Make: Online: MAKE Podcast Archives

Archive: MAKE Podcast

August 27, 2010

Weekend Project: CD/DVD Parts Container

A cheap and easy way to organize parts of all sizes.
Thanks go to Steve Stofiel for the original article in MAKE, Volume 23.

To download The CD/DVD Parts Container video click here and subscribe in iTunes. Check out the complete CD/DVD Parts Container article in MAKE Volume 23
and you can see that in our Digital Edition.

Weekend Project: CD/DVD Parts Container (PDF)

A cheap and easy way to organize parts of all sizes.
Thanks go to Steve Sofiel for the original article in MAKE, Volume 23.

View the PDF of this project. and then subscribe to MAKE magazine for other great projects
you can do over the weekend.

August 25, 2010

Collin's Lab: Custom fit earbuds

I've used quite a variety of sound-isolating personal audio gear; around-ear cans, in-ear buds, as well as active noise-canceling models. All of these posed problems for me in one way or another. Most often, it came down to issues with comfort and how well each design could maintain a good seal on my substantial noggin.

I was excited to find out that there are custom-fit headphone services out there, but my enthusiasm withered upon learning the price for such a thing. Thankfully, I did find a DIY custom-mold earplug kit available for relatively cheap. So, I dug out my old pair of Shure E2C earbuds, ordered myself up a kit, and then put together a very simple but satisfyingly effective project.

Subscribe to the MAKE Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube and Vimeo.

Also - for those who prefer more static imagery in their tutorials, I added this project to the very excellent Make: Projects site. Check the relevant step-by-steps here.

More:
See all of Collin's Lab videos

August 24, 2010

Tiny Yellow House: "Boxy Lady" vending cart microcabin

If you're from the woods in the Northeast USA, you know that summer is all about forts, cabins, treehouses, and other alternative shelters. If you haven't known the pleasure of these delightful creations, let Derek "Deek" Diedricksen introduce you his world of microcabins in this episode of Tiny Yellow House, a MAKEcation Special Edition! Join Deek in the Massachusetts woods for a tour of his "Boxy Lady" vending cart microcabin complete with build notes inspired by his book, Humble Homes, Simple Shacks, Cozy Cottages, Ramshackle Retreats, Funky Forts, and Whatever Else We Could Squeeze in Here.

Subscribe to the MAKE Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube.

Gareth reviewed Deek's book not to long ago on the site:

The book is a hoot and an inspiration, crammed with Deek's designs -- from practical to pie in the sky -- for "micro-houses," small backyard retreats, kid forts, treehouses, and other no-cost/low-cost outbuildings. The emphasis here is on fun and clever use of recycled materials. Deek did all the hand-lettering and the book is obsessively illustrated with wonderfully wacky cartoons and design drawings. As he himself describes it in the video: "A carpal tunnel-inducing barrage of dime store pen sketches."

More:

Circuit Skills: Surface Mount Devices, sponsored by Jameco Electronics

I've tried my hand at quite a few different methods for circuit building — breadboard, perfboard, custom etching, even some boardless freeform wiring, but somehow, I never got around to using surface-mount parts (until now, that is). Understandably, many balk at the idea of soldering the infamously tiny SMD packages, but once equipped with the right tools, and a bit of patience, you too can solder your own teeny-tiny circuitry.

Subscribe to the MAKE Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube and Vimeo.

Behold the mighty (tiny) 1206 SMD resistor - one of the larger surface mount package sizes.

As my first build in the format, I decided to go with a simple and familiar schematic — the light-sensitive oscillator (aka "phototheremin") as originally described in Forrest Mims' book Timer, Op Amp and Optoelectronic Circuits & Projects. Once I got the hang of securing each part in place for soldering, the rest of the process was more or less straightforward, and the circuit worked the first time I tested it.

Though I didn't run into any major snags, I'll likely do at least a couple things differently next time. Firstly, I used .032" diameter solder for the build, but .015" would have deposited an appropriately smaller amount of molten solder on each pad. Also, I would like to try using some sticky solder flux instead of adhesive gum, to keep the parts in place.

Happily, the SO-8 pattern protoboard I used was a perfect fit for this little test-build. A few of these boards, plus a variety of SMD parts and related tools, can be picked up as a bundle from Jameco. If you decide to have a go at building your own electronic tinyness, we'd love to check out the results!

August 13, 2010

Weekend Project: Easy Pitch Control Hack

Make audio circuits sing higher and lower.
Thanks go to Peter Edwards for the original article in MAKE, Volume 23.

To download The Easy Pitch Control Hack video click here and subscribe in iTunes. Check out the complete Easy Pitch Control Hack article in MAKE Volume 23

This Weekend Project is sponsored by Livescribe.

Weekend Project: Easy Pitch Control Hack (PDF)

Make audio circuits sing higher and lower.
Thanks go to Peter Edwards for the original article in MAKE, Volume 23.

View the PDF of this project. and then subscribe to MAKE magazine for other great projects
you can do over the weekend.

July 30, 2010

Weekend Project: iPhone Screen Repair

Replace the broken glass of an iPhone 3G.
Thanks go to Morten Skogly for the original article in MAKE, Volume 22.

To download The iPhone Screen Repair video click here and subscribe in iTunes. Check out the complete iPhone Screen Repair article in MAKE Volume 22 or you can see it in our Digital Edition.

This Weekend Project is sponsored by Livescribe.

Weekend Project: iPhone Screen Repair (PDF)

Replace the broken glass of an iPhone 3G.
Thanks go to Morten Skogly for the original article in MAKE, Volume 22.

View the PDF of this project. and then subscribe to MAKE magazine for other great projects
you can do over the weekend.

July 29, 2010

Industrial Sound Controllers

Tristan Shone rolled out the 'big guns' for Maker Faire Bay Area 2010. His Industrial Sound Controllers are a musical force to be reckoned with and their sheer size and weight demand considerable attention upon seeing them firsthand.

Tristan took a few moments out from setting up to speak with Becky Stern and myself before performing, explaining some of the functionality of his custom gear. Fore more on his unique brand of 'heavy metal', be sure to check out the interview in MAKE, Volume 22 and the how-to on building your own 8-mic MIDI controller.

Subscribe to the MAKE Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube and Vimeo.

MAKE Volume 23: Gadgets

MAKE Volume 23 is on newsstands now!

In this special GADGETS issue, we show you how to make a menagerie of delightful machines: a miniature electronic Whac-a-Mole arcade game, a tiny but mighty see-through audio amplifier, a magic mirror that contains an interactive animated soothsayer, a self-balancing one-wheeled Gyrocar, and the Most Useless Machine — the creepy mechanical box whose only purpose is to turn itself off (as seen on The Colbert Report!). Plus: how Intellectual Ventures made their incredible laser targeting mosquito zapper, how to use the industrial-strength microcontrollers called PLCs, and a lot more.

Project highlights in MAKE Volume 23 include:

The Most Useless Machine
Gyrocar
Squelette, the Bare-Bones Amplifier
Magic Mirror
Solar Car Subwoofer
College Bike Trunk

and much more, of course!

Don't forget - subscribers can always read the digital edition here.

Subscribe to the MAKE Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube and Vimeo.

July 28, 2010

Sylvia's Super Awesome Mini Maker Show: Sidewalk Chalk

We're excited to bring to you our special summer kids video miniseries, Sylvia's Super Awesome Mini Maker Show!

Subscribe to the MAKE Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube, Blip.tv, and Vimeo.

By James (TechNinja) and Sylvia

Bored on a hot summer day? In the mood to let out your inner van Gogh and make something cool? Then lets make some sidewalk chalk!

July 27, 2010

Sasha in the Maker Shed: Solar Grasshopper kit

Young maker Sasha shows us how to assemble the solar frightened grasshopper kit from the Maker Shed in this, another kid-made video on the MAKE 'tubes.

Subscribe to the MAKE Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube and Vimeo.

The snap-together Solar Grasshopper kit uses solar energy to generate electricity and propel itself around. It's an easy to assemble electronics project that's great for first-time experimenters with little or no experience.

July 23, 2010

Sylvia's Super Awesome Mini Maker Show: Crazy putty

We're excited to bring to you the second episode in our special summer kids video miniseries, Sylvia's Super Awesome Mini Maker Show!

Subscribe to the MAKE Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube, Blip.tv, and Vimeo.

By James (TechNinja) and Sylvia

Did you know that you can have fun making extended polymer chains at home with household chemicals? You bet you can! Today we're going to make "Crazy Putty!"

July 22, 2010

"I make ..." 2010

Meet just a few of the makers & crafters who made Maker Faire Bay Area 2010 such a great event - a big thanks to everyone helped make it happen.

Be sure to check out Maker Faire Detroit and the upcoming World Maker Faire in NYC!

Subscribe to the MAKE Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube and Vimeo.

July 21, 2010

Sylvia's Super Awesome Mini Maker Show: Rockets

We're excited to bring to you our special summer kids video miniseries, Sylvia's Super Awesome Mini Maker Show!

Subscribe to the MAKE Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube, Blip.tv, and Vimeo.

Episode 1: Rockets

SSAMMS_EP01_Rocketry (1).JPG

By James (TechNinja) and Sylvia

Did you know you could be a rocket scientist in just one day? Well, a hobby rocket scientist anyways! The field of hobby rocketry is huge, ranging from $5 mini starters to multi-thousand dollar custom-made giants that can fly thousands and thousands of feet. Today we'll show you enough to get you up in the air and crashing in no time!

July 16, 2010

Weekend Project: Cornhole

Make your own Cornhole boards and bags. Cornhole is a fun summertime lawn game where players take turns throwing corn filled bags at a raised platform with a hole in the far end. More information on Cornhole is available at The American Cornhole Association

To download The Cornhole video click here and subscribe in iTunes.

July 9, 2010

Aspic Ascension: Jell-O mold winners

Subscribe to the MAKE Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube and Vimeo.

Competitors in this year's Gowanus Studio Space Jell-O Mold Competition brought their best and really wowed the judges (including me!) on a hot night in Brooklyn last month.

The grand prize winner was Shelly Sable for her entry: Aspic Ascension-- Tastes Like Heaven. She cast several Marys in tomato aspic and the pun was complete: bloody mary indeed! Her beautiful presentation with fresh veggies had me coming back for seconds. Don't miss the video recap above, and hit the jump for tons more photos of the runners up, all by Emilie Baltz.

June 30, 2010

New in the Maker Shed: Hackable Pixel Qi displays

Well, I finally get to let the cat out of the bag. We've got Pixel Qi screens available in the Maker Shed as of today. If you're unfamiliar with Pixel Qi (pronounced "chee") and their amazing 3Qi transflective display technology, here's a bit about them from the announcement:

These screens look like standard LCD screens in ordinary room light, but take them outside in the sunlight, and see the difference! The Pixel Qi screens are bright and easy to see, even in direct sunlight. Like standard LCD displays, Pixel Qi displays show quality full-color images, full-motion video, and high screen brightness. Each pixel in the Pixel Qi screen is mainly reflective, but still has about the same efficiency as a standard LCD when backlit, enabling the user to experience a crisp image with excellent contrast and *brightness* in any light. The Pixel Qi screens consume 80% less power in the reflective mode making them a great choice for "green" applications.

Indeed, this is exciting news for anyone interested in modding their netbook or building a DIY tablet computer. Regarding the announcement, Mary Lou Jepsen, Pixel Qi's Founder and CEO said "We hope that by working with MAKE and the DIY community, we collectively will spur innovation in ways we can't ourselves imagine yet."

About carrying the Pixel Qi screen in the Maker Shed, Dan Woods (GM of MAKE Ecommerce) said "We're seeing a lot of interest in making and modding tablets, netbooks, and e-readers within the maker community, and we're always looking for new ways to help inspire and support DIY enthusiasts to take on new challenges. Getting a brand new technology like Pixel Qi's screen into the hands of developers and makers who will do something unusual, compelling, and unexpected which is really exciting to us. MAKE is not only uniquely positioned to inspire widespread experimentation within the global maker community, from educators to artists, software developers to hardware hackers, but also to organize conversations around resulting projects."

I shot a quick installation video of a Pixel Qi display going into one of my netbooks. It's an Acer Aspire One, which is physically compatible with the screen, but isn't an officially recommended netbook.

Changing the screen is easy, the process takes about 5-10 minutes using a small screwdriver. 2-4 screws have to be removed to allow unsnapping of the front plastic bezel. Once that step is done, removal of another few screws allows the screen to be unlatched and its cable disconnected. Next, the Pixel Qi screen is plugged in, screwed in, and the bezel snapped back in place. That's it.

Head on over to the Maker Shed for more information or to order yours today.

Subscribe to the MAKE Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on

Build a simple device that exhibits chaotic behavior and makes an excellent science project or conversation starter. Thanks go to William Gurstelle for the original article in MAKE, Volume 22.