Guides
Step-by-step maker guides — workflows, tools, and how-tos you can finish in a weekend.
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Tool Review: PlatformIO vs Arduino IDE for ESP32 — Reproducible Comparison
Citation magnet pack: platformio-vs-arduino-magnet.zip — same blink sketch, both toolchains, RESULTS.md for versions and timings. Review standard. Arduino IDE wins the first hour. PlatformIO wins the project that outli…
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Tool Review: OrcaSlicer for Functional Prints — Reproducible Comparison Protocol
Citation value comes from a reproducible protocol: same STL, same spool, three slicers, calipers after cool-down. Citation magnet pack: orca-slicer-comparison-magnet.zip — OpenSCAD test bracket, RESULTS.md, prof…
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Tool Review: Mosquitto as a Workshop MQTT Broker (Measured Lab Notes)
Review standard: see /review-standard. This page states a measurement protocol you should re-run on your Pi — do not invent latency numbers without a stopwatch/log. Versions & hardware under test ItemValue …
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Tool Review: Digital Calipers — Measured Habit Over Guesswork
Review standard: /review-standard. Calipers are the instrument that makes AI CAD honest. Versions & hardware ItemNotes InstrumentDigital calipers, 0.01 mm resolution class (±0.02 mm typical chea…
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Raspberry Pi 5 as a 3D Printer Controller — Setup Guide (Ops-Focused)
Pi is the host: Klipper host + UI or OctoPrint. MCUs still run real-time stepper work — wire and power accordingly. Pair with OrcaSlicer review and the print farm AI stack (AI for notes only — never auto-flash u…
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Using AI to Generate 3D Models and Code for Makers
Where ChatGPT/Claude/local models shine for CAD scripts and firmware — and where they invent fasteners that don’t exist.
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AI-Powered Design Workflow: Idea to 3D Print (Without Inventing Holes)
AI accelerates drafting. Calipers and a named slicer profile decide whether the part fits. Tool stacks: CAD AI stack · Maker Prompt Pack · calipers. Workflow stages StageHuman jobAI job 1. MeasureCali…
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Troubleshooting Common 3D Printing Issues with AI Assistance
How to use photos + slicer settings with an LLM without accepting “just increase temperature” as a religion.
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Local AI on Raspberry Pi for Offline Maker Tools (Practical Limits)
Offline assist is for privacy and lab continuity — not for matching cloud frontier models on a $35 board. Stack map: see also the directory pages for local/offline AI and Ollama. What “works” vs what “wow” is …
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Maker Guide: Choosing Between Pi, ESP32, or Arduino for Your Project
A decision tree for real projects: power, realtime needs, networking, cost, and how many times you’ll reflash at midnight.
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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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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.