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Archive: DIY Projects
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April 11, 2007
Outlet connector lamp
Fun lamp made from outlet connectors - Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Apr 11, 2007 08:00 PM
DIY Projects |
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HOW TO - Make a skin temperature transmitting device
Jan Cocatre-Zilgien shows you how to make a skin temperature transmitting device in the latest Citizen Scientist -
Any parent who has had to take care of a feverish child at home knows what a source of emotional stress and anguish it can be. This is magnified at night, as fever often tends to get higher then. Unchecked fever may create complications of its own, such as dehydration and febrile convulsions in infants. The lack of sleep resulting from periodically monitoring the child can be very tiring for the parents, especially if the fever spans several days.When small single-chip transmitter and receiver modules became publicly available, it was an invitation to design a skin temperature telemetry system for those parents. I used the very robust modules from Linx Technologies, with 418 MHz chosen over 315 MHz because of the slightly shorter antenna. Essentially, if the transmitted child skin temperature gets too hot (fever peak) or too low (malfunction), an alarm is triggered at the receiver. The version whose receiver is integrated with an alarm clock was patented in the USA under patent number 5,844,862, which shows variants and other complementary information. Figure 1 is a sketch of the completed device.
The Citizen Scientist - Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Apr 11, 2007 12:18 PM
DIY Projects, Electronics |
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Plasma ball nixie tube
Daqq made a plasma ball made out of an old nixie tube - Link.
Basically, a plasma ball or lamp or however we decide to call it is a glass sphere/other shape filled with very low presure gas (ussually neon) and a tesla coil (or any similar resonator based power supply) or other high voltage power supply with AC high frequency output. In theory it is very easy to make one, if you have access to low presure neon pumping facilities, custom made glass and a tesla coil. ;-) The scientifically more correct explanation of how the plasma ball works can be found here. The father of the whole plasma ball is Nikola Tesla. So treat it with respect.Now. To avoid buying thousands worth of gas pumping equipment and a glass manufacturer I decided to look for alternative sources of low presure gas filled glass items. And guess what! A nixie tube! The basic principle of the nixie tube is an inert gas discharge, where the gas becomes conductive at low presures and high voltages and even glows! That's why nixies work and have that beautiful warm glow surrounding them.
A close look at the contruction of a nixie shows that it's full of metal, which is conductive and connected outside.
Related:
- Nixie tube take-apart - Link.
- Nixie Tube collectors and designers - Link.
- Maker of the day - David Forbes, Nixie-display clocks ... - Link.
- The most accurate nixie clock - ATOMIC! - Link.
- More nixie! - Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Apr 11, 2007 08:10 AM
DIY Projects, Electronics |
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COM84 serial programmer
Ben sent in this COM84 PC board, a simple serial port, PIC based programmer - Link.
Related:
- PIC microcontrollers - a beginner's guide - Link.
- Get your PIC on - free PIC programming resources - Link.
- Programming PIC microcontrollers in BASIC - Link.
- USB/Serial PIC programmer - Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Apr 11, 2007 06:08 AM
DIY Projects, Electronics |
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Electronic game kit
We've added another one of our kits to our MAKE instructables group - Originally designed for the Maker Faire by Grand Idea Studio, the "Build Your Own Electronic Game Kit" is a custom-created kit intended to introduce you to the world of electronics and soldering. When successfully assembled, the kit becomes a version of the popular memory game, Simon, with a few optional twists. It's available on the MAKE store.
This kit is extremely simple to construct even for beginners! If you need something to practice your soldering on (and get a cool result), get this. To learn the basics of soldering check out this great guide by noahw. Also, here's a good video tutorial here.
Instructions are conveniently printed on the back of the unit, and most components don't need to go in in specific orientation. (Only the LEDs and IC -- so watch out for those steps). Also there are a couple of modes you can select depending on how you turn the game on - Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Apr 11, 2007 04:04 AM
DIY Projects, Electronics, Gaming, Toys and Games |
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HOW TO - Make a custom mount for Garmin Nuvi GPS (for a VW)
Raelx writes -
If you have ever been in a Volkswagen New Beetle you might have noticed that the dash is deep enough to take a nap on. This makes the suction cup mount provided with the Nuvi pretty much useless. You would have to press your chest to the steering wheel to touch the device.HOW TO - Make a custom mount for Garmin Nuvi GPS (for a VW) Link.So out of necessity and the desire for a more finished look I created a custom mount that uses the bud vase as the attachment point. If you are unfamiliar with the VW bud vase it's important to note that it's not just a little cup in a hole. There are actually three pin on the side of the vase that lock it in place with a twist. This makes for a very secure attachment point.
Related:
- Street-legal jet powered VW Beetle - Link.
- VW Beetles - Link.
- See through VW car - Link.
- Homemade VW Trike - Link.
- Latex wedge for GPS vehicle mount - Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Apr 11, 2007 01:00 AM
DIY Projects, GPS, Instructables, Transportation |
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April 10, 2007
Driving high-power loads with a microprocessor
Many of the microcontroller projects here on MAKE control small things like LEDs, but what about large motors? Roger writes -
This tutorial offers suggestions about controlling large loads with a microprocessor. This is often an issue with those building robots who need to control devices such as lights, motors, vacuums, and other accessories found on robots. We will only deal here with devices that need to be switched ON and OFF - not devices that need the power reversed. Obviously drive motors and other devices need to be switched ON/OFF and also have the power reversed in order to reverse the direction of the motors. That normally requires an H-bridge which is a much more complicated circuit.
Driving high-power loads with a microprocessor - Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Apr 10, 2007 10:02 PM
DIY Projects, Electronics |
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Homemade mini-bike
I just posted about the Boozhound Laboratories, but this is worth another peep, check out this homemade mini-bike....
I have had the idea of building a minibike rattling around in my head (like the ball in a spraycan) for a couple years. Of course I wanted to build it from scratch, and scrounge up as many of the parts as possible, since I would not feel right spending good money on a minibike. Last summer I found an engine at The Black Hole, and the project began.I got some neat knobby wheelbarrow wheels from Home Depot, and ordered the stuff I couldn't scrounge up from a go kart company. The new parts included a centrifugal cluch, a combination brake and sprocket assebly for the rear wheel, a chain, and a twist throttle. I also found a new Tecumseh carburetor on eBay.
Boozhound Laboratories - Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Apr 10, 2007 04:00 PM
DIY Projects, Transportation |
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DIY Seismic detector
Design news latest "Gadget Freak" has a great how-to on making your own seismic detector -
Like Jack Godell's coffee in "The China Syndrome," the fluid in William Grill's Seismic Detector reveals subtle vibrations. The entire detector is built around a laser pointer, a few hobby-type mirrors, a PIN photdiode, regulator and amplifier, enclosed in common PVC tubing and fittings. This simple and inexpensive combination makes this detector far more sensitive than Jack's coffee.
Case #100: William Noticed a Vibration - 4/9/2007 - Design News - Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Apr 10, 2007 02:00 PM
DIY Projects, Electronics |
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HOW TO - Make the simplest intercom
LeorickSimon writes in -
Using your old phones, you could create personal "micro" telephone exchange as simple as above circuit. I manage to solder the test circuit less than a minute. Than connect the phone and test it. It works. So why 39 ohm? From Epanorama Dot Net, the correct value of the resistor should be a resistor that can limit the circuit current around 30mA total loop. The method is by replacing the resistor in the circuit with a variable resistor, plug in the phones, apply power and tune the current with the variable resistor so the current flow is 30mA. After that take out the variable resistor and measure the resistance/ohm across it. Find the fixed resistor with the nearest ohm reading to it and replace it to the circuit.My Electronics Hobby: Simplest Intercom - Link.
Related:
- HOW TO - Use old telephones as an intercom - Link.
- Homemade Intercom System - Link.
- Build your own intercom or walkie talkie out of two ... - Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Apr 10, 2007 12:00 PM
DIY Projects, Electronics, Telecommunications |
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| Comments (4)
HOW TO - Make a submersible "shark-cam"
SixMhz writes -
Last year while shark fishing off the Dumbarton Pier and recording the catch on a 20 year old VHS camera I had an idea. I thought of how cool it would be to jam a camera in the mouth of a big shark and let him swim away so then you could see what he was up to when he opened his mouth since sharks are coolest when they're biting through stuff. Images flashed through my mind like: giant teeth surrounding the perimeter of the video while the shark opens his mouth and engulfs a cell phone or a car tire (it is the san francisco bay after all). Judging by the expression on Gillian's face as I described my vision, I realized the idea had limitations. So I decided to do the next best thing: make a submersible camera with shark bait all over it, dunk it in the sea and wait for something cool to happen.HOW TO - Make a submersible "shark-cam" - [via] Link.
Related:
- Build your own underwater remote operated vehicle (ROV) - Link.
- Building an Underwater ROV... - Link.
- DIY Underwater ROV Project - Link.
- Make a simple waterproof camera case - Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Apr 10, 2007 10:00 AM
DIY Projects, Imaging |
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Radio flyer tiny trike power mod
Jon writes in with this awesome Radio flyer tiny trike power mod -
The stock Radio Flyer Tiny Trike has exactly 0 horsepower. We decided to fix that. So with a broken old saw, a new power tool battery, some bungee cords and wires we've made this thing go.
instructables : Multnomah County Chopper - Radio Flyer Tiny Trike Power Mod - Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Apr 10, 2007 07:38 AM
DIY Projects, Gadgets, Instructables |
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The $5 drum machine
MedCosm writes -
I thought it would be a neat to build a toy that records and plays back beats like a simple drum machine. For those who are musically inclined, it provides endless hours of entertainment and even has practical purposes in learning and practicing music. Even better if it used less than $5 worth of parts and could be built in 30 minutes.Here is such a toy.
Turn it on. The LED glows indicating it is in record mode. Tap out a beat and the controller records your beats. After sample memory is filled up (about 5 seconds), the LED goes out and the beatbox goes into playback mode, endlessly looping playback of your sample. Press the drum pad again and you're back in record mode again. Finally, a chance to put that finger-drumming to good use. And if you continue finger-drumming along with this $5 beatbox, you can easily tap out some very complicated rhythms.
The $5 drum machine, Thanks Chipwich! Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Apr 10, 2007 05:36 AM
DIY Projects, Electronics |
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The PC Subwoofer
PC Magazine is having a contest to win a DIY PC subwoofer they made, but it's more fun to follow their instructions and make your own - Thanks Braveit1! Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Apr 10, 2007 12:22 AM
DIY Projects |
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| Comments (3)
April 9, 2007
HOW - TO: Large scale mold making - Making the negative "tool"
trebuchet03 sent in his lastest video on large scale mold making...
Making tools from the tools you already own... This almost sounds incestuous - almost.This is the next phase of our fairing construction for the University of Central Florida's 2007 Human Powered Vehicle. Here we will take a positive male mold and begin making a female negative "tool." We call it a tool because it can be used to make many duplicate copies. This tool is in fact a negative female mold.
To reiterate, this whole project is daunting. However, each individual step is not too scary and within the capability of most people handy with a few simple power tools. On the other hand, the price tag is scary. For this half alone, we used 5 gallons of polyester resin (circa $130).
21 minute Video - Lots of Time Lapse (now with captioned instructions).
instructables : [Video] Large Scale Mold Making - Making the Negative "Tool" - Link.
Related:
From the pages of MAKE:
How the pros replicate objects. MAKE 08 - Page 160. Subscribers--read this article now in your digital edition or get MAKE 08 @ the Maker store.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Apr 9, 2007 08:00 PM
DIY Projects, Instructables |
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| Comments (1)
AppleTV Perl plugin
Erica has a special treat for Perl folks with Apple TVs!
On Sunday, with a hundred better things to do but no incentive to do them, I put together an Apple TV plug-in that allows you to run any Perl script you place into a folder in your home directory. (/Users/frontrow/perlbin).The plug-in is here - Link (zip).The idea is this: a lot of people know how to write Perl who don't want to learn to program Cocoa. And you can add new scripts from your normal office work computer (via ssh) but have them all available from Apple TV. You can do date & time, calendars, stock quotes, weather, and so forth. Scrape web pages, subscribe to RSS feeds, whatever.
Related:
- HOW TO - Run AppleTV on a Mac mini - Link.
- AppleTV OS on a Mac mini - Link.
- AppleTV hack weekend - Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Apr 9, 2007 07:39 PM
DIY Projects, Home Entertainment |
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Easy DIY 360 degree photos
Carl writes -
I've always been a fan of the 360 degree photographs of products. Purchasing the equipment would be ridiculously expensive but creating (MAKEing) comparable equipment at home was basically free and yielded great results!the WAREHOUSE - Link.
Related:
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Apr 9, 2007 06:00 PM
DIY Projects, Imaging |
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AVR based ethernet weather station
Here's how to make an AVR based weather station with a built in web server. For temperate a LM335 is used and a Motorola/Freescale MPX4115A for air pressure - [via] Link.
Related:
- Davis Vantage Pro 2 Wireless Weather Station - Link.
- Remote weather station - Link.
- Make your own internet connected weather station - Link.
Citizen Weather Station. Collect meteorological data on your roof and donate it to science. MAKE 05 - Page 139. Subscribers--read this article now in your digital edition or get MAKE 05 @ the Maker store.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Apr 9, 2007 12:01 PM
DIY Projects, Electronics |
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| Comments (0)
Trick your friends into building a vortex tube
Earla writes -
I made a Hilsch tube in my shop this weekend. It's quite impressive! With just a little experimentation, at 80 PSI. the temperature is 17 Degrees on one end and about 70 degrees on the hot side. The pipes are 1/2" PVC. The center hole where the vortex is formed is 11/32" with a 1/4" hole in the washer on the cold side. There are 4 equally spaced Drill #53 (.059) holes Tangent to the center hole that forms the vortex. The valve on the hot side is from a old air tool. It's quite loud and you can hear the air "spinning up" like a turbo! It uses lots of air.P.O.K.E.R. Night - Link.
From the pages of MAKE:
P.O.K.E.R. Night. MAKE 09 - Page 34. Subscribers--read this article now in your digital edition or get MAKE 09 (on stands now).
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Apr 9, 2007 07:03 AM
DIY Projects, Science |
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Aluminum USB drive
Russ writes -
Another one of my USB drives broke, so I made a very small aluminum case for it with #0-80 hex screws. I'm looking to get it anodized, so if any MAKER has a suggestion, comment here!Aluminum USB drive project Link.
Related:
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Apr 9, 2007 05:00 AM
DIY Projects |
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