Monthly Archives: February 2015

One really fancy doorbell

Posted on February 23, 2015 by robertwilkie

The author took a Raspberry Pi and basically added the camera module, display, etc to the doorbell to keep an eye on things.  I like how it calls your phone when enabled. http://hackaday.com/2015/02/22/raspberry-pi-doorbell-is-fully-featured/

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OK this is a funny way to recharge a cell phone

Posted on February 23, 2015 by robertwilkie

This is a funny video where the author hacks a car battery to charge a cell phone.  I don’t think I would do this unless I absoluted needed to do so. http://hackaday.com/2015/02/22/macgyver-jedi-knights-ammo-stockpiles-and-candy-crush/

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How to see the traffic on a Vending Machine bus

Posted on February 20, 2015 by robertwilkie

Nice blog post on how to get and decode traffic on a vending machine to repurpose it.  Beats the alternative of just replacing all the boards and building your own.  I stumbled on this post by accident while digging for … Continue reading →

Posted in Misc-Life, Tinkering | Comments Off on How to see the traffic on a Vending Machine bus

California getting nervous about Xerox Cal-Med

Posted on February 20, 2015 by robertwilkie

Looks like the State of California is getting worried that Xerox won’t beable to deliver on its Medicaid work. http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/the-state-worker/article10713146.html

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Xerox in trouble with Medicaid…this time in Alaska

Posted on February 20, 2015 by robertwilkie

Xerox just doesn’t seem to have a handle on managing Medicaid for states.  This time Alaska is going after it. http://www.alaskajournal.com/Alaska-Journal-of-Commerce/February-Issue-4-2015/State-director-files-affidavit-laying-out-claims-against-Xerox/

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Hack a snow shovel

Posted on February 20, 2015 by robertwilkie

Basically the hack is to extend the lenght of the shovel.  This way you get more leverage to shovel the snow with.  Its a good idea and this winter…this maybe this weekends project. http://www.instructables.com/id/A-Better-Snow-Shovel/

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A simpler build for a circle jig for a router

Posted on February 20, 2015 by robertwilkie

The author says for european routers, but this should work for any router that has a guide slot.  I like this build better than some other ones that require the router to be screwed down or bolted into the jig.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap, Tools | Comments Off on A simpler build for a circle jig for a router

Another simple CNC build with an arduino

Posted on February 20, 2015 by robertwilkie

I have been seeing a new interest in home built CNC’s lately.  This one the author built for $200 Euro (230 US).  I think he could have gone cheaper (there is a nice simple CNC with arduino clone on EBay … Continue reading →

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Simple tester for Steppers with an arduino

Posted on February 20, 2015 by robertwilkie

Nice write-up on how to setup and test a stepper motor relatively quickly.  This could come in handy in the future as I have been pulling steppers out of junked printers from the side of the road or dumpers and … Continue reading →

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Make a beer bottle candlestick

Posted on February 20, 2015 by robertwilkie

Clever idea, using the top of a beer bottle to hold the candle.  Only a few issues, one is the candles are typically wide r than the top.  Two, if the wax drips, well I guess that’s what the coaster … Continue reading →

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