Hot Hacks, Mods & Circuitry How-Tos
How To: Solder for cheap
In this tutorial, we learn how to solder for cheap. Start out by forming the wire to get it ready to solder. The trick here is to create some tension between the two ends, do this by going back and forth hitting the wires. Now, grab a torch and start to flex the wire while holding it in front of the open flame. After this, grab some of the flux you keep in a bottle and apply it to the piece. Continue to apply heat to the wire until it turns cherry red, then apply the solder with the connectio...
How To: Make a DIY XBox 360 Wi-Fi adapter
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a DIY. XBOX 360 Wi-Fi adapter. First, go to your network connection properties on your laptop or netbook. From here, you will disconnect from any connection you have going. Then, select both connections and right click 'bridge connections'. Once finished, reconnect to your Wi-Fi network. Now, you can take one end of your cable and connect it to your computer and then your XBox. From here, you should be able to connect to XBox Live and play any game you'd...
How To: Build the ultimate fog chiller this Halloween
Looking to put the finishing touches on that Haunted House? You, my friend, require the Ultimate Fog Chiller. In this clip from the folks at MAKE, you'll learn how to build one you can call your own in about an hour's time. For detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started building your own spooky fog machine, watch this video guide.
HowTo: Magical LED Tin Can Lantern
Instructables member mark-mark creates a beautiful effect with just a tin can lantern and an LED. It's as simple as it sounds: punch a decorative pattern into a tin can and insert your LED rig. Catch the impressive result here.
How To: Make a USB-powered lighted pen holder with CDs and LEDs
Don't waste your money on a normal nightlight when you can build your own multifunctional nightlight that doubles as a pen holder. With a few junk CDs or DVDs, some LED lights, super glue and a dowel rod, you can make a nifty pencil and pen holder that masquerades as a night light, powered by a USB cable plugged directly into your computer.
How To: Scratch-proof the top layer of an audio CD
If your audio discs aren't playing anymore or constantly skip, then your problem might be scratches. Not just the bottom layer matters on an audio CD. The top layer can scratch just as easily and cause just as many problems. That's why it should be protected, and this video shows you a great hack for protecting your music compact discs. You just need to add an extra thin cover to the top of your CD, which comes from a trashed CD or DVD, for which you need to boil to remove the thin plastic la...
How To: Mod a Sony Walkman Cassette Player into a Retro Apple iPod Case
Another media player bites the dust. First, we saw the extinction of the phonograph and gramophone. Then came the fall of eight-track tapes. Even modern record players became more and more obsolete, with DJs switching over to the world of digital music. And today— the end of cassette players! What's next? Compact discs?
HowTo: Insanely Creepy Mini Electric Chair Tortures Chucky
Not for the faint of heart (in terms of both the concept AND difficulty level), Jon Williams has posted full build details for a mini electric chair fully equipped with a gnarly Chucky doll, in celebration of Halloween.
How To: Build a Cheap Waterproof Flashlight for Diving Depths Past 80 Feet
The pressure underwater is undeniably strong. If you were to fill a balloon with water and take it underwater, it would not burst but would stay the same size because liquids are not compressed. The pressure is the same, inside and outside of the balloon. If you were to fill that same balloon with air instead, the lower it dives into water, the more it shrinks, until it eventually can't take the pressure anymore and bursts.
How To: Make a Beetlebot from your parts bin
This video tutorial is in the Electronics category which will show you how to make a Beetlebot from your parts bin. The Beetlebot project can be found in Make Volume 12. You will need a couple of small motors, 2 momentary switches, 2 AA battery holders, a piece of metal, a small bead, 2 paper clips, heat ring tubing and a couple of connectors. Cut off two pieces of the tubing and using a soldering iron melt them over the ends of the motors. Hot glue the 2 momentary switches at an angle with t...
How To: Install a three way dimmer switch
This is a video tutorial in the Electronics category where you are going to learn how to install a three way dimmer switch. Mark Donovan of Home Addition Plus demonstrates how to replace a faulty 3-way dimmer switch in this video. Make sure you buy the right dimmer switch for your configuration and make sure you disconnect the power source before you start the work. Remove the top panel and then remove the screws that hold the whole dimmer switch and pull it out. There are three sets of wires...
How To: DIY a Geek-laden iPhone-to-iPad Connector Clip for Web & Video Multitasking
So, you can't decide— movie on your iPhone or web-surfing on your iPad— why not do both?
HowTo: LED Your Sneakers for Safe Night Jogging
Jogging at night is risky, but with these LED sneakers, the odds of getting hit are drastically reduced. Creator Will Cruz wants you to be safe, so he has generously shared full instructions for making your own light up kicks. Previously, HowTo: Auto-Lace Your Kicks.
How To: Set up your own micro forge to make nails and other small iron parts
Become a blacksmith in your spare time! You don't need a complicated setup to start forging your own iron nails. This video shows you how to make your own microforge using a fire brick, a few pieces of hardware and a fuel sorce. Now all you need is the raw materials!
How To: Make a homemade rocket from a can of compressed air
Rockets can be made from things you can buy at any electronics store - like a can of compressed air. You can even buy your own kit, or assemble your own by following the instructions in this video. Once you've built the chassis, just insert a can of compressed air and let it ride!
How To: Build a remote control with a two mile range for your digital camera
A remote control for a camera? Why not! You won't have to worry about racing the timer function any more! Build a remote control for your digital camera that will take the picture whenever you want. The range is as far as two miles!
How To: Build your own turret board using the press fitting method
Assemble a hammer, a number 43 drill bit, a turret setter, an X-acto knife or hobby knife, the plastic for the board and, of course, your layout! Once you have everything, this tutorial shows you how to build what you need to end up with a functional turret board.
How To: Build a hand cranked charger for your Android phone
Is your Droid always running out of power, and a charger isn't always convenient? Start with a hand cranked flashlight, then wire it up so you can charge your phone by hand! Great for pulling your dying phone out of emergencies.
How To: Repair home appliances with the use of a voltmeter
With a voltmeter, you can safely check the AC and DC voltage levels, measure resistance and even measure amperage or give circuit readings. What this means is that you can use this to diagnose problems that some of your household appliances might be having.
How To: Hack a voice changing toy to make it sound even crazier
Start with a toy bullhorn that alters the sound of your voice when you speak into it. Then mod it using a few potentimeters and a few resistors as demonstrated in this video. Now you have a toy with an even crazier pitch!
How To: Make your own colored sidewalk chalk
Let your creativity out by making your own sidewalk chalk, which you can color however you want. You'll need plaster of paris, a mixing bowl, powdered tempura paint, warm water, wax paper and tubular molds. Once you mix everything and colored with the paint, set your mold, let them dry and then start drawing!
How To: Attach a digital camera to a bicycle helmet
All you really need is a drill and some hardware to build a mount for your digital camera. Drill a few holes in your helmet, and then apply the bolts and washers as explained in the video for your own helmet-mounted camera.
How To: Make and launch your own amateur rockets
Want to get started in rocketry? You can buy launch kits from a hobby store, as well as a few rocket engines and an igniter. Once you have acquired these items, this tutorial will show you how to make a rocket body and launch your creation into the sky.
How To: Broadcast your own FM pirate radio station
Become the producer of your own pirate radio show! The mind behind Free Radio Berkeley shows you how to build your own FM transmitter, which is what you need to start broadcasting. Once you have all your hardware, set it up and all you need now is programming!
How To: Set up your own low powered FM pirate radio station
Want to start your own rebellion against the hegemony of the American media? You can set up your own FM radio station and start broadcasting what you want. This tutorial shows you everything you need to know to become a pirate radio producer.
How To: Build your own burning red laser for less than thirty dollars
You can construct your own burning red laser very easily and very cheaply. All you need are a soldering iron, Phillips head screwdriver, an LPC-815 laser diode, and a RKCSTR driver. Once you have everything together, follow this video to build a burning red laser.
How To: Install a Pixel Qi screen onto your netbook computer
A Pixel Qi (pronounced 'chee') screen allows for some really amazing display options when added to your netbook. This tutorial shows you how to remove the original screen and repalce it with this amazing new screen. All you really need is a screwdriver!
How To: Use perfboard prototyping for your electronics projects
Perfboard, or perforated board, is a simple board with evenly spaced holes and lined with metal which can be soldered on one side. The holes let you set up a board with circuits and wires as you need them for your own project. This tutorial shows you everything you need to know to build electronics on your own perfboard.
How To: Create a double pendulum out of polycarbonate plastic and skateboard bearings
While single pendulums can seem orderly, a double pendulum can be extremely chaotic. This tutorial shows you how to build your own double pendulum out of polycarbonate plastic, skateboard bearings and a few various pieces of hardware. Then follow the tutorial to get your own crazy chaotic double pendulum.
How To: Attach a few spin-activated LED lights to a yo-yo
Here's a fun weekend project you can use to add to a common toy. Get a yo-yo with concave sides, a few pieces of thin plastic (like from a CD case) and a few lithium-powered LEDs. Then follow this tutorial and get a yo yo that lights up when you play with it!
How To: Use Skype on your iPod Touch by modding the headphone jack
You can certainly use Skype to make free Internet phone calls through your iPod Touch, though the microphone/headphone combo headset sold by Apple is thirty dollars. Make one for a fraction of that cost using a headphone splitter and the mod process outlined in this video.
How To: Turn an old pair of headphones into a wireless reciever box
Take a pair of headphones with a broken case (though with the inner electronics still intact), and then get together the hardware listed in this video. Once you have gotten the circuit board out of the headphones, you can mod this into a wireless receiver box for your favorite pair of headphones.
How To: Build a ghost phone out of an old rotary phone and headphones
Here's a creepy weekend project! Take an old analog rotary phone (which you can easily find in an antique or vintage store). Unscrew the earpiece and then alter the parts according to the tutorial so you can start 'talking to ghosts'.
How To: Make your own backlit keyboard with electroluminescent wire
In this clip, you'll learn how to convert a standard USB keyboard into a backlit keyboard with a little bit of el wire. It's an easy process and this video presents a complete guide. For more information, including a full demonstration and detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this helpful home-computing how-to.
How To: Make a pair of noise-canceling headphones for twenty bucks
In this video tutorial, we learn how to build a high-quality pair of isolation headphones for just twenty dollars. For more information, including a complete demonstration and detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started making your own noise-canceling headphones, watch this how-to from the folks at CNET.
How To: Use MMS on T-Mobile or ATT iPhone using 3.1 or lower
In this tutorial, we learn how to use MMS on T-mobile or ATT iPhone using 3.1 or lower. First, you need to make sure you have iTunes down and it's not running on your computer at all. After this, go to the start menu, then click on the run. Next, type in "command" and hit enter. Then, type or copy and paste "C:/Program Files/iTunes/iTunes.exe/setPreflnt carrier-testin 1" into the command console that comes up. Then, hit enter and reboot your iPhone. When this reboots, go to the settings menu,...
How To: Build a mini fume extractor
Materials needed: Altoid mint tin, 9 volt batter and connector, switch, 7812 voltage regulator, 12 volt computer fan, carbon filter and 2 pieces of screen. Wire the battery connectors. Solder all of the following: Negative connector to the switch, wire to the switch, ground wire of the voltage regulator to the middle wire, output for the 7812 to the fan, positive lead on the 9 volt connector to the input on the 7812 and the negative from the 7812 to the negative on the fan. Test. Put all the ...
How To: Do the evil mouse prank to take control of your coworker's cursor
This isn't so much of an evil mouse prank as it is an annoying mouse prank. By following the instructions in this video you'll learn how to take control of your co-worker's mouse so that no matter where he moves it, the cursor will always slant to the side and stay there.
How To: Make a safe out of an empty can of whipped cream
Hide your valuables in plain sight! This tutorial shows you how to take an empty can of whipped cream and then add a few discreet mods. When you're done, it'll still look like a can of whippped cream, but now there will be a way to hide your valuables!
How To: Make a low cost rack to store and organize wire spools
Using just a few inexpensive pieces of hardware, you can construct your own rack designed for storing and organizing spools of wire. Bolt a dowel to a wall or another rack, then thread your spools on the dowel. You can still get the wire, and now they won't move!