Monthly Archives: January 2015

Make chocolate bowls with balloons

Posted on January 30, 2015 by robertwilkie

This is clever, I like how the author puts the base down first, then the ballon on top. http://lifehacker.com/make-chocolate-bowls-with-balloons-1681395838

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life | Comments Off on Make chocolate bowls with balloons

Make your own defense gloves

Posted on January 30, 2015 by robertwilkie

The author calls them “anti-rape” gloves, and was designed over the way women typically fight.  I think of them more as a defense based glove (totally could see using these myself, but spikes on the outside too).  Its a good … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap, weapons | Comments Off on Make your own defense gloves

Simple arduino O-scope

Posted on January 29, 2015 by robertwilkie

Simple project, I think the screen for it costs more than the arduino.  Its a good intro to getting started. http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-TFT-oscilliscope/

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Simple Rubberband sentry gun

Posted on January 29, 2015 by robertwilkie

Arduino + servo + rubberband gun = neat sentry gun.  Basically the movement triggers the arduino to trigger the servo that pulls the trigger on the gun. http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-arduino-sentry-gun/

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Download and print your own parts from McMaster Carr

Posted on January 29, 2015 by robertwilkie

Great idea if you need to get the part quicker than shipping.  I question the copyright issues around this thought. http://www.instructables.com/id/Download-Edit-And-Print-Your-Own-Parts-From-McMast/

Posted in Cheap, CNC/3D-printing | Comments Off on Download and print your own parts from McMaster Carr

$200 CNC build

Posted on January 29, 2015 by robertwilkie

Simple CNC build for $200 in materials.  Worth bookmarking for future builds http://www.instructables.com/id/Cheap-CNC-Around-200usd/  

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Build a status board for your battery charger

Posted on January 29, 2015 by robertwilkie

I like the use of LED’s for this status bar. http://www.instructables.com/id/12V-Battery-State-Of-Charge-Indicator/

Posted in Cheap, Tinkering | Comments Off on Build a status board for your battery charger

Hacking the arduino to use the 2nd micro-controller

Posted on January 29, 2015 by robertwilkie

basically they author proposes using the processor that handles USB with the existing one. http://hackaday.com/2014/11/30/using-the-second-microcontroller-on-an-arduino/

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Build an awesome $3 blow gun

Posted on January 29, 2015 by robertwilkie

Nails and screws with post-it notes for the darts, pvc pipe, pipe insulation, ducttape and a cheap laser for the gun.  Pretty impressive. http://sploid.gizmodo.com/how-to-make-a-laser-guided-blowgun-using-household-obje-1682302836

Posted in Cheap, Teaching and Learning, weapons | Comments Off on Build an awesome $3 blow gun

Using a mechanical pencil to dispense solder

Posted on January 29, 2015 by robertwilkie

Why didn’t I think of this.  I agree with the folks in the comments section that another improvement would be to build something to hold the spool on the pencil. http://www.instructables.com/id/05mm-Precision-Solder-Dispenser-or-Solder-Doodling/

Posted in Tools | Comments Off on Using a mechanical pencil to dispense solder