Category Archives: Tinkering

Neat and simple hopping robot build

Posted on August 8, 2016 by robertwilkie

Pretty easy build. Will have to remember this one in the future. http://makezine.com/2016/08/07/make-simple-running-robots-using-whegs/

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OK so now for 9K you can get a 3D concrete printer

Posted on August 1, 2016 by robertwilkie

Interesting printer. I am curious how the extruder and getting conrete too it works. Apparently for 9,000 in cash you can buy one. The software is “opensource” but nothing about the design. One Man’s Journey To Build Portable Concrete 3D … Continue reading →

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Arduino bubble makers

Posted on August 1, 2016 by robertwilkie

OK I saw this simple bubble maker (really simple) and thought, hey I can do that. The article references other bubble makers, many that are way out of my league to build. But…the one at the bottom. I can’t figure … Continue reading →

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Clever build for light up sneakers

Posted on July 29, 2016 by robertwilkie

I saw another build of this recently and recalled I saw the same thing at Adafruit…in 2014. Cool build overall. I like this build better since it has a pulse with the light up sneakers. https://learn.adafruit.com/firewalker-led-sneakers

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Controlling an LCD with 3 lines from an arduino

Posted on July 29, 2016 by robertwilkie

I have a bunch of these old LCD boards, and instead of taking up 8 lines on the arduino, this nice tutorial shows out you can knock it down to 3 using a shift register. Sure I could use a … Continue reading →

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A cheap wind speed and direction build

Posted on July 27, 2016 by robertwilkie

Using an ATiny for the controller. This is a pretty simple…well for a electric inclined person…build. I think its under $50 in materials…hard to tell since most of the sthttp://www.hackerscapes.com/2014/11/anemometer/uff has no prices with it. http://www.instructables.com/id/Real-Time-Wind-Direction-and-Speed/ Oh if you end … Continue reading →

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Interesting 3D print for a beach unbrella with a bike

Posted on July 27, 2016 by robertwilkie

I like this build. You could do the same thing with pipe clamps, but this looks nicer. http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1656690

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A cardboard CNC

Posted on July 19, 2016 by robertwilkie

Nice build. Limited Y axis thought. The author uses high end cardboard to build this frame for a sime CNC with some rather beefy steppers and rods. Would I do this? No…wood, PVC board, yes. But cardboard? It looks cool … Continue reading →

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Make a simple and cheap faucet wrench

Posted on July 18, 2016 by robertwilkie

The author basically has slots cut into a long PVC pipe to help twist the faucet nuts. I think I would cut a sleeve in it too in case there is a ridged water pipe that you need to work … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life, Tools, water | Comments Off

3D print and make your own automated pool skimmer

Posted on July 13, 2016 by robertwilkie

Well not fully automated (remote controlled). but I see the potential here. The build is pretty simple and I could see turning this into a bot that is more automated. Maybe has some solar cells to help keep it charged … Continue reading →

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