Monthly Archives: April 2017

Interesting how opensource is fueling robot development

Posted on April 12, 2017 by robertwilkie

Interesting article that goes on to say how opensource is sparking the sudden growth in robotics.  Partly cause they have become cheaper, but also cause the designs are “open” for others to reuse.  And indirectly have created standards for interfacing … Continue reading →

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This makes the right to repair argument look like kids play

Posted on April 12, 2017 by robertwilkie

I read this article and thought to myself.  Gee if Lexmark wins this, basically everything I buy could be “classified” as that I don’t own it and I can’t “sell” it when I am done with it.  So heck with … Continue reading →

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Another neat build, vertical axis wind turbin

Posted on April 11, 2017 by robertwilkie

Nice build, only one thing I would do a bit different…OK a few things.  One, give it a coat of paint.  Two, put a nose cone over the motor to help shelter it. http://www.newphysicist.com/make-vertical-axis-wind-turbine/

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Algo VPN Opensource project

Posted on April 11, 2017 by robertwilkie

I stumbled on this one looking at StrongSWAN.  Its a VPN package you can install on a cloud server or a home computer to provide a VPN service for yourself.  It does not use TOR or OpenVPN so you are … Continue reading →

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10 best anime series on netflix

Posted on April 11, 2017 by robertwilkie

Several I have heard of .  A few are on my list to watch someday like  Death Note, Naruto, Bleach Hunter X Hunter looks interesting…Fate/Zero too.

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An even easier to use planing sled

Posted on April 11, 2017 by robertwilkie

OK this is on the list over the other ones.  The author basically put the thing together so that the router just fits between 2 boards, and you can zip along with that and just “mount” the ends on the … Continue reading →

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Interesting potato gun with a piston valve

Posted on April 11, 2017 by robertwilkie

Good to know that when making one of these you should look for PVC pipe with the label of NSF-PW for pressure pipe.  This looks pretty neat build. Build Your Own High Power Air Cannon Out Of PVC

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Neat windmill to teach kids, BUT using a grinder?

Posted on April 10, 2017 by robertwilkie

OK this was a cool project, but the author uses a hand grinder to cut everything.  To me thats crazy (jigsaw, handsaw, etc etc).  But it works for him. http://www.newphysicist.com/make-small-wind-turbine/

Posted in Cheap, Teaching and Learning, Wind | 1 Comment

One fancy portable workbench

Posted on April 10, 2017 by robertwilkie

All I can say is wow on this one.  Its a nice looking portable workbench.  Me…I won’t build it (way too much work) and I can modify some cheaper solutions to make do. https://www.instructables.com/id/Folding-Portable-Workbench-With-Quick-Release-Vise/

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Can’t find a Pi Zero, try the pilocator

Posted on April 10, 2017 by robertwilkie

Someone created a website to show you which places had stock in RPi Zeros (including the new one).  It has been difficult to find the RPi Zero (I had to get mine from Canada, !@#$ duty cost more than anything … Continue reading →

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