Category Archives: Cheap

Making a laser line for alignment

Posted on March 16, 2022 by robertwilkie

The author build this for his laser cutter, which would work the best as the distance from the cutter to the surface should be pretty consistant. Me…I am thinking that this could be adapted to a drill press. https://www.instructables.com/Laser-Line-Material-Aligner-for-Laser-Cutting-Mach/

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Nice PVC Vertical Work Light build

Posted on March 15, 2022 by robertwilkie

I really like this build. And I would only use LED based shop lights for this. I figure it would run $15-20 to build the frame, and another $15-20 for the light. A few things I may do differently is … Continue reading →

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Convert your credit card into an NFC payment ring

Posted on March 11, 2022 by robertwilkie

OK this assumes your card supports NFC, the author basically “melds” the chip in the card out, and puts a new antenna on it that goes around the 3D printed ring. Clever build. Not so sure I would do this … Continue reading →

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A simple plotter build

Posted on March 10, 2022 by robertwilkie

This could be a good project with kids to make a simple stepper motor plotter with and arduino. The motors used and the arduino shield are overkill for this, but if thats what you have on hand… Note that this … Continue reading →

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Nice builds but….

Posted on March 9, 2022 by robertwilkie

The author is pretty risky with the first one (2nd block fence for tablesaw) and how close the blade is to the fence, I would use a scrap board on the fence myself. The second build is a jigsaw template … Continue reading →

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Nice simple center finder for dowels

Posted on March 8, 2022 by robertwilkie

Nice build to find the center of dowels quickly. Me….I can buy for $10 not so nice, but usable setup. https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/wooden-center-finder-video-88487?homelistings#post193015

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Clever Wood Lathe Steady Rest

Posted on March 7, 2022 by robertwilkie

OK so I have looked at buying something like this (just not as fancy) and its expensive. This build seems pretty straight forward and doable. And cheap. https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/wood-lathe-steady-rest-video-88490?homelistings#post193018

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Nice build for a sanding plane

Posted on March 4, 2022 by robertwilkie

I am not so sure I would go so fancy on the handles, or maybe just use some pre-made ones myself. But I like the build overall. A few things I would do different is to make the build a … Continue reading →

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Using beer cans for wires

Posted on March 3, 2022 by robertwilkie

For low voltage projects only. Basically in a pinch, you can use a beer or soda can for a wire. https://www.instructables.com/Repurposing-Beverage-Cans-for-Low-Voltage-Electric/

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Nice crosscut saw build

Posted on March 2, 2022 by robertwilkie

Looks professional too. The author uses it for doing siding. I like the lift up gate for it. https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/hinged-circular-saw-crosscut-jig-88428?homelistings#post192812

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