Category Archives: Tinkering

Simple Stepper Driver

Posted on March 29, 2017 by robertwilkie

Basically this is a nice write-up on a simple stepper driver with an arduino nano and a EasyDriver board. Easydrivers are a nice stepper motor controller, but….they are a bit pricy http://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-Low-Cost-and-Accurate-Stepper-Motor-Driver/?ALLSTEPS

Posted in Arduino, CNC/3D-printing, robots | Comments Off

Another cool (and simple) robot arm build

Posted on March 29, 2017 by robertwilkie

This one is a blend of 3D printed parts and pipe. It looks pretty straight forward to make, and only base for it maybe out of range for a hobby 3D printer to print out. Oh the thingiverse link is … Continue reading →

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

Make a simple WiFi Analyzer with ESP8266

Posted on March 28, 2017 by robertwilkie

I see more and more write ups lately with the ESP8266. This is a nice one that basically makes a portable “fing” with one. Figure this will run you 10-15 dollars in parts…not including the battery. Me…I’ll stick to my … Continue reading →

Posted in Arduino, Cheap, Security | Comments Off

Don’t hard code WiFi Credentials with ESP8266, use WiFiManager

Posted on March 23, 2017 by robertwilkie

Nice tutorial for how to use WiFiManager to dynamically set wifi credentials for your ESP8266. Of course I am a bit worried how “secure” this is. http://www.instructables.com/id/Avoid-Hard-Coding-WiFi-Credentials-on-Your-ESP8266/?ALLSTEPS

Posted in Arduino, Cheap | Comments Off

A simple Pocket Hole Jig

Posted on March 22, 2017 by robertwilkie

One thing that has annoyed me is how much Kreg Pocket hole jigs cost. Its not much too them but $40 is alot to swallow. There are clones, but I believe they are trying to avoid a patent so they … Continue reading →

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

Pop up dog benches

Posted on March 21, 2017 by robertwilkie

Basically cut some grooves into a dowel rod and use a rubber band to hold it down and pop it up when needed. http://www.instructables.com/id/Rubber-Band-Powered-Bench-Dogs/?ALLSTEPS

Posted in Cheap, Tools, woodworking | Comments Off

Another Hydrogen Generator build

Posted on March 17, 2017 by robertwilkie

This one is out of PVC pipe and looks like a rocket. The plates build the author does is interesting.. http://www.instructables.com/id/Rocket-Ship-Hydrogen-Generator/?ALLSTEPS

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life, water | 2 Comments

Build a water pump that uses cordless drill batteries

Posted on March 17, 2017 by robertwilkie

Nice build. At first I assumed this was built with 3D printed parts. Nope, PVC pipe instead. Looks really nice. http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Cordless-Water-Pump/?ALLSTEPS

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

Convert a cheap digital rain monitor into a high end one

Posted on March 15, 2017 by robertwilkie

The author took a cheap rain measurer and modified it so an arduino could read the data and send it to a controller. Of course I don’t think I would be lucky enough to find one of these for 43 … Continue reading →

Posted in Arduino, Cheap, water | Comments Off

How to enable developer mode in Roku

Posted on March 15, 2017 by robertwilkie

I have a few of these boxes, so this could be useful in the future. https://www.howtogeek.com/290787/how-to-enable-developer-mode-and-sideload-roku-apps/

Posted in Cheap, Software Development | 1 Comment