DIYWorld

TINY COTTAGE IN THE WOODS - Full DIY Build

With so many smart devices at home, my router occasionally freezes, requiring a manual reset to get back online. Until I invest in a more powerful router, this is the solution I found: a device that automatically resets the router if the internet goes down.
![](https://m.stacker.news/123605)


Materials Needed

ESP32-C3 Super Mini
Simple relay module for Arduino (5V)
LM2596 3A buck voltage regulator
2.1mm threaded P4 power connector
Old power cable or similar alternative
Some screws salvaged from an old hard drive
Wires for connecting the components



Tools Needed: Soldering kit (iron, solder, and flux)

Breadboard
Multimeter
3D printer to print the box (if you don't have one, you can get creative and invent something)
USB-C cable




Steps
Prototype the project on a breadboard or similar.
Assemble the final device in the box. The 3D model is quite tight, so be patient. There are 3 screws: two for the voltage regulator and one for the cover, but I think they are all dispensable.
Adjust the voltage regulator to 5V. DO THIS BEFORE CONNECTING ANYTHING TO ITS OUTPUT.
Insert your Wi-Fi data into the code and upload it to the ESP32 using the Arduino IDE.

Conclusion
This regulator is fixed regardless of the input, that is, once adjusted to 5V, regardless of the power source used to power the system, the output will always be 5V.



The code is available on GitHub for any possible future updates:  https://github.com/etcho/esp32-router-watchdog/blob/main/esp32_watchdog.ino




To facilitate testing, a button is configured in the code that simulates an internet outage, so you don't need to turn off the router to test. This button is not used when assembling the final project.

Brief explanation of the code:
- Boot: starts, connects to Wi-Fi and marks the boot time.

- Initial lockout: after boot, router reset actions are blocked for 5 minutes (for the router to finish booting up).

- Periodic checks: every 5 seconds the device checks external connectivity (ping to 3 public hosts).

- Timeout/attempts per test: each attempt has a short timeout (≈1 s) and uses 1 attempt per host (configurable).

- Failure counter: if ALL 3 hosts fail a check, it increments a counter of consecutive failures.

- Trigger logic: only when the counter reaches the threshold (5 consecutive checks) and the initial 5-minute lockout has passed, the device activates the relay to reset the router for 5 seconds.

- Post-reset window: after a reset, the system waits 5 minutes before allowing another reset.

- Attempt limit: each router reset increments a counter; if 3 consecutive resets are reached without restoring the connection, the device restarts itself (reboot).

- Manual button: for testing purposes only, if the button is pressed, the device's Wi-Fi is turned off while it is pressed; when released, it attempts to reconnect and clears the counters.

- All these values ​​and times are configurable in the code.

Router reset device

![](https://m.stacker.news/122832)

A wooden bench that I designed to go on my porch.


Materials Needed

Parts:
Seat - 1 board 1000mm x 400mm
Backrest - 1 board 1000mm x 200mm
Front legs - 2 boards 70mm x 420mm
Rear legs - 2 boards 70mm x 730mm (marking 420mm from the leg, I made a diagonal cut at the top to the middle of the boards (35mm))
Front and rear reinforcement - 2 boards 1000mm x 50mm
Side reinforcement - 2 boards 260mm x 50mm
Central reinforcement - 1 board 364mm x 50mm (this measurement will depend on the thickness of the wood you are using)
Wood glue
Can be fixed with wooden dowels or with nails and/or screws.
12 metal corner brackets
24 wood screws 3.5 x 14


Tools Needed
Saw (jigsaw, circular saw, handsaw, or table saw) - You can choose to order the wood already cut, but this will be an additional cost.
Hammer.
Carpenter's clamps.
Phillips screwdriver.



Steps
Preparation
Separate all the pre-cut pieces. If using wooden dowels, drill the holes, ensuring they are well aligned.

Assembly
Begin assembly from the sides, joining the front and rear legs with the side reinforcement board using wood glue and nails, screws, or dowels.

![](https://m.stacker.news/122836)



2- Assemble the front and rear reinforcement structure by attaching it to the central reinforcement board using wood glue and nails, screws, or dowels.

![](https://m.stacker.news/122837)



3- Join one of the sides to the structure assembled in the last step and also add the backrest, using wood glue and nails or screws or dowels.

![](https://m.stacker.news/122839)



4- Make sure the backrest is angled for greater comfort.

![](https://m.stacker.news/122840)




5- Attach the other side to the bench frame using wood glue and nails, screws, or dowels.

![](https://m.stacker.news/122841)



6- Finish by fitting the seat into the bench frame and securing it with the metal corner brackets.

![](https://m.stacker.news/122843)

How to make a wooden bench

![](https://m.stacker.news/122475)


Personal project for a workbench.

I thought about making this project a little more difficult than I'm used to, in order to learn new techniques and assembly methods.


Materials Needed

Tabletop - 1 Plywood sheet 1900mm x 1000mm x 25mm
Legs - 4 beams 50mm x 70mm x 1000mm (during preparation I cut the equivalent of the tabletop thickness to reach the planned height of 1000mm)
Front and rear reinforcement - 4 beams 50mm x 70mm x 1800mm
Side reinforcement - 4 beams 50mm x 70mm x 760mm
Lower shelf - 9 pine boards 900mm x 200mm
8 Allen screws M10 x 120mm
8 Parlock nuts M10
16 washers
8 spring washers
10 metal corner brackets
40 wood screws 3.5mm x 20mm
36 steel nails or Ardox nails
Wood glue
Sandpaper (100, 120, 150, 200, 220)


Tools Needed

Hammer
Drill
Saw (circular saw, jigsaw, or handsaw)
M10 Allen wrench
10mm open-end wrench



Steps
Preparation
1-Cut the pieces to the correct measurements.

![](https://m.stacker.news/122477)



2- Drill the holes in the wood with the pieces aligned and fixed to avoid mistakes.

![](https://m.stacker.news/122478)



3- Fit and secure the workbench leg pieces using wood glue and tightening the screws that will serve as fasteners in place of the clamps.

![](https://m.stacker.news/122479)



4- Do the same thing with the top pieces. Use wood glue and tighten the screws that will serve as fasteners in place of the clamps.

![](https://m.stacker.news/122480)



5. Secure the bottom shelf boards with nails.

![](https://m.stacker.news/122481)



6- Secure the tabletop by screwing on the metal corner brackets.

![](https://m.stacker.news/122482)



Conclusion
Countertop completed.

The wood finish is up to whoever reproduces the project; I will sand it to 220 grit and finish with wood stain.

When I complete the project, I will update with photos of the result.

Wooden workbench.

In this project, I explain step-by-step how to grow microgreens at home.

Materials Needed

Seeds of one of the following plants: arugula, mustard, kale, basil, radish, lettuce, cilantro, chives
Plastic container
Seedling substrate or coconut fiber substrate


Tools Needed: 
Scissors, Knife (optional), 
Spray bottle



Steps
Drainage
1- In a plastic container, using a hot knife or scissors, make holes for water drainage (the larger the container, the more holes will be needed).

![](https://m.stacker.news/122319)



Substrate
Place a finger's width of substrate evenly throughout the container.

![](https://m.stacker.news/122320)



Sowing
Spread the seeds generously throughout the substrate.


Cover the seeds
Cover all the seeds evenly with a little substrate.

![](https://m.stacker.news/122321)



Final step

Place the container in a dark place and spray with the spray bottle once or twice a day.

![](https://m.stacker.news/122322)



Conclusion
Once the sprouts have germinated, place the container in a well-lit location and harvest the microgreens with scissors when the sprouts are approximately 6 centimeters long.

How to grow microgreens

DIY projects, fixes, and creative builds from scratch 🔧