Monthly Archives: October 2018

Interesting way to make your own circuits

Posted on October 31, 2018 by robertwilkie

The author uses a cut plotter to cut out the circuit lines from copper tape, and then transfers that to the board to use. https://hackaday.io/project/161850-cardboard-circuits  

Posted in Misc-Life | Comments Off on Interesting way to make your own circuits

Make a bubble fountain

Posted on October 30, 2018 by robertwilkie

This is a pretty cool build.  Looks straight forward to make too. https://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Bubble-Fountain/

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life | Comments Off on Make a bubble fountain

Using a microbit to control halloween lights

Posted on October 29, 2018 by robertwilkie

Good build for working with kids.  Micro:bits are small easy to program microcontrollers for beginners.  They make arduino’s seem hard to use. https://www.instructables.com/id/Halloween-Microbit/

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life, Teaching and Learning | Comments Off on Using a microbit to control halloween lights

How to figure out polarity of an LED

Posted on October 28, 2018 by robertwilkie

I knew about the flat size, longer stem, etc ways to test.  But…did not know the bigger plate on the LED is also the negative. https://www.instructables.com/id/5-Simple-Ways-to-Determine-LED-Polarity/

Posted in Misc-Life | Comments Off on How to figure out polarity of an LED

Convert your portable bandsaw to a stationary one

Posted on October 27, 2018 by robertwilkie

I have a portable bandsaw and have been looking at converting it to a tabletop version (when needed).  This build gives me some good ideas but I would like to make it so I can convert back and forth quickly.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life, Tools | Comments Off on Convert your portable bandsaw to a stationary one

Make a tuning CAP

Posted on October 26, 2018 by robertwilkie

pretty neat idea, the author takes some washers and makes a tuning capacitor from them (with some 3D printed parts).  Pretty clever build DIY Tuning Capacitors from Washers and 3D-Printed Parts

Posted in Cheap, CNC/3D-printing, Misc-Life, Tools | Comments Off on Make a tuning CAP

Hacking Vending Machines (the modern way)

Posted on October 25, 2018 by robertwilkie

This guy basically reverse engineered the app in Android that had “credit” for buying stuff on a vending machine, and how to give himself credit. Hacker Pops Top On NFC Vending Machines

Posted in Security | Comments Off on Hacking Vending Machines (the modern way)

ID’ing a 3D printer

Posted on October 24, 2018 by robertwilkie

Interesting work on how to figure out the printer an object came from.  Its like the old days with printers to try and ID them (before they started hiding serial numbers and such in each print). Researchers discover a new … Continue reading →

Posted in Misc-Life, Security | Comments Off on ID’ing a 3D printer

Make your own embedded numbers in wood

Posted on October 23, 2018 by robertwilkie

Could work for Letters too.  The author took some wire (fencing wire) and made the number shapes out of it.  Then “pounded” the shapes into the wood to indent it for the numbers. https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Easy-Custom-Imprints-in-Wood/

Posted in Cheap | Comments Off on Make your own embedded numbers in wood

Fixing an LCD monitor

Posted on October 23, 2018 by robertwilkie

The author basically replaced the LCD LED’s in the back that “lite” up the display with some RGB controlled LED strips.  Interesting build.  Maybe worth keeping in mind for busted TV’s that could be salvaged. Trashed TV Gets RGB LED … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap | Comments Off on Fixing an LCD monitor