make. break. in no particular order.

My name is Andy and I make lots of random stuff. Read more about me on the About page.

What's New, You Ask?

I've released a tiny little macOS menubar utility I use to quickly swap my SSH config files between different environments or use cases. It's called Sshwitch.

Side note: On this website, I am using the super-cool Input font for this site. If you write code and you want to use it for your code editor, grab it here: https://input.djr.com/

Latest Blog Articles

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
๐Ÿ“† Dec 30. 2025
๐Ÿ“ Computer Stuff

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

My thoughts on the CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 dock

The Shed Beast: A 12x16 Wood Frame Storage Shed
๐Ÿ“† Mar 23. 2020
๐Ÿ“ Uncategorized

The Shed Beast: A 12x16 Wood Frame Storage Shed

Designing and building a massive 192 sq ft workshop shed.

Fitness Tracker Tester (& Pokemon Incubator?)
๐Ÿ“† Oct 12. 2016
๐Ÿ“ Uncategorized

Fitness Tracker Tester (& Pokemon Incubator?)

A generic device for... testing fitness trackers. Yeah, testing.

Photo Parade!

Making Mad Props for meltmedia's Interactive Superhero Marketing Launch: The Rest of the Props
meltmedia meltHack-A-Palooza V: The Lost Pushbutton
AC Current Detection with Allegro AC756 Linear Current Sensors
Domo Wobbly Balancing Robot Thing
Tony Stark for Halloween 2010: The Arc Reactor (RT Mark II)
Objective-C/iOS/iPhone: UIColor from NSString
Foam Core Backdrop Support Frame
Rescue a Little Critter from Sticky Board Trap
DIY Cornhole Game Set
Swanky Chinese Lamp
Backyard Propane Fire Pit, Pavers and Outhouse Project
Update on Backyard DIY LP Fire Pit
Update: LED Reading Lamp Materializing
Desktop Warp Core - The Early Years
What happens when a fat guy on a golf cart parks on my iPhone?
Designing a New Man Cave and Workshop
Solenoid-Powered 6 Brass Bell
Charlieplexing MORE LEDs (20, to be exact)
Dartboard Backstop from Office Corkboard
Making Mad Props for meltmedia's Interactive Superhero Marketing Launch: The HAT
Disney Glow With The Show Ears Teardown
USB Foam Dart Launcher Assimilated (Partially)
Electronics Workbench LED Upgrade
Introducing: The Office Chairiot Mark II - Labor In Motion Again
Desktop Warp Core - The SMD LED Strip Years
Mac OS X Lion and iSCSI Using FreeNAS and globalSAN
Bourbon Bottle Chandelier - Bluetooth, Dimmable, Hand-crafted
FitBit Contest at meltmedia - No Cheat-O-Matic
PC Power Supply Repurposed for Bench/Breadboard/Tinker Use
Updated Office Chairiot Mark II Systems Schematic
Making Mad Props for meltmedia's Interactive Superhero Marketing Launch: The Rest of the Props
meltmedia meltHack-A-Palooza V: The Lost Pushbutton
AC Current Detection with Allegro AC756 Linear Current Sensors
Domo Wobbly Balancing Robot Thing
Tony Stark for Halloween 2010: The Arc Reactor (RT Mark II)
Objective-C/iOS/iPhone: UIColor from NSString
Foam Core Backdrop Support Frame
Rescue a Little Critter from Sticky Board Trap
DIY Cornhole Game Set
Swanky Chinese Lamp
Backyard Propane Fire Pit, Pavers and Outhouse Project
Update on Backyard DIY LP Fire Pit
Update: LED Reading Lamp Materializing
Desktop Warp Core - The Early Years
What happens when a fat guy on a golf cart parks on my iPhone?
Designing a New Man Cave and Workshop
Solenoid-Powered 6 Brass Bell
Charlieplexing MORE LEDs (20, to be exact)
Dartboard Backstop from Office Corkboard
Making Mad Props for meltmedia's Interactive Superhero Marketing Launch: The HAT
Disney Glow With The Show Ears Teardown
USB Foam Dart Launcher Assimilated (Partially)
Electronics Workbench LED Upgrade
Introducing: The Office Chairiot Mark II - Labor In Motion Again
Desktop Warp Core - The SMD LED Strip Years
Mac OS X Lion and iSCSI Using FreeNAS and globalSAN
Bourbon Bottle Chandelier - Bluetooth, Dimmable, Hand-crafted
FitBit Contest at meltmedia - No Cheat-O-Matic
PC Power Supply Repurposed for Bench/Breadboard/Tinker Use
Updated Office Chairiot Mark II Systems Schematic

Maker Resources

A radnom sampling of tools and resources I find useful. View all resources โ†’

Learning Platforms
FreeCodeCamp

A non-profit organization that consists of an interactive learning web platform, an online community forum, chat rooms, online publications and local organizations.

Visit Resource โ†’

Resources for STEM

Find stuff for learning Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. View STEM

STEM Stuff
Tinkercad

โ€œTinkercad is a free web app for 3D design, electronics, and coding. Weโ€™re the ideal introduction to Autodesk, a global leader in design and make technology.โ€ โ€œTinkercad is proud to be KidSAFE COPPA certified. Our lesson plans adhere to Common Core and NGSS standards for the classroom.โ€œ โ€”Tinkercad Home page

Visit Resource โ†’
STEM Stuff
NASA

โ€œNASA explores the unknown in air and space, innovates for the benefit of humanity, and inspires the world through discovery. For more than 65 years, NASA has made the seemingly impossible, possible. At its 20 centers and facilities across the country and with U.S. commercial companies and international partners, NASA leads studying Earth science, including climate, our Sun, solar system, and the larger universe. We conduct cutting-edge research to advance technology and aeronautics. We operate the worldโ€™s leading space laboratory, the International Space Station, and will establish a sustainable and strong exploration presence on the Moon this decade through the Artemis campaign.โ€ โ€”NASA About page

Visit Resource โ†’

Resources for STEM & Women/Girls in Tech

Technology is super cool and it shouldn't care who makes it that way. Women/Girls in Tech.

Women & Girls in Tech
Bridging the Gender Divide: Guide to Overcoming Broadband Access to be a Woman Leader in STEM

I was sent a link to this article on Reviews.com. It has some great content on the subject of girls in STEM, which you can jump to by clicking this link to the article. Down in the article is a pretty hefty list of links to things like scholarships, projects that encourage young girls to get into STEM, in-college programs that promote women in tech, and even a list of degrees in STEM. Check it out!

Visit Resource โ†’
Women & Girls in Tech
A Guide for Women in STEM: Closing the Gender Gap

(From the article intro) โ€œWomen are represented far less in technical occupations than men. According to the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT), only 26% of computer and mathematical occupations are held by women.โ€ Look at this article to find out more and to find resources for women in STEM, including scholarships and womenโ€™s universities with STEM degrees.

Visit Resource โ†’
Women & Girls in Tech
Encouraging Girls in Math and Science โ€“ What Works

A guide to provide teachers with specific recommendations for encouraging girls in math and science that can be carried out in the classroom without requiring systemic change. Other school personnel having direct contact with students, such as coaches, counselors, and principals, will also find the guide useful.

Visit Resource โ†’