Hacks, Mods & Circuitry Features
How To: Make a USB fan out of old CDs
Sweaty summer day by the computer? Office A/C broke? Watch this how-to video! You can make a simple USB fan using a compact disc, a USB cable, and a small fan motor. It's quick and easy! Don't suffer from the heat. Watch this video tutorial and with these circuitry tips, build a simple USB fan out of some old CDs.
How To: Recharge non-rechargeable batteries in seconds
This how-to video will show you how to zap charge a non-rechargeable battery with only two wires and a car. Sounds cool, and fun, unless of course you zap yourself. Watch this video circuitry tutorial for more information on this simple, money-saving hack.
How To: Build a solar powered USB charger
Want to stop wasting energy charging your USB devices? Transform some cheap solar-powered garden lights into your very own solar USB charger. For step-by-step instructions on replicating this hack yourself, watch this video tutorial. Just watch to see how to build your own solar-powered USB charger with a few solar panels from those garden lights and some floppy disk wiring.
How To: Build a hydrogen generator
Check out this how-to video and learn how to build a SAFE hydrogen generator. Be sure that you test volts vs. amps for safety reasons! Follow along with this instructional video, and start making some sweet, sweet hydrogen.
How To: Make a parabolic WiFi booster with aluminum foil
Paper rolls in a circle to close modem will help to increase the interference WiFi up a lot. This helps to increase your WiFI range and signal strength is low. This is a parabolic antenna to reflect the signal in the direction of your laptop.
How To: Turn a laser into a burning laser
This video tutorial from Shooting Eggs demonstrates a hack that will allow you to convert a cheap 5 mW green laser pen into a 100 mW monster. Watch out, don't burn your carpet! Check out this hacking how-to and learn how to build your own high-powered laser on the cheap.
How To: Wire a car amplifier and subwoofer inside your house
This easy to follow silent and accurate video will guide you quickly and easily through what you'll need, (like a Power Supply, a sound system that has a Subwoofer Pre-output and a High Input adapter, which may already come with your amp.) First learn what colored wires should be connected to simulate your PC starting. Then connect the amp to the power supply to simulate the car Head-Unit starting. Once the power issues are handled, the video assists you with connecting your audio input. It i...
How To: Make USB air conditioning
Wondering how to most effectively combine ice cubes and a simple USB-powered computer fan into a fully functioning air conditioning system? In this video tutorial, you'll learn how to hack a coffee can and USB-powered fan into a simple, but effective, air conditioning unit. For detailed instructions on hacking together your own tin-can AC unit, watch this über-short how-to.
How To: Build a long-lasting hydrogen generator
This how-to video offers step by step instructions for how to build a stainless steel hydrogen generator for $15 dollars. You will need six stainless steel outlet covers with weather seal, 4 screws and nuts, 12 nylon washers and silicone. Learn how to make this hydrogen generator by watching this instructional video.
How To: Make a solar cell with a condom
Make a solar cell from a condom with this video tutorial. Solar energy is plentiful and better for the environment, so why not take an easily accessible commodity (like a condom), and use it to harvest the power of the sun. To replicate this hack at home, you'll need the following materials: 12 iron hairpins, 2 pennies (pressed before 1982), 2 electrical wires, 1 sheet of aluminum, 2 strong magnets, a condom, and mineral water. For more on making your own condom-based solar cell, watch this h...
How To: Make a Blu-Ray Laser Phaser
Build your very own Trek-style Blu-Ray laser phaser with this hacker's how-to video from Kip Kay of Make Magazine. To replicate this hack at home, you'll need the following materials: (1) a PS3 Blu-Ray laser assembly (which can be had on eBay for roughly $45), (2) an original series-style Star Trek phaser gun (a good quality replica of which can be found for roughly $30), (3) a 9-volt battery, (4) a 9-volt battery snap, (5) a 150 Ohm resistor, and (5) a new switch to replace the phaser trigge...
How To: Make a Night Vision Flashlight for Ten Bucks
Check out this instructional video and learn how to hack a simple flashlight and transform it into a night vision flashlight! The items you'll need for the project cost less than ten dollars and you get a perfect night vision view. Watch this how-to video and learn how to build a night vision flashlight on the cheap.
How To: Build a CNC machine using two old CD drives
Take a look at this instructional vidkeo and learn how to make your own computer numerical control (CNC) machine out of two old CD drives. CNC machines serve as controllers for a number of devices such as machine tools by reading G Code instructions. With a own CNC machine, you can create your own 3D printer.
How To: Make a metal detector from a calculator and radio
Like looking for lost treasure? There's no need to break the bank for a high-end metal detector — just dig through your junk drawer! In this video tutorial, KipKay shows you how to make a metal detector from a calculator, an AM or FM radio, a standard CD case, and some velcro. That's it. Your very own metal detector.
How To: Build an iPhone/iPod charger cable
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. We will help you avoid pitfalls and get your project up and running fast. Search Systm on WonderHowTo for more DIY episodes from this Revision3 show.
How To: Increase the range of a Wi-Fi Antenna
Increase the range of your wi-fi antenna for about 5 cents. Check out this how-to video and learn how to double your range and signal strength to that of a $30 add on antenna Increase the range of a Wi-Fi Antenna.
How To: Make a cheap heads-up display (HUD)
It may be intended as a toy, but this gizmo can be hacked for more than just watching a remote-controlled car's video spy cam. This HUD (heads-up display) comes with the Wild Planet Spy Gear Video Car, but it's said that you can purchase the video headset separately. And it's not really a HUD, because you can't see through the video images, but it's close enough to be handy for all sorts of things, like computers, iPods, robots, wireless cameras, and gaming. Who wouldn't like to Call of Duty ...
How To: Make simple solar panels
Want to build your own DIY solar panels on the cheap? This video demonstrates how to make solar panels to power devices. The video explains how a solar panel works and how to connect it to a radio in order to power it. For more on this hack, including step-by-step instructions for recreating it yourself, watch this eco-friendly hacking how-to.
How To: Make a robot out of household items
This do it yourself robot can be made out of many materials you can find around your house. You'll need a few special non household items, such as an arduino and a class 3 laser. However, once you assemble everything correctly, you can make a sentry robot inspired by the robots in the game PORTAL. Even if you've never built a robot before, as long as you have a basic knowledge of electronics, you can start with this simple and fun project.
How To: Make simple homemade battery-driven motors
Learn how to build your very own motor, but not just one motor, three motors. These motors you will learn to make a very simple, and the materials needed are minimum. Just watch to see how to make simple homemade battery-driven motors.
How To: Hack a CCTV camera for your computer and television
See how to hack a wireless CCTV (closed circuit television) camera to show your Windows or Linux PC desktop on your 42-inch plasma television. This is a homemade hack that's easy with good quality picture. Doing this mod can save you money, unless you don't have a CCTV camera laying around.
How To: Build a Bedini motor
This two part video shows you how to build a Bedini motor. If you get bored of the endless ranting about the motor in part one, jump to Part 2 where they start building the bedini circuit.
How To: New to Arduino? Start with This Simple RC Car Controlled by Your Android Device
Thanks to its open-source platform and easy-to-use hardware and software, there's literally thousands of Arduino projects detailed online for anyone to make—a magic mirror, DIY polygraph machine, and hotel-hacking dry erase marker just being a few examples. Hell, you can even make the Daft Punk helmet.
How To: Create a metal detector from household items
Detect metal with a metal detector! In this video tutorial, you will see how to create a metal detector out of just two household items, for under twenty dollars. So, if you're on a treasure hunt, and have no money yet, then make your own metal detector.
How To: Hack a 12-volt Battery for 8 1.5-volt button cells
Interested in getting 1.5-volt button cell batteries for pennies on the dollar? Kip Kay, of Make Magazine, is here to show you how. The trick is to buy Energizer A23s, each of which contains 8 1.5-volt button cells. For detailed instructions on this straightforward money-saving hack, take a look!
How To: Hack the Staples Easy Button
Hacking an Easy Button? Easy! In this video tutorial from Make Magazine's Kip Kay, you'll learn to hack the Staples Easy Button to say whatever you want it to. For more information, including step-by-step instructions on replicating this hack at home, watch this how-to video.
How To: Bypass cable locks, just in case you have to
So, you've found yourself in a hotel room, and for some reason you just have to remove that cable from the wall. However, it is protected by a cable lock. In this instructional video, see how to defeat these using a piece of toilet paper, a pen, and the cable lock itself!
How To: Pimp your toy helicopter with a spy camera
Turn an inexpensive RC (remote controlled) helicopter into a flying spycam! Grab their cash and GO! Or just spy on your sister's sleepover party.
How To: Make traffic lights change w/secret code (FAUX-TO?)
Nobody likes having to stand at the crosswalk waiting for the light to change so you can cross. This seems to happen more times then not these days. A way has been discovered to eliminate this problem with ease. The first thing you are going to want to do is go to the pole that has the button to push for the crosswalk. Once you get there you are going to want to enter a combination of long and short clicks to get the light to change so you can cross. The first combination is going to be three...
News: Build a Tiny Living Room (In Your PC)
Incredibly odd (not to mention anal retentive) PC casemod: a teeny, tiny living room constructed with dollhouse furniture. From Russian casemod site, unknown origin. Bizarre!
How To: Charge Your Phone Without Its Charger
When you forget you charger,you can use this dynamo charger to charge the phone with your hand. I convert the dynamo LED flashlight into charger just adding bridge rectifier, capacitor and USB female plug.
How To: Make the world's brightest LED flashlight: 1st torch
Ever thought your flashlights weren't giving out enough light? Well, change that; watch this video tutorial to see how to make the world's brightest LED flashlight. You will need a vohm meter (volt-ohm meter), wire, thermal paste, a Dorcy flashlight, a soldering iron, and a 900 lumen LED, the world's brightest LED.
How To: Solder electronics the right way
New to soldering? This how-to video answers the questions for these common beginner soldering questions: what is flux? what tip should be used? do solder fumes contain dangerous amounts of lead? why regularly clean and tin the iron tip? Watch this video computer-circuitry tutorial and learn how to solder correctly.
How To: Hack a local wifi internet connection with your PSP
Play remotely with all your friends, stream videos and music from the Internet or even check your Facebook and email - all with your PSP. The PSP has Internet capability, but not every network will be available to you at all times. Here is how you can hack any wifi connection with your PSP.
How To: Make an electric fence to keep pests out of your room
Need to keep people out of your precious room? Tired of all of those "do not disturb" signs not working? Locks just aren't cutting it these days? Safeguard your privacy with your very own electric fence. Remember Jurassic Park, when the kid got zapped by the electric fence? Think that, but in the doorway of your room.
How To: Turn your laptop hard drive into a USB drive
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to turn your laptop hard drive into an external USB drive. This hack is fairly easy to perform, all it requires for you to know is where to locate the laptop's hard drive for extraction. You'll also have to purchase a USB housing which ranges around fifteen dollars.
How To: Tweak a old hard drive into a flash memory hard drive
MAKE and Kipkay brings the do-it-yourself mindset to all the technology in your life. Make Magazine celebrates your right to tweak, hack, and bend any technology to your own will.
How To: Make a battery cigarette lighter while in prison
Everyone has a Zippo but if you don't, try making this battery cigarette lighter instead. Learn from the once incarcerated Angelo how to stand out in a smoky crowd with this crafty prison invention.
How To: Get 6 AAAA batteries from a 9V battery
Take apart a 9V battery and turn it in to Six AAA batteries. This way you save money. amazing science experiment trick. This is a simple battery deconstruction that results in a 9 volt battery's dissection into six AAAA batteries. They are not AA or AAA, but a kind you won't find at Radio Shack.
News: 35 Life Hacks! Free Perks, Snarky Tricks and More
9GAG's infographic teaches us all sorts of conveniences and short cuts to daily life, urawaza style. Some aren't complete revelations (the first hanger trick below), but others are pretty cool (if they work!). A few I wouldn't mind trying: