Category Archives: Tinkering

Hacking the arduino to use the 2nd micro-controller

Posted on January 29, 2015 by robertwilkie

basically they author proposes using the processor that handles USB with the existing one. http://hackaday.com/2014/11/30/using-the-second-microcontroller-on-an-arduino/

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Making a bubble machine

Posted on January 28, 2015 by robertwilkie

I am already starting to think about summer, the author posts up some nice details on making a bubble machine, which looks really easy to do…as long as you have a laser cutting CNC. http://www.instructables.com/id/Bubble-Machine/

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Hacking computers with an Teensy

Posted on January 28, 2015 by robertwilkie

Good article on how to use an Teensy to plug into a USB port of a computer and hack it.  What the authors didn’t mention is that Arduinos can get really finicky around acting as a USB HID device.  Or at … Continue reading →

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3D print and build your own walking spider like bot

Posted on January 27, 2015 by robertwilkie

Nice write-up and build on creating a spider like robot that walks via control from an arduino.  I took a quick look at the solidworks design, and it looks like it could be adapted for CNC cutouts instead of a … Continue reading →

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Well this could be one way to teach kids arduinos

Posted on January 27, 2015 by robertwilkie

The author basically taped a servo to the fire switch on an xbox controller so it constantly taps it.  Thus shooting bad guys just to level the player up.  Not a bad idea where you don’t have to modify the … Continue reading →

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Make your own serious looking rubber band R/C car

Posted on January 27, 2015 by robertwilkie

Wow this thing is pretty serious looking.  And that’s allot of rubber bands you twist up to power it. http://toyland.gizmodo.com/a-16-foot-elastic-band-powers-this-sleek-3d-printed-rc-1681773844

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Add a reset switch to your RPi

Posted on January 23, 2015 by robertwilkie

I need to do this myself instead of my current hack of pulling the plug. http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/add-reset-switch-raspberry-pi/

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Closed loop control for 3D printing

Posted on January 22, 2015 by robertwilkie

Or CNC, the author talks about using servo’s/dc motors instead of steppers, and an encoder to tell where you are. http://www.3ders.org/articles/20150122-add-a-closed-loop-control-to-your-3d-printer-and-never-worry-about-missed-steps-again.html

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Using a Stepper and 3D printer for making a water pump

Posted on January 22, 2015 by robertwilkie

If you have a 3D printer, an extra stepper (NEMA-17) and some bearing kicking around, you can make this nice http://www.instructables.com/id/NEMA-17-Peristaltic-Pump/

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How to use a stepper motor

Posted on January 21, 2015 by robertwilkie

Nice write-up on how stepper motors work, and using an arduino to control them. http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-use-a-Stepper-Motor/  

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