Everything Else — Page 10 of 26 « Hacks, Mods & Circuitry

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: Build an enclosure box for your electronics projects

If you want user friendly electronics projects, you'll need to build an enclosure case around it. Not only will this help it look cool, you can also protect it from dust, water or other kind of damage. This tutorial shows you how to make a great looking user intereface and enclosure box for your electronics projects.

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: Make your own laser diode driver for less than three dollars

You can make a laser diode driver extremely inexpensively - the materials in this tutorial cost less than three dollars in total. Find out what to buy, and then this tutorial shows you how to assemble your purchases for a laser diode. Awesome!

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: Build a burning laser from leftover spare computer parts

You can actually build a burning red laster by assembling a few spare parts taken from old computers! This tutorial shows you what you'll need to look out for, and then how to build it. You'll probably need a diode, but that's likely the only thing to purchase!

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: 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!

How To: Make lily pad pool warmers that run on solar power

Start with just a few hula hoops, and then get some polyethylene film and a small soldering iron. Fit the film to your hoops, then gently mod your soldering iron and make a few spot welds. Be careful not to melt anything! Make a few vent bubbles, and you now have a pool warmer!

How To: Construct your own industrial hanging pendant lamp

Replicate the style of hanging lamps sold in high end boutiques! You'll need two separate gauge of wire, a few pliers, spray paint, lamp parts and a screwdriver. Cut your wire and shape according to design. Then assemble this over your lightbulb, and you have your own hanging pendant lamp!

How To: Turn a CD or DVD container into a holder for spare parts

Recycle your plastic CD or DVD cases into a holder for parts. This tutorial shows you how to make your own container. Remove the spindle, then mount to a piece of wood. Once mounted, you can use this to hold and organize small parts.

How To: Custom fit a pair of earbuds to fit your ear

Earbuds can be great for filtering out distraction, but they certainly aren't built for every ear. This tutorial shows you how to create your own pair of custom fit earbuds using just a custom earplug kit. Follow the instructions, and you'll have your own pair of noise-cancelling headphones!

How To: Build your own burning blue laser torch

This mod will run you about $130, but you'll have your own laser torch at the end of it. You'll need a high end flashlight, a Aixiz module, an AR coated lens and a blue diode. Then assemble according to the instructions, and get a laser at the end of it!