Screwdriver

Lighted Shelf

Since my wife’s perfume collection was literally taking up the bathroom, I built a lighted shelf in the bedroom to accommodate the many bottles she has. It also gives off a very nice glow at night.

In early 2011 my robot club, the Dallas Personal Robotics Group, was looking for a way to help our beginning members build up their skills. To this end, we produced a series of lessons covering 5 topics needed to make a simple, programmable robot: making PCBs with the toner transfer method, programming ATtiny microprocessors, laying […]

Inkle Loom

Weaving is one of my favorite crafts because it’s meditative and challenging, practical and artistic. It combines plain-woven cloth’s simple elegance with the astounding complexity of a kilim split-stitch tapestry. I love the way woven straps look, but the idea of warping my floor loom just to make something as narrow as a strap for […]

MindWave Cat Ears

NOTE: This project is under construction! It’s very, very rough right now. This project will require a 3D printer such as a MakerBot. You can also use a service such as Shapeways to have the files printed for you. You’ll be assembling a mechanical set of ears based on servo motors, programming an arduino and […]

DIY Dog Collar

I began working with leather seven years ago when I stumbled across it during the hunt for the perfect collar for my dog, Paco. Since I’ve never taken a class, most of the following techniques are either self-taught or passed on to me by old-time leather workers. When working with leather, remember that it falls […]

Hacking R/C Power Outlets

Switching plug-in appliances from your computer or microcontroller isn’t difficult in theory, but doing it without turning your home into a potential deathtrap can be tricky. The safer way is to rely on remote control rather than wiring directly.