CraveDIY

Shotgun a Problematic Filter Pitcher

nospam@example.com (Ryan O'Horo) — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 23:53:00 -0700

I own one of the great miracles of the modern age -- a filter pitcher. While this has made my life much more enjoyable, there's a flaw inherent in the design of the pitcher I have.

The problem is the filter insert seals the top of the pitcher, except for the spout. This is fine, until you try to pour at full tilt. When water leaves the pitcher through the spout, a vacuum is formed inside and air is sucked back in. Pouring is slow and uneven when this happens.

Demonstration

We can fix this by adding a vent. A small hole drilled into the back of the pitcher allows air to enter and the pitcher to empty faster.

Brita Slim Filter Pitcher

Fix what's broken.

Update: I've received many comments about the orientation of the insert. When in the "proper" orientation, the insert wants to come off with the cover when opened and then blocks part of the spout. I use the tab now to hold the insert in.

Keyless Entry Reprise

nospam@example.com (Ryan O'Horo) — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 19:53:23 -0700

I showed you how to install a keyless entry system for a buzz-in style door lock in a previous post Keyless Entry and you can find more details in Make Magazine Volume 15. This time I'm gonna take you quickly through a different style of door buzzer. I'm going to use the same HD2Combo 2-channel RF relay kit.

Elvox 6320, Made in Italy

This style of buzzer has remote video and a handset for sound, so the "buzz-in button" isn't directly connected to the door lock. The only external attachment is a header cable to board which connects the video, audio and door buzzer signals in series to other apartments.

Guts

Finding the door lock wires was a bit challenging. The model numbers listed on the parts led to some very vague schematics which suggested the door lock circuit would be a 12V supply which switched to ground to open the lock. This means the button was an NO or Normally Open style, so we'll see next we connect the ground and the 12V door open signal to the NO terminals on the wireless relay board. If you have trouble finding schematics, use a multimeter to find likely candidates and carefully play the guessing game by jumpering the terminals until the door opens. Make sure any circuit you close is between 5V and 24V DC to prevent a nasty surprise.

I used the multimeter to find a 12V signal and determined the yellow wire was the bingo, and obviously enough, the black wire was ground.

Wireless Relay Board

The relay board goes into the closet behind the door buzzer housing and is connected to the buzzer by fishing the wires through a small hole drilled in the back of the wall.

Finished Look

Video on Flickr

Happy Buzzing!

Use an Old Credit Card to Open Plastic Cases

nospam@example.com (Ryan O'Horo) — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 11:55:17 -0700

Usually the small tools we have to open things are metal. These will quickly mar and scratch our warranty-voided electronics.

Cut an old credit, rewards or benefits card in half at a 45 degree angle for a great tinkering tool.

Simple gzip Support for Apache with mod_rewrite

nospam@example.com (Ryan O'Horo) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 10:04:39 -0800

I'm working on a snappy new web application which imports several javascript and css files which could benefit from gzip compression to the browser. Compression, of course, will help improve bandwidth usage and load times.

The first thing to know is you can't assume a client browser will accept gzipped content. We need to check the request headers for something like this:

Accept-Encoding: gzip,deflate

Each of the options below does this in some way or another.

One option is to use mod_deflate. This causes CPU overhead, and is not supported by many shared webhosts because of it. So we can't distribute an application assuming we can use mod_deflate. Deflate compresses files as they are requested.

To use mod_deflate, you'd add something like this to your config or htaccess:



<IfModule mod_deflate.c>

    AddOutputFilter DEFLATE js css

</IfModule>

A second option is to use MutliViews in mod_negotiation. MultiViews allows Apache to choose a file based on the browser's request headers and is designed to specifically support different encoding and languages which a client browser claims to support. This method allows to you pre-compress your files and avoid the overhead associated with on-the-fly compression.

To use mod_negotiation to handle gzip, you'd add something like this to config or htaccess:

Options +MultiViews

AddEncoding x-gzip .gz

You'd create two versions of each file:

myscript.js.en

myscript.js.gz

Then, in your application, you'd link to non-existent file:



<script type="text/javascript" src="myscript.js"></script>

But, as you can tell, if MultiViews isn't enabled for some reason, the application will request the file "myscript.js" and since the file doesn't exist (and cannot exist, or else MultiViews won't try and find the correct file), we get a 404 and the application breaks. If you're distributing your application across multiple server types and configurations, your application will just plain break. This also won't work if a browser doesn't support the English language (should be very rare).

The third and most appealing option is to use mod_rewrite and combine the best of the first two methods, pre-compression and conditional file responses.

To use mod_rewrite to handle gzip, you'd add something like this to config or htaccess:



<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>

    RewriteEngine On

    RewriteCond %{HTTP:Accept-Encoding} gzip

    RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME}.gz -f

    RewriteRule (.*\.(js|css))$ $1.gz [L]

</IfModule>



AddEncoding x-gzip .gz



<FilesMatch .*\.css.gz>

    ForceType text/css

</FilesMatch>



<FilesMatch .*\.js.gz>

    ForceType application/x-javascript

</FilesMatch>

The mod_rewrite configuration checks the client headers for gzip support then checks to see that the .gz version of the file exists before rewriting the request for the .gz version. AddEncoding ensures the gzip content encoding header is sent to the browser. The ForceType directives make sure the proper content type is sent to the browser for the .gz extensions.

Then you'd create two versions of each file (you don't have to do this for all files, just the most compressible):

myscript.js

myscript.js.gz

Then, in your application, you'd link to file:



<script type="text/javascript" src="myscript.js"></script>

Now your application is both fast and portable.

Additionally, if you wanted to make sure compression was available even if you hadn't supplied a pre-compressed version of the file, add the mod_deflate support from the first method:



<IfModule mod_deflate.c>

    AddOutputFilter DEFLATE js css

</IfModule>

Rblspy - Irssi Script for DNSRBL IRC Abuse Management

nospam@example.com (Ryan O'Horo) — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 15:20:04 -0800

rblspy is an irssi script that checks a list of DNSRBLs for hosts that join a channel. If that host matches, the match can be announced to the channel, reported to the client or automatically banned with a short knockout (to prevent filling the banlist). This script is designed to assist in managing abuse from anonymous proxies.

Supports:

Channel announcements
Automatic bans
Encoded IP usernames from web clients

Check it out on Google Code:
http://code.google.com/p/rblspy/

Hot Touch Arcade

nospam@example.com (Ryan O'Horo) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 07:14:59 -0700

A few years in the making, an on-again-off-again affair, I present "Hot Touch Arcade."

A pinball-centric game cabinet with arcade controls and realistic feedback. The machine currently runs Windows XP and the Future Pinball pinball emulator.

Photos on Flickr

Major Features:

Custom Plywood Cabinet

19" LCD 16:9 Display

Speakers with Amplifier

Backglass with LED Backlight

Wrapped Cabinet Graphics

LED Marquee Display

Shooter

Coin Acceptor

Lighted Start Button

Joystick and A/B Controls

Flipper Buttons with Solenoid Feedback

Accelerometer

Nvidia Graphics Card

Intel Atom Motherboard

Solid State Disk

To answer some questions:

No, it is not a touch screen.

There are a few dozen tables installed that you can play, many more available.

It has solenoid feedback and working shooter for a more realistic experience.

It is entirely built from scratch.

QWERTY File Transfer

nospam@example.com (Ryan O'Horo) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:27:00 -0700

The Gist

     Having been in many situations where the Windows environment I was working in was secured from external file transfer, I've devised a few methods for transferring binary files without the need of physical drives or network connections. Such environments are found in kiosks, POS terminals, Citrix/RDP/VNC/etc. remote terminals and other "thin" clients.

     I'm gonna show you some methods of exploiting functionality not often thought of as useful for attackers in hardened environments using plain text encoding.

Tip: If the target environment has a working unzip/decompress application like that built into Windows XP/Vista, compress the binary before encoding it.

Outlook Express/Windows Mail

     E-mail applications use MIME to attach non-text files to messages. This feature can be used locally to encode files into a plain text format (usually base64). Here's how to transfer a binary file with the keyboard:

1. In the source environment, compose a new e-mail message.
2. Change the message format to Plain Text, this will reduce clutter in the file.
3. Attach the binary file you want to transfer.
4. In the File menu, choose "Save As...". Save the file as the Mail (*.eml) type.
5. Open the saved .eml file in Notepad to view the contents.
6. Open Notepad in the target environment and copy the contents of the saved .eml file.
7. Save the file with a .eml extension.
8. Open the .eml file with OE/WM.
9. Right-click the attachment and choose "Save As...".

Caveat: OE/WM restricts access to executable files from attachments by default. Adjust the security settings or rename your file if necessary.

Windows Scripting Host

The Windows Scripting Host gives access to components which are capable of taking plain text encoded data and saving it as a binary file.

For example, this pair of scripts will hex-encode a binary file to a plain text file and back:

encodefile.vbs
decodefile.vbs

Programmatic Keyboarding

Some remote terminal environments like RDP support copy and paste operations, but most won't -- namely Citrix MetaFrame (or whatever they call it these days). A great way to manipulate this keyboard/mouse only interactivity is to run a WSH script in the host environment. The following script reads a file and types it into the target environment:

sendkeys.vbs

Tip: Useful binary files small enough to be typed into an environment are hard to come by. Compile your own.

Hardware Acceleration

     You may not be able to attach a USB Mass Storage Device, but it's highly likely your target will allow you to attach USB HID (Human Interface Device) or PS/2 keyboard. Both use a standard Windows driver and would not require elevated privileges to install.

     It's simple to create hardware devices that emulate HID or PS/2 devices. Encoded files can be loaded onto a microcontroller and "typed" for you.

     Schematics and source code for such a device may show up here eventually.

Input Methods

     Notepad missing? Windows has some other options like wordpad/write.exe, edit.com, web browsers.

     Web browser? Use some javascript to write a file to the current document, then use the browser's "Save As..." function to save the file to disk. The following javascript, when pasted into the address bar, will draw a textarea where you can enter text. Click the "Pop" button to open a new window with the text. Save this document.

javascript:document.write("<textarea rows=10 cols=50 id=thetext>Text <Here></textarea><input type=button onclick=doit()><script>function doit() { var win = window.open('','win'); var tmp = document.getElementById(\"thetext\").value; win.document.write(tmp);}</script>");

In some cases you may need to encode certain HTML entities to prevent the browser from parsing them. Also be cautious of how the browser saves the file. The browser might attempt to change CR/LF to whitespace or save the file as Unicode which can create parsing problems.

Thoughts

It seems a requisite for a secure environment is a read-only filesystem.

Home Depot Pneumatic Cannons

nospam@example.com (Ryan O'Horo) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:25:00 -0700

I had to make a few pneumatic cannons for Make:NYC and in a pinch I sourced all the parts from Home Depot. Of course your local Home Depot stock will vary, but these are simple and easy to assemble.

Be sure to properly clean, prep and glue all PVC joints. Let cure 24 hours before use. Use Teflon tape on all threaded joints!

Cap "Basket"

nospam@example.com (Ryan O'Horo) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:13:03 -0700

In Jai-alai, the stick used to hurl the ball at nearly 200MPH is called a basket. In cap tossing, I'm not quite sure what to call it. In a game where throwing bottle caps with the hand is the objective, a new tool emerges.

The cap basket.

Made from plywood and polycarbonate, cut with a bandsaw.

Fear!

Mastering Pipe mechanics and Assembly

nospam@example.com (Ryan O'Horo) — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 14:40:17 -0800

My seminar for Make:NYC, Mastering Pipe Mechanics and Assembly

Q&A

Ten DIY Tools You Should Have But Probably Don't

nospam@example.com (Ryan O'Horo) — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 23:19:00 -0800

Ever get that feeling like something's missing? There's a whole host of great tools waiting to be discovered -- some obvious, some not so obvious. Here you may just find the tool you've been searching for.

Get it for: $15	Precision Knife Set The first name in these tools is X-ACTO^TM, but whatever you call them, these knife sets are invaluable. While a ubiquitous craft item, any kind of control cutting paper, foam, cardboard or tape demands this kind of tool. I've even found them to be effective at trimming plastic. I challenge anyone to buy a set and not find a use for them.
Get it for: $10	Combination Square Another tool known more commonly by its brand name, Speed^TM square, this tool is always on my desk. I use it mostly for creating right-angle marks for cuts on wood, plastic, metal... any material that comes cut square, but the combination square is also a great way to create angle cuts. A square will come pre-marked for creating cut lines at a five degree resolution or better, taking all the hassle out of measuring miter cuts.
Get it for: $5	Graph Paper The key to any successful project is PLAN PLAN PLAN. And really nothing beats a mechanical pencil and some graph paper for this purpose. As you stream ideas from your head, graph paper is there to keep your sketches in proportion and square. Graph paper is also great for scaling models. Convert your real world units into the 1/4" spacing of your grid and you can easily draw and cut out model-sized paper pieces you can toss around and tape together before busting out your circular saw. Just keep a pad around and watch your projects happen faster and more frequently.
Get it for: $2	Nail Clippers A modest and unassuming tool, nail clippers are a hidden treasure. These are perfectly suited for cutting small diameter wire and trimming leads while assembling parts on a PCB. The blades allow you to cut down flush with your work surface for a more polished look.
Get it for: $10	Hot Glue Gun If you've ever spent the better part of an hour waiting for glue to dry, only to find whatever it is you were joining just falls apart, maybe it's finally time to invest in a hot glue gun. Hot glue guns use heat to melt thermoplastic glue sticks that re-harden in a sticky clump. The glue can be softened again with heat or easily removed with a bit of pulling and scraping. This tool was designed for use in craft, but works wonders for securing plastic parts and electronics. I use it for mounting PCBs and other components in project boxes. Temporary or permanent, the speed and versatility of this tool can't be beat.
Get it for: $3	Paint Brush Obviously anyone who works with canned paint will have a few of these, but why mention it here? Paint brushes are great way to keep your workspace, tools and project pieces clean. I have brushes I set aside specifically for clearing away sawdust, plastic shavings or any other nuisance that can get into small crevices. More economical and less messy than canned air, brush bristles are sturdy and small which are great for DIY cleanup.
Get it for: $10	Blind Rivet Tool Most people are familiar with the old solid rivet process where hot metal rivets are driven into girders in the construction of steel buildings. The same principle scales down to the DIY field with the blind rivet tool. Using special blind rivets, this tool allows you to securely and cleanly join thin sheet materials. Used primarily for sheet metal construction, these little rivets are great for any small metal or plastic/metal project. Though it may seem odd and obscure, once you use one, the applications become obvious. Why do they call it blind? You don't need to have access to, or see, the business-end of the rivet to secure it.
Get it for: $3	Ear Protection Safety should always be a consideration when working with tools and chemicals. But do you think about your ears often enough? The ear plugs pictured are reusable, comfortable and have a rope so you can hang them off your neck while working, but any foam or over-the-head style ear protection is fine. When you're 60 and can still hear your loved ones or a passing car, you'll thank yourself.
Get it for: $2	Rubbing Alcohol Again with the cleaning! Rubbing alcohol, a solution of isopropyl alcohol, is a great cleaning agent. It's very gentle and effective. Works on plastics, glass, metals and will clean the oddest sticky gunk you can find. You probably already have a can of WD40 to clean with, but rubbing alcohol is far less noxious and dries clean in a matter of seconds. The solution comes in concentrations of 70, 80 and 90% from the drug store. Which should you use? It really doesn't seem to matter, but I like to keep 90% on the shelf, as it burns better when I need a good flame. Avoid using this on plastic LCD screens.
Get it for: $14	Caliper The caliper has grown with the times from a simple compass to a sophisticated and precise measurement tool. The vernier style caliper is the type that allows one to use a sliding scale to get a readout of the current distance between the tool points. Two modern variants commonly used are the analog dial caliper and the digital caliper. My choice is the digital caliper. These measuring devices are great for inputting distances for CAD drawings, accurate measuring of small parts and turning measurements back into real-word distances. What does 12mm look like? Set your caliper to 12mm and there it is. You can buy these tools in lengths from 6" to more than 24". This is probably the tool I use most.

New Name, Same Great Taste!

nospam@example.com (Ryan O'Horo) — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 19:48:39 -0800

Aydiosmio.net is now Crave DIY. Bookmark the new site, www.cravediy.com.

Make A Pie Box -- FAST

nospam@example.com (Ryan O'Horo) — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 11:18:27 -0800

Over the holidays I baked some quiches for family. I soon realized that pie pans are very hard to store, being very wide and flat, you can't stack them in the fridge. So, to save space and create a vessel to transport quiches to remote operating locales, I whipped up a container for them from a box I received from Amazon.

Here's a Cut/Fold diagram to help you make your own.

Of course, if you aren't the cardboard type -- or just like origami, you can print out the diagram and fold your own miniature version.

Yes -- It's just a box. I'm working very hard on more elaborate projects, so keep checking in.

Buy A MIG Welder, It Will Change Your Life

nospam@example.com (Ryan O'Horo) — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 21:15:30 -0800

More About Mega Bloks

nospam@example.com (Ryan O'Horo) — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 11:22:33 -0800

Twelve bags of Mega Bloks Maxi System, 80 count. Pieces separated, totaled and analyzed for a project.