Hacks, Mods & Circuitry Features
How To: Build a DIY Segway-like self-balancing scooter
The Segway is one of the oddest inventions of the last decade, but they've captured the imaginations of many. If you don't have $5000 to spend on one, but have $4000 and some heavy robotics skills, watch this video. It will teach you how to build your own DIY self-balancing Segway-style scooter, in either steampunk wooden barstool form or a more modern bicycle-handled model.
How To: Hack a UPS with a car battery
Find the ins and outs to UPS hacking in this video from Systm! And were not talking about the parcel service here—we're talking about your UPS system—your uninterruptible power supply, which can be pretty weak. That's why you should hack the tiny battery out of it and replace it with a giant car battery! Your UPS will last a lot longer, which is important when it comes to power outages. Though Systm doesn't recommend swapping out batteries, they do walk you through the process so you get it d...
How To: Build a simple analog self-balancing robot with basic electronics
Analog robots might seem a little backwards conceptually, but they are still really fun to make if you're into robotics and electronics. This video will teach you how to make a simple self-balancing analog robot. It's basically a small, robotic, analog Segway.
How To: Make the world's brightest LED flashlight: 3rd torch
The SSC P7 Flashlight is a tactical torch that's pretty bright at 900LM. But, it's totally possible to make it just a little brighter.
How To: Make the stepper motor driver for a CNC router
A CNC router machine is probably the most useful tool a hobbyist can own, but the price for a CNC machine on the market is way more than the average hobbyist is willing to spend. You can build your own CNC with very basic tools, little knowledge of machinery, mechanics, or electronics, but be warned, these machines are inherently dangerous, so wear the proper protection and use common sense. At the very least, read the instructions and precautions on every tool you use.
How To: Understand capacitors and replace broken ones on circuit boards
The capacitor is one of the most recognizable and important electronic components, and a part of nearly every electronic device. This video will teach you the basics of capacitor theory and then teach you how to replace a faulty or broken on on a circuit board. This skill will help you fix all sorts of devices you thought were dead forever; try it out!
How To: Hack a crank powered flashlight for emergency power
If disaster strikes, chances are that power will also go out. Kipkay to the rescue! By creating one of these hand-powered chargers from a crank flashlight, your electronic devices will remained charged in emergencies.
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How To: Make an astrocam from a webcam
Learn how to take detailed photographs of outer space using a modified webcam. These are some really cool hacks & mods from a guy on youtube. Avoid the high costs of telescope cameras and supplement with an inexpensive webcam.
How To: Electrocute that hotdog
Here's how to electrocute a hot dog Redneck style, in under 30 seconds. You need a power cord, some nails and a hotdog to cook or rather heat the meat. This also works with sausages. Be careful, electrocution kills!
Altruistic Hacking: The Rise of the DIY Radiation Detector
Understandably, the tragedy in Japan has substantially risen the level of worldwide radiation-related hysteria. So much so, as an alternative to stampeding health food stores for iodine tablets, crafty individuals and organizations are hacking together personal radiation detectors. Rather than relying on the government, the creation and modification of handheld Geiger counters provides a self-sufficient solution to today's questions regarding radiation. Profiled below, three admirable organiz...
How To: Make an emergency microphone from a pair of headphones
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make a microphone with a pair of headphones. Headphones have properties and construction similarities that are similar to a microphone. Instead of plugging the headphones into the headphone jack, plug it into the microphone jack. Then you just simply hold your headphones up to your mouth and speak into it. The sound quality produced from the headphones is not very good and it should only be used if you don't have a microphone. This video will benef...
How To: Build a simple motor
Video showing how a battery-magnet-wire motor creates a rotating electro magnetic field. Watch the hanging bar magnet react to the rotations. You need a battery, magnet & copper wire.
How To: Give Your Camera Phone a Powerful Macro Lens by Hacking a DVD Drive
If you've got an extra DVD drive laying around not being used, watch this video and learn how to give the lens new life—as a powerful macro lens for your camera phone! You'll be able to take incredible pictures on your camera phone using this clever mod.
How To: Crank charge batteries
A cordless drill/screwdriver can easily be used as a hand-crank charger for batteries... even alkalines! See for yourself! Recharging alkaline batteries is done at your own risk. Crank charge batteries.
How To: Make a glowing ice bulb from a balloon
To make a glowing ice bulb, like the one in this how-to video, you need LEDs, batteries, wire, a balloon, and electrical tape. First, you connect the led to the wires. Then, you put the LED in the balloon, fill the balloon with water and freeze it. Once frozen, remove the balloon and attach batteries. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to make a glowing ice bulb from a balloon.
HowTo: Remote Control Anything
PopSci breaks down how basic functions of R/C work. Once you've mastered it, the sky is the limit. You can remote control anything. Well, almost anything.
How To: Circuit hack and mod
In this video, we explain some techniques for getting electronic circuits to do things they weren't designed for. As an example, use a speaker phone as a speaker. Hacking items into better or different devices is way cool DIY circuitry. These are ideas of electronics that are cool to splice, rip apart and use recycled electronics for new projects.
How To: Build a laser diode driver
Learn how to build a driver that can be used for Red laser diodes and Blu-ray laser diodes.
How To: Transform a camera into a taser
This is a long form tutorial on exactly how to disassemble the disposable camera to make a shocking taser. Make a tazer or taser using simple things at like a disposable camera and some simple hack sense. This prank is great to pull on an unassuming friend. Transform a camera into a taser.
How To: Take apart an old broken power supply and turn it into a battery charger
Do you have an old uninterruptable power supply you're not using or that's broken? Most people have scads of them these days, and they contain all sorts of useful electronics parts, including all of the stuff to make a little batter charger, which you'll learn how to do by watching this video and checking out the circuit diagram here.
How To: Solder a wire to the pin of an IC chip
This short video tutorial presents a step by step method for soldering a wire to a pin of an IC chip.
How To: Build an infrared pen
This video is a detailed description of how to make an IR pen. It even shows a diagram and how it works!
How To: Charge your small electronics with a solar powered charger
Charge your cell phone, mp3 player or other USB-equipped device with the power of the Sun! All you need is a 6-volt solar panel and a female USB cable. Solder them together (this video demonstrates how), and then you have a solar powered USB charger!
How To: Make an Eggstractor to peel boiled eggs
Very useful way to peel an boiled egg. With this homemade gadget you can peel over 50 eggs in a minute.
How To: Make a battery with a nickel, penny and vinegar
Generate electricity using only a nickel, a penny and a mild household acid like lemon juice or vinegar. Make a battery using an alternating stack of these coins and create enough electricity to power a desktop Christmas tree. Follow along in this instructional video and learn how.
How To: Make a stepper driver power supply for a CNC router
A CNC router machine is probably the most useful tool a hobbyist can own, but the price for a CNC machine on the market is way more than the average hobbyist is willing to spend. You can build your own CNC with very basic tools, little knowledge of machinery, mechanics, or electronics, but be warned, these machines are inherently dangerous, so wear the proper protection and use common sense. At the very least, read the instructions and precautions on every tool you use.
How To: Make an exploding confetti cannon with Kipkay
Make a cool confetti cannon that's great for concerts, parties and special events! Kipkay demonstrates how to hack together this high powered cannon. Confetti bombs are super fun, pay attention to learn how to make your own confetti cannon.
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: Build a simple one-string electric guitar called a Diddley Bow
If you've ever seen It Might Get Loud, you probably remember the part where Jack White makes a one-string guitar out of household scraps. This type of guitar is called a Diddley Bow, after Bo Diddley, and is about the simplest and easiest electric guitar you can make. Watch this video to learn how.
How To: Make a powerful flashlight
Kipkay shows you how to make a powerful flashlight for under ten dollars. To finish the flashlight off you can paint it with black satin paint.
How To: Make a simple green laser projector
Here's how to make a simple green laser projector using a DC motor, pipes, and epoxy.
How To: Make an umbrella parabolic microphone
Here's a an easy to make, dollar store DIY spy microphone that lets you listen from afar and bring the sounds up close. From Make Magazine Volume 14
How To: Make a DIY microphone from two razor blades and a pencil
Now this is a DIY microphone. It turns out all you need to make a quasi-functional mic is a pair of razor blades, a pencil, some tupperware, and clips to run the signal from the razor blades to a resistor. Watch this video to learn how to make this awesome DIY mic and never find yourself silenced again.
How To: Change the Pitch of Your Voice for Skype! (Mac)
This is for anybody using a computer that would like to change the sound of there voice to talk to people if you have any problems feel free to comment on the youtube video ! thanks!
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.
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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.
News: Ignite Prey and Light Cigarettes With a Laser Burner
Looking for an (explosively) fun Thanksgiving project this week? Something that involves fire and lasers? Check it out. YouTube creator StyroPyro lights ten matches in 9 seconds with a modded laser. One word: Awesome. Luckily both StyroPyro and Kipkay provide HowTo's. First, How to building a burning blue/violet laser. Below, Kipkay demonstrates how to build one with a cheap Bic lighter casing (as well as store bought parts). Have fun.
News: Become Your Own Souvenir
As a kid, my favorite thing to do at the Natural History museum was a midday stop, when my family strolled past an antiquated looking vending machine in the museum's musty basement. The Mold-A-Rama machine was oddly shaped, George Jetson-esque, and spewed out made-to-order, brightly colored plastic dinosaurs. There was such joy in watching the liquid wax pour into the mold, and then eject a warm, custom toy—well worth the dollar or two demanded. A version of this tradition was recently elevat...