesla coil

Another bottle to string tool

Posted on November 29, 2016 by robertwilkie

I have seem a similar one of these builds in the past.  But still a nice refresher for me (as to things I want to build). http://www.instructables.com/id/Recycling-Your-Plastic-Bottles/

Posted in Cheap, Tools | Comments Off on Another bottle to string tool

A simple, portable, hot wire cutter

Posted on November 28, 2016 by robertwilkie

This is a nice portable hot wire cutter build.  I was impressed how it was strong enough to cut thru plexiglass and PVC pipe. http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Hot-Wire-Cutter-Portable-Version/

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Netdiscover, use to find devices on a network

Posted on November 28, 2016 by robertwilkie

Just a short article about netdiscover, a good tool to find out what systems are on the network with you.  I was surprised its still around. http://www.darknet.org.uk/2016/11/netdiscover-network-address-discovery-tool/

Posted in Misc-Life, Security | Comments Off on Netdiscover, use to find devices on a network

Build a pretty nice vaccum pen

Posted on November 25, 2016 by robertwilkie

pretty nice build.  I think I could get it cheaper with parts on hand/salvaged thought ($75 if you buy it outright in parts). A DIY Vacuum Pickup Tool for $75

Posted in Cheap, Tools | Comments Off on Build a pretty nice vaccum pen

A simple solar tracker to build with kids

Posted on November 25, 2016 by robertwilkie

This is a nice simple tracker you can make with a servo and an arduino for kids to get the basics of solar power and tracking. http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Solar-Tracker-Single-or-Dual-Axis/

Posted in Arduino, Cheap, Misc-Life, solar | Comments Off on A simple solar tracker to build with kids

Another write-up on building a mini CNC with DVD Drives

Posted on November 25, 2016 by robertwilkie

Another nice build.  I like the reusing of the CDROM cases for the frame too. http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Arduino-Based-Mini-CNC-Plotter-Using-D/

Posted in Arduino, Cheap, CNC/3D-printing, Misc-Life | Comments Off on Another write-up on building a mini CNC with DVD Drives