Category Archives: Tinkering

Review on BuildTak

Posted on June 12, 2014 by robertwilkie

Author reviewed a product call BuildTak, basically a sticker for around $30 that you put on your glass bed so prints do not stick to it.  The author seems to like it, so it may have allot of promise for … Continue reading →

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Interesting Motor Build for

Posted on June 12, 2014 by robertwilkie

Nice write-up on how to build a submersible motor. http://transistor-man.com/submersible_thruster.html

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A food/paste based extruder

Posted on June 12, 2014 by robertwilkie

This is neat, an extruder for 3D printers that you can pump food, and other paste like items thru.  I would like one, but NOT at $300 a whack.  Can’t imagine the cleanup of jams in something like this. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/structur3d/discov3ry-extruder-do-more-than-ever-with-your-3d

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Converting your CNC to be a Laser engraver/cutter

Posted on June 12, 2014 by robertwilkie

Author modified his Zen CNC to use a laser.  He built a nice case around it to keep the “laser” from shining out into someones eyes.  I noticed Zen CNC’s have dropped in price, down to  $360 (before shipping) for … Continue reading →

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Build a remote bottle boat

Posted on June 12, 2014 by robertwilkie

Not the best of write-ups on how the author built the boat.  And its not as cheap as it could be (using an arduino for the controller, full UNO board).  But still a good learning project.  I wish the author … Continue reading →

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Your own Robot Bartender

Posted on June 12, 2014 by robertwilkie

I saw this project a while back  Its an opensource (well will be) robot that is like a CNC of sorts for mixing drinks.  If you do not want to build your own from scratch, you can order a kit … Continue reading →

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Printer on Wheels

Posted on June 9, 2014 by robertwilkie

Clever idea, the author wanted to print on different media but not use an industrial printer, so the author converted a canon inkjet printer to have wheels instead of a paper feed. http://www.instructables.com/id/PrintO-Bot/

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Build a PWM tester

Posted on June 9, 2014 by robertwilkie

This is going on my list of things to build.  The author built a simple Pulse Width Modulator tester with an ATiny, a pot, and a few other misc parts.  Well worth doing.  I wonder if someone will build/sell the … Continue reading →

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Make a filament spool holder with PVC

Posted on June 6, 2014 by robertwilkie

Why waste plastic and have one print out when you can build a pretty sturdy one out of PVC (and its cheap).  Author used 1.5 inch PVC pipe, 4 elbows, and 2 endcaps.  About $8 in parts. http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:69834  

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Realtime with Linux

Posted on June 6, 2014 by robertwilkie

Nice video about using an RPi with linux and managing a stepper.  My 2 cents, you are better off using a real RTOS as from the list below. http://www.isy.liu.se/edu/kurs/TSEA81/lecture_linux_realtime.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_real-time_operating_systems

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