Monthly Archives: May 2015

Another cheap(ish) build for CNC

Nice build where the author sourced most of the parts himself.  Also it looks like he plans to put the cutouts so you can purchase them on oomlout sometime soon.  The total cost in materials is roughly $600.  For another … Continue reading

Posted in Cheap, CNC/3D-printing | Comments Off on Another cheap(ish) build for CNC

Using an RPi to update an cheap Weather Station

OK so you have a generic weather station that outputs its data serially?  Why not build a network based system with the RPi?  Thats what these authors did to convert an ADS-WS1. http://www.instructables.com/id/Raspberry-Pi-2-Weather-Station/

Posted in Cheap, RaspberryPi | Comments Off on Using an RPi to update an cheap Weather Station

Make a PIR Sensor Board

So did you pick up some PIR sensors at RadioShack when it was going down? If so, here is a nice circuit design to use them with an arduino. http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-an-Simple-Motion-Sensor-Board-PIR/

Posted in Cheap, sensors | Comments Off on Make a PIR Sensor Board

Nice video on using 2 hairpins to pick a lock

One is used as a pick, the other as a tension tool (lever).  Good simple video to watch. http://www.instructables.com/id/How-To-Pick-A-Lock-With-Hairpins/

Posted in Misc-Life, Security | Comments Off on Nice video on using 2 hairpins to pick a lock

Another RPi off button, but includes python script

I have seen a couple of write-ups on putting in an off switch for the Raspberry Pi, but I think this is the first one where the author includes a script you can just copy in, instead of tweaking something … Continue reading

Posted in Cheap, RaspberryPi | Comments Off on Another RPi off button, but includes python script

5 cheap places to print photos

Most of these sites I have heard of (snapfish, shutterfly, etc).  But, FedEx does photos?  That was a new one on me.  Typically if I actually print a photo (rare now these days), I just send it to Walgreens with … Continue reading

Posted in Cheap | Comments Off on 5 cheap places to print photos

How to wipe an android phone. The easy(er) way

The best way to do it according to the article, is to “encrypt” the phone first.  Then do a factory restore on it.  I believe Android added in encryption in Gingerbread (2.3).  So most phones can do this.  Why not … Continue reading

Posted in android, Security | Comments Off on How to wipe an android phone. The easy(er) way

Switch, the Tinder for Jobs

OK the article goes on about how Switch got another $2 million in funding.  I was more interested in the ability that it has to be a tinder like app for jobs.  I will be trying this one out in … Continue reading

Posted in Misc-Life, Software Development | Comments Off on Switch, the Tinder for Jobs

Another nice conversion for a hand belt sander

I have shown a couple of these in the past, where someone takes there belt sander and converts it to a bench sander.  Its a nice way to save on tool space and money.  This build is a bit nicer … Continue reading

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life, Tools | Comments Off on Another nice conversion for a hand belt sander

Why you should keep your keys hidden

I got a kick of of this, basically the talk goes about how you can take a picture of a key and create your own.  Points to stories where folks have done this with master keys for many locks to … Continue reading

Posted in Security | Comments Off on Why you should keep your keys hidden