Jeff Butts

Kansas City, Overland Park

Freelance Writer at Freelance

Senior Editor at groovyPost

Senior Editor at https://t.co/YZUvgmriKy

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Articles

5 fun gift ideas you can create with a UV printer

1 week ago | xda-developers.com | Jeff Butts

UV printing offers endless possibilities for customized gifts on various surfaces. Personalized keychains, drinkware, phone grips, puzzles, and home décor blocks are creative UV printing projects. UV printing adds vibrant colors, durability, and polished finishes to unique gifts suitable for any occasion. UV printing opens up a world of creative possibilities, especially regarding gift-giving.
5 easy ways to prep surfaces for UV printing

1 week ago | xda-developers.com | Jeff Butts

Proper prep is key: Clean surfaces thoroughly to ensure adhesion Use adhesion promoters on resistant materials to ensure bonding Manage static and scuff surfaces for consistent, high-quality prints UV printing delivers bold colors and crisp details on just about any material, but only if the surface is prepared correctly. No matter how good your design is, skipping prep steps can lead to smudging, poor adhesion, or designs that peel or flake off too soon.
5 safety rules every home laser engraving setup needs

1 week ago | xda-developers.com | Jeff Butts

Use proper ventilation to avoid harmful fumes Protect your eyes with safety glasses Practice fire safety and keep workspace organized Working with a laser engraver at home can be a fun and rewarding hobby, but it also comes with real risks if you’re not careful. These machines concentrate focused beams of light hot enough to burn through wood, acrylic, leather, and more, so creating a safe environment is essential.
5 single-purpose containers that run better on a Raspberry Pi than on a full server

1 week ago | xda-developers.com | Jeff Butts

Raspberry Pi is ideal for running small Docker containers due to performance and efficiency. Utilize containers like Pi-hole, Uptime Kuma, Unbound, Tailscale, and Whoogle for privacy and ease. Running single-purpose containers on Pi saves power, offers portability, and ensures efficient operation. The Raspberry Pi might not seem like a powerhouse, but that’s precisely what makes it perfect for running small, single-purpose Docker containers.
Stop wasting your Raspberry Pi: 5 pro projects you should try next

2 weeks ago | xda-developers.com | Jeff Butts

Raspberry Pi 5 The Raspberry Pi is back, and the fifth iteration of the SBC is a lot more capable than the older models. From a new quad-core Arm Cortex-A76 CPU, support for dual monitor setups at 4K 60Hz, and a dedicated power button, there's a lot to love about this palm-sized computer.
These 7 3D-printed mounting solutions will make your desk so much tidier

2 weeks ago | xda-developers.com | Jeff Butts

3D printing creates small, customizable solutions for organizing workspaces. Designs like headphone hangers and monitor arm clips enhance functionality. 3D printed solutions declutter and improve accessibility, making workspaces more enjoyable. If your desk is buried under a mess of cables, gear, and gadgets, 3D printing might be the solution you didn’t know you needed.
5 reasons UV printing might be a better hobby than laser engraving for you

2 weeks ago | xda-developers.com | Jeff Butts

Full-color output with minimal fuss: UV printing produces vibrant designs instantly. Works on a broader range of materials: From aluminum to glass, print on almost anything flat and non-porous with UV printing. No ventilation or fire safety concerns: UV printing is beginner-friendly without smoke or flames. If you’re exploring creative hobbies and caught between laser engraving and UV printing, there’s much to love about both.
6 Raspberry Pi upgrades that are totally worth it in 2025

2 weeks ago | xda-developers.com | Jeff Butts

The Raspberry Pi has come a long way, and 2025 offers some truly transformative upgrades. With the latest generation of hardware, minor improvements can significantly impact speed, reliability, and the kinds of projects you can realistically tackle. Whether you aim to build a server, a gaming station, or something uniquely your own, the right upgrades turn a good project into a great one.
You'll want one of these free design tools for laser engraving

2 weeks ago | xda-developers.com | Jeff Butts

If you’re diving into DIY laser engraving, expensive software shouldn’t limit your creativity. Thankfully, several free design tools pack serious power without the price tag. Whether prepping vector files for engraving or cleaning up images for photo burns, these tools can help you streamline your workflow and improve the final product.
5 Raspberry Pi projects I use to control my home

2 weeks ago | xda-developers.com | Jeff Butts

Home Assistant on Raspberry Pi provides customizable automations for smart home control. Pi-hole on Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W blocks ads and trackers on all network devices. MQTT-based system on Raspberry Pi controls thermostat without relying on cloud services. Turning a Raspberry Pi into a home automation powerhouse wasn’t something I expected to enjoy as much as I do. But once I got started, I couldn’t stop adding new ways to control and customize the surrounding environment.