Monthly Archives: February 2015

Simple write-up on making an H Bridge

Important circuit for converting AC to DC to/from a motor.  Good write-up. http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-H-bridge-for-Motor-Control/

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DIY Metal Etcher

This is not a toy for kids, the author basically uses a DC power supply and a wire to do the etching.  Fun to watch.  If I made one, I would only use it with rubber gloves…thick ones. http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Metal-Etcher/

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The Switcheroo, some new Kickstarter project that looks interesting

I stumbled on this kickstarter via instructables, called Switcheroo (which starts 2/15).  The instructables look promising (below).  But…   Smartlock http://www.instructables.com/id/Use-the-Switcheroo-to-unlock-doors-with-your-smart/ remote light http://www.instructables.com/id/Use-the-Switcheroo-to-turn-on-lights-with-your-sma/ Garage door opener    

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A cheaper way to convert a Fluorescent light to LED

Author did a nice job writing up converting a 4 foot Fluorescent fixture to LED for $30.  I think it can be done for $20 myself and that includes powersupply.  Funny thing is this is only a little more work … Continue reading

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Poor mans IR receiver

I like this idea, the author basically takes a cheap IR LED, some resistors, and one of the A/D lines on the arduino to read IR traffic.  This could be a good way to re-use old IR remotes from TV’s … Continue reading

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Programming an arduino with a cheap bluetooth adapter

By cheap, I mean under $5 on ebay.  Basically the authors where using an HC-06 bluetooth adapter and tied the arduino reset to one of its pins so that they could program it over bluetooth.  Not a bad hack. http://morf.lv/modules.php?name=tutorials&lasit=30

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How to use Android and Bluetooth

The author wrote a nice set of series on how to talk to other devices over bluetooth on android.  Well for programming that is. http://www.lucadentella.it/en/2014/03/11/android-e-bluetooth-1/ http://www.lucadentella.it/en/2014/03/18/android-e-bluetooth-2/ http://www.lucadentella.it/en/2014/04/28/android-e-bluetooth-3/ http://www.lucadentella.it/en/2014/05/02/android-e-bluetooth-4/ http://www.lucadentella.it/en/2014/05/04/android-e-bluetooth-5/

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Simple convert for a watercolorbot to a laser engraver

Nice post where the author converted his watercolor bot into a laser engraver.  Note this can be done only with the newer version of the watercolorbot.  I am pretty sure the original kickstarter one may not beable to hold the … Continue reading

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The poor man’s forge

I have always been interested in trying out a forge, and this sure looks like a simple and cheap way to do it.  But…..I am a little worried about working with molten metal (see bottom link). And of course here … Continue reading

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Make a keychain with an old bike chain

clever idea, the author basically takes an old bike chain, breaks off a chunk with a breaker, and puts a keychain ring thru it.  This could be a good kid project for crafts to give to family. http://www.instructables.com/id/Things-out-of-an-old-bike-chain/

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