Monthly Archives: August 2018

Nice hold down for compound miter

I like the hold down the author made for his compound miter.  The one that came with my saw is horrible (and I never use it).  This is a nice alternative. http://www.floweringelbow.org/2018/invent/making-quick-clamp-hold-downs-from-scrap/#more-5956

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life, Tools, woodworking | Comments Off on Nice hold down for compound miter

Build yourself an underwater camera

The author uses an RPi Zero and its camera to build this.  Most of the cost is in the electronics since the rest is PVC pipe.  Its a nice looking build overall.  Author has the costs at $100 An Achievable … Continue reading

Posted in RaspberryPi, water | Comments Off on Build yourself an underwater camera

A simple and cheap way to make a drafting compass

Take a pencil, ruler, some tape, push pin and binder clips and you can make a pretty simple compass (circle drawer). https://www.instructables.com/id/An-Accurate-Drafting-Compass-From-Office-Supplies/  

Posted in Cheap, Tools | Comments Off on A simple and cheap way to make a drafting compass

Retro-fiting a halogen light

What I like about this build, is how cheap the build is ($2-3 dollars in parts).  I have seen some cheap LED lights like this around $10 and up, cheapest was $5.  This could be a nice way to update … Continue reading

Posted in Cheap | Comments Off on Retro-fiting a halogen light

Another nice adjustment to existing angle grinder to belt sander

Another nice build where the author took his existing design and added to it to allow for the belt/grinder to be mounted to a bench. https://www.instructables.com/id/Greatest-Angle-Grinder-Power-File-Hack-Ever-Told/

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life, Tools | Comments Off on Another nice adjustment to existing angle grinder to belt sander

Interesting solar build to charge Lithium based batteries

The charging circuit used in this write-up is what interested me the most.  I have been very leery of using Lithium based batteries due to charging issues.  But a cheap circuit that can do the job for me…tempting. https://www.instructables.com/id/Li-Ion-Battery-Recycling-Charging/

Posted in Cheap | Comments Off on Interesting solar build to charge Lithium based batteries

Simple hack to make a 9 volt to 5 volt converter

Pretty simple hack.  Cheap too https://www.instructables.com/id/Worlds-Simplest-Cheapest-POWER-BANK-/

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life | Comments Off on Simple hack to make a 9 volt to 5 volt converter

Interesting Lathe build

Its a nice looking build, just not so sure I would have used 3D printed parts with it.  I like the car belt being used too. https://www.instructables.com/id/Homemade-Wood-Lathe/

Posted in Cheap, CNC/3D-printing, Misc-Life, Tools, woodworking | Comments Off on Interesting Lathe build

Make a belt sander for a dremel

Nice build.  One difference I was thinking for this was using other motors instead of a dremel.  I do like how the author uses skateboard wheels here. https://www.instructables.com/id/Very-Simple-Dremel-Belt-Sander/

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life, Tools | Comments Off on Make a belt sander for a dremel

Convert a windshield wiper motor into a servo

Servos are expensive for a motor, so if you need a big one, this is a nice alternative to buying one.  The author uses a windshield motor, pot, an arduino, to build one. Supersize DIY R/C Servos From Windscreen Wipers

Posted in Arduino, Cheap, Misc-Life, robots | Comments Off on Convert a windshield wiper motor into a servo