Author Archives: robertwilkie

Secure your Handle with all the social media out there

Nice article about the site, knowem.com, that basically searches for a given username to see if its available at xyz social sites or not.  Also maybe a good way to look and see if someone else has taken your handle … Continue reading

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Build a remote tripwire alarm

This is  a funny idea using a wireless doorbell to help “Trigger” the alarm.  Simple build too. http://www.instructables.com/id/Remote-Tripwire-Alarm/

Posted in Security, Tinkering | Comments Off on Build a remote tripwire alarm

Write-up on serial communication with ATiny

Nice intro into doing serial communication with ATTiny.  Why?  well ATiny’s are cheap, and low power, but they do not have much for I/O, so serial communication is a good alternative. http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-ATTiny-Serial-Communication-with-Tiny-AVR-Pro/

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Using NFC and cards to control a robot

Interesting approach to control a robot via cards.  Could be a good way to teach kids programming. http://www.instructables.com/id/NFC-Card-Controlled-Remote-Car/

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Another nice write-up on a zero probe tool for CNC (maybe 3D printer too)

Nice write-up on using a zero out probe to level out a table.  or find out where the high/low of the table is.  The author has the feedback go thru a limit switch point on the controller to get the … Continue reading

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How to bend PVC trim board

I always wondered how they took PVC trim pieces and made half circle bends on them.  Well now I know (they heat the heck out of it in a big pipe, then just bend it) http://azek.com/pics/reference_documents/Heat-Form-Culvert-Pipe-Feb2008.pdf

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Article on FindChips

Nice article on Findchips.com.  I haven’t used the site myself in years (since I only buy in small numbers and usually via ebay).  But if you know the chip(s) you need, and in lots of 100, this is good site … Continue reading

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Winter Project: Solar heater for the pool

I have seen a couple write-ups similar to this one.  Basically you get $50 worth of material (tie wraps, irritation hose, + couple 2x4s), and make a solar heater from it.  This one is a little different where the author … Continue reading

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SARAH will help tell you what the Government has on you

Apparently its a website that will auto-generate requests for information from all the 22(ish) agencies out there on you.  It sounds interesting and worth trying. http://www.hicham.io/foia/index.html Me?  I’m going to wait a few weeks.  I have a feeling they are … Continue reading

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Nice write-up on the different 3D printer controller boards

Decent write-up on all the different…well not all but some of the bigger ones…3D printer controller boards out there.  I don’t think the article mentioned that some of those same boards are used in CNC (opensource) controllers too. http://hackaday.com/2013/09/06/3d-printering-electronics-boards/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+hackaday%2FLgoM+%28Hack+a+Day%29

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