Category Archives: Tinkering

Light up Tie with a Pinoccio

Posted on July 21, 2014 by robertwilkie

Nice project where the author builds a wireless controlled LED tie with something called a Pinoccio, but at $100 bucks a whack…I’ll stick to an ATiny with 433MHz transmitter ($30) http://makezine.com/2014/07/15/internet-connected-necktie-with-leds/?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

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Nice write-up on the different types of soldering tips

Posted on July 17, 2014 by robertwilkie

I knew all but one in the list, worth reading if you are just starting out with solder. http://www.instructables.com/id/Uses-of-Different-Soldering-Iron-Tips/

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A cheaper and better ThermoElectrics

Posted on July 17, 2014 by robertwilkie

Apparently this company called Alphabet Energy, has built a cheaper thermo electric system that should be 6 times cheaper than existing stuff and 10% better.  Themo electric is converting heat to electricity.  This would be cool since you could power … Continue reading →

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How to built youw own Ruger Charger

Posted on July 16, 2014 by robertwilkie

Interesting build.  Only problem I see is finding 22 ammo is next to impossible these days. http://techcrunch.com/2014/07/09/gunmaker-skirts-laws-by-3d-printing-a-single-firearm-part/?ncid=rss

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A Cold 3D pen

Posted on July 16, 2014 by robertwilkie

This is cool, its like the 3D doodler but uses resin (liquid) and light to harden it.  No hot end to worry about, jams, and trying to deal with hot plastic.  And its to be cheaper than the 3DDoodler ($89). … Continue reading →

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Another interesting CDROM CNC

Posted on July 15, 2014 by robertwilkie

Using a PIC controller instead of an arduino.  Interesting build. http://hackaday.com/2014/07/09/cd-drive-cnc-machine-steals-matt-groenings-job-says-ha-ha/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+hackaday%2FLgoM+%28Hack+a+Day%29 https://github.com/themrleon/OpenCdNC

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New RPi out (B+)

Posted on July 15, 2014 by robertwilkie

Looks pretty cool, better power management, more USB ports, better audio, and still $35. http://www.ubergizmo.com/2014/07/raspberry-pi-gets-a-hardware-revision/?utm_source=mainrss

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Pi Music Box

Posted on July 14, 2014 by robertwilkie

Found this via hack-a-day.  Interesting build for the Raspberry Pi to use it as a Music box back-end.  Not so sure about the $25 cost in the article (doesn’t include power supply, wireless Ethernet, USB sound card).  More like $50. … Continue reading →

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ASCII art is coming back, with CNC

Posted on July 6, 2014 by robertwilkie

Another interesting thing to do with a CNC, make ASCII art in halftones with it.  Basically you use the CNC to “draw” the artwork on a board that is painted one color (or an MFD board).  I have seen this … Continue reading →

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The opensource segway

Posted on July 4, 2014 by robertwilkie

Stumbled on this project by accident, its an opensource segway called openwheels.  Looks like the materials to build it cost around $300-500.  Something else to look at in the future. http://www.open-electronics.org/tag/openwheels/

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