Monthly Archives: August 2016

Tools to Shrink PDF files

Posted on August 16, 2016 by robertwilkie

I convert alot of stuff to PDF, but…most of the free PDF converts leave you with some big PDF files.  This article covers some free tools to compress them down to size with. http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/compress-pdf-free-tools/

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Interesting, never thought of heated wire stripers

Posted on August 11, 2016 by robertwilkie

Since they are a bit pricy, and I am not a pro wirer, I have never heard of these before. I like the authors recommended on of Teledyne Stripall TW-1, which goes for $60 used on ebay. Hot Wire Strippers are … Continue reading →

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Homemade remote gate opener

Posted on August 10, 2016 by robertwilkie

OK this is basically a fancy RC car.  The author took a big wheel, put in a gear system with a cordless drill motor and attached it to the gate.  Clever and cheap build overall. Remote-Operated Gate On A Budget

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Turn 2 cans of Coke into a popcorn maker

Posted on August 10, 2016 by robertwilkie

Cool build.  One can is the burner and the other can holds the popcorn.  Down side is it can only pop a handful at a time. http://www.instructables.com/id/Recycled-Coke-Can-Popcorn-Maker/

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This thing is crazy, a motor on a stick.

Posted on August 8, 2016 by robertwilkie

You have to see the video on this one.  They guy goes on a skateboard and uses the motorized “stick” to move …really fast. http://www.riserobotics.com/kickstick/

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Make your own outdoor Jenga Set

Posted on August 8, 2016 by robertwilkie

Get a bunch of good, straight, 2×4’s, and cut them to 10.5 inches (up to 54).  And you have your own supersized Jenga game.  Oh you may want to sand them and maybe stain them too. http://www.doityourself.com/stry/diy-an-oversized-outdoor-jenga-game

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Adding 2 displays to one arduino

Posted on August 8, 2016 by robertwilkie

Author has a nice library so you can work with 2 LCD displays on 2 wires for one arduino. http://davidegironi.blogspot.com/2016/08/an-avr-atmega-library-for-multiple.html#.V6iyxcv7s_t

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Neat and simple hopping robot build

Posted on August 8, 2016 by robertwilkie

Pretty easy build.  Will have to remember this one in the future. http://makezine.com/2016/08/07/make-simple-running-robots-using-whegs/

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You can still get windows 10

Posted on August 4, 2016 by robertwilkie

You can still install windows 10 with a 7/8 key  🙂   http://www.howtogeek.com/266072/you-can-still-get-windows-10-for-free-with-a-windows-7-8-or-8.1-key/

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OK so now for 9K you can get a 3D concrete printer

Posted on August 1, 2016 by robertwilkie

Interesting printer.  I am curious how the extruder and getting conrete too it works.  Apparently for 9,000 in cash you can buy one.  The software is “opensource” but nothing about the design. One Man’s Journey To Build Portable Concrete 3D … Continue reading →

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