Category Archives: Tinkering

If this becomes a reality (and cost effective). I know what my roof will be replaced with

Posted on November 1, 2016 by robertwilkie

Tesla is making solar panel shingles…or well plans too.  It sounds like it will be more durable than regular shingles, and provide power, and cost just as much as decent shingles.  If this becomes a reality, I know what my … Continue reading →

Posted in Misc-Life, solar | Comments Off on If this becomes a reality (and cost effective). I know what my roof will be replaced with

How to kill off those pesky drones

Posted on October 31, 2016 by robertwilkie

Basically you take an Raspberry Pi and it makes a wifi connection to the drone and tells it to shut down. Build a Wi-Fi Drone Disabler with Raspberry Pi

Posted in RaspberryPi, robots, Security | Comments Off on How to kill off those pesky drones

Pretty clean CDROM CNC build

Posted on October 31, 2016 by robertwilkie

This has to be one of the cleaner looking builds of a CNC with CDROM motors.  Not so sure about the $10 cost bit.  Servo is $1-2, arduino nano can be another $6-8, and L293D are another $3 each. http://hackedgadgets.com/2016/10/28/diy-cheap-cnc-machine-using-dvd-drives/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HackedGadgets+%28Hacked+Gadgets%29

Posted in Arduino, Cheap, CNC/3D-printing, Misc-Life | Comments Off on Pretty clean CDROM CNC build

Retro-fitting a smoke detector

Posted on October 28, 2016 by robertwilkie

Interesting build.  They author basically is adding bluetooth support to the smoke detector, the trigger is the pull on the battery when the alarm goes off.  Me…I would use an ESP2866 instead (just as cheap and wifi) and TI….well I … Continue reading →

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Build a nice fan controller

Posted on October 28, 2016 by robertwilkie

Nice build for controlling a bunch of PWM PC fans. Fan Controller

Posted in Arduino, Misc-Life | Comments Off on Build a nice fan controller

Some nice 3D and CNC cases for your arduino

Posted on October 28, 2016 by robertwilkie

Nice looking cases for your CNC or a combo CNC/3D printed for your arduino. http://www.instructables.com/id/3-Custom-Arduino-Cases-3D-Printing-CNC-Milling/

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Nice Homemade plotter

Posted on October 28, 2016 by robertwilkie

Pretty nice plotter build.  I am surpised the author just  didn’t use the base of an old inkjet printer instead.  But whatever works right.  I like the bluetooth add on too. http://www.instructables.com/id/CNC-Drum-Plotter/

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bike wheel with spoons to generate power

Posted on October 27, 2016 by robertwilkie

This was too funny.  I like the simple way of fastening the spoons on.  Not so sure I would waste a bike wheel hub on this, but maybe a gear to a motor system?   Wait he spent $60 for the … Continue reading →

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Neat Home Made water power system

Posted on October 27, 2016 by robertwilkie

The author made a pretty simple home made water power generator.  If you have the land, water you could do the same thing (no dam from the looks of it, just downhill pressure). A Modest But Well-Assembled Home Hydropower Setup … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap, water | Comments Off on Neat Home Made water power system

Make a flaming R/C car

Posted on October 24, 2016 by robertwilkie

OK this is a bit more than I would do, but pretty niffty build if you want a flamethrower on your R/C car.  Maybe a future battlebot? I do like the use of a glow heater to start the flame. … Continue reading →

Posted in Misc-Life, robots | Comments Off on Make a flaming R/C car