Category Archives: Tinkering

Cool looking pen lathe on ebay

Posted on September 4, 2014 by robertwilkie

Stumbled on this, the seller/creator has a neat looking lathe for pens.  Down sides, its $315 dollars and doesn’t look stable enough to handle light metal or maybe heavy wood.  Oh and its not CNC.  Me, I thing I would … Continue reading →

Posted in Misc-Life, Tinkering, Tools | Comments Off on Cool looking pen lathe on ebay

Nice write-up on using Ardroid Tablet for a Carputer

Posted on September 4, 2014 by robertwilkie

Nice write up, I like the apps the author mentions (NavFree USA, CarHome Ultra, and PowerAmp).  I don’t think I would get PowerAmp, maybe not CarHome too.  But I like NavFree in general since it does maps without a cell … Continue reading →

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Netflix opensources more security tools

Posted on September 4, 2014 by robertwilkie

Netflix released 3 more security tools for the cloud that they have built called “Scumblr” and “Sketchy”, plus the “Workflowable”.    Each one is a part of an IDS that is interesting on the aggressive techniques they use to see … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap, Cloud, Security | Comments Off on Netflix opensources more security tools

A quick, cheap, and dirty swamp cooler

Posted on September 4, 2014 by robertwilkie

I like this, duct tape, a cheap toss out cooler, and some pvc pipe.  And put on a strong fan and you have a simple swamp cooler.  Good to keep in mind for the future. http://www.instructables.com/id/10-minute-cheap-portable-cooler-AC/

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life, water | Comments Off on A quick, cheap, and dirty swamp cooler

A better portable PC fan

Posted on September 4, 2014 by robertwilkie

I like this build better than the one from a few weeks back that used a 555 timer with the circuit.  This one is much more simpler to build. http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-Adjustable-Speed-Pocket-Fan/

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Build a chalk (powdered) printer

Posted on September 2, 2014 by robertwilkie

Interesting build where the author basically makes an 8 bit dot matrix printer with cans of spray chalk (totally see this getting converted with spraypaint right?).  Downside is someone has to pull the bot along to print out on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Arduino, robots | Comments Off on Build a chalk (powdered) printer

Have a CNC, make a cool knife block

Posted on September 2, 2014 by robertwilkie

Author pushed up the files to build your own knife block, assuming of course you have access to a CNC to do the cutting.  A quick look at the plans and I think a shapeoko could handle this. http://www.instructables.com/id/Knife-Block/

Posted in Cheap, CNC/3D-printing | Comments Off on Have a CNC, make a cool knife block

I want one of these 3D printers

Posted on September 2, 2014 by robertwilkie

Given there was manual work involved too, I really like the overall idea.  I could print out my own custom shed and workshop.  Reality…I think making the forms from wood and pouring concrete is in my future. http://hackaday.com/2014/09/01/update-3d-printed-concrete-castle-completed/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+hackaday%2FLgoM+%28Hack+a+Day%29

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Monitoring android traffic with wireshark

Posted on August 28, 2014 by robertwilkie

Nice write-up from the Linux Journal on how to monitor the traffic from an android device with wireshark.  I have been doing tcpdump via commandline on the phone myself.  This looks much nicer. http://www.linuxjournal.com/content/monitoring-android-traffic-wireshark

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Make a matchstick crossbow

Posted on August 26, 2014 by robertwilkie

All you needs is a rubber band, bottle cap, and 2 popicle sticks.  Neat build to do with kids (minus the lighted matches).  I also like the guys video on making pop pop boats. http://sploid.gizmodo.com/how-to-make-a-mini-crossbow-with-just-a-bottle-cap-and-1536563253?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+gizmodo%2Ffull+%28Gizmodo%29 Boat: http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s–DrQTn1D9–/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/romj1hkxyovazq3vzvft.gif

Posted in Teaching and Learning, Tinkering | Comments Off on Make a matchstick crossbow