Category Archives: Tinkering

Use a vinyl cutter to make circuit boards

Posted on May 18, 2017 by robertwilkie

OK this is pretty funny, the author uses a vinyl cutter to help make circuit board.  Not a bad idea. Cameo Cutter Makes SMD Stencils

Posted in Cheap, CNC/3D-printing, Misc-Life | Comments Off on Use a vinyl cutter to make circuit boards

Make a remote control snowblower

Posted on May 18, 2017 by robertwilkie

This is a multi year build.  The author took parts from 2 snowblowers, and electric wheelchair, tossed in an arduino and built this.  I think he says the total cost was around 1200…most in the snowblower/wheelchair bit.  Me…I am tempted….but … Continue reading →

Posted in Arduino, Cheap, Misc-Life, robots | Comments Off on Make a remote control snowblower

Cool mechanical Iris build

Posted on May 18, 2017 by robertwilkie

I like this build. Would I do it? ….Maybe, the author posts everything up I would need.  Just the metal working bit might be a challenge for what I have. Make an Awesome Mechanical Iris

Posted in Misc-Life, woodworking | Comments Off on Cool mechanical Iris build

Turn a google phone into a google home system

Posted on May 17, 2017 by robertwilkie

OK so you add a speaker and turn on google now and bam…google home.  But…I think you need to be running a relatively recent version of Android to do this.  I am guessing 5.0 and up?  So if you got … Continue reading →

Posted in android, Cheap, Misc-Life | Comments Off on Turn a google phone into a google home system

Microsoft Joining the rest with Linux and IoT

Posted on May 17, 2017 by robertwilkie

Microsoft has apparently released code for Linux that will allow for IoT devices to contact Azure based systems. https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/05/11/microsoft_azure_iot_cloud_offering/

Posted in Arduino, Linux, Software Development | Comments Off on Microsoft Joining the rest with Linux and IoT

Make your own ROV

Posted on May 17, 2017 by robertwilkie

Robots that can go under water.  Interesting build.  I like how they waterproof the motors. https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Your-Own-Rov/

Posted in Misc-Life, robots | Comments Off on Make your own ROV

Turn an RPi into a Google Assistant

Posted on May 17, 2017 by robertwilkie

Not as nice as the real thing, but it gets the job done.  Looks like you can even do this with the origianl RPi’s too. https://www.instructables.com/id/Google-Assistant-on-a-Raspberry-Pi/ Oh and go here for adding a button to it https://www.instructables.com/id/Button-Trigger-for-Google-Assistant-on-the-Raspber/

Posted in Cheap, Cloud, RaspberryPi | Comments Off on Turn an RPi into a Google Assistant

Pretty impressive CNC build

Posted on May 15, 2017 by robertwilkie

This one made hackaday.  This a pretty impressive build with everything being bought from off the shelf.  I like how he went over the design decisions he ended up making. http://www.instructables.com/id/3-Axis-CNC-Milling-Machine/

Posted in Cheap, CNC/3D-printing | Comments Off on Pretty impressive CNC build

Use pandoc in linux to convert documents

Posted on May 11, 2017 by robertwilkie

New tool for me, sounds like its pretty good at converting different document formats.  Oh Linux only. http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/easily-convert-document-formats-linux/

Posted in Cheap, Linux | Comments Off on Use pandoc in linux to convert documents

Using an RPi for a homebrewed alarm system

Posted on May 11, 2017 by robertwilkie

This is an interesting build.  The core is a RPi but it has alot of logic built in to prevent from annoying other family members in the house. Keep the Burglars Away With Some Pi   https://partofthething.com/thoughts/?p=1037

Posted in Cheap, RaspberryPi, Security | Comments Off on Using an RPi for a homebrewed alarm system