MAKE Magazine: MAKE Podcast

John Park in the Maker Shed: tinyCylon kit build

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:00:00 -0800

They let me loose in the Maker Shed, so I grabbed a tinyCylon kit, built it, and embedded it in a busted Nerf gun! Please enjoy the video, and watch out for the noisy lamp.

To modify the kit for flexibility, I soldered the LEDs in at full height; you could extend things further by adding some wire between the switch and board, or make an extension for the battery pack. I'd love to hear about other kit modifications people have done.

These kits are great for adding effects to props and costumes. For more details on building the kit, check out Marc de Vinck's excellent build notes here.

tinyCylon kit in the Maker Shed

Scenes from Handmade Music Brooklyn 3/8/10

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 06:30:43 -0800

The Handmade Music event series returns to Brooklyn, NY showcasing a talented collection of sonic experimentalists at Galapagos Art Space. A musical sewing machine, electro-country, the sound of blinking lights, and experimental gestural controllers were all on hand for the event.

In addition to the segments seen above, the night also included a performance by Mouse & the Billionaire which unfortunately I was unable to grab any footage of. In any case, a good time was had by all - stay tuned for details on the next installment in the series.

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

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Weekend Project: Making the Weekend Projects

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:00:00 -0800

Take a look "behind the scenes" as Kipkay shares what goes into shooting the Weekend Project videos and shares some tips to help you be a better movie maker. To download the Making The Weekend Projects video click here

Weekend Project: Gourd Lanterns

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 05:01:00 -0800

Turn hard-shell gourds into decorative party lights. Thanks go to Diane Gilleland for the original article in MAKE Volume 21. To download The Gourd Lanterns video click here and subscribe in iTunes. Check out the complete Gourd Lanterns article in MAKE Volume 21 and you can see that in our Digital Edition. You can get pre-cleaned gourds here

Weekend Project: Gourd Lanterns (PDF)

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 05:00:00 -0800

Turn hard-shell gourds into decorative party lights. Thanks go to Diane Gilleland for the original article in MAKE Volume 21.

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: Kit-making

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 08:30:00 -0800

When recently faced with the dauntingly tedious task of assembling my first-ever batch of electronics kits, I was lucky enough to have the ever-helpful eye of seasoned kit-maker Becky Stern close by. While observing my one-man assembly 'process', Becky advised a more efficient, modular assembly line technique using intermediary storage vessels. Streamlining the process left me with plenty of time to cook up some unusually fancy title/motion graphics for the above-seen video.

Of course, there's a lot more to creating kits than just filling anti-static bags. The prototyping process alone could (should?) have it's own dedicated print handbook. Which could easily be followed up by "Part Sourcing for Noobs" or similar. Then of course there's cost/sale price calculation, shipping, packaging, and a myriad of other small-but-important considerations that become clear once you run into them. Though you can safely skip implementing your own online storefront/etc by selling your kitwares through our shiny, new Maker's Market.

One person who has likely fielded just about every curveball the kit business can throw is Adafruit Industries founder Limor Fried. Thankfully, she's taken the time to post a variety of helpful kit-biz resources, materials, and suppliers over at LadyAda.net - plus there's a discussion forum dedicated to the topic on Adafruit's site.

Do leave a comment if you've come across any particular site or related tip(s) you've found helpful!

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

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Weekend Project: Magic Photo Cube

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 05:01:00 -0800

Make a fun and easy desktop cube that magically reveals photos. Thanks go to Ken Wade for the original article in MAKE Volume 21.

To download The Magic Photo Cube video click here and subscribe in iTunes. Check out the complete Magic Photo Cube article in MAKE Volume 21 and you can see that in our Digital Edition.

Weekend Project: Magic Photo Cube (PDF)

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 05:00:00 -0800

Make a fun and easy desktop cube that magically reveals photos. Thanks go to Ken Wade for the original article in MAKE Volume 21.

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

Fairytale Fashion show 2010 - Diana Eng (video)

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 03:30:10 -0800

MAKE, CRAFT and Maker Faire were sponsors of the Fairytale Fashion show 2010 with Diana Eng, here's my video - above in glorious HD (m4v here).

The Fairytale Fashion Collection uses technology to create magical clothing in real life. Electronics, mechanical engineering, and mathematics are used to create clothing with blooming flowers, changing colors and transforming shapes. Research and development for the Fairytale Fashion collection are shared online at FairytaleFashion.org as an educational tool that teaches about science, math, and technology through fashion. Fairytale Fashion was created with the support of Eyebeam Art and Technology Center nonprofit. Diana Eng is a fashion designer who specializes in technology, math, and science. Her designs range from inflatable clothing to fashions inspired by mechanical engineering. She is a designer from Bravo’s Emmy nominated TV show, Project Runway season 2 and author of Fashion Geek: Clothes, Accessories, Tech. Diana is cofounder of NYC Resistor hacker group. Diana is currently a resident artist at Eyebeam.

Great show, nice to see everyone from the maker scene in NYC at the show too!

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Weekend Project: The Raygun

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 05:01:00 -0800

A steampunk style lighter in the form of a retro raygun. Thanks go to Molly Friedrich for the original article in MAKE Volume 17.

To download The "Discreet Companion" Ladies' Raygun video click here and subscribe in iTunes. Check out the complete "Discreet Companion" Ladies' Raygun article in MAKE Volume 17 and you can see that in our Digital Edition. Here is the pattern for the Raygun body.

Weekend Project: The Raygun (PDF)

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 05:00:00 -0800

A steampunk style lighter in the form of a retro raygun. Thanks go to Molly Friedrich for the original article in MAKE Volume 17. View the PDF of this project. And then subscribe to MAKE magazine for other great projects you can do over the weekend.

Circuit Skills: Circuit Board Etching, sponsored by Jameco

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:00:00 -0800

I very much enjoy making my own circuit boards. It's a satisfying process that ties together my love of electronics with materials I used back in my art school days. It's also the most accurate way to build a circuit short of sending away to a PCB manufacturer, and it's much more fun.

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

I actually got my start in electronics etching others' designs I'd found online -- long before I understood how they worked! Churning out fully-functional devices early on proved to be a great way to keep me motivated and making. The above video documents the ins and outs of my process, and can hopefully serve as a starting point for your own.

Materials I use for printing, etching, and drilling my own boards:

Transparency stock for laser printers (inkjet setups are likely as effective)
Nitrile gloves (thicker reusable gloves are good too)
Dust mask & eye protection
Good ventilation (if you can smell it - you're breathing it!)
Inexpensive photo frame (or specialized exposure frame)
Red safe-light (optional - brief exposure to dim light is ok)
Chemicals - positive type developer, ferric chloride, nail polish remover (or acetone)
Pyrex dishes w/ lids (plastic storage containers work as well)
Desk or clip lamp + ~30W CFL bulb
Drill bits, .8mm, 1mm, 1.5mm (+ others, dependent on source design)
Small drillpress (or suitable dremel attachment)
Misc. tools - xacto knife, metal ruler, permanent marker, vacuum, etc.

Additional tips I've found helpful:

Warm developer and etchant do speed up the process, but keep an eye on your board's progress!
Orient your design before printing (text should appear reversed in most cases)
Keep etchant away from any metal you don't want etched - including stainless steel sinks!
Drilling holes systematically (i.e. left to right, top to bottom) can help prevent oversights
Keep the board clear while drilling to improve visibility/accuracy
Dedicate a workspace & prepare materials ahead of time (plastic drop-cloths are handy!)

As part of their sponsorship of these Circuit Skills videos, Jameco is offering two product bundles to help jumpstart those new to the realm of homemade PCBs -

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Weekend Project: LED Light Brick

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 05:01:00 -0800

A single chip drives 20 LEDs to create amazing colors in this fun and easy project. Thanks go to Alden Hart for the original article in MAKE, Volume 18.

To download The LED Light Brick video click here and subscribe in iTunes. Check out the complete LED Light Brick article in MAKE, Volume 18 and you can see that in our Digital Edition.

In the Maker Shed:

In the Maker Shed: The LED Lightbrick kit

Weekend Project: LED Light Brick (PDF)

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 05:00:00 -0800

A single chip drives 20 LED's and creates amazing colors. Thanks go to Alden Hart 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.

Behind the Scenes at MAKE and CRAFT

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:00:37 -0800

In January, many of the remote MAKE/CRAFT team members (myself included) convened at the Maker Media headquarters at O'Reilly Media in Sebastopol, California. Take a look behind the scenes of your favorite DIY publications as Goli Mohammadi gives us a tour!

View on YouTube, Vimeo, or Blip.tv, subscribe to the MAKE Podcast in iTunes, or download the m4v video.

Weekend Project: The Arc Light

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:01:00 -0800

Build an amazing 19th century arc light out of simple materials. Thanks go to William Gurstelle for the original article in MAKE, Volume 20.

To download The Arc Light video click here and subscribe in iTunes. Check out the complete Arc Light article in MAKE, Volume 20 and you can see that in our Digital Edition.

Weekend Project: The Arc Light (PDF)

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:00:01 -0800

Build an amazing 19th century arc light out of simple materials.
Thanks go to William Gurstelle for the original article in MAKE, Volume 20.

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

Seeing radio waves with a light bulb

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 07:00:00 -0800

Using a low power amateur radio transmitter and a simple light bulb receiver circuit, we see how radio waves and electromagnetic induction transmit energy and signals wirelessly through the air. We also see how dipole and Yagi antennas radiate their energy in different patterns. Read on to build your own dipole receiving antenna!

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

More:

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MAKE, Volume 21: Desktop Manufacturing - plus a visit to MakerBot HQ!

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:30:35 -0800

MAKE, Volume 21 digs into desktop factories, covering a variety of ways you can get started with personal manufacturing - including:

CNC kits
DIY CNC milling machines
Steps for building your own 3D scanner
An in-depth look at the MakerBot Cupcake CNC & it's development

We also paid a visit to MakerBot HQ in Brooklyn, NY and sat down with company co-founder Bre Pettis. Be sure to check out the interview + tour of the Botcave in the above vid!

Oh and of course, MAKE 21 is chock-full of step-by-step instructions for building a variety of sweet projects including -

Reaction Timer
Padded Swords
Magic Photo Cube
ESP Tester
Gourd Lanterns
Geared Candleholder
Snow Gun
+ a whole bunch more!

The above video is a bit of a change of pace from the usual previews we post for new volumes - let us know what you think of the new format in the comments below!

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

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

Weekend Project: The UnaBox

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:01:00 -0800

Make a wooden box that can only be opened if you know the secret. Thanks go to Claudio Bernardini for the original article in MAKE, Volume 20.

To download The UnaBox video click here and subscribe in iTunes. Check out the complete UnaBox article in MAKE, Volume 20 and you can see that in our Digital Edition.

Weekend Project: The UnaBox (PDF)

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:00:00 -0800

Make a wooden box that can only be opened if you know the secret. Thanks go to Claudio Bernardini for the original article in MAKE, Volume 20.

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

Weekend Project: Remote-Controlled Camera Mount

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 05:01:00 -0800

Turn your R/C car into a secret spy vehicle with this simple project.
Thanks go to Ben Wendt for the original article in MAKE, Volume 20.
To download The Remote-Controlled Camera Mount video click here and subscribe in iTunes.
Check out the complete Remote Controlled Camera Mount article in MAKE, Volume 20 and you
can see that in our Digital Edition.

Weekend Project: Remote-Controlled Camera Mount (PDF)

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 05:00:01 -0800

Turn your R/C car into a secret spy vehicle with this simple project.
Thanks go to Ben Wendt for the original article in MAKE, Volume 20.
View the PDF of this project. and then subscribe to MAKE Magazine for other great projects
you can do over the weekend.

Weekend Project: Personal Portable Heater

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 05:00:00 -0800

Keep warm this winter with an easy to make portable heater you can stick in your pocket, under your hat or anywhere for some extra heat.
To download The Portable Heater video click here and subscribe in iTunes.
Subscribe to MAKE Magazine for other great projects
you can do over the weekend.

Low-cost fabbed 3-axis mill

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 11:00:43 -0800

While at MIT last week, I met Jonathan Ward, who's working in the Machines That Make (MTM) group on an open source, low-cost CNC mill made from 26 parts on a ShopBot, called the MTM A-Z. You can download the necessary files (including bill of materials) to make your own! Check out the video above for an overview of the machine. The MTM group has this awesome idea of a fablab 2.0, where all of the big machines will have been made by other machines, reducing commercial overhead and increasing overall awesomeness.

Subscribe to the MAKE podcast in iTunes, or watch this video on Youtube, Vimeo, or Blip. You can also download the m4v video.

Craft meets tech at MIT

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:11:46 -0800

In this week's CRAFT Video, come with me to the Media Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. There I met with e-textiles pioneer Leah Buechley and students from her research group called "High-Low Tech," which Leah describes as "blends" of technology with traditional crafts to make new toolkits for creativity and learning. I had so much fun checking out the amazingly brilliant and fun projects by Hannah Perner-Wilson, Emily Lovell, David Mellis, and Bonifaz Kaufmann, I had a hard time leaving!

Subscribe to the CRAFT Podcast in iTunes, watch it on YouTube, Vimeo, Blip, or download the m4v video.

More:

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Weekend Project: Rumble Mouse

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 05:01:00 -0800

For old style FPS gaming, a cellphone vibrator gives a kick to your clicks.
Thanks go to Greg Lipscomb for the original article in MAKE, Volume 06.
To download The Rumble Mouse video click here and subscribe in iTunes.
Check out the complete Rumble Mouse article in MAKE, Volume 06 and you
can see that in our Digital Edition.

Weekend Project: Rumble Mouse (PDF)

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 05:00:00 -0800

For old style FPS gaming, a cellphone vibrator gives a kick to your clicks.
Thanks go to Greg Lipscomb for the original article in MAKE, Volume 06.
View the PDF of this project. and then subscribe to MAKE Magazine for other great projects
you can do over the weekend.

Weekend Project: Retro Wireless Handset

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 05:01:00 -0800

Combine new technology with old for a retro bluetooth handset that will get people talking.
Thanks go to Jeff Keyzer for the original article in MAKE, Volume 20.
To download The Retro Wireless Handset video click here and subscribe in iTunes.
Check out the complete Retro Wireless Handset article in MAKE, Volume 20 and you
can see that in our Digital Edition.

Weekend Project: Retro Wireless Handset (PDF)

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 05:00:00 -0800

Combine new technology with old for a retro bluetooth handset that will get people talking.
Thanks go to Jeff Keyzer for the original article in MAKE, Volume 20.
View the PDF of this project. and then subscribe to MAKE Magazine for other great projects
you can do over the weekend.