Author Archives: robertwilkie

Use a CNC to build a simple phone nightstand

Posted on February 29, 2016 by robertwilkie

Nice build.  Could use some wood stain thought.  The author posted up the CAD design so you could cut it out yourself.  Its small enough to be done on a hobby CNC too. http://www.instructables.com/id/Plywood-IPhone-Stand-Dock/

Posted in Cheap, CNC/3D-printing, Misc-Life, woodworking | Comments Off on Use a CNC to build a simple phone nightstand

Cool boat, too much work for me to build

Posted on February 29, 2016 by robertwilkie

I liked this boat build.  But…The author says you can do it in 60 hours.  I’m thinking its double that for n ormal people.  Oh and in $200 in materials…resin isn’t cheap and its messy.. http://www.instructables.com/id/7ft-Wooden-Sailboat/

Posted in Cheap, water | Comments Off on Cool boat, too much work for me to build

A $10 Low Power Temperature Monitor

Posted on February 29, 2016 by robertwilkie

Nice build, it uses an Amtel chip and some other parts from banggood.com.  I can’t believe how cheap the Nokia 5110 LCD’s have become over the years. http://www.instructables.com/id/Low-Power-Arduino-Temperature-Monitor/

Posted in Arduino, Cheap | Comments Off on A $10 Low Power Temperature Monitor

A true story of outsourcing

Posted on February 26, 2016 by robertwilkie

The unfortunate reality of outsourcing is that the “tech” jobs that are supposedly in high demand, really are not.  Hopefully congress will do something right here.  Like support a minimum wage for the visas at 120K or more.  That way … Continue reading →

Posted in Software Development | Comments Off on A true story of outsourcing

Another nice hack for Ryobi Cordless Tools

Posted on February 26, 2016 by robertwilkie

Overall Ryobi makes some nice cheap cordless power tools.  Yes I would love dewalt or other stuff.  But, Ryobi batteries have been backwards compatible, and that makes a world of a difference for a cheap person like me.  Downside…sometimes the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap, Tools | Comments Off on Another nice hack for Ryobi Cordless Tools

A better PVC clamp

Posted on February 26, 2016 by robertwilkie

The author made some nicer PVC clamps, his first attempt I could see issues with the handles breaking off.  The the second one (pictured) is nice and simple.  Only hard part I see is making the holes. http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-PVC-Clamp/    

Posted in Cheap, Tools | Comments Off on A better PVC clamp

Another IoT standards group

Posted on February 25, 2016 by robertwilkie

Whats this like the 5th one?  The Open Connectivity Foundation, is yet another standards group to help with control/setup/etc with IoT based devices.  This one has some low end manufacturers involved and Microsoft.  The articl goes a good job listing … Continue reading →

Posted in Misc-Life, Security, Software Development | Comments Off on Another IoT standards group

An Opensource FPGA tool

Posted on February 25, 2016 by robertwilkie

The world has changed.  IceStudio is an opensource FPGA tool for generating verilog code from block diagrams onto the Lattice Semi iCEstick board.  I did FPGA work in the past, and the tools for this are HUGE in side, typically … Continue reading →

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Cool app to learn scales on Violin

Posted on February 25, 2016 by robertwilkie

This is a pretty nifty app for beginning violin players.  Downside, its only for iPads…I don’t think it can even go on an IPhone or iPod.  It is free, and took me a bit to find it so I included … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life | 1 Comment

Weaponizing a nerf gun

Posted on February 25, 2016 by robertwilkie

This is interesting, the author basically puts blades (scalpels) into the nerf darts and shoots.  Pretty potent. http://toyland.gizmodo.com/you-probably-shouldnt-weaponize-a-nerf-blaster-with-sca-1761054757

Posted in Misc-Life, weapons | Comments Off on Weaponizing a nerf gun