Category Archives: Tinkering

An outdoor toy cart

Posted on September 4, 2015 by robertwilkie

Another nice build from shanty 2 chic.  This once is a cart for the kids outdoor toys.  I like the use of pegboard on one side for adding in additional shelves as needed. http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2014/07/diy-rolling-storage-cart.html

Posted in Misc-Life, woodworking | Comments Off on An outdoor toy cart

Cool looking fold up table (with free plans to build it)

Posted on September 4, 2015 by robertwilkie

I stumbled on this site last night.  The author has a bunch of nice builds but this one caught my eye since its a nice cabinet to desk solution. http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2014/08/diy-murphy-desk.html

Posted in Cheap, woodworking | Comments Off on Cool looking fold up table (with free plans to build it)

Build a nice battery holder

Posted on September 3, 2015 by robertwilkie

Adding this to the list of things to build.  Its a nice build to hold batteries. http://www.woodlogger.com/2012/12/battery-organizer/

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life, Tools, woodworking | Comments Off on Build a nice battery holder

Interesting cheaper cloud hosting

Posted on September 3, 2015 by robertwilkie

The company Scaleways is offering a decent system for about $3.40 a month (I think AWS for the same thing is around $10?).   How?  Basically they are using ARM based system that I think they designed.  Down side, I don’t … Continue reading →

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Build a garage door opener with a Particle core and Blynk

Posted on September 3, 2015 by robertwilkie

Particle Core is another arduino like clone that supports wifi.  The author combines it with Blynk, a simple tool to control the arduino via android, to open/close a garage door.  I am not sure how secure this is against something … Continue reading →

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DIPDuino, arduino with a bunch of stuff loaded on a DIP

Posted on September 2, 2015 by robertwilkie

This thing is amazing, LED, wireless, etc etc all packaged on a DIP board (so you can put it on a breadboard or other stuff).  Be interesting what the end cost will be. http://dipduino.com/

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Taking the mousetrap to a new level

Posted on September 2, 2015 by robertwilkie

Talk about a serious mousetrap.  The author automated this have-a-heart mousetrap with an Raspberry Pi that sends alerts, status, video, etc etc….way to much stuff for me. https://hackaday.com/2015/08/31/building-a-better-mousetrap-with-the-raspberry-pi/

Posted in RaspberryPi, robots | Comments Off on Taking the mousetrap to a new level

Students make a concrete printer

Posted on September 1, 2015 by robertwilkie

Finally a concrete printer where some tech is actually available to look at.  I have been interested in this stuff for 4 years, but most of it is proprietary and “secret”.  Looks like this still has a ways to go … Continue reading →

Posted in CNC/3D-printing, Misc-Life | Comments Off on Students make a concrete printer

Using the L298 with arduino for Dual DC motor controll

Posted on September 1, 2015 by robertwilkie

Again, I know I have shown a few of these before, but this is one of the first ones with a good wiring diagram. http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-L298-motor-driver-integrated/

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Another arduino controlling stepper motor write-up, BUT has nice diagram

Posted on September 1, 2015 by robertwilkie

I know, you have seen these before.  But this one has a nice chart for showing wire color codes for some common motors. http://www.instructables.com/id/Controlling-Bipolar-Stepper-Motors-with-Arduino-wi/

Posted in Arduino, Misc-Life, robots | Comments Off on Another arduino controlling stepper motor write-up, BUT has nice diagram