Category Archives: Tinkering

Simple peg to make knitting paracord easier

Posted on July 14, 2015 by robertwilkie

So, print out your own peg holder and start making your own paracord necklaces. http://www.instructables.com/id/3D-Printed-Two-Peg-Spool-Knitting-The-Beginning/

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Mousetrap out of a soda bottle

Posted on July 14, 2015 by robertwilkie

I had to read this one a few times to figure out how it worked, basically the bottle tips a bit when the mouse goes in and that causes the top to go into the bottle, and the other end … Continue reading →

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Another solar pool heater build

Posted on July 14, 2015 by robertwilkie

I love these builds cause the comercial version of the builds are big bucks.  Only thing is I am not sure the tubing is sunlight safe that he uses. http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-1-Hour-Solar-Pool-Heater/

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Build a straw rocket launcher

Posted on July 14, 2015 by robertwilkie

Cool build, I like the use of a foot pump to pressurize the tank.  The author complains that the build is still too big for his liking, but for me, its pretty impressive. http://www.instructables.com/id/Straw-Rocket-Launcher-V-11/

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Cool knobs you can cut out on your CNC

Posted on July 13, 2015 by robertwilkie

FYI, some cool knobs for your CNC to cut out.  The author uses makercam.com to create the gcode too. http://jayscustomcreations.com/2015/02/cnc-workflow-sketchup-makercam-universal-gcode-sender/

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Build an NeoPixel LED headband

Posted on July 7, 2015 by robertwilkie

Nice build with what looks like an ATiny like board.  I know kids would like this better if it was a bit more seemless and the battery pack was easier to hide. http://www.instructables.com/id/NeoPixel-LED-Headband/

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Re-use old laptop batteries for power banks

Posted on July 6, 2015 by robertwilkie

I am a bit torn on this idea.  On one hand, the parts are only going to cost you $1-2 dollars each.  But, you are guessing that the laptop battery has those AA cell sizes, and that they actually hold … Continue reading →

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Another write-up on using Nokia 5110 display with arduino

Posted on July 1, 2015 by robertwilkie

I can’t get enough of these write-ups, as I have had way to many issues with wiring in these displays. http://www.instructables.com/id/Nokia-5110-graphics-tutorial/

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Study parallel computing with RPi

Posted on June 23, 2015 by robertwilkie

Good article to go over parallel computing experiments on the cheap with a couple of Raspberry Pi’s. http://www.meccanismocomplesso.org/en/cluster-e-programmazione-in-parallelo-con-mpi-e-raspberry-pi/

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Making an Resin printer for under $60

Posted on June 23, 2015 by robertwilkie

I have to say this is a pretty cool build.  The authors took an old CDROM, projector, and some legos to build a small cheap resin 3D printer.  Would I do this?  Nah…too much work/time and I don’t have the … Continue reading →

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