Category Archives: Tinkering

Convert a GRBL with arduino CNC v3 Shield to use a servo for the Z axis

Posted on February 8, 2017 by robertwilkie

So you built one of the CDROM CNC’s and have a CNCv3 shield instead of a cobbled together setup.  The author goes over how to tweak it so you can use a servo in the z axis over a stepper. … Continue reading →

Posted in Arduino, Cheap, CNC/3D-printing, Misc-Life | Comments Off on Convert a GRBL with arduino CNC v3 Shield to use a servo for the Z axis

Wow this is a fancy skittle sorter

Posted on February 7, 2017 by robertwilkie

This is a pretty fancy looknig sorter, impressive too (fast as well).  Uses 2 atiny’s to control it.  Would I build one…no way too much work involved in this build.  Still a nice build overall. M&Ms and Skittles Sorting Machine … Continue reading →

Posted in Arduino, robots | Comments Off on Wow this is a fancy skittle sorter

Using arduinos to modify Amazon Dash

Posted on February 3, 2017 by robertwilkie

Nice article that has lots of pointers for how to get started with modifying amazon dash buttons. Dash With Arduino https://hackaday.io/project/19351-amazon-dash-button-for-arduino https://github.com/andium/AmazonDRS Nice reverse engineering video here 33C3: Hunz Deconstructs the Amazon Dash Button

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Convert a cheap toaster oven, into a high end one

Posted on February 2, 2017 by robertwilkie

The author basically took a cheap toaster oven and converted it with an arduino to make the temp more stable.  This is good if you are not just cooking, but for surface mount chips, or if you are melting plastic … Continue reading →

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Nice simple Aquaponics setup.

Posted on February 1, 2017 by robertwilkie

The author made a nice, simple, and cheap aquaponics setup for apartments.  Another step to take is to add some LED’s to it so its more like a piece of furniture. http://www.instructables.com/id/Aquaponics-Minimal-Apartment-DIY/?ALLSTEPS

Posted in Cheap, water | Comments Off on Nice simple Aquaponics setup.

Interesting build for a smartphone connected door lock

Posted on January 31, 2017 by robertwilkie

Its using a pretty intense servo.  They have a wooden version of the deadbolt to servo device too.  It uses a raspberry pi for the controller.  I wonder why not a RPi Zero instead.  The comm’s is blynk between the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap, RaspberryPi, Security | Comments Off on Interesting build for a smartphone connected door lock

5 tools (opensource) to monitor java performance

Posted on January 31, 2017 by robertwilkie

Interesting article, I haven’t done Java work in some time.  But its nice to see there are non-commerical options to see issues with performance in Java. https://dzone.com/articles/java-performance-monitoring-5-open-source-tools-you-should-know

Posted in Cheap, Software Development | Comments Off on 5 tools (opensource) to monitor java performance

Could build for mass producing simple wind turbines for kids

Posted on January 31, 2017 by robertwilkie

The author put ALOT of work into this one, its a nice video with lots of templates made to make a bunch of wind powered devices for kids to experiment with.  Would I do this…no, way too much work for … Continue reading →

Posted in Misc-Life, Teaching and Learning, Wind | 1 Comment

Another interesting remote garage door hack

Posted on January 24, 2017 by robertwilkie

OK this one is same as a bunch of others I have seen, but it logs the data for opening the door to a google drive.  Also the author uses a MOSFET to trigger the relay instead of doing it … Continue reading →

Posted in Arduino | Comments Off on Another interesting remote garage door hack

Print out a vac attachment for when you make holes in your walls.

Posted on January 23, 2017 by robertwilkie

Nice simple attachment you can make for the next time you drill holes in your wall, you can use this to keep things clean. http://www.instructables.com/id/Suckit-Vacuumattachment-for-Drilling/?ALLSTEPS

Posted in Cheap, CNC/3D-printing, Tools | Comments Off on Print out a vac attachment for when you make holes in your walls.