Category Archives: Tinkering

If I ever build a router table, I am doing this

Posted on February 12, 2015 by robertwilkie

The author build a motorized router table so he doesn’t have to manually adjust it up and down.  He is using an arduino for the controller with a displace and a DC motor to do the up/down.  I have watched … Continue reading →

Posted in Arduino, Cheap, Tools | Comments Off on If I ever build a router table, I am doing this

3D print your own portable wind power

Posted on February 12, 2015 by robertwilkie

Nice idea that has the frame be 3D printed out on a printrbot simple (so a small printer).  It looks like it uses cloth for the panels.  Down side, no spec’s or files or designs that I could find on … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap, Wind | Comments Off on 3D print your own portable wind power

Want to protect your code from Reverse Engineering

Posted on February 12, 2015 by robertwilkie

Look at this new tech called HARES, Hardened Anti-Reverse Engineering System.  It sounds neat, but still has some weak spots.  Right now it looks like its still a research project. http://www.wired.com/2015/02/crypto-trick-makes-software-nearly-impossible-reverse-engineer/ http://blog.jacobtorrey.com/hares-faq

Posted in Security, Software Development | Comments Off on Want to protect your code from Reverse Engineering

Poor mans IR receiver

Posted on February 10, 2015 by robertwilkie

I like this idea, the author basically takes a cheap IR LED, some resistors, and one of the A/D lines on the arduino to read IR traffic.  This could be a good way to re-use old IR remotes from TV’s … Continue reading →

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Programming an arduino with a cheap bluetooth adapter

Posted on February 10, 2015 by robertwilkie

By cheap, I mean under $5 on ebay.  Basically the authors where using an HC-06 bluetooth adapter and tied the arduino reset to one of its pins so that they could program it over bluetooth.  Not a bad hack. http://morf.lv/modules.php?name=tutorials&lasit=30

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How to use Android and Bluetooth

Posted on February 10, 2015 by robertwilkie

The author wrote a nice set of series on how to talk to other devices over bluetooth on android.  Well for programming that is. http://www.lucadentella.it/en/2014/03/11/android-e-bluetooth-1/ http://www.lucadentella.it/en/2014/03/18/android-e-bluetooth-2/ http://www.lucadentella.it/en/2014/04/28/android-e-bluetooth-3/ http://www.lucadentella.it/en/2014/05/02/android-e-bluetooth-4/ http://www.lucadentella.it/en/2014/05/04/android-e-bluetooth-5/

Posted in android, Misc-Life, robots, Teaching and Learning | Comments Off on How to use Android and Bluetooth

Simple convert for a watercolorbot to a laser engraver

Posted on February 10, 2015 by robertwilkie

Nice post where the author converted his watercolor bot into a laser engraver.  Note this can be done only with the newer version of the watercolorbot.  I am pretty sure the original kickstarter one may not beable to hold the … Continue reading →

Posted in CNC/3D-printing, Teaching and Learning | Comments Off on Simple convert for a watercolorbot to a laser engraver

An RPi Personal Assistant

Posted on February 6, 2015 by robertwilkie

I have started looking into home automation again.  And one item I am interested in is voice command.  So a quick google search turned up this project with directions on using an RPi to do simple voice commands.  Its basics … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap, RaspberryPi | Comments Off on An RPi Personal Assistant

Interesting article how farmers having a tough time with modern equipment

Posted on February 6, 2015 by robertwilkie

This is an interesting article how farming equipment is going high tech, but farmers are not too happy with it since everything is locked down and they can’t fix it.  So they have to get the dealer to do it. … Continue reading →

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Build a tennis ball launcher

Posted on February 4, 2015 by robertwilkie

Great project, was geared toward someone in a wheelchair that wanted to play with her dog, but I am looking at it in general for anyone to use. http://www.instructables.com/id/Detachable-ball-launcher/

Posted in Misc-Life, Tinkering | Comments Off on Build a tennis ball launcher