Hot Hacks, Mods & Circuitry Posts
How To: Quick-N-Dirty Circuit Board Repair: How to Patch Faded or Corroded Traces with Pencil Lead
You may already know that you can build a functional circuit on a sheet of paper with the graphite from a pencil, but you'd probably never think of using it to fix an electronic device. This same principle can be used to bring back a bricked phone, but can also repair a damaged or corroded trace in a printed circuit board. Redditor 404ClueNotFound spilled water on his favorite computer keyboard (like so many of us have done before). The damage was minimal, but after drying it out, one key sti...
How To: Recharge non-rechargeable batteries in seconds
This how-to video will show you how to zap charge a non-rechargeable battery with only two wires and a car. Sounds cool, and fun, unless of course you zap yourself. Watch this video circuitry tutorial for more information on this simple, money-saving hack.
How To: Eavesdrop from a Distance with This DIY Parabolic "Spy" Microphone
Want to find out if your neighbors are talking about you? You could always hack their webcam or turn your iPhone into a secret spy camera, but unless you have a key to their house, that could be tricky to do without getting caught.
How To: Fix Dead Lithium-Ion Batteries That Won't Hold a Charge Anymore
"What is dead may never die." That's easily one of the best lines (and episode title) from HBO's Game of Thrones series. While the saying may ring true for the Ironborn, it's not quite as catchy when it comes to batteries.
How To: Hack your electricity meter
This video will show you what you'll need to know to hack a digital electric meter. You'll need 2 magnets, one much bigger than the other, an AC adaptor that you'll cut into pieces, or some speaker wire, distilled water, electrical tape, a knife, some plascic wrap, and a plastic cup. Remember, this is illegal, and shown only for educational purposes.
News: Infrared LEDs Protect Your License Plate Number from Police Cams
Got a knack for speeding? Like running red lights? Believe or not, the police have better things to be doing than pulling you over, like catching real criminals. That's why more and more cameras are popping up at known speeding zones and on street corners—so the cops can clean up the streets, compared to just ticketing them.
How To: Make an LED or a light emitting diode
Take a tour through the world of the light-emitting diode. Learn - who invented it, how to use it, and how to make your own.
How To: 10 Unique & Practical Ways to Repurpose Your Old Hard Disk Drives
At one point in the '90s, about fifty percent of the CDs produced worldwide had an AOL logo. About fifty percent of the CDs in my home still have that AOL promise of 500 free hours on them. Though they never got me to join their internet service, I did get a lifetime supply of coasters. Thanks to the rise of high-speed internet access and bigger and better hard drives, there's no reason for companies to snail mail any more of those obnoxious plastic discs.
How To: Block RFID Signals, Build an RFID Reader Detector, and Make Custom RFID Tags
RFID chips are everywhere. They're in passports, credit cards, and tons of items you've bought in the last 5 years or so. Big retailers like Walmart started using tracking products with RFID as early as 2004, and today, they're used in everything from mobile payments to hospital record systems. Chances are, unless you're a hermit (in which case you wouldn't be reading this anyway), there's an RFID tag within a few feet of you. Photo by sridgway
How To: Hack Software & Run a Trial Program Forever
With this video tutorial, you'll learn how to hack demo versions of applications such that they'll run indefinitely. You'll just need to modify the date and time on your computer. Learn how to use trials of programs without them ever expiring instead of buying the real thing with the hack outlined in this how-to video.
How To: Make a satellite dish Wi-Fi antenna for free internet
Need internet but don't want to pay? Well, try lusting of those around you by picking up their Wi-Fi signal. Live out in the boondocks? No problem… if you have an old satellite dish laying around.
How To: Hack Christmas Lights for Custom Holiday Lighting Patterns
General Electric isn't known for their Christmas lights, but maybe they should be, because their GE Color Effects are pretty awesome. Especially the LED Color Effects G-35 String sets. And especially when someone named Darco hacks them.
How To: Hack a coin operated laundry machine
Man, it's laundry day and once again you have NO quarters. Well, check out this video and you'll never need quarters again. This how-to shows how to pick the lock on a coin operated laundry machine and then rig it up so you'll never need to pay again. Sweeeet.
How To: Open a power supply without destroying a transformer
First of all, please DO NOT attempt to open any power supply and tweak what's inside unless you know what you're doing and/or are a professional. With that said, this circuitry video will teach you how to crack open a wall transformer power supply without destroying the transformer.
How To: Make a Super Cheap One-Way Check Valve
If you're going to build yourself a water gun to cool down this summer, or maybe just a useful water pump, you'll need some check valves. However, the most expensive parts of a water pump or DIY super soaker are usually the check valves. So, let's make some from scratch for as little as $0.35 each.
How To: Eavesdrop on a Bluetooth headset
Few Bluetooth users realize that Bluetooth headsets can be hacked or otherwise exploited to a remote attacker the ability to record and inject audio through the headset while the device is not in an active call. SANS Institute author and senior instructor Joshua Wright demonstrates, and explains, the security vulnerability in this how-to. For more information, including step-by-step instructions on how you can replicate this hack yourself, take a look.
How To: Turn a laser into a burning laser
This video tutorial from Shooting Eggs demonstrates a hack that will allow you to convert a cheap 5 mW green laser pen into a 100 mW monster. Watch out, don't burn your carpet! Check out this hacking how-to and learn how to build your own high-powered laser on the cheap.
How To: Build a radar from cheap satellite dish parts or a toy radar gun
Radar has made much of modern life possible, and if you're into building your own electronics building one is a fun and useful project. Watch this video for instructions on how to build your own simple radar out of cheap spare parts from a satellite dish or a toy radar gun.
How To: Recharge non-rechargeable alkaline batteries
Can you recharge non-rechargeable alkaline batteries? Yes you can! Gary Cutlack from techdigest.tv risks chemical burns to demonstrate.
How To: Make an Infrared Mask to Hide Your Face from Cameras
This how-to video shows how you can hack a standard baseball cap into a cool invisible IR mask to hide your face from cameras anywhere, and look perfectly normal to the human eye! You have to admire a technically accomplished hacker. Now don't go out a rob a bank or anything. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to camera-proof your face with a creepy infrared mask.
How To: Hack into live, public security cameras and web cams
In this Electronics video tutorial you will learn how to hack into live, public security cameras and web cams using Google without the owner even knowing this is happening. The video claims that there is nothing illegal about this. Type ‘inurl:/view/index.shtml’ in to Google search bar. IP addresses starting with numbers are those of cams. So, click those. You may need to install ‘active X’. Go ahead and install it. Click on any cam IP and you can view the picture in that cam. You can...
How To: Hack RFID enabled credit card & steal money for cheap
Identity theft is a huge problem and one of he fastest growing crimes in America. A number of credit card companies now issue credit cards with embedded RFIDs (radio frequency ID tags), with promises of enhanced security and speedy transactions.
How To: Make a homemade fractal antenna for HD and digital TV reception
Want great reception? Then a fractal antenna may be your answer. And you can make one yourself, right at home! Fractal antennas uses a fractal design to maximize the perimeter of the material that can receive and transmit electromagnetic radiation within a given total surface area or volume. Sounds complicated, right? Not after you watch this DIY video. Just follow along and see how one is built!
How To: Get your PSP hooked up to the Internet without needing wifi
If you can't get access to a wifi hotspot or an Internet connection with your PSP, you can use this method to get online. You will need access to a computer that is online, and a USB cord that can connect the computer to your PSP. Then, open up the command prompt on your computer, configure your IP and then add your PSP as a device on the network. This method uses the DNS method of getting to the Internet rather than having to hack a wifi connection.
How To: Build Your Own Kinect-Like 3D Tracking Interface with Cardboard, Foil, and Arduino
Back in 2008, media artist Kyle McDonald created a 3D interface that could track movement, which he turned into a virtual Tic-tac-toe game.
How To: Increase the range of a remote control
Kipkay shows you how to increase the range of your remote control for your television. You use electrical tape to make sure that the leads do not come into contact with the reflector.
How To: Make your own EMF detector for under ten dollars
An EMF detector will help you find invisible electromagnetic fields, and you can make an inexpensive one for under ten dollars. This will only detect the presence of a field, you will need other tools to be able to measure its strength.
How To: Turn a flatbed scanner into a camera
Want to take an ordinary flatbed scanner and turn it into a camera (that takes some pretty wild photos)? You can and, with the help of this video tutorial from MAKE, you will. For detailed, but simple, step-by-step instructions on assembling your own flatbed scanner camera, take a look at this how-to video!
How To: Make a cheap lucid dream mask
Did you know you can stimulate yourself to have a lucid dream? Well, it may take a little bit of practice first, but this sleep mask can certainly help you have the most interesting and realistic dreams of your life (yes, kinda like "Inception.") Just check out this video to learn how to make a super cheap lucid dream mask out of two LED lights and a pair of goggles.
How To: Build a low cost portable hamstick antenna
If you're looking for a low cost solution for a portable hamstick antenna pole for your ham radio, then check out this video.
How To: Hook up your exercise bike to Google Maps
Tinkernut demonstrates how to hook up your exercise bike to Google Maps. Using a stationary bike can be good for your health but it can also be boring. You can spice up your exercise regiment by using Google Maps. You will need a USB keypad with arrow keys, a magnetic contact alarm with wires, soldering equipment, an exercise bike and a laptop computer. Connect the contact alarm to the up arrow key on the keypad by opening up the keypad and connecting the wires to the up arrow key by solderin...
News: Recycle an old satellite dish into a WiFi booster
Struggling to keep up your wireless signal? If you're struggling to stream Hulu from the backyard DocZee's got an idea.
How To: Make a Spot Welder for Cheap!
A typical resistance spot welder can range in price from about $200-$800, but with a little resourcefulness and a bit of free time, you can make one like this for about $10 or less.
How To: Bypass cable locks, just in case you have to
So, you've found yourself in a hotel room, and for some reason you just have to remove that cable from the wall. However, it is protected by a cable lock. In this instructional video, see how to defeat these using a piece of toilet paper, a pen, and the cable lock itself!
How To: Trigger traffic lights to change from red to green
This instructional video shows how change traffic lights from red to green, using science, and without actually having to know anything about magnetic fields or properties! Save gas, time, and frustration in your car and during your commute! Works great! See the test results! Yay for Kipkay! The trick in this video hacking tutorial will teach you how to get green lights on your bike or motorcycle that is too small or light to trigger the traffic light.
How To: Build a laser microphone
Listen to conversations over long distances with a homemade laser listening device. All you'll need is a laser pointer, tripod, old pair of headphones, photocell, a recording device, and the step-by-step instructions in this how-to video. The creator of this video tutorial does not mention the need for sophisticated software. But the principle is quite sound. If you can figure it out, you can eavesdrop and spy on whoever.
How To: Hack Battery-powered Christmas Lights Into Laptop Holiday Decorations
Christmas is the time to splurge— not just with presents and food— we're talking decorations. It's that time of year when verdurous fir trees take up half of your living room, when waving elf figurines silhouette your front windows, when Rudolph flies from the rooftops, Santa in tow. But more than anything else, it's a time when those Christmas lights double tour elctrical bills, dancing to the "12 Days of Christmas" for the whole neighborhood to see.
How To: Make an AC Arc Welder Using Parts from an Old Microwave, Part 1
In a previous article, I demonstrated an Arc Welder made using parts from old microwave ovens. Video: .
News: Teens Pulled Over in Their Almost Street Legal (And Totally Cool) DIY Wooden Car
Getting pulled over sucks, even when you're in a normal car. Just imagine how these teenagers felt when they were pulled over for driving their wooden car without a license! They also got a citation for not having a speedometer or side indicator lights, but if that's all that's keeping their DIY vehicle from being street legal, I'm already impressed. Photo by WTF.nl/Zaanstreek-Waterland Police
How To: Use the Wiimote's IR function to emulate a mouse
You can connect your Nintendo Wii Wiimote to your PC using GlovePie input emulation software and a bluetooth connection. See how to program scripts in Glovepie to use the infra-red sensor on the Wiimote to move the mouse cursor.
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