Author Archives: robertwilkie

flattening wood with a router

Posted on June 8, 2016 by robertwilkie

Basically the author makes a jig to flatten out a big log http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Flatten-Wood-With-a-Router/?ALLSTEPS

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Laser show with CD Stepper Motors

Posted on June 8, 2016 by robertwilkie

Interesting build.  I could see expanding on this for a cat/dog toy project http://www.instructables.com/id/Laser-Show-From-CD-Stepper-Motors/?ALLSTEPS

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Build your own pool pressure test stick

Posted on June 8, 2016 by robertwilkie

OK I am adding this to the list of things to build.  I have a pool, and sometimes wonder if my lines leak.  This is a nice simple (and cheap) way to test them.  Figure under $20 in parts. http://blog.poolcenter.com/article.aspx?articleid=6293

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81 alternative embedded boards

Posted on June 7, 2016 by robertwilkie

So you looked at a RaspberryPi, like the price point but what a few more features, check this list out of hacker friendly boards (includes prices) for finding what you need. http://liliputing.com/2016/06/70-raspberry-pi-alternatives-one-convenient-list.html PDF http://hackerboards.com/misc/sbc-survey-june2016/hackerboards.com-june2016-sbc-survey-specs-table.pdf

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Hacking a Car

Posted on June 7, 2016 by robertwilkie

This time a Mitsubishi Outlander.  The video (5 minutes) is worth watching. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/06/06/mitsubishi_outlander_hack/

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CNC your molds for pewter

Posted on June 6, 2016 by robertwilkie

Nice build, the author milled the molds on MFD board on a small CNC, then clamped them together and poured in the pewter (low melting point). http://makezine.com/2016/06/03/cnc-milling-students-create-pewter-casting/

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Crazy homemade grass trimmer

Posted on June 6, 2016 by robertwilkie

PVC pipe, motor, sissors, and a battery (oh and a switch too) and the author built a simple weedwacker.  I think I will buy mine for now.

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Car charger + 9volt battery + paperclip = charger

Posted on June 6, 2016 by robertwilkie

Too funny, the author basically is taking advantage of the voltage regulator in the charger to step down the 9 volts to 5 to charge devices. http://www.instructables.com/id/9V-Battery-USB-Charger/

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How to make Thermite

Posted on June 6, 2016 by robertwilkie

Cause you never know when you might need some.  I think I will stick to buying it. http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Thermite/

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Interesting Rock Tumbler

Posted on June 6, 2016 by robertwilkie

The author calls this a ball mill.  Others know this as a rock tumbler.  Its a pretty straight forward build, Take an old cordless drill and attach it to some bars with rollers, put a can on the rollers, and … Continue reading →

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