Category Archives: Tinkering

Got some time on your hands with kids, build a wifi, RPI car

Posted on October 31, 2014 by robertwilkie

OK this maybe a 1/2 day project, the author has 12 chapters on how to build his remote controlled car (Raspberry Pi being used as the controller) with WiFi out of cardboard.  Maybe this could be a teenage build too. … Continue reading →

Posted in RaspberryPi, Teaching and Learning | Comments Off on Got some time on your hands with kids, build a wifi, RPI car

Vaccum Grip out, Electrostatic in

Posted on October 31, 2014 by robertwilkie

It seems a new wave of grippers for robots is out, and its using electrostatic to wrap around an object to grip it.  Clever idea and looks like it works pretty good. http://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/robotics-hardware/electrostatic-robot-grippers?utm_source=feedburner-robotics&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+IeeeSpectrumRobotics+%28IEEE+Spectrum%3A+Robotics%29

Posted in robots | Comments Off on Vaccum Grip out, Electrostatic in

Have a small CNC, want custom wall outlets?

Posted on October 31, 2014 by robertwilkie

The author was looking at this to make outlet covers to make the color of the trim.  I am looking at it to make custom outlets that can have labels on them. http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/using-cnc-router-make-custom-outlet-cover/  

Posted in CNC/3D-printing | Comments Off on Have a small CNC, want custom wall outlets?

Possible RPi killer? Maybe

Posted on October 31, 2014 by robertwilkie

Interesting new project starting up called the usbarmory.  It looks interesting and initial stats seem nice but….cost.  That is the big thing.  RPi’s success in my opinion wasn’t just the openness of it, but its price point too. http://inversepath.com/usbarmory.html

Posted in Misc-Life, RaspberryPi | 1 Comment

Make your own mini cotton candy machine

Posted on October 31, 2014 by robertwilkie

Nice build with simple parts to make a finger sized cotton candy machine, would I do this…no, way too much work for the results.  But still a neat build. http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-A-Pocket-sized-Cotton-candy-machine/

Posted in Cheap, Teaching and Learning, Tinkering | Comments Off on Make your own mini cotton candy machine

Build your own safe cracker for $150

Posted on October 29, 2014 by robertwilkie

Interesting build, the authors built a safe cracker that basically brute forces the safe by running thru a bunch of combinations.  My 2 cents, would be good to add a feedback loop into it so it could hear the “click” … Continue reading →

Posted in Arduino, Security | Comments Off on Build your own safe cracker for $150

Turn a bike inner tube into a useful strap

Posted on October 29, 2014 by robertwilkie

I like this idea, but I haven’t a clue where the author got the clips to put on the innertube.  Any ideas?….found them. http://www.bikehacks.com/bikehacks/2014/10/inner-tube-utility-strap.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BikeHacks+%28BikeHacks%29

Posted in Cheap, Tinkering | Comments Off on Turn a bike inner tube into a useful strap

Simple write-up on automating haloween decorations with arduino

Posted on October 29, 2014 by robertwilkie

Pretty simple write-up where the author basically replaces the button on a haloween prop with a pinout from the arduino, and uses the arduino to trigger the prop to work.  This would be a good tutorial for kids. http://makezine.com/projects/arduino-controlled-halloween-props/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=%24%7Bfeed%7D&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+%24%7Bmakezineonline%7D+%28%24%7BMAKE%7D%29&utm_content=%24%7BGoogleReader%7D

Posted in Arduino, Teaching and Learning | Comments Off on Simple write-up on automating haloween decorations with arduino

Use an RPi for a wireless printer

Posted on October 29, 2014 by robertwilkie

So you have a cheap printer you want to share with others but not via your own computer.  Use a RPi as a print server.  Nice write up on how to do so.  Only need a raspberry pi and you … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap, RaspberryPi | Comments Off on Use an RPi for a wireless printer

Nice little intro Tutorial to Kali

Posted on October 28, 2014 by robertwilkie

Kali (the spinoff from backtrack) is a nice pen test bootable tool.  Lifehacker did a nice job on how to try things out with Kali http://lifehacker.com/how-to-hack-your-own-network-and-beef-up-its-security-w-1649785071

Posted in Security, Tinkering | Comments Off on Nice little intro Tutorial to Kali