Author Archives: robertwilkie

Nice Magic Mirror build with RPi

Posted on January 15, 2022 by robertwilkie

Nice build, but expensive. The author didn’t cheap out on the build. I think he has at least $200 into this. https://www.instructables.com/Build-Your-Own-Google-Home-Enabled-Smart-Mirror-in/

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Nice plywood cart build

Posted on January 14, 2022 by robertwilkie

Made from 1 sheet of 3/4’s plywood. And some casters and dowel rod. Me…I don’t know if I would go this fancy. Its a nice build, but I usually look for ways to simplify a build. https://www.instructables.com/DIY-Mobile-Plywood-and-Lumber-Storage-Cart-Only-1-/

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Making threads in PVC pipe

Posted on January 13, 2022 by robertwilkie

Basically the author just heats up a metal alternative side to “make” the threads, and then melts the pipe into the threads. Make sure you do this in a well vented area as PVC fumes can be toxic. https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/how-make-thread-pvc-pipe-simple-way-87767?homelistings#post190450

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Making a power button for an RPi

Posted on January 12, 2022 by robertwilkie

Some interesting builds for a RPi power button that will trigger the RPi to power down correctly. https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/add-power-button-raspberry-pi/

Posted in Misc-Life, RaspberryPi | Leave a comment

Nice build for a simple knife sharpener with a 3D printed out kit

Posted on January 11, 2022 by robertwilkie

Instead of trying to sharpen with a stone and getting the angle right, the author designed and shows out to build a jig to sharpen it.

Posted in Cheap, CNC/3D-printing, Misc-Life | Leave a comment

USB stack for Arduino that allows drag and drop

Posted on January 10, 2022 by robertwilkie

Basically it lets you treat the arduino like a USB drive to put files onto it. I needed to do this with one of my own projects, so having a simple TinyUSB library to do this is nice.

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A double headed CNC plotter

Posted on January 7, 2022 by robertwilkie

I got a kick out of this, the author build another CNC out of PVC, this time it can “draw on both sides to make duplicate pictures at the same time. I like how the “z” axis is CDROM drive … Continue reading →

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Converting an old trombone into a light fixture

Posted on January 6, 2022 by robertwilkie

Rather interesting idea, if you have old brass instruments that are no longer usable this could be a nice way to re-purpose them. https://www.instructables.com/Touch-Sensitive-Trombone-Light/

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Make a fence shooting board

Posted on January 5, 2022 by robertwilkie

OK first I had to look up what this was, basically its a board that you can change angles on and using a hand planer, plane down the end of a board for a given angle. I like the build … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap, Tools | Leave a comment

Letter to morse code converter

Posted on January 4, 2022 by robertwilkie

Using a Micro:bit, the author basically has a lookup table on it to convert a character (select thru the buttons) to its morris code value. https://www.instructables.com/Morse-De-Coder/

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