Category Archives: Tinkering

Touchpad to gcode

Posted on August 12, 2021 by robertwilkie

Interesting build, the author uses a rather big, and clear, touchpad to draw something that the arduino will convert to gcode, which then can be sent to a CNC. This could be a good kid project (they draw something, then … Continue reading →

Posted in Arduino, CNC/3D-printing, Misc-Life, My Projects, Teaching and Learning | Comments Off

Making your own water level detector

Posted on August 7, 2021 by robertwilkie

Interesting build for an arduino to detect the level of a given water supply. Not so sure I would make one of these as a 6 pack of commercial ones costs $11. Still an interesting build. https://www.instructables.com/Building-an-Arduino-Water-Level-Detection-Sensor/

Posted in Arduino, Cheap, Misc-Life, sensors | Comments Off

Nice coil winder

Posted on August 6, 2021 by robertwilkie

Using an arduino and 2 stepper motors, the author build a coil winder. Not sure what the author is using it for, but I was thinking it could be adapted for making coils for wind power generators. https://www.instructables.com/GRBL-Based-Coil-Winder-From-Water-Pipe/

Posted in Arduino, Cheap, CNC/3D-printing, Misc-Life, Wind | Comments Off

Interesting automated wire cutter

Posted on August 5, 2021 by robertwilkie

OK unless I was doing some sort of mass project, I don’t think I would build this. But its a neat build overall if you have a bunch of wire you needed cut into certain lengths and colors. One addition … Continue reading →

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Nice drawbot, not sure where the author got the mounts

Posted on July 31, 2021 by robertwilkie

I like this build, but…no idea where the mounts came from for the motors and arduino. I didn’t find even some drawings for the. Maybe this is going to be a kit? https://www.instructables.com/DIY-Arduino-Drawing-Robot/

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Pi Zero to arcade games

Posted on July 31, 2021 by robertwilkie

The author goes over an adaptor board, called PiTrex, that can act as an interface between the old arcade standup game systems and a PiZero. Interesting idea. https://www.hackster.io/news/open-source-pitrex-boards-put-a-raspberry-pi-zero-into-a-vintage-vectrex-games-console-dca10ae86c7d

Posted in Misc-Life, RaspberryPi | Comments Off

Cool USB tester

Posted on July 28, 2021 by robertwilkie

basically it tests USB cables using an arduino (mega) as the controller. It reminded me of the old network cable testers I used to have. Actually I googled to see if there was something like this for USB, only found … Continue reading →

Posted in Arduino, Cheap, Misc-Life, Tools | Comments Off

Nice arm for a camera mount

Posted on July 22, 2021 by robertwilkie

I like the build for the arm, but…its alot of work, my 2 cents, I would adapt a lamp arm to do the same thing. https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/articulated-arm-camera-86047?homelistings#post184141

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life, Tools, woodworking | Comments Off

Nice LED lamp build

Posted on July 19, 2021 by robertwilkie

My 2 cents, I would have done color LEDS myself. The build is pretty nice, Not so sure I would take it on myself thought. https://www.instructables.com/How-to-Make-an-LED-Lamp/

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life, woodworking | Comments Off

Nice box sled for tablesaw

Posted on July 16, 2021 by robertwilkie

Actually I like the authors build, its an add on to a sled that is rather nice as well. https://www.instructables.com/Small-Box-Sled/