Hot Hacks, Mods & Circuitry Posts
How To: Solder together a headphone amp with an Altoids can
Turn an Altoids can into an outstanding headphones amp. Learn to solder by building yourself the most excellent Chu Moy headphone amp. It sounds great but cheap enough to give away as holiday stocking stuffers.
How To: Make a portable spy scope cellphone camera
See how to make a portable spy scope cell phone camera with KipKay and MAKE Magazine! Find out how to use a cellphone camera for espionage that captures long-distance secret activities! Kipkay loves his spy gadgets! This portable cell phone camera spy scope is the perfect way to spy on your neighbors!
How To: Wire an LED Police light bar system
This is my homemade led light system. The main unit has a total of 228 LED's, the corners are using super wide angle LED's to maximize visibility. There are also 48 LED mini lightbar, 5x 16 LED mini modules.
How To: Repair a cracked or broken circuit board
Step by step guide to repairing circuit boards Yes, I know, my hands are shaky.
How To: Hack Smart Cards for satellite TVs
Notorious hacker Chris Tarnovsky opens his underground laboratory to WIRED, providing a peek into the world of satellite television smart-card hacking. This complicated process involves nail polish, a pin head and various acids -- so don't try this at home (unless you're Chris Tarnovsky)! Chances are you won't even know what's going on here, but that's not going to stop you from watching this video tutorial on how to reverse-engineer a satellite TV smart card, is it?
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: Build an eco-friendly directional WiFi antenna
Learn how to build an environmentally friendly directional WiFi antenna with this simple video guide. To follow along at home, you'll need the following things: a copper wedge, an N-type connector, some screws, a clamp-on N plug, a pigtail, and a wireless card. You'll also need a drill, screwdriver, and soldering iron. For comprehensive, step-by-step instructions on hacking your own directional WiFi antenna from a tin can, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Turn a cheap MIDI keyboard into a custom audio control
Controllerism is a lot like turn table-ism, except through its exclusive use of controllers and music software. Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to turn a simple and inexpensive MIDI keyboard into a custom audio controller. First, you'll want to rearrange the keys to line up with the knobs. Then, cut up an old DVD case and a bicycle tube to glue the rubber onto the keys to make it more tactile. Lastly, you'll need to set up the software to assign the keys with controls on...
How To: Make a steam candle
Have you ever seen a steam candle? It's essentially a simple-as-pie steam engine that revolves on top of a water surface. They are relatively easy to make if you know how to do it. Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to "hack" together your own steam candle.
How To: Hack a transistor radio to hear Air Traffic Control
Normally, when standing outside your local regional airport, you'd need a special radio or scanner to pick up the transmissions coming from that Air Traffic Control tower. Well, not anymore.
How To: Make a WiFi signal extender
Do it yourself: extend your WIFI signal. This is a quick and easy way to get more range for pennies.
How To: Pot mod a green laser to increase its power
See how to increase the mW of a 5 mW Green Laser Pointer!
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: Build a small hydrogen HHO generator
Make your very own hydrogen (and oxygen) generator with a 9V battery, copper wire, and baking soda (or salt). Why? Who knows. Make sure to check your connections. For more information on this hack, including detailed, step-by-step instructions on assembling your own HHO generator, watch this how-to video.
How To: Jam Internet signals
This tutorial illustrates how a wireless pinhole spy video camera can jam wireless internet or WiFi signals.
How To: Turn your webcam into a magnifier
Hack your webcam into a magnifier by adjusting the focus lens Turn your webcam into a magnifier.
How To: Make a WiFi truck
We've got half a day of wiring to build the Wireless Access Truck out of an EVDO modem, a Wilson Electronics Cell Phone Booster, a 12V Mini ITX PC and a WiFi adapter... Hit it.
How To: Make a soldering iron out of a graphite pencil and jumper cables
Now this is one how-to video you probably don't come across often. While most jewelry makers and welders probably purchase their soldering irons, it's actually possible to make your own soldering iron out of graphite pencil, car battery and jumper cables. We know it sounds like you're going to end up lit up like those much-parodied dads trying to set up Christmas lights on the rooftop during the holidays, but this process actually works quite well.
How To: Build a laser motion sensor mouse trap
Mice, cute as they may be, are an unwelcome visitor in many a home. This video tutorial provides step by step instructions on how to hack a wireless electronic laser mouse trap from an automatic garage door opener and a computer mouse. Find out where those little pests are going. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to build a laser motion detector mouse trap.
How To: Hack a cheap multi-touch whiteboard using the Wiimote
Using infrared (IR) light pens and the Wii Remote, it is possible to create very low-cost multi-point interactive whiteboards and multi-point tablet displays. Johnny Chung Lee, Carnegie Mellon University. The software can be downloaded at http://johnnylee.net
How To: Make an electrical lighter
Make a lighter with one or two AA batteries and simple tiny wire!!! This is a fantastic homemade electrical lighter for any situation. You'll need two AA batteries, a push switch, a battery holder, wire, solder, soldering iron, electrical tape, crimper, and scissors for this cool electrical lighter, for your cigarettes, and such.
How To: Build a hover craft
This is a Wired Magazine Geek Dad production. Make your own UFO at home with this hover craft. You need a leaf blower and some ingenuity. Build a hover craft.
How To: Make a wi-fi booster
How to make a wi-fi booster.
How To: Take apart an Etch a Sketch
Before I built the mechanics for my laser cutter I was planning on using the etch a sketch since the pulleys where already there. I accidentally cut the wires while taking it apart, so I made it from scratch (much bigger too). But I figured I'd post this in case you want a small laser cutter and need to learn how to take apart an etch a sketch. It was a bit tricky. The tought part was trying to take off the case. What you need to do is to pry the red off of the black, not the other way around.
How To: Boost your car remote's range
You can learn how to boost your car remote's range and you need a small screwdriver. Locate the antenna, sand the top surface of the antenna, and do not forget when you are done to close the remote up. This is another great video by Kipkay.
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: Make a Wi-Fi extender from Asian parabolic cookware
Want to boost your WiFi reception? Have an extra wok or parabolic collander? This video tutorial demonstrates a simple hack that will allow you to build an effective radio antenna that will significantly increase the gain of your WiFi signal. To replicate this hack at home, you'll need the following items: (a) a piece of parabolic cookware, (b) heavy tape, (c) a USB WiFi stick, (d) tin snips, and (5) a USB extension cable. For detailed instructions on building your own wireless signal extende...
News: These Guys Hacked Together a Raspberry Pi & Car Steering Wheel to Play Mario Kart
Oh, Mario. The guy that's been a part of our lives since as long as we can all remember. Well, Adam Ringwood and his friends did something pretty cool with one of Mario's most exciting games at the HackIllinois event in February 2016—they hacked a Chevrolet Volt's steering wheel into one big Nintendo 64 controller for Mario Kart.
News: Watch This Automated Lego Factory Fold Paper into a Perfect Cube
Robots are always really cool, if you ask me. Sometimes they're made out of Legos, and that's even cooler.
How To: Rock Harder on GarageBand with a DIY Pringles Can Drum Kit
Damn right, you don't just eat 'em. When you're done with your next Pringles can, you can turn it into a kaleidoscope, a pinhole camera, and even a solar hot dog cooker. But Instructables user TheSpodShed may have just created the most awesome way to upcycle empty Pringles cans—use them as a mini MIDI drum kit for your mobile device. This tiny drum kit will let you rock your face off without pissing off all your neighbors.
5$ Voice Modulator / Changer : Batman Arrow
Its a voice modulator which can be used to change your voice instantaneously so you can disguise and pull pranks etc.
News: DIY 3D-Printed Arduino Robot
This is a nice project that you can continue to work on and modify as you learn more Arduino projects. The Instructable linked below goes through the complete build for the Bluetooth-enabled robot seen in the first half of the video.
News: People Keep Making Weird Useless Machines—Here Are Our Favorites
For the past couple of years, random internet dwellers have embarked on an ambitious quest to see just how useless a box can be in hopes of earning sweet, sweet internet points. Welcome to the world of useless machines.
How To: Make an SMS Intruder Alarm
This tutorial shows you how to create an intruder alarm that sends you text message alerts when motion is detected. This may sound complicated but I am pretty confident any beginner with electronics should be able to do this just fine. The range sensor senses motion and tells your Arduino board to send the text (SMS). So you can leave the intruder detector at home, connected to your network, and still receive the SMS alerts, no matter where you are, as long as you have cell phone service.
How To: Make a Floppy Drive Music Mix (16 Drives, 5 Songs, 1 myRIO) - myFloppyDriveOrchestra
Video: . Being one of the most popular DIY/maker projects around, Musical Floppy Drives are nothing new. However, myFloppyDriveOrchestra includes a few unique features, which separate it from the crowd.
How To: Make Music with Floppy Drives & LabVIEW
Video: . Project Overview
How To: Make a Secret Car Compartment
Nowadays, protecting your valuables can be challenging especially when you're on the go. That's why I decided to make a little secret compartment inside my car. Only you'll know it's there because nobody will be able to find it. Not only that, but you'll have easy access to it. It's fairly cheap and the total cost was under $5.00. Let me show you how to make it. You can watch the video or scroll down below for the written guide.
News: How to Catch All the Fish?
Everyone who loves fishing, knows the feeling when you miss a fish that is already nibbling on your bait. This can however be prevented by using a bite indicator. The following video will help you to build a custom bite indicator that catches all the fish!
How To: Peel Potatoes the Fast Way
Today we show you how to peel potatoes with a drill! It's So Easy a Guy Could Do It!
How To: Make a Clothespin Gun
Today we show you how to make a very cool clothespin gun. Making this gun is So Easy a Guy Could Do It!