Articles
New maker tech articles, project write-ups, and practical analysis.
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First Functional Bracket in CadQuery
Parametric M5 extrusion mount with AI-assisted parameter naming.
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Pi-Based Print File NAS for a Small Workshop
Samba shares, permissions, and backup so G-code never lives only on a laptop.
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Filament Dry Box Monitor with ESP32
Humidity logging, alerts, and desiccant change reminders.
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Meshtastic vs MQTT for a Small Home Lab
When mesh radios help — and when plain Wi‑Fi MQTT is simpler.
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ESP32-CAM Timelapse Rig for Print Monitoring
Power, lens focus, and storage tips for overnight capture.
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Using AI to Review a printer.cfg Diff (Safely)
Prompt patterns that force the model to cite risks instead of inventing pins.
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Klipper Macros You Actually Use Every Print
Start/end gcode, filament change, and fail-safe shutdown macros.
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Safe OTA Updates on ESP32 (Without Bricking the Lab)
Partition schemes, rollback, and staged fleet updates for a handful of boards.
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Build a Local Prompt Library for Maker Tasks
Version prompts for CAD, firmware, and troubleshooting without losing the good ones.
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When a Pi Zero 2 W Beats a Pi 5
Cost, power, and camera/GPIO tradeoffs for maker deployments.
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PETG vs PLA for Functional Parts (Decision Guide)
Temperature, toughness, and when PLA is still the right call.
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PlatformIO vs Arduino IDE for ESP32 in 2026
When PlatformIO pays off: envs, libraries, and CI-friendly firmware.
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ESP32 Power Budget for Battery Projects (Measured Protocol)
Measured content: this is a protocol for numbers you take with a meter. Do not invent µA figures from marketing slides. Hardware under test (declare yours) ItemExample BoardESP32-WROOM DevKit vs bare module (…
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Newsletter & Free ESP32 Kit — How to Get Project Drops
Join the list, download the free 5-project ESP32 kit, and see what’s coming next on the maker calendar.
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3D Printing Business Basics — From Hobby to Side Hustle
This is the spine of the side-hustle maker track. Pair with 3D Printing Mastery books when you want depth on production habits. Cost model (minimum columns) LineHow to estimate Filament / resingrams used × co…
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Legacy Tech Archive: Best Old Windows Security Tips (Still Useful in 2026)
What still holds from the classic averyjparker.com security posts — least privilege, backups, and skepticism — with modern notes.