Author Archives: robertwilkie

Why you don’t hear more folks complaining about outsourcing

Posted on June 13, 2016 by robertwilkie

I always get asked since I complain about outsourcing hurting software development in the US, why don’t more news articles come out about it.  Partly cause alot of the displaced are under gag orders.  In order to get their severance, … Continue reading →

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PVC + motor makes a simple fan

Posted on June 13, 2016 by robertwilkie

Author uses USB for power,  a bottle cap for the “hub” and cardboard for the wings of the fan.  Interesting build.  Looks nice too. http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-an-USB-Fan-360-Degree-Rotating/

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Build your own bike dog walker

Posted on June 13, 2016 by robertwilkie

I was ironically looking at one of these (one you buy) when I stumbled on the instructable for building one.  Its a nice and simple build.  One addition, maybe a spring added in with the cord? http://www.instructables.com/id/An-Inexpensive-and-Safer-Bike-Doggy-Walker/?ALLSTEPS

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How to make a dollar bill shirt

Posted on June 13, 2016 by robertwilkie

I had to laugh at this build.  Its a bit complicated, but not impossible.  May make a nice bar trick. http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-a-Dollar-Bill-Shirt/  

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Interesting look on scholarships

Posted on June 13, 2016 by robertwilkie

I never thought of how some scholarships are used to get information on kids.  Interesting…. Also interesting where the sites it listed for help finding scholarships ( Scholarship Owl , DoSomething.org, and Raise.me ). Scholarships are the new sweepstakes  

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Make a PVC, adjustable desk lamp

Posted on June 10, 2016 by robertwilkie

I like the build, not so sure about heating PVC pipe indoors over a stove thought to flatten it down.  But if you have an old broken desklight, this could be a nice update for it.  Oh I would also … Continue reading →

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Designing simple book holders to CNC

Posted on June 10, 2016 by robertwilkie

So you built a CNC, now what? well you could make these cool book holders.  I think the author had a bit of a worn bit when he made these.  Still look nice. http://www.instructables.com/id/Off-surface-Shelf/?ALLSTEPS

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Build a cheap and quick lathe

Posted on June 10, 2016 by robertwilkie

OK this was pretty odd hack.  But it seems to work.  Good way to make a cheap pen making lathe.  Note you need to watch the video to get a real idea how to build it. http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-Your-Own-Wood-Lathe-in-30-Minutes/?ALLSTEPS  

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Build your own wireless Weather Vane

Posted on June 10, 2016 by robertwilkie

Nice looking build.  The author is basically using an magentic encoder to determine the position of the vane.  And Arduino to translate and communicate the data over bluetooth.  Sounds like its pretty accurate too. http://www.instructables.com/id/Accurate-Wireless-Weather-Vane/?ALLSTEPS

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Re-using old speakers

Posted on June 10, 2016 by robertwilkie

This may come in handy for updating some old stereo speakers to use bluetooth.  I stumbled on this while looking for a solution to replace the speakers on my TV.  Oh the author forgot to mention the power supply too … Continue reading →

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