Author Archives: robertwilkie

Make a chain whip

Posted on April 27, 2016 by robertwilkie

OK its not a weapon.  Its a tool to pull gears off bike wheels.  The tool can get pricey so this is a nice build for one.  Pretty simple, some nails/screws, a board, and an old bike chain. http://www.instructables.com/id/Bike-Chain-Whip-Quick-Easy-and-Free-ish/

Posted in Cheap, Tools | Comments Off on Make a chain whip

Xerox lays them off, then hires them back?

Posted on April 27, 2016 by robertwilkie

So Xerox in Feb 2016 laid off 500+ call center employees in CA, and now, they want to hire 500+ employees at that call center.  I wonder if the “new” jobs come with lower wages.  I know that sounds kindof … Continue reading →

Posted in Xerox | Comments Off on Xerox lays them off, then hires them back?

3D print for a drawingbot

Posted on April 27, 2016 by robertwilkie

A 3D print version of the AxiDraw.  Which is a pretty neat CNC, but costs $450 if you buy the kit from evil scientist.  This route…Oh and the author lists out all the parts…maybe $150 when done. http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1517211 Oh here … Continue reading →

Posted in CNC/3D-printing | Comments Off on 3D print for a drawingbot

Why use Nginx over Apache

Posted on April 26, 2016 by robertwilkie

Nginx configures like Apache does, but seems to be a simpler tool to use (at least for me.  And the other plus side, is Nginx uses asynchronous sockets so it can handle more requests per process.  Where Apache spins off … Continue reading →

Posted in Misc-Life, Software Development | Comments Off on Why use Nginx over Apache

Sites to research a car before buying

Posted on April 26, 2016 by robertwilkie

I had heard of most of the sites, but carcomplaints.com and cargurus.com are new to me.   http://lifehacker.com/five-best-car-comparison-sites-1670698359

Posted in Cheap | Comments Off on Sites to research a car before buying

Use an old shoe to clean sandpaper

Posted on April 26, 2016 by robertwilkie

Guess the rubber on the shoes helps with cleaning the guck off sandpaper. http://lifehacker.com/clean-and-extend-the-life-of-sandpaper-with-an-old-tenn-1772968052  

Posted in Cheap, Tools | Comments Off on Use an old shoe to clean sandpaper

Using Milk and a smartphone to create a 3D scan

Posted on April 25, 2016 by robertwilkie

Wow this is one easy and cheap way to take a 3D scan.  Basically the milk slowly drains out of the container, as it does the camera takes pictures and you can “level” like a topology map, the object.  Clever … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap, Tools | Comments Off on Using Milk and a smartphone to create a 3D scan

Duck, Xerox stock dropping on earnings report

Posted on April 25, 2016 by robertwilkie

Hopefully you did a short sell on your Xerox stock.  Revenue was reported to fall 4.2% this past quarter, and lots of other not so good things announced.  Last I checked the stock price was down around 15%. http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2016/04/25/xeroxs-revenue-falls-4-2.html

Posted in Xerox | Comments Off on Duck, Xerox stock dropping on earnings report

Use cheap cutting boards to make signs

Posted on April 22, 2016 by robertwilkie

I have actually thought about doing this myself.  The cutting boards look nice, and you can pop the board into a CNC to cut out a sign.  And the boards can be cheaper than getting plank from Home Depot. http://www.ikeahackers.net/2016/04/diy-door-sign-ikea-chopping-board.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Ikeahacker+%28ikeahacker%29

Posted in Cheap, CNC/3D-printing | Comments Off on Use cheap cutting boards to make signs

Adding bluetooth to a door lock

Posted on April 20, 2016 by robertwilkie

The author figured out the comm’s between the keypad and motor control to tap a bluetooth enabled arduino in.  Pretty clever. Add Bluetooth to a Cheap Electronic Lock   http://www.jpuderer.net/2015/12/my-fancy-bluetooth-le-operated-door-lock.html

Posted in Arduino, Cheap | Comments Off on Adding bluetooth to a door lock