Category Archives: Tinkering

Nice video on controlling a stepper with L293D and an Arduino

Posted on October 5, 2016 by robertwilkie

Nice video on using the two chips together to control a simple stepper motor.  This is great with smaller steppers, bigger ones need a bit more thought. http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-How-to-Control-a-Stepper-Motor-With-L293D-/

Posted in Arduino, robots | Comments Off on Nice video on controlling a stepper with L293D and an Arduino

Build a quadcopter out of PVC

Posted on October 5, 2016 by robertwilkie

Well that definitely reduces the frame cost.  The author build the frame for a quad-copter out of PVC.  Everything else is standard stuff (so motors and controller are standard stuff. http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Ultimate-PVC-Quadcopter/?ALLSTEPS

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life, robots | Comments Off on Build a quadcopter out of PVC

TestButler, opensource app to test apps from LinkedIn

Posted on October 4, 2016 by robertwilkie

Looks like an interesting tool to try. https://www.linux.com/news/21-open-source-projects-iot

Posted in android, Software Development | Comments Off on TestButler, opensource app to test apps from LinkedIn

Need to handle the new RPi image, use Etcher

Posted on October 4, 2016 by robertwilkie

I haven’t heard of the tool myself.  But it can take an image and flash it to a drive for you in what looks like a pretty easy method. http://raspi.tv/2016/how-to-flash-an-sd-card-with-4gb-files-like-raspbian-september-2016-update

Posted in Misc-Life, RaspberryPi | Comments Off on Need to handle the new RPi image, use Etcher

Use 2 factor auth with RPi

Posted on October 4, 2016 by robertwilkie

Another good writeup on hack-a-day for Raspberry Pi’s.  This time how to setup certificate based authentication, or 2 factor with google. Lock Up Your Raspberry Pi with Google Authenticator

Posted in RaspberryPi, Security | Comments Off on Use 2 factor auth with RPi

Songbird 3D printed pistol

Posted on October 3, 2016 by robertwilkie

Interesting build.  He is using metal liner (basically a barrel) into the gun.  Still pretty bulky build compared to stuff you can buy. http://www.3ders.org/articles/20161002-metallic-barrel-liner-strengthens-newly-developed-3d-printed-gun-songbird.html

Posted in CNC/3D-printing, weapons | Comments Off on Songbird 3D printed pistol

Got one of those cheap laser engravers, make some grids for it.

Posted on October 3, 2016 by robertwilkie

The author points out that the under $100 laser engravers are great but need a map on them.  He does a good job on makeing a cover and grid pattern you can use with it. http://www.instructables.com/id/Laser-Engraver-Bed-Grid/

Posted in Cheap, CNC/3D-printing | Comments Off on Got one of those cheap laser engravers, make some grids for it.

Using an ESP8266 to learn IR Remote Control

Posted on October 3, 2016 by robertwilkie

Hum…this would be worth using with old remotes to “repurpose”. http://www.instructables.com/id/Easiest-ESP8266-Learning-IR-Remote-Control-Via-WIF/

Posted in Arduino, Cheap | Comments Off on Using an ESP8266 to learn IR Remote Control

Build a custom cheer stick

Posted on September 30, 2016 by robertwilkie

Neat build, the author gutted a cheer stick and put an ESP8266 with addressable color LEDs into it to make signs.  He uses his phone to control the logic of it all and not with the Blynk app, but iwht … Continue reading →

Posted in Arduino, Misc-Life | Comments Off on Build a custom cheer stick

Need to launch an app on Android and iOS, use Launchkit

Posted on September 29, 2016 by robertwilkie

Stumbled on this by accident.  Apparently Launchkit, which was commercial, open sourced their tools that are used to help setup an app for going on Google Playstore or Apple. LaunchKit team heads to Google and open-sources its tools for helping … Continue reading →

Posted in android, Software Development | Comments Off on Need to launch an app on Android and iOS, use Launchkit