Monthly Archives: December 2015

Convert sissor jack into vice clamp

Posted on December 14, 2015 by robertwilkie

I have seen this before, but this is the first write-up that is pretty decent for it.  A good vice clamp can run a $100 easy, so making one can be desirable. http://www.instructables.com/id/Vice-Clamp-From-Reclaimed-Car-Jack/

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Pallet Christmas tree (or any scrap wood)

Posted on December 14, 2015 by robertwilkie

Simple build, could be a bit time consuming making all those holes thought.  And I would paint it green too. http://www.hometalk.com/2692742/recycled-pallet-christmas-tree-and-something-really-cool

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Cool 3D printed swamp boat

Posted on December 10, 2015 by robertwilkie

Nice 3D printed (with parts from hobbyking) boat.  My 2 cents…you could by one cheaper. http://www.instructables.com/id/3D-printed-Swamp-boat/

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Make an Emergency Duct Tape Keychain

Posted on December 10, 2015 by robertwilkie

I saw something like this on thingiverse for 3D printing, but this looks nicer.  Its a clevis pin with a washer to hold the duct tape.  Figure about $2-3 dollars total in cost.  Depending if you have washers and keyrings … Continue reading →

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Nice intro to the TB66 for motor control

Posted on December 10, 2015 by robertwilkie

Nice write-up on using the TB66, and h-bridge chip/board, for controlling a DC-motor.  I used to make my own h-bridges out of scrapes, but this looks like a good and easier alternative.  They run about $5 on ebay. http://www.instructables.com/id/MOTORS-BASICS-Finally-HOW-TO-USE-AN-H-BRIDGE/

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Build a simple electric car with bottles, battery, and a motor

Posted on December 8, 2015 by robertwilkie

I am already keeping tabs on simple projects to do with kids.  This looks like a nice simple (and cheap)one. http://www.instructables.com/id/Electric-Bottle-Car/

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Xerox Sells off Wilsonville Campus

Posted on December 8, 2015 by robertwilkie

Xerox still in the process of getting out of owning buildings, sold off its wilsonville campus 206,000 sq ft facility, to a local property management group.  It is leasing back 1/3 of the space that they still use.  But sounds … Continue reading →

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Another CDROM CNC plotter

Posted on December 8, 2015 by robertwilkie

OK I know, there have been lots of these builds, and you can even “buy” one for $100ish these days.  But this is one of the cleanest looking builds of a CDROM CNC I have seen yet. http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Mini-CNC-Plotter-Machine-from-dvd-drives/

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Building your own Cyr Wheel

Posted on December 8, 2015 by robertwilkie

Yeah I didn’t know what the heck a Cyr Wheel was either til I looked it up.  Anyways this is a nice build, and alot cheaper than the $500 it would have cost to buy one (author spent $50). http://hackaday.com/2015/12/07/a-structural-pvc-cyr-wheel/

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Nice looking bed with hidden closet

Posted on December 8, 2015 by robertwilkie

The author says the build cost him around $250 to make.  Which seems cheap to me but maybe he got a discount on the cedar.  I like the build but I didn’t see much on how the mattress sits on … Continue reading →

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