Category Archives: Tinkering

Print out your own TSA keys

Posted on September 10, 2015 by robertwilkie

There is a reason why backdoors are a bad idea.  Apparently someone took a picture from the net of keys TSA uses to open the “TSA approved” locks and printed out there own.  And guess what, they work. http://www.geek.com/news/anyone-can-now-3d-print-a-functional-tsa-master-key-1633560/ You … Continue reading →

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Make your own skittle sorter

Posted on September 10, 2015 by robertwilkie

OK I know this has been done before with arduinos.  But this time all the “parts” you can print out instead of having to cobble them together from god knows where.  Its a cool build and has alot of thought … Continue reading →

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Print out your own camera slide

Posted on September 10, 2015 by robertwilkie

Pretty nice camera slide that is all printed out except for the screws and bars.  I like the adjustable feet for it. http://www.3ders.org/articles/20150908-make-a-3d-printed-camera-slider.html

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Nice write-up on upgrading a Chinese 3020 CNC

Posted on September 9, 2015 by robertwilkie

Good write-up on how to upgrade an $800 CNC from China to be more modern and robust.  My 2 cents, I think I would spend the money on a shapeoko instead. http://www.instructables.com/id/3020-CNC-Arduino-GRBL-CNC-Shield-V3/

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Redneck windmill project

Posted on September 9, 2015 by robertwilkie

This is one interesting windmill build.  Has the standard PVC blades and cover for the motor you see in other builds, but I found it interesting the an old saw blade was used for a hub.  I guess it works … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap, Wind | Comments Off on Redneck windmill project

A $15 RPi

Posted on September 8, 2015 by robertwilkie

Finally, a Raspberry Pi cheaper than an arduino.  This is the Orange Pi, which includes a few extras over a standard Pi (IR reciever for example).  But for $15 (30 if you want one with build in SSD and WiFi).  … Continue reading →

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Upgrading an old alarm system with an arduino

Posted on September 8, 2015 by robertwilkie

It looks like the author reverse engineered a few bits on an older alarm system to give it some more modern features. http://hackaday.com/2015/09/05/upgrading-your-alarm-system-with-an-arduino/

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Interesting opensource tools from Facebook

Posted on September 8, 2015 by robertwilkie

I have to give props to Facebook for opensourcing several of there tools.  A few out of the list that caught my eye are: Buck: for building small resuable modules in Android Orgami: A tool to build modern user interfaces … Continue reading →

Posted in android, Software Development | Comments Off on Interesting opensource tools from Facebook

Building an underwater robot

Posted on September 8, 2015 by robertwilkie

The frame for the robot is pretty basic PVC stuff.  The interesting part is how the author waterproofs the motors (from standard DC motors to waterproof ones). http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-an-Underwater-robot/

Posted in Cheap, robots, water | Comments Off on Building an underwater robot

Another CD-ROM to Mini CNC build

Posted on September 4, 2015 by robertwilkie

This is a nice build and cheaper than some of the other ones I have seen.  The author uses a smaller Arduino, and L293D chips to keep costs down.  Of course he ups the costs with other stuff. http://www.instructables.com/id/Mini-CNC-Plotter-Arduino-Based/

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