Hot Hacks, Mods & Circuitry How-Tos

How To: Turn a pencil into an emergency light

You are stuck in the middle of nowhere and can't see a thing. Luckily you have pencil and your car battery. You can create 20 minutes of bright light using the graphite from a regular pencil, wired to the positive and negative of your car battery. Basically, the graphite serves as a bright filament for your emergency light. Follow along with this how-to video tutorial to learn the step by step process of turning a pencil into an emergency light.

How To: Build your own HD DVR

Want to break free from the confines of DVR land? If you're tired of spending all the money to download program listings from your DVR, then it's time for a change. If you don't want to mess with DRM files anymore, but want to backup your system, then MythTV is the way to go. You'll need to build your own PVR (personal video recorder) with thanks to MythTV, and it will end up costing you less than $500. Well worth the investment. The MythTv software is free and open source, so you just need t...

How To: Make and repair audio cables

In this video series, watch as professional sound engineer Kip Bradford teaches how to make and repair audio cables. Learn the tools needed to repair and make audio cables, learn what kind of solder to use, learn the types of connectors and wires to use, how to solder audio cables, how to remove solder from a solder joint, and how to roll audio cables.

How To: Wire an electrical outlet

In this series of how-to videos, home improvement expert Amelia Tallman shows you step-by-step instructions on how to install a new power outlet in a wall of your home. She demonstrates how to strip the existing wires, drill holes and properly install a new box for a new outlet. She also shares tips for improving your home by installing insulation using a blower, which should help you save money on energy costs by maintain temperature. By following the advice and techniques shown in these fre...

How To: Build electronic circuits

Does this sound difficult? It probably does to most people. Don't feel overwhelmed. Iin this step by step video series it will not only be better explained but Ross Safronoff, our expert, will show you how simple it really is and how to put it to work for you. Electricity is very powerful when harnessed correctly. He will walk you through every piece of equipment and detail of how electricity works and how we use it to our advantage as well as show you how to put it to use on a garage door. B...

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