RSSArchives: July 2007
July 31, 2007
Camp Metalhead 2007
Over at the Steel Yard blog, Jackson writes:
Camp Metalhead, the Steel Yard's two week summer youth program, is firing on all cylinders! By the first day, all ten of the students had learned to cut steel using the versatile oxy acetylene torch. A morning trip to our partners over at Mid City Steel and Scrap proved to be well worthwhile. Some of the students even got to operate the fierce TEREX magnetic scrap mover, while the Steel Yard chaperons looked on with jealousy. Stay tuned for more exciting field trips and projects.
Camp Metalhead [photos] - Link
Posted by Brian Jepson |
Jul 31, 2007 06:00 PM
Events |
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Exploratorium: Maker Saturday Webcasts (Candy Fab is up!)
The latest Exploratorium: Maker Saturday Webcast is up - CandyFab, the sugar printer created by Windell Oskay and Lenore Edman, creates 3D sculpture by stacking 2D images made of sugar. This sweet project ties together many disciplines--motion control, woodworking, microcontroller programming, sewing, reverse engineering, circuit hacking, high-power analog electronics, 3D modeling, and computer programming.
Windell has been employed as a quantum mechanic, photographer, and (atomic) clock maker and, among other pursuits, has built an interactive dining table and hard-drive wind chimes. Lenore, who describes herself as a Pastafarian, enjoys working on bicycles, fabric, and electronics--and making edible origami.Exploratorium: Maker Saturday Webcasts - [via] Link.
Coming up:
Making Your Own Kind of Music
8/4/2007 1:00 PM PDT
When Ezra Daly couldn't find a good slap bass guitar for less than $1,000, he looked around for the materials to build his own--and the Frankenbass was born. It was created from a Moto Guzzi motorcycle gas tank, a chrome tailpipe, and scrap mahogany. Ezra will demonstrate the process of making instruments from recycled components and will play the Frankenbass. Nerdcore, hip-hop musician Doc Popular is a circuit-bender who will be performing with toy instruments he has hacked. Doc describes his approach as "anti-theory," in which he connects wires and sees what happens.
Ezra is a motorcycle luthier who created the Frankenbass on his bedroom floor to debut with a psychobilly band called Buddy's Riot. Doc Popular (aka Brian Roberts) is a video editor, marketing guru, and third-place world yo-yo champion in 2000.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jul 31, 2007 05:00 PM
Events |
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Giant Labyrinth game for sale
Dave writes -
Last year, I and five friends created this scale version of the popular Brio Labyrinth game for Holocene's Annual Mini Golf Invitational, where artists are asked to create original mini-golf holes.Giant Labyrinth game - Link.Labyrinth: The Mini-golf Version is just like Labyrinth: the Original Laptop Game, except played with a golf ball instead of a ball bearing. "Greens" surround the mini-golf version and allow you to putt the ball around the game. Of course, if you successfully navigate the maze, you get a hole in one. A LOT of fun.
Our hard work garnered us a prize at the event, "Hole I'd Most Like to Take Home." Now you can. Just make me an offer I can't refuse. I will deliver within 10 miles of downtown Portland for an extra $20.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jul 31, 2007 04:00 PM
Gaming, Made On Earth |
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Bug labs
Bug Labs is making the blog rounds (my RSS reader has lots of "open source hardware" mentions today)... We haven't met with them and I'm not sure what they're doing or shipping yet, but if/when we do we'll post up a full report, here's a snippet from their blog about what they're up to (open source hardware maybe)...
Bug Labs is developing BUG, an open, modular, consumer electronics web services + hardware platform. Designed for the general audience, not just the technically inclined, BUG is intended to bring to the world of hardware gadgets what the Internet, open source, XML and web services have brought to the world of software and media.Bug Blogger - Link & site....We see ourselves, our company and our product as a "bug" in the system of traditional CE; an agent for change. We want to put more power in the hands of the individual to decide what gadgets they want and what features they should include. We envision a world where CE stands for community electronics, where the long-tail of devices profitably exists and hardware mashups are as prevalent as their software counterparts.
So what is BUG exactly? It's Legos meets Web services & APIs. Imagine being able to build any gadget you wanted by simply connecting simple, functional components together. Now imagine being able to easily program, share and connect these gadgets in interesting ways. In essence, we're building an open source-based platform for programmers to build not only the applications they want but the hardware to run it on. Over the coming weeks and months I will update this blog with our latest progress. And while I used wooden blocks at the dinner last night (easier to get thru airport security!) I will show pictures of the actual products soon.
Sounds interesting.
For now, if you're interested in what open source hardware is, examples and some thoughts on all this we have a start here... It's all very new, very open and it's so early it's actually a lot of fun :)
- Open source hardware slides from OSCON - Link.
- Open source hardware video from OSCON - Link.
- Open source hardware ... article - Link.
- Open source hardware archive @ MAKE - Link.
- The MAKE store is one of the only places to actually buy open source hardware and support OSH - Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jul 31, 2007 02:00 PM
Open source hardware |
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Accessible vehicles
Patrick writes -
A few issues back Make did a feature on making changes to one's vehicle. I'd like to share something similar that's in the spirit of Make--making vehicles accessible for the disabled. A whole lotta creative engineering is involved, and every job is a custom one, fit specifically for that person's needs.Accessible vehicles - Link.Recently, I got my truck finished up after a nine month process of bureaucracy, paperwork, fittings, brainstorming, training, debugging and more brainstorming. Since each job is custom, I had a door panel modified, the factory console ripped out and a fab'ed new one put in place, a longer sliding lock for where I need to lock down. That's the short of it, really.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jul 31, 2007 12:00 PM
DIY Projects, Transportation |
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Mike's Ambient device
Mike took an old desk lamp and recycled into an ambient device, fetching weather information from Internet via an ATmega168 micro controller and Ethernet chip - Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jul 31, 2007 11:00 AM
DIY Projects, Electronics |
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LM555 Night light
Brandon adds a LM555 and some LEDs to his toddler's glow-in-the-dark headboard. Now his son has a beautiful night light that is on when he needs it and automatically turns off when he sleeps... Link.
From the pages of MAKE:
The Biggest Little Chip. MAKE 10 - page 62. An introduction to the versatile 555 timer. Subscribers--read this article now in your digital edition.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jul 31, 2007 10:00 AM
DIY Projects, Electronics |
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Ceramic camera
Steve writes -
About two months ago, Earl commissioned me to make him a ceramic camera. Here is the result. It is made of stoneware, fired to 1,300 degrees C. (2,350 F.) It has a matte black glaze on the inside. I did a post-firing application of 23 K gold leaf on it as well. Overall, it measures h 22.5 x w 20 x 20.5 cm. on the outside.Ceramic camera, Thanks Paul! - Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jul 31, 2007 09:00 AM
Crafts, DIY Projects, Imaging |
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Designing Automata Kit
The Designing Automata Kit is great value and fantastic quality. No glue or tools are required, and you will learn about simple mechanics using cams and a crank slider mechanism. Many different designs can be made, and the kit used over and over again. Produced in Thailand using chemical-free rubber wood, from sustainable sources. Make is proud to be the only store this side of the pond to carry this kit - Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jul 31, 2007 08:00 AM
DIY Projects, Kits, Maker Shed Store |
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Protest technology - White noise projector
Here's a weird video "Protest technology - White noise projector" that talks about what white noise is and how to make a noise projector, basically a MP3 player and a bullhorn... Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jul 31, 2007 07:00 AM
DIY Projects, Electronics |
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AVR controlled 8 channel dimmer switch
This is pretty nice, an AVR dimmer with RC5 and serial interface and ATtiny2313 (there's a kit too, well PCBs) -- Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jul 31, 2007 06:00 AM
DIY Projects, Events |
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Science, tech, electronicsy videos @ Alcatel-Lucent
Huh, Alcatel-Lucent has a ton of great videos on their site --
Lightwave Communications Watch the first lightwave communications system take shape at Bell Labs.Science, tech, electronicsy videos @ Alcatel-Lucent - Link.Charge Coupled Device
Learn about the development of the charge-coupled device (CCD) at Bell Labs.UNIX
Watch Bell Labs' Ken Thompson and Dennis Ritchie talk about the birth of UNIX.Solar Battery
Watch the development and demonstration of the Bell Solar Battery.Negative Feedback Amplifier
Listen to Bell Labs' Howard Black talk about the birth of his invention, the negative feedback amplifier.The Big Bang
Listen to Bell Labs' Arno Penzias and Bob Wilson describe their discovery of evidence of the Big Bang.Telstar
Learn about Telstar I, a communications satellite built by Bell Labs and launched in 1962.The Transistor
Learn about the invention of the transistor, Bell Labs' most famous innovation.Radio astronomy
Learn how Karl Jansky launched the field of radio astronomy through his work at Bell Labs.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jul 31, 2007 05:00 AM
Online, Science |
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Mr. Baybus
Mr. Baybus is a microcontroller-based fan control system. It is a completely stand-alone unit, with no computer-control whatsoever... Link.
But wait, there's more - meet Mr. BayBus2 - Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jul 31, 2007 04:00 AM
Computers, DIY Projects, Electronics |
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HOW TO - Make your own LED bulbs
Claude shows you how to make your own LED light bulbs, he writes -
After many attempts to make all sorts of LED-conversions I finally found one solution that is simple and efficient. Of course, you do need a great amount of patience in making this but when you consider the countless hours of pure light -low consumption you'll get, it's all worth it. This tutorial is about converting regular GU4(MR11) halogen bulbs to LED bulbs while maintaining full usability as 12V light bulbs that can be used in indoor task or accent lighting.HOW TO - Make your own LED bulbs - Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jul 31, 2007 03:00 AM
DIY Projects, Electronics, Green |
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Composite Labs
A MAKE reader / Maker Faire attendee writes in -
I saw a booth they [Composite Labs] had with combots at the 2007 maker fair. They had a nice setup... I ordered a few of their kits, they are made flawlessly, and the best part is that I can compete with them at RoboGames and Maker fair! I would say this is the best way to get involved.Composite Labs - Link.
Anyone use this kits? Post up in the comments.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jul 31, 2007 02:00 AM
DIY Projects, Robotics |
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Sandpoint well project
Glen writes -
In our area, water is pretty expensive, and there is a 150% sewer charge on top as well. Also, the ground is pretty much sand except for about 6 inches of top soil that the developer puts down for the grass. The sand seems to leech the water out of the topsoil so the grass dies very quickly when it gets hot and dry in the summer. You need to water your lawn if you want it to survive - but it gets expensive quickly.Sandpoint well project - Link.I did some quick calcs and figured that if I could get water from a well, paying just for the electricity to pump it, I could pay for a pump, and plumbing parts to put together a well in about 2 summers.
This concept is not new around here. Driven point wells are common in the area because of the sandy ground and a high water table. When I researched exactly how to put it all together, there didn't seem to be a lot in the way of resources online so here is a personal account of my well project.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jul 31, 2007 01:00 AM
DIY Projects |
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Modern porch furniture from old car parts
Modern porch furniture from old car parts. Popular Mechanics 1938 - Link.
Related:
Car hoods roof - Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jul 31, 2007 12:00 AM
DIY Projects, Modern Mechanix, Retro |
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July 30, 2007
Open source hardware (slides)
Brian posted up the video from the OSCON (open source convention) on open source hardware so here are the slides too - Link (ZIP, Keynote slides, HTML and PDF).http://cachefly.oreilly.com/make/osh/osh.zip or just the PDF here - Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jul 30, 2007 04:00 PM
Events, Open source hardware |
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Making external HDs on the cheap
I've written a review on Street Tech of the Ultra 3.5" hard drive enclosure that TigerDirect is selling for under $20. I knew rolling your own external HD was easy, but it's mindlessly simple, and you can save some money. For instance, TigerDirect sells an 80GB Ultra drive (a WD HD in an Ultra case) for $90. You can buy the same drive for $45 and the case for $20, saving yourself $25 for less than five minutes work. Or you most likely have an HD in an old computer you can yank, re-case, and use as an external backup drive. That's what I'm doing.
Ultra 3.5" Hard Drive Enclosure - Link
Posted by Gareth Branwyn |
Jul 30, 2007 04:00 PM
Computers, DIY Projects, Gadgets, Reviews |
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Phillip Torrone and Limor Fried at OSCON 2007
Last week, Phillip Torrone and Limor Fried presented the closing keynote, "Open Source Hardware: A Start..." at O'Reilly Media's Open Source Convention. Open source hardware is a term slowly working its way into many new projects and efforts, but what is it? There are a few definitions, some of which come from "open source software," which is usually considered software's "source code under a license (or arrangement such as the public domain) that permits users to study, change, and improve the software, and to redistribute it in modified or unmodified form." So how does this translate to hardware? This session will focus on electronic hardware, the layers they can be divided into, different document types, licensing concerns, and a show-n-tell of hardware. Video Link
Update: The slides are now available
Related
- Open source hardware, what is it? Here's a start... - Link
- MAKE: Blog: Open source hardware Archives - Link
- More OSCON videos - Link
Posted by Brian Jepson |
Jul 30, 2007 03:00 PM
Events, Open source hardware |
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