Hacks, Mods & Circuitry Features
How To: Make a hack pack
This video tutorial belongs to the Electronics category which is going to show you how to make a hack pack. This is basically turning a notebook in to something that you can take literally anywhere. Here you will learn how to create a video streaming hack pack to carry around with you and be able to do live internet shows anywhere. For this you will need a netbook, Sony PSP, mobile Wi-Fi thumbstick, microphone and a webcam with Velcro or adhesive. Plug in the mobile Wi-Fi stick for internet c...
How To: Deter Data Thieves from Stealing Your Flash Drive by Disguising It as a Broken USB Cable
Having a flash drive is more or less a must, but the biggest downside is that they often get stolen, and it's not hard to figure out why. They're small, so they easily fit into pockets, and a lot of people store valuable information on them. Want to pretty much guarantee no one takes yours? Disguise it as a broken USB cable like Windell Oskay of Evil Mad Science Labs so it just looks like a piece of junk to would-be thieves. The materials are pretty simple: a flash drive (the smaller the bett...
News: Thwart the Bluetooth hack
This week, California, like a growing portion of America is now 'handsfree'. As of July 1st, mobile phone use in cars became prohibited without the use of a headset.
News: The Revolution of the Hacked Kinect, Part 2: Even MBAs Gotta Have One
It's remarkable that a gaming device (from Microsoft, no less) designed for geeky gamers has incited broad innovation in medicine and robotics. But that Kinect has captured the imagination of hackers-with-MBAs-in-mind is downright amazing.
DIY Portable Power Pack: Turn Your Backpack into a Solar-Powered Gadget Charger
A smartphone is pretty much useless with a dead battery. When you're out and about, it can be hard to find a place to plug in (if you remembered your charger, that is). But this DIY solar panel backpack made by electrical engineer Theodore Protasiewicz will help you use the scorching sun to your advantage and make sure that your gadgets are always ready to go. Theodore started with just a normal backpack, some solar panels, 18 gauge wire, and a USB port and hacked it into a traveling solar ch...
News: Brain-Computer Interface Gives New Meaning to "Mind Control"
Can a well-directed thought be as good as a mouse click? With an Emotiv EPOC headset, the answer is yes. And then some. Though Emotiv describe their device as a "high-resolution, neuro-signal acquisition and processing wireless neuroheadset," we're quite content to call it a thinking cap.
How To: Use an oscilloscope
Oscilloscopes visualize electronic signals. This information can be useful for tests, debugging, and reverse engineering. If you work with electronic circuitry, being able to use an oscilloscope is a must have skill. Here Bre Pettis and Make Magazine hook you up with great tips.
How To: Wire up crystal focus boards for Jedi lightsabers
Watch as Novastar and Gundamaniac demonstrate detailed wiring for a crystal focus board for Star Wars Lightsabers! Making your very own Jedi Light Saber may be a daunting task if you don't know what you're doing, but this four-part video tutorial will save the day from evil forces. To start off wiring the CF board, make sure you have your SanDisk on it already.
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.
News: Beer Launcher Wows Letterman (+ Any Self Respecting Male)
John Cornwell is a God among men. Even Letterman thinks so. As well as every beer drinker. John hacked his mini refrigerator into what he calls the "Beer Launching Fridge":
How To: Make a working wire tracer with spare parts
You probably won't be using a wire tracer very often, but if you do need it for some reason - save the money and make your own! This tracer is made solely out of spare parts that you probably already have in your garage or basement. So, follow along and get started.
News: Hacked View-Master Displays Digital Photos in 3D
Ever been warned that sitting too close to the TV might damage your eyesight? It won't. That probably won't stop this electronic View-Master from giving your poor mother a heart attack, however.
How To: Hack a camera into a taser
Build your own cheap taser with an old camera and some plastic. These guys even show you the final product's effects on each other.
News: Super Tiny (And Cheap) DSLR Intervalometer for Time-Lapse Photography
If you're lucky, your digital camera has a built-in intervalometer that lets you operate the shutter regularly at set intervals over a period of time. Why would you be lucky? Because you can create some very awesome time-lapse videos, like the horribly beautiful eruption of a volcano or vivid star trails in the night sky. You can capture the stunning display of the northern lights or even document the rotting of your favorite fruit.
How To: Hack any vacuum into a water sucker
This how-to video shows a powerful and effective hack to turn any dust vacuum into a water vacuum. You will need a rubber band, tissue paper, a set of four straws, a pen knife, a soft drink bottle, and a vacuum cleaner. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to modify a regular vacuum into a water vacuum. Hack any vacuum into a water sucker.
How To: Make a fridge magnet out of a hard drive
Hard drive dead? All is not lost. You can still make a refrigerator magnet out of it. Learn how to remove a rare-Earth magnet from your old or dead hard drive.
How To: Circuit bend a toy piano
How to circuit bend a 80's Radio Shack toy synthesizer. Open up any device and play around with the internal audio devices. Circuit bending is done on mostly old cheap toys. This is a circuit bend demonstration on a toy piano. Get out your soldering iron and rip open toys. This takes some circuit board fiddling.
How To: Build the motor mount 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.
News: DIY Gigantic Nintendo Coffee Table Controller
Playing Super Mario Bros 3 with a giant controller on a projection screen = nerd nirvana. Giant NES controller/coffee table/storage box made by Kyle Downes. This piece of furniture actually connects to the system, and works as a real controller. Scroll down for video demonstration and images.
How To: Build and use a handheld automated warspying device
Systm is the Do-It-Yourself show designed for the common geek who wants to quickly and easily learn how to dive into the latest and hottest tech projects. They will help you avoid pitfalls and get your project up and running fast. In this DIY episode, see how to build and use a handheld automated warspying device.
How To: Build a pole-mounted aerial photography and video rig
Get a bird's-eye-view of the world with this Pole Mounted Aerial Rig for photography and video. This is a Make Magazine Weekend Project with Kipkay. This rig lets you see the world from above, and take beautiful photos and videos for any project. See how to build a pole-mounted aerial photography and video rig with Kip Kay!
How To: Make Trippy EL Wire Headphones That Dance to the Beat of Your Music
At one time or another, we've all enjoyed the visualizations that came stock in Windows Media Player. I remember spending hours listening to my favorite album, putting the graphic equalizer on full screen, and getting lost in the flurry of colors that would dance across the screen. Well, now thanks to the imaginative mind of Instructables user yardleydobon, you can now recreate this rainbow-colored music visualizer right on top of your freaking head—with these trippy EL wire headphones, which...
How To: Mod an Xbox controller to work on a PC
The Xbox controller really feels good in the hand. Most USC controllers for the PC do not. Bridge the gap yourself after watching this video, which demonstrates how to turn an old Xbox controller into a USC one that you can plug into you PC. Now you can play all of your ROMs with a controller much more like what they are supposed to be played with.
How To: Build a solar death ray
Let's build a SOLAR DEATH RAY!!!
How To: Make your own RFID and text to speech modules
This video gives you a basic understanding of how to use Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and text to speech modules. Learn how to integrate your home PC with external modules for security and fun!
How To: This DIY WiFi-Detecting 'Sting' Blade Is Perfect for Any Hobbit Looking for a Hotspot
There are very, very few things better than a solid Hobbit songI mean, I was almost brought to tears when Pippin busted out this one in The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King.
How To: Program double input Wiimote detection with GlovePie
You can connect your Nintendo Wii Wiimote to your PC using GlovePie input emulation software and a bluetooth connection. Learn how to program your PC to detect motion from dual input the Wiimote using GlovePie. You'll be able to connect two Wiimotes to your PC.
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: Scramble 4 Eggs Inside Their Shell at Once
Video: . Using this method is stupidly simple.
How To: Make an infrared heart sensor
This video shows how to create an infrared heart sensor using an Arduino controller, a couple of resistors, and an infrared light emitter and detector. This device will be used on the subject's finger, detecting the amount of blood which is flowing through the subject's finger. The amount of oxygenation of the blood is shown in the finger, which will cause the infrared light to reflect off the skin and to the transmitter which is close by. The fluctuations of oxygenation are picked up by the ...
How To: Control your PC with a Wiimote
Did you know that you can make a Nintendo Wii Wiimote function as a mouse or joystick on your PC? Here's how you can use your Wiimote as a PC controller using a bluetooth adaptor or card and some specialty software called GlovePie.
How To: How to Make Infinity Mirror
Led infinity mirror that I make with some materials like mirror from old hard drive,leds,plastic mirror sheet and battery holder.
How To: Solder piezo
This tutorial demonstrates the correct way to solder wires to a piezoelectric sensor. First, the stripped wires are tinned (coated with a thin layer of solder). Then the piezoelectric sensor, held in a small adjustable clip, is heated briefly, and two drops of solder placed where the wires are to be attached. Finally, the tinned ends of the wires are placed in contact with the soldered areas of the piezoelectric sensor, and the solder heated to fix the wires in place.
How To: Make your own PDA stylus pen
How to make your own Palm, or other PDA stylus pen.
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: Hack an HTC HD2 phone to use wireless charging
Want to mod your HTC HD2 Microsoft Windows smartphone to use wireless charging—without breaking your warantee in the process? It can be done! And quite easily at that. For complete details, and to get started modding your own HD2 phone to work with wireless chargers, watch this handy hacker's how-to.
How To: Boost your wi-fi using a strainer
Kitchen utensils and computers, that's right! This video will show you how to increase your computer's wireless connection using a strainer!
How To: Build a perfect replica of a lightsaber for cheap or expensive
The lightsaber is one of the coolest weapons in the history of cinema, and the original props came from a junkyard. Funny how that works right? If you want a lightsaber for your own film, costume, or just because they're awesome, watch this video for a guide to making three types of lightsabers: a cheap one, a medium one, and very expensive professional-quality one.
How To: Hook up an iPod to a laser
Combine your iPod and a laser to send your music on the beam. Easy project that anyone can do, with the help of a little soldering. You will need your iPod, a solar cell, a laser, and a soldering tool. Watch this video circuitry tutorial and learn how to hook up an iPod to a laser for a laser-wired music experience.
How To: Make an iPhone stand, fart gadget & mini BB gun
It's amazing what you can create with a few, everyday household and office supplies. Most of these items are already sitting in your junk drawers, so there's no need to spend money! Kipkay shows you 4 awesome hacks you can make in this "household hack pack" video.