shed picks Archives

This Arduino is No. 1 on my List

A programmer with one too many interests. I work on all sorts of projects from hardware hacks to audio processing to things such as 3D visualization of chemical sample data. If there is a way to code it, I probably have an interest in it.

View more articles by Wynter Woods

December 7th, 2013 6

I’ve had to use several Arduino Boards for the projects I’ve worked on but none have been as dead simple to use as the Arduino Uno. This Arduino is as plug and play as they come and supports the standard Arduino shields you’ll want to use for your various projects.

In The Shed: Shiny! New! Ultimaker 2!

By Anna Kaziunas France

Anna Kaziunas France

Anna Kaziunas France is interested practical digital fabrication focused project documentation (anything that turns codes into things), as well as adventures in synthetic biology, biohacking, personal genomics and programmable materials.

She's currently working on the forthcoming book "Design for CNC: Practical Joinery Techniques, Projects, and Tips for CNC-routed Furniture".

She’s also the Academic Dean of the global Fab Academy program, the co-author of Getting Started with MakerBot and compiled the Make: 3D Printing book.

Formerly, she worked as an editor for Make: Books, was digital fabrication editor and skill builder section editor for Make: Magazine, and directed Make:'s 2015 and 2014 3D Printer Shootout testing events.

She likes things that are computer-controlled, parametric, and open— preferably all three.

Find her on her personal site, Twitter and Facebook.

View more articles by Anna Kaziunas France

@akaziuna

December 6th, 2013 2

The Ultimaker 2 just arrived in the Maker Shed.

Shopbot Desktop: A Step Up In DIY Engineering

By Dan Spangler

Dan Spangler

Dan Spangler is a freelance maker with a passion for fabricating speed, high voltage, and the things that go boom.

View more articles by Dan Spangler

December 5th, 2013 10

I know that 3D printers have been all the rage lately, but let us not forget the humble CNC mill. It’s capable of fast and precise fabrication in a plethora of materials. It definitely earns a place on any serious maker’s workbench. The ShopBot Desktop is a prime example of a desktop CNC.

Settle Down With a Good Book This Holiday

By Alasdair Allan

Alasdair Allan

Alasdair Allan is a scientist, author, hacker and tinkerer, who is spending a lot of his time thinking about the Internet of Things. In the past he has mesh networked the Moscone Center, caused a U.S. Senate hearing, and contributed to the detection of what was—at the time—the most distant object yet discovered.

View more articles by Alasdair Allan

@aallan

December 4th, 2013 8

These books are cheap, fast reads, covering everything from how to build an Arduino-compatible micro-controller on a breadboard, to how to build and launch a satellite, and will make excellent stocking stuffers this Christmas.

The Most Useless of all Gifts

By Jake Spurlock

Jake Spurlock

Technical Account Manager on the WordPress.com VIP Enterprise Team

View more articles by Jake Spurlock

@whyisjake

December 3rd, 2013October 13th, 2017

Of all of the MAKE projects, the Useless Machine always makes me the happiest.

Electronic Windchimes, Physical Minecraft and 8 Other Slick MaKey MaKey Projects

By Mike Senese

Mike Senese

Mike Senese is a content producer with a focus on technology, science, and engineering. He served as Executive Editor of Make: magazine for nearly a decade, and previously was a senior editor at Wired. Mike has also starred in engineering and science shows for Discovery Channel, including Punkin Chunkin, How Stuff Works, and Catch It Keep It.

An avid maker, Mike spends his spare time tinkering with electronics, fixing cars, and attempting to cook the perfect pizza. You might spot him at his local skatepark in the SF Bay Area.

View more articles by Mike Senese

December 2nd, 2013 8

Get your MaKey MaKey from the Maker Shed and use this list of ten creative projects as inspiration for your own awesome interactive build.