Category Archives: Tinkering

Cool 3D printed hovercraft

Posted on March 9, 2018 by robertwilkie

Nice build for a hovercraft, the author must have a decent sized printer to print out at the size the craft is. Single Motor, Single Piece 3D Printed Hovercraft

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Make some light up ice skates

Posted on March 8, 2018 by robertwilkie

Or perhaps apply this to roller skates as well.  The build is pretty simple, I like how the skates use an arduino to control light effects. http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-LED-ICE-SKATE/

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Simple water de-salinator

Posted on March 7, 2018 by robertwilkie

No idea if I spelt that one right.  Anyways its a simple method to show how you can use sunlight to get salt out of water (to drink it). http://www.instructables.com/id/Homemade-Water-Desalinator/

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Interesting firmware IETF’s drafts in the works

Posted on March 7, 2018 by robertwilkie

I know there are several groups that have working standards for managing and updating software on IoT devices, this is the first I have seen from a standards body that isn’t totally controlled by one company.  Thought the list of … Continue reading →

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Write-up on using an RPi with a K40 Laser Cutter

Posted on March 5, 2018 by robertwilkie

I have been tempted a few times to get one of these laser cutters, they are typically around $400 and seem to be “OK” for CCC (cheap chinese crap).   But ditching the controller software and going opensource is tempting too. … Continue reading →

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Linux support for CH341

Posted on March 5, 2018 by robertwilkie

Basically its a cheap serial to USB controller. Linux Adds CH341 GPIO

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Cool way to make a metal part

Posted on March 5, 2018 by robertwilkie

The author 3D prints the inital mold.  Then uess some sort of silicon (smooth-on mold star 15) which can take the head of molted tin-bismuth, which is then pored into it to make the metal part. Casting Metal Parts and … Continue reading →

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OpenAuto, Android Auto for Linux

Posted on March 2, 2018 by robertwilkie

This looks like a good idea for using an RPi for a carputer. OpenAuto, the Open Source In-Car Entertainment System

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Cool underwater camera build

Posted on February 28, 2018 by robertwilkie

Pretty simple build.  Basically hts an RPi used to take pictures for hours underwater.  The author had to custom order the glass on the front, but everything else is pretty cheap stuff. https://hackaday.io/project/21222-pipecam-low-cost-underwater-camera

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Crankshaft, another carputer

Posted on February 28, 2018 by robertwilkie

This is built onto of OpenAuto, and looks like its a simplified version of it.  Would be worth checking out. https://hackaday.com/2018/02/26/crankshaft-open-source-car-computer/

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