Author Archives: robertwilkie

Xerox buying up another company

Posted on July 2, 2013 by robertwilkie

This time a UK data processing company.  Not sure why since its a low end service and could be done cheaper else where.  Unless it was for something the company had, client list maybe. http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20130702-904942.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

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Yeah, DIY sparklers

Posted on July 2, 2013 by robertwilkie

With all the nanny state laws around fireworks, its nice to see an instructable on how to build a sparkler.  They are illegal in NY, why I don’t know, I am sure some idiot did something stupid and thus a … Continue reading →

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Reloading crossbow

Posted on July 2, 2013 by robertwilkie

Nice build for a reloading crossbow.  I think I would make it s a bit beefier for shooting thought. http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-a-Repeating-Crossbow/

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Posted on July 2, 2013 by robertwilkie

Make a wine bottle into a slow watering can for a plant for vacation (or just lazyness). Simple to build, basically if the hole on the end is small, it should work just fine. http://www.instructables.com/id/Wine-bottle-plant-nanny/

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Xerox laying off again

Posted on July 2, 2013 by robertwilkie

Saw this coming, 2 call centers in Texas are laying off, 440 and 80 folks (total 520).  Just as I predicted since Xerox typically does this when it opens a new center, it closes and old one. http://www.ktsm.com/news/xerox-call-center-lay-439-employees http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2013/07/01/xerox-to-terminate-81-houston-call.html  

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There is no shortage of engineers?

Posted on July 1, 2013 by robertwilkie

Some joker prof in Stanford is saying there is a shortage of engineers and we need to bring more in. OK in Silicon Valley, there is ALWAYS a shortage, but if those companies started looking around the country, you will … Continue reading →

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3D printed cast

Posted on July 1, 2013 by robertwilkie

Wow what a good idea, using a 3D printer to make a custom cast that is breathable.  I wonder how long this will take to get thru the FDA. http://gizmodo.com/its-almost-worth-breaking-your-arm-for-this-crazy-3d-618059549

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Turn a soda bottle into an airsoft machine gun

Posted on July 1, 2013 by robertwilkie

The video is worth watching as the authors pop bottle goes crazy shooting out the pellets. http://hackedgadgets.com/2013/06/30/diy-pop-bottle-airsoft-machine-gun/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HackedGadgets+%28Hacked+Gadgets%29

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Make a starfish like air rubber gripper

Posted on July 1, 2013 by robertwilkie

Interesting build, looks nicer than the balloon with coffee grinds solution (and cleaner). http://www.instructables.com/id/Air-Powered-Soft-Robotic-Gripper/

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Another interesting Stirling Engine build

Posted on July 1, 2013 by robertwilkie

Good write-up on how to make a simple stirling engine. http://www.instructables.com/id/A-Working-Old-Timey-Stirling-Engine-Hand-tools-/  

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