Author: Nick Momrik

I'm searching for my first hole-in-one. I enjoy being active and making things. I work for Automattic.

Beginner Lock Picking

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I’ve always wanted to learn how to pick locks. I’m not sure why I never bought a lock pick set though. Seven years ago I did learn how to get out of handcuffs while riding a San Francisco subway.

Then AdaBox007 came with a starter set of lock picks and a clear training lock. After reading and watching some videos, I learned that the set was missing some important picks, so I ordered the SouthOrd PXS-14 – Beginners Lock Pick Set (reviewed by bosnianbill of Lock-Lab). Each night I’ve practiced while watching TV. I can’t believe how easy it is to open up some locks, so I had to make a video.

If you’re interested in learning, grab a beginner set of picks (don’t go too cheap) and read Lock Picking: Detail Overkill (free PDF download). Then watch some videos on YouTube (bosnianbill has a playlist for beginners). I’ll publish a future post when I acquire more skills.

Air Tool Organization

Nick Momrik2 Comments

I’d been thinking about getting a better cordless brad nailer because the old Craftsman one I have is useless. I discovered Craftsman makes a much better one in the C3 line, but it runs about $130. I kept looking around and found Home Depot selling a Porter-Cable combo kit with:

  • 6 Gallon 150 PSI Air Compressor

  • 16-Gauge Nailer

  • 18-Gauge Nailer

  • 3/8″ Stapler

  • 25′ Hose

It was down to $200 from $279! I bought it the next morning. I also stopped by Harbor Freight for their air tool accessory kit (gotta have a blow gun!) and a second 25′ hose.

I didn’t want the compressor in the shop because it’s very loud when it runs. So I cut a hole through the wall, put in an electrical box, and added a face plate so it doesn’t look too much like a hack job. If I ever move it I can swap out the place for a blank one.

compressor-through-wall

Where it comes through on the other side is under my staircase, which is fairly central in the shop. Figured that would be a good place to store the tools.

air-tool-storage.jpg

I didn’t want to have to go to the other room to turn the compressor on/off. So I removed an old outlet that was on this wall, added a 2-gang electrical box, put in a new outlet, and wired a switch to control the bottom plug (top plug stays hot). Now I can always leave the compressor’s power switch turned on.

HackerBox #0029: Field Kit

Nick Momrik4 Comments

I did an unboxing and a little demo with the latest HackerBox.

Here is the official list of contents from the Instructable:

  • HackerBoxes #0029 Collectable Reference Card
  • Exclusive HackerBoxes Zipper Case
  • Portable 5V Soldering Iron
  • ProMicro ATmega32U4 5V 16MHz
  • OLED 0.91 Inch Display 128×32 I2C
  • Four Key Pushbutton Module
  • Six LED Debug Module
  • AT24C256 I2C EEPROM Module
  • 400 Point Solderless Breadboard
  • Jumper Wire Bundle
  • Set of Mini Grabber Clips
  • Solder Wick 2mm by 1.5m
  • MicroUSB Cable
  • MiniUSB Cable
  • Precision Driver Set
  • Exclusive Phone Phreak Decal Exclusive
  • Exclusive 8bit Dragon Keychain

I really like the idea behind this box. I’ve already rolled up more solder to keep in my kit and will have to think about what else to put in there. Maybe some potentiometers. It’s nice getting a microcontroller I don’t have yet.

I started a GitHub repo with some example code using all of the modules.

I had pretty much decided I was going to cancel my subscription so #0030 would be my last box. I think I mentioned recently about cancelling my AdaBox subscription, that I have accumulated a pretty decent collection of microcontrollers and other components. I spend a lot of time catching up on all of these boxes when I could be using that time to build projects from my own list of ideas, which is quite large. After getting #0029 though I think I’ll stick it out for longer and see how it goes.

Update: I made some customizations to my kit.

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