Category Archives: Tinkering

Simple and Cheap IR receiver for arduino

Posted on June 6, 2014 by robertwilkie

Interesting hack using an LED and resistors.  Not sure how effective it is. http://dangerousprototypes.com/2014/06/01/poor-makers-ir-receiver-2/ http://www.analysir.com/blog/

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Print out a cap for PC fans to make a personal fan

Posted on June 6, 2014 by robertwilkie

I liked this idea, you print out a cover that directs a PC fan so you can use it as a personal one. http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:352471

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Build your own saltwater flashlight

Posted on June 6, 2014 by robertwilkie

I never thought about using salt water for powering LED’s.  Good idea.  The author took pennies, aluminum foil, tissue paper, and later on a Joule Thief.  Nice build. http://www.instructables.com/id/Water-Powered-Flashlight-v2/

Posted in Cheap, Teaching and Learning, Tinkering, water | Comments Off on Build your own saltwater flashlight

Convert your Router into a controller

Posted on June 6, 2014 by robertwilkie

Nice write-up about how you can re-use old routers (assuming they are DD-WRT compatible) as a networked controller.  I have done similar stuff in the past.  Its not an RPi, but the routers sometimes can be had for $5 at … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life, My Projects, Tinkering | Comments Off on Convert your Router into a controller

How to

Posted on June 5, 2014 by robertwilkie

Nice write-up on how to make circuits from copper board. http://www.instructables.com/id/PCB-making-guide/

Posted in Tinkering, Tools | Comments Off on How to

Mount for a spherebot

Posted on June 5, 2014 by robertwilkie

Yeah I know Easter is long gone, but I still think about making a spherebot (Christmas bulbs maybe?).  I like this addition to the spherebot which is a mount for your arduino motor controller. http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:21457

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Convert one of those huge 1970 dressers into a desk

Posted on June 5, 2014 by robertwilkie

I love this idea, I have one of these dressers and this would be a good conversion project.  However I am thinking for a workbench (sit at one). http://www.thriftyandchic.com/2011/04/dresser-to-deskreally.html?m=1  

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life, woodworking | Comments Off on Convert one of those huge 1970 dressers into a desk

Another tape to use to stick your prints on

Posted on June 5, 2014 by robertwilkie

The author here writes about using TapeCase 468MP, for your 3D prints to stick too.  Anyone whom has done 3D printing knows bed leveling and sticking are two problems.  Heated beds, special tape (that costs ALOT more than this), some cleaners, … Continue reading →

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Fix for Printrbot to use new filament

Posted on June 5, 2014 by robertwilkie

Adafruit made a fix for Printrbots so that you could feed them the new NinjaFlex filament.  NinjaFlex (NOTE: I have not used it myself) is a filament that prints flexable designs.  Seems like a rubber.  However printrbots extruders are too … Continue reading →

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Ever wonder what those HTTP error codes are

Posted on June 4, 2014 by robertwilkie

Apparently someone was really bored and listed them all out, and what they are. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_HTTP_status_codes

Posted in Software Development | Comments Off on Ever wonder what those HTTP error codes are