MAKE Magazine: MAKE Podcast

Weekend Project: Beetlebot

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:01:00 -0800

Simple robot from your parts bin that avoids obstacles. Thanks go to Jerome Demers for the original article in MAKE, Volume 12.

To download the Beetlebot video, click here or subscribe in iTunes.

Check out the complete Beetlebot article in MAKE, Volume 12 or you can also see it in our Digital Edition.

In the Maker Shed:

In the Maker Shed: The Make Beetlebot Bundle

Weekend Project: Beetlebot (PDF)

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:00:00 -0800

Simple robot from your parts bin that avoids obstacles.
Thanks go to Jerome Demers for the original article in MAKE, Volume 12.
View the PDF of this project. and then subscribe to MAKE Magazine for other great projects
you can do over the weekend.

MAKE, Volume 20: For Kids of All Ages

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:00:40 -0800

MAKE, Volume 20 is on newsstands today! Check out this preview video to get a tour of our best edition yet (we know, we say that every time)!

Want to know how to build a hydrogen rocket? How about a laser light show in a lunchbox? Or a simple remote-controlled videocam car? Or maybe you want to go old-school and build a wooden mini sailboat or toy car launcher? All this and tons more, plus revealing photos of Adam Savage's maker childhood, can all be found in MAKE, Volume 20, "For Kids of All Ages." Get your individual copy in the Maker Shed, or subscribe now to get access to our awesome Digital Edition.

Subscribe to the MAKE Podcast in iTunes, or download the m4v video.

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Weekend Project: Lost Screw Finder

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:01:00 -0800

Ever have a screw loose? If so, you might need this easy to build attachment to help you find that screw -- including plastic ones that a magnet would miss.
Thanks go to Frank Ford for the original article in MAKE, Volume 13.
To download The Lost Screw Finder video click here and subscribe in iTunes.
Check out the complete Lost Screw Finder article in MAKE, Volume 13 and you
can see that in our Digital Edition.

Weekend Project: Lost Screw Finder (PDF)

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:00:00 -0800

Ever have a screw loose? If so, you might need this easy to build attachment to help you find that screw -- including plastic ones that a magnet would miss.
Thanks go to Frank Ford for the original article in MAKE, Volume 13.
View the PDF of this project. and then subscribe to MAKE Magazine for other great projects
you can do over the weekend.

MAKE presents: The Inductor

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:01:00 -0800

The deceptively simple coil proves incredibly useful in the world of electronics - the inductor's ability to store energy in an electromagnetic field is the key to making transformers, electromagnets, and many more components work. It truly is an awesome device!

I knew little of how inductors worked before starting out on this vid. In fact, none of the circuits I've built ever called for them specifically. But after a bit of research, I was honestly amazed to learn how they work. The process of mutual induction even inspired this little action-painting/diagram -

As always, feel free to leave a comment with your ideas/experiences/corrections/take on the matter.

Download the m4v file or subscribe in iTunes

Weekend Project: Making Char Cloth

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:00:00 -0800

Learn how to make a cheap and effective fire starter made from an old t-shirt.
To download The Char Cloth video click here and subscribe in iTunes.
See Char Cloth in action with the Fire Piston from William Gurstelle.
For more info on what Swedish Fire Steel is, check out this article.

Weekend Project: Evasive Beeping Thing

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:01:00 -0800

Annoy your friends or co-workers with this high-tech practical joke.
Thanks go to Brad Graham and Kathy McGowan for the original article in MAKE, Volume 14.
To download The Evasive Beeping Thing video click here and subscribe in iTunes.
Check out the complete Evasive Beeping Thing article in MAKE, Volume 14 and you
can see that in our Digital Edition.

Here is a link for the corrected schematic.
Use it rather than the schematic in the PDF or article.

Weekend Project: Evasive Beeping Thing (PDF)

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:00:00 -0800

Annoy your friend or co-worker with this high-tech practical joke.
Thanks go to Brad Graham and Kathy McGowan for the original article in MAKE, Volume 14.
View the PDF of this project. and then subscribe to MAKE Magazine for other great projects
you can do over the weekend.

Here is a link for the corrected schematic.
Use it rather than the schematic in the PDF or article.

Weekend Project: The Atlatl

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:01:00 -0800

Here is an easy to make ancient yet modern device that hurls spears at up to 100mph.
Thanks go to Daryl Hrdlicka for the original article in MAKE, Volume 12.
To download The Atlatl video click here and subscribe in iTunes.
Check out the complete Atlatl article in MAKE, Volume 12
and you can see that in our Digital Edition.

Weekend Project: The Atlatl (PDF)

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:00:00 -0800

Here is an easy to make ancient yet modern device that hurls spears at up to 100mph.
Thanks go to Daryl Hrdlicka for the original article in MAKE, Volume 12.
View the PDF of this project. and then subscribe to MAKE Magazine for other great projects
you can do over the weekend.

Weekend Project: Mini Bike Light

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 05:01:00 -0800

Ride safely at night with this easy to make Mini Bike Light.
Thanks go to Trevor Shannon for the original article in MAKE, Volume 14.
To download The Mini Bike Light video click here and subscribe in iTunes.
Check out the complete Mini Bike Light article in MAKE, Volume 14
and you can see that in our Digital Edition.
Here is the modified schematic using the LM3909 chip

Weekend Project: Mini Bike Light (PDF)

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 05:00:00 -0800

Ride safely at night with this easy to make Mini Bike Light.
Thanks go to Trevor Shannon for the original article in MAKE, Volume 14.
View the PDF of this project. and then subscribe to MAKE Magazine for other great projects
you can do over the weekend.
Here is the modified schematic using the LM3909 chip.

Weekend Project: Junk parts pecan crusher

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:00:00 -0800

Check out an old-school pecan crusher made out of junk parts found in a man-cave.
Thanks to Terry Dove for this nutty project.
To download The Junk Parts Pecan Crusher video click here and subscribe in iTunes.

Weekend Project: Homebrew Alarm Purse

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 05:01:00 -0800

The Homebrew Alarm Purse is a simple, fashionable way to add an audible alarm to your purse.
Thanks go to Norene Leddy for the original article in MAKE, Volume 19.
To download The Homebrew Alarm Purse video click here and subscribe in iTunes.
Check out the complete Alarm Purse article in MAKE, Volume 19
and you can see that in our Digital Edition.

Weekend Project: Homebrew Alarm Purse (PDF)

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 05:00:00 -0800

The Alarm Purse is a simple, fashionable way to add an audible alarm to your handbag.
Thanks go to Norene Leddy for the original article in MAKE, Volume 19.
View the PDF of this project. and then subscribe to MAKE Magazine for other great projects
you can do over the weekend.

Weekend Project: DIY Drawer Organizer

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 05:01:00 -0800

Organize your kitchen utensils and gadgets with this custom made plexiglass drawer organizer.
Thanks go to Conrad Hopkins for the original article in MAKE, Volume 19.
To download The DIY Drawer Organizer video click here and subscribe in iTunes.
Check out the complete DIY Drawer Organizer article in MAKE, Volume 19
and you can see that in our Digital Edition.

Weekend Project: DIY Drawer Organizer (PDF)

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 05:00:00 -0800

Organize your kitchen utensils and gadgets with this custom made plexiglass drawer organizer.
Thanks go to Conrad Hopkins for the original article in MAKE, Volume 19.
View the PDF of this project. and then subscribe to MAKE Magazine for other great projects
you can do over the weekend.

Weekend Project: Tilt-Shift Photography

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 05:01:00 -0800

Create the illusion of a miniaturized world with this photographic technique.
Thanks go to Dennison Bertram for the original article in MAKE, Volume 09.
To download The Tilt-Shift Photography video click here and subscribe in iTunes.
Check out the complete Tilt-Shift Photography article in MAKE, Volume 09
and you can see that in our Digital Edition.

Weekend Project: Blubberbot

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:00:00 -0800

Build a Blubberbot. A light-seeking robotic inflatable in search of light and cellphone signals.
To download The Blubbebot video click here or subscribe in iTunes.
In the Maker Shed:
Blubber Bot Robotic Inflatable

Weekend Project: Mini Fume Extractor

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 05:01:00 -0800

Candy tin fume absorber helps keep your air clean and your lungs healthy.
Thanks go to Marc de Vinck for the original article in MAKE, Volume 19.
To download The Mini Fume Extractor click here or subscribe in iTunes.
Check out the complete Mini Fume Extractor article in MAKE, Volume 19
and you can see that in our Digital Edition.

Weekend Project: Mini Fume Extractor (PDF)

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 05:00:00 -0800

Candy tin fume absorber helps keep your air clean and your lungs healthy.
Thanks go to Marc de Vinck for the original article in MAKE, Volume 19.
View the PDF of this project. and then subscribe to MAKE Magazine for other great projects
you can do over the weekend.

Weekend Project: Barrel Water Collector

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 05:01:00 -0800

Save money while helping the environment with this rustic, wine barrel water collector.
Thanks go to Chris & Michri Barnes for the original article in MAKE, Volume 18.
To download The Barrel Water Collector click here or subscribe in iTunes.
Check out the complete Barrel Water Collector article in MAKE, Volume 18
and you can see that in our Digital Edition.

Weekend Project: Barrel Water Collector (PDF)

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 05:00:00 -0800

Save money while helping the environment with this rustic, wine barrel water collector.
Thanks go to Chris & Michri Barnes for the original article in MAKE, Volume 18.
View the PDF of this project. and then subscribe to MAKE Magazine for other great projects
you can do over the weekend.

Weekend Project: Stun Gun Potato Cannon

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:01:00 -0800

Launch potato projectiles 200+ yards with this stun-gun triggered, high-powered potato cannon
with see-thru action.
Thanks go to William Gurstelle for the original article in MAKE, Volume 03.
To download The "Nightlighter" Stun Gun Potato Cannon video click here or subscribe in iTunes.

Check out the complete "Nightlighter" Stun Gun Potato Cannon article in MAKE, Volume 03 "Nightlighter"
and you can see that in our Digital Edition.

Weekend Project: Stun Gun Potato Cannon (PDF)

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:00:00 -0800

Launch potato projectiles 200+ yards with this stun-gun triggered, high-powered potato cannon
with see-thru action.
Thanks go to William Gurstelle for the original article in MAKE, Volume 03.
View the PDF of this project. and then subscribe to MAKE Magazine for other great projects
you can do over the weekend.

Collin's Lab: Guitar pedal modding with Arduino

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:30:14 -0800

Instead of chaining multiple guitar effects in search of a new sound, I decided to mod just one. Using an Arduino microcontroller board + digi-pot chip (MCP41100), I was able to add a variable gating effect to a fuzz pedal fairly easily. I definitely dig the resulting sounds and a bit of rewiring should reduce the unwanted noise in the output. Switching to the MCP42100 would allow control over a second pot - perhaps the volume control for a tremolo effect.

You can find the "WavePot" sketch I used (including the necessary wiring list) here.

Download the m4v file or subscribe in iTunes

MAKE Volume 19: Robots, Rovers, and Drones

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 09:30:54 -0800

MAKE, Volume 19 features a special section on robots. Learn how to make a model plane with an autopilot and a small built-in robot brain. We also show you how to make a comfortable plywood chair, a bicyclist's vest that shows how fast you're going, and projects that introduce you to servomotors. There's a free downloadable papercraft diorama featuring a robot picnic with his human and feline friends. MAKE, Volume 19, on newsstands today!

Subscribe to MAKE, or log in to check out the Digital Edition.

Subscribe to the MAKE Podcast in iTunes, or download the m4v video.

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Weekend Project: Electric Cigar Box Guitar

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 05:01:00 -0800

Build your own 3-string, electrified cigar box guitar and make some sweet sounds.
Thanks go to Ed Vogel for the original article in MAKE, Volume 04.
To download The Cigar Box Guitar MP4 click here or subscribe in iTunes.

Check out the complete Cigar Box Guitar article in MAKE, Volume 04 "Cigar Box Guitar"
and you can see that in our Digital Edition.

Weekend Project: Electric Cigar Box Guitar (PDF)

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 05:00:00 -0800

Build your own 3-string, electrified cigar box guitar and make some sweet sounds.
Thanks go to Ed Vogel for the original article in MAKE, Volume 04.
View the PDF of this project. and then subscribe to MAKE Magazine for other great projects
you can do over the weekend.