Monthly Archives: September 2014

Waterproof matches with leftover nail polish

Posted on September 23, 2014 by robertwilkie

I was trying to figure out what to do with some leftover nail polish, and stumbled onto this article.  basically you dip, or paint the polish on the matches and bang, waterproof matches.  The author also mentions you can do … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life | Comments Off on Waterproof matches with leftover nail polish

Nice simple RFID reader for security doors

Posted on September 23, 2014 by robertwilkie

The author build a $3 arduino board, and uses that Parallax RFID reader (about $40) and some relays to add RFID to a door to unlock it.  Nice build, code could be a bit cleaner thought. http://theifdark.blogspot.ca/2014/07/arduino-rfid-card-door-lock-system-100.html

Posted in Arduino, Cheap, Security | Comments Off on Nice simple RFID reader for security doors

How to re-tin your solder iron tip

Posted on September 23, 2014 by robertwilkie

I have always tossed mine out when they get bad and get a new one, but this is a nice write-up on how to use salt, well Sal ammoniac to re-tip it. http://www.evilmadscientist.com/2014/tinning/

Posted in Cheap, Tools | Comments Off on How to re-tin your solder iron tip

Amazing chart of spaceships

Posted on September 23, 2014 by robertwilkie

This is an amazing chart of many scifi spaceships all lumped together with size comparisons. http://www.engadget.com/2014/09/22/sci-fi-spaceship-comparison-chart/?ncid=rss_truncated

Posted in Misc-Life | Comments Off on Amazing chart of spaceships

PWM for Arduino Due

Posted on September 23, 2014 by robertwilkie

Nice write-up on a better Pulse Width Modulator for the Arduino Due (the ARM based one). Which is much faster and cleaner than running on original arduino. http://www.kerrywong.com/2014/09/21/on-arduino-due-pwm-frequency/

Posted in Arduino | Comments Off on PWM for Arduino Due

The evolution of 3D printed guns

Posted on September 23, 2014 by robertwilkie

Its an interesting article that goes over the fast pace the development into 3D printed guns is undergoing.  My 2 cents, it would be a heck of alot easier and cheaper (most folks don’t have a 3D printer) to build … Continue reading →

Posted in CNC/3D-printing, weapons | Comments Off on The evolution of 3D printed guns

Jig for making holes in spheres

Posted on September 22, 2014 by robertwilkie

Nice jig for making a hole in a sphere.  I have wondered myself how to make a hole in a solid wood ball I got.  This would do the trick. http://www.instructables.com/id/Sphere-Drilling-Jig/

Posted in Tools | Comments Off on Jig for making holes in spheres

A hardware IDS for your car

Posted on September 22, 2014 by robertwilkie

I got a kick out of this. basically the authors built an hardware IDS that if something odd is occurring on your car, it starts shutting things down.  Which makes me thing, gee if I want the car to behave … Continue reading →

Posted in Security | Comments Off on A hardware IDS for your car

A 10 year, maybe more old feature getting noticed

Posted on September 22, 2014 by robertwilkie

Article talks about Xerox’s “clone” feature which allows uses to clone device settings from one MFD/printer to another.  What is ironic is the article seems to indicate this is new.  But I know its at least 10 years old.  Maybe … Continue reading →

Posted in Xerox | Comments Off on A 10 year, maybe more old feature getting noticed

Convert a cheap motor deadbolt into a wireless lock

Posted on September 19, 2014 by robertwilkie

Ironically I did something similar to this with the lightblue bean (I was a kickstarter sponsor for it too).  But…differences, my security isn’t as good.  I did not replace the electronics and hog-pogged the motor controller.  Oh and I didn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Arduino, Cheap | Comments Off on Convert a cheap motor deadbolt into a wireless lock