Hacks, Mods & Circuitry Features

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 the gantry linear slide bearings 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: Solder a pair of headphones

Find yourself faced with a dead channel on your headphones? Before them out, you might take the opportunity to see what you can learn from trying to fix them yourself with a soldering iron. The repair can often be straightforward. For detailed step-by-step instructions on resoldering a broken connection on your own cans, watch this headphone repair tutorial. Take a look.

How To: Assemble a CNC machine router kit

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: Hack a PlayStation monitor into a digital television

Hack a PlayStation monitor into a digital television! Get that old PS1 out of the closet and dust it off, because the switch to digital television is coming soon, and you need a DTV, so why not put that PlayStation One to use? You can build a digital television from a new set top digital converter box and that PSone video monitor, plain and simple. It's easy! Don't forget that forty dollar coupon though from the government for the purchase of the digital converter box.

How To: Make a 3D scanner with free software

Scanners have been around for a while. They allow us scan photos and documents into digital versions that are a lot less susceptible to damage over time. But what if you want to digitize the memories of something that isn't 2D? With this hacker's how-to, you'll learn a method for making a 3D scanner. To follow along, you'll need a computer, a printer, a web cam, white foam board and a laser pointer.

How To: Install a cross dowel to adjoin wood 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: Build your own computer interface

This video tutorial will show you how to take an old computer keyboard and use its circuitry as a physical computing input device. Once you have this device, you can then use it to interface with programs that you write using software such as pure data processing, MAX/MSP, and Ableton Live to name a few. What you are doing is replacing the switches within your keyboards with others for input devices. Make sure the interface is plugged in when you are testing but it's probably a good idea to u...

How To: Make a DVD stash box

If you're looking for a creative place to stash your cash or small valuables, this how-to video walks you through the process of turning a DVD drive into stash box. Armed with a screwdriver and some time, this video gives detailed step-by-step instruction on talking apart your DVD drive and reassembling it. The video includes helpful hints to make this stash box look and function in an authentic manner. This DVD stash box video will not only help keep your stuff safe, but you may even feel a ...

News: Digital Picture Frame Snatches Photos from Public Wi-Fi Networks

You're sitting in your favorite café enjoying a hot cup of joe, then you open up your laptop or turn on your tablet computer to get to work, but as always you get sidetracked and head straight for Facebook. Someone just tagged you in a photo, so you check it out, then you see it out of the corner of your eye—your Facebook picture digitally displayed on the wall in a nice, neat digital photo frame.

How To: Build a slide mechanism for a pipe 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 Your Own Propane-Fueled Cotton Candy Machine at Home

Cotton candy is a treat generally reserved for carnivals, fairs, and other events that don't come around often enough. Through some clever construction and about $45 in materials though, you can have all the sugary substance you could ever want with this awesome DIY cotton candy machine. All you'll need to construct your own are two dollar store stainless steel bowls, a fan motor, a few odd screws and bolts, a drill, and a propane torch. Check out the tutorial video below. As an added bonus, ...

How To: Do the express elevator hack

Most people get tired of being in the elevator, being in a rush, and having to stop at every floor to let people on. With the express elevator hack you will not have to stop any more. You can now ride straight up to your floor with ease. First, get into the elevator. Then, press and hold the button that has the floor you want to go to and the close button at the same time for five seconds. Just remember to press the close button and the floor button at the same time. Now, you can ride straigh...