Monthly Archives: October 2013

How to use an MSP430 without the launchpad board

Posted on October 17, 2013 by robertwilkie

Nice write-up on how to use an MSP430 processor without the TI Launchpad board.  Given the board with CPU is only $5, you can save even more by just using the chip (something like 25 cents) for your project. http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-your-MSP430-IC-work-independentlywithout-lau/

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Take out your old car stereo and make a boom box

Posted on October 17, 2013 by robertwilkie

Going back to the 1980’s here.  Nice build it you have an old car stereo that is still decent and want to put it to use.  It would have been nice if the author shown a little more of the … Continue reading →

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A PVC build CNC

Posted on October 17, 2013 by robertwilkie

I could totally see building this.  And I am surprised  I didn’t think of it myself (since I love PVC for a building material).  I built mine with MFD board and I like this solution much better (and it looks … Continue reading →

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Good Tutorial on using Arduino to drive a stepper motor

Posted on October 16, 2013 by robertwilkie

Good write up on how to use an arduino to run a stepper motor.  Except…I don’t think most folks can afford using a logic shrimp (150 bucks) to analyze the signals. http://dangerousprototypes.com/2013/10/16/arduino-stepper-motor-driver-tutorial/

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Modeling Trains with 3D printers

Posted on October 16, 2013 by robertwilkie

I have always known that folks that get into model trains can get a little carried away with it.  Well here is a gent that is modeling several narrow gauge trains and modeling them for …well toy trains in my … Continue reading →

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Make a Ring Seal

Posted on October 16, 2013 by robertwilkie

This could be alot of fun for kids and intro them to the…Post Office..before that goes away.  Only down side is you need a 3D printer. http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-a-Signet-Ring-and-Seal-Your-Envelopes-/

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Make and ATiny programming Shield

Posted on October 16, 2013 by robertwilkie

ATiny CPUs are arealy cheap..well relatively speaking compared to the full blown…But, you need to program them.  Here is a nice writeup on making a shield for arduino to do so. http://www.instructables.com/id/ATtiny-Programming-Shield-for-Arduino-1/  

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Hack a WeMo

Posted on October 16, 2013 by robertwilkie

Well the article calls it the deathtrap…I don’t think I would go that far.  Basically a WeMo is an internet enabled power switch for an outlet.  Think X10 modernized.  Well its got a big UPnP flaw and using backtrack the … Continue reading →

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configurable robots make a bridge

Posted on October 16, 2013 by robertwilkie

Neat project from UPenn where they built floating robots that will all put each other together to make a bridge fr an RC truck to use to cross.  I totally can see this getting scaled up (think military and instant … Continue reading →

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Raspberry Pi Leaf (a simple printout to use)

Posted on October 16, 2013 by robertwilkie

Nice simple printout that labels all the pins on the RPi for you.  Well worth looking at. http://blog.makezine.com/2013/02/22/raspberry-leaf-a-simple-reference-for-raspberry-pi-pins/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+makezineonline+%28MAKE%29

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