Category Archives: Tools

Tool to sniff serial traffic

Posted on May 7, 2015 by robertwilkie

Nice and simple build to look at traffic on a serial bus.  I have seen comercial products that do this, but this is much cheaper solution. http://hackaday.com/2015/05/06/a-tool-for-spying-on-serial-data/

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Put an old scooter motor to use on a drill press

Posted on May 4, 2015 by robertwilkie

I’m not so sure I would do this since I would rather have something with a bit more beef to it for a drill press motor.  But if you have a drillpress already in need of a motor, and old … Continue reading →

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Make your own hand powered, portable chainsaw

Posted on May 4, 2015 by robertwilkie

Love this build where the author makes a handheld portable chainsaw.  I have seen these for sale and this would be worth doing if you already have the parts. http://www.instructables.com/id/Manual-Chainsaw/

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Build a stylish copper tube tool organizer

Posted on May 4, 2015 by robertwilkie

I am not so sure I would do this, since copper isn’t exactly cheap.  But its a nice looking stand the author built. http://makezine.com/projects/make-28/copper-tube-mini-tool-organizer/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=%24{feed}&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+%24{makezineonline}+%28%24{MAKE}%29&utm_content=%24{GoogleReader}

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HA another harddrive grinder build.

Posted on April 27, 2015 by robertwilkie

I get a kick out of these harddrive grinder builds I see every so often.  The author did a good job writting it up.  Me…I think $10-20 will get the same thing at harbor frieght without the need to make … Continue reading →

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Use a big steel bucket for a hose holder

Posted on April 27, 2015 by robertwilkie

I like this project, why?  Well the typical “hose rollers” leak after a few months.  So they are nice in rolling up the hose, but a pain if you don’t want the water leaking out with them.  So instead I … Continue reading →

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Turn an old snowblower into a power wagon

Posted on April 21, 2015 by robertwilkie

I wish I had thought of this when I passed on a blower going into the junk.  The author basically took the blower off and is using the drive part of the snowblower to push the cart along.  I can … Continue reading →

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BoardMerge, command line tool to merge PDF PCB files

Posted on April 21, 2015 by robertwilkie

OK I like this idea, its for the toner transfer method of circuits where instead of wasting a sheet, the author will use this python based tool to merge a bunch of board designs onto one sheet. http://rohitg.in/2015/04/17/BoardMerge/

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How to remove a plug from a hole saw

Posted on April 21, 2015 by robertwilkie

Good video on how to get the plug out without having to hammer it out.

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Build a jig to hold cylinders to drill holes in them

Posted on April 16, 2015 by robertwilkie

On the tops of course.  I like this jig since it can hold the rod still while you drill the hole.  Typcially I just put it in a vise and line it up, but if you have a long pole…this … Continue reading →

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