Hot Hacks, Mods & Circuitry How-Tos
How To: Turn your laptop hard drive into a USB drive
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to turn your laptop hard drive into an external USB drive. This hack is fairly easy to perform, all it requires for you to know is where to locate the laptop's hard drive for extraction. You'll also have to purchase a USB housing which ranges around fifteen dollars.
How To: Run USB through the phone lines
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to run a USB cable through existing phone cords. You'll need two phone jacks, a USB extender, and a phone cord. Although dual jacks are featured in this video tutorial, single jacks are preferred. The process is fairly simple, what you need to do is open up the jack and cut the USB extender in half. Strip to the multicolored wires and match up the the wires with the opened phone jack's, all except for the white wire which will go to the ye...
How To: Make a Guitar Hero clone
Everyone and their moms are into Guitar Hero nowadays. If you can't afford this great game, check out this tutorial and learn how to create your own Guitar Hero clone using free software and a controller that you can make using parts that total around $22. The free software used in this instructional video is called Frets on Fire.
How To: Make a pocket USB battery
Change a normal 9v battery into a life saver. If you have ever run out of juice on your phone and could really use a quick charge, then you need a USB battery. Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to create a pocket USB battery. Materials you will need for this process are one 5.1v zener diode, one 330-ohm resistor, a 9v battery connector, a 9v battery, a solder, and soldering iron.
How To: Make a metal detector from a calculator and radio
Like looking for lost treasure? There's no need to break the bank for a high-end metal detector — just dig through your junk drawer! In this video tutorial, KipKay shows you how to make a metal detector from a calculator, an AM or FM radio, a standard CD case, and some velcro. That's it. Your very own metal detector.
How To: Build a CNC machine using two old CD drives
Take a look at this instructional vidkeo and learn how to make your own computer numerical control (CNC) machine out of two old CD drives. CNC machines serve as controllers for a number of devices such as machine tools by reading G Code instructions. With a own CNC machine, you can create your own 3D printer.
How To: Make a fire with batteries and a headphone
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to make a light a toothpick on fire with just a few household items. The materials you will need for this process are a roll of tape, two AA batteries, any kind of headphone jack, and any type of aerosol spray. To start this process, you'll want to ducttape the headphone jack and tape it to a batter from the negative end. Take the other battery and tape the positive end to the headphone jack. Afterwards, take you toothpick and spray the en...
How To: Glitch or circuit bend a Nintendo gaming console
By circuit bending low voltage electronic devices, you can transform your old unused toys into musical devices or to create visual manipulations. Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to bend an old classic Nintendo. In this tutorial, you'll learn how to circuit bend the NES in such a way that you'll be able to produce cool distortions while in gameplay. Remember to exercise caution when circuit bending.
How To: Glitch a Speak & Spell without circuit bending
Don't know a soldering iron from a curling iron? In this how-to, you'll learn how to get good, glitchy Speak & Spell sounds without having to circuit bend your toy (or even open up the case).
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: Circuit bend audio electronics
Learn about circuit bending in this video series that will help you understand how and when to utilize this unique way of making music.
How To: Build a synthesizer
Learn how to build a simple electronic synthesizer with square wave oscillators in this free instrument-building video series that will show you how to create the perfect synthesizer.
How To: Circuit bend a toy guitar
Learn how to bend circuits, disassemble toy cases, unscrew circuit boards and test a circuit bend in this free video series that will help you understand how and when to utilize this unique way of making music.
How To: Etch copper
To etch copper, an acidic solution of copper chloride and hydrochloric acid may be used. Gather copper etching materials with tips in this free electronics video. Etch copper - Part 1 of 15.
How To: Control a Roomba with a Nintendo Wii balance board
Interested in some good clean fun? With this hack from Japan, you'll learn to operate a Roomba vacuum cleaner remotely using a Nintendo Wii balance board with a Bluetooth serial adapter. Watch this tutorial and build your own Surfin'ba today!
How To: Build an electric recumbent bicycle
Sit back and ride as G Word correspondent David Newsom finds out the benefits of an electric bicycle. Watch and see how to convert a conventional bike to a battery-powered riding machine.
How To: Make a Toilet Paper Launcher
Shoot streams of toilet paper in midair with this ultimate TP machine, the Streamerator. Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to make a toilet paper launcher with a generic, electric yard blower. This gadget is extremely easy to make. First, you need a steel rod about the same length as the blower, the rod has to be bent at 90 degrees. Two ground clamps are used to mount the steel rod which will serve as a roll holder. A flat punched piece of metal is measured and screwed int...
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: Build C64 paddles for cynthcart
With the cynthcart cartridge, it's possible to turn the classic Commodore 64 8 bit home computer into an analog synthesizer. Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to create paddles for the C64 and get real time control over filter. You can assign whatever you want to the second paddle.
How To: Hack a six volt lantern battery
Find out how to use a six volt lantern battery to really save you money. This is no con, or prank, or joke that involves 32 AA batteries; this is the real deal. Just watch this money saving video tutorial to see how to hack a six volt battery. You can easily replace a few of this cells, which are equal to 3 D batteries, which can be used inside of your Maglite flashlight. Don't let that 6 volt battery go to waste after buying it for the other false hack, use them in any way you can, like this...
How To: Etch a printed circuit board using toner transfer
Making a PCB is very simple; it does not consume a lot of time and the results look professional. After watching this step-by-step how-to video, you will be able to make your own PCB in your workshop using just a few inexpensive materials.
How To: Create a PCB with the toner transfer method
Need to make a PCB quick? Well, this video tutorial will show you how to create a PCB with the toner transfer method using photo laser paper.
How To: Make your own USB frying pan
Ever wanted to cook things on the go? Well, with this homemade USB frying pan, you can easily cook eggs for breakfast right next to your laptop, powered by your laptop.
How To: Make an electric fence to keep pests out of your room
Need to keep people out of your precious room? Tired of all of those "do not disturb" signs not working? Locks just aren't cutting it these days? Safeguard your privacy with your very own electric fence. Remember Jurassic Park, when the kid got zapped by the electric fence? Think that, but in the doorway of your room.
How To: Build a cheap perpetual energy generator (FAUX-TO)
F for FAKE. This video has been labeled a "Faux-To". Commonly contested as bogus science, we believe this video to be a hoax. What's your opinion? Comment below.
How To: Make a stripped down motor
This tutorial video will teach you to make your very own stripped down motor. This stripped down motor makes a great science project. Make a stripped down motor - Part 1 of 7.
How To: Make an Electric Motor
This tutorial video will teach you how to make your very own home made electric motor. This electric motor can power a variety of accessories, and is useful for science projects.
How To: Build a styrofoam plate speaker
This magical electronics tutorial video will teach you how to make a decent sounding speaker from a disposable Styrofoam plate. A Styrofoam plate is, of course, not someone's first thought when they consider speaker materials, but give this one a try. This is an easy and cheap project with surprising results!
How To: Wire a solar cell into an electrical circuit
The Solar Schoolhouse presents this video tutorial on how to use the Solar Cell Classroom Set. The purpose of this set is to give students hands on experience making electricity using sunlight. See what's inside the set, and then see how to wire three different types of electrical circuits: a simple circuit, a series circuit, and finally a parallel circuit.
How To: Make a rat trap security system
Have you ever been the victim of theft? It sucks. Why would these lazy scumbags rather steal from us than work hard like everybody else?
How To: Make a gadget electric charging station
Check this PopSci 5-Minute Project out to see how you can make your very own gadget charging station.
How To: Build a solar powered bedside lamp
This is a simple "take home" solar energy lamp project, based around a dirt cheap solar garden lamp, which suits enthusiastic ten-year-olds (with modest adult help).
How To: Create a metal detector from household items
Detect metal with a metal detector! In this video tutorial, you will see how to create a metal detector out of just two household items, for under twenty dollars. So, if you're on a treasure hunt, and have no money yet, then make your own metal detector.
How To: Construct a motion detector alarm system
Check out this video tutorial to see how to construct an alarm system, that's based on the principle of motion detectors, which work by touch. It's very useful to catch unpleasant visitors red-handed. So make sure your chocolate bar never gets snagged again, catch the bandits with a motion detector alarm! Or just keep you kids away from the birthday present closet where peeping is not allowed.
How To: Build a USB popcorn maker
Watching a movie on your laptop again? Well, make some popcorn to go with that with this USB popcorn maker. With a little electronics know-how, you can easily get popping in no time!
How To: Modify a solar yard light into electronic crickets
Create a nighttime chorus of insect sounds by modifying a solar yard light! You'll need some components, and the circuit board is not for the timid. It's pretty complicated with resistors, capacitors, thermistors, amplifiers, and some transformers. If you can manage all of this soldering work, then you will have one hell of a cricket show!
How To: Hack a Diebold electronic voting machine
So 2000 was a wash for an election year; we put up with W for four years, then what happened? 2004! Lost again!!! Diebold you just can't seem to fade.
How To: Hack an Diebold eVoting machine in just a minute
It only takes a minute to steal a U.S. Election!
How To: Hack Michigan's optical scanner voting machines
Michael-David BenDor demonstrates how an optical scanner voting machine can be hacked in under five minutes using everyday tools. So, if you want to rig the next election in Michigan, this is the video tutorial for you. Don't agree with the next popular president or governor? Then see how to hack and get around the presidential seal in the voting machine.
How To: Build a laser security system
Got a mystery to solve? Somebody’s been making off with your stuff, and you don’t have a clue who it is, do you? Here’s your chance to catch them in the act. In this how to video you will learn to make a DIY laser security system.