Hobby rocketry leader Estes Industries makes more than a dozen inexpensive launch sets (launch pad/rod, launch controller) for beginners, but their included rockets are either pre-built or not much of a challenge. For a good first build, I’d instead suggest the Quest Astra 1. Its balsa fins are mounted “through the wall,” making it easy […]
Quadcopters rely on computer stabilization to fly. They can be radio controlled, but with an onboard computer, why not let it fly itself? The community at DIY Drones developed the open source ArduPilot Mega (APM), an Arduino-based autopilot that lets you control multi-rotor (and other) aircraft autonomously, or via R/C. The ArduCopter 3DR Quad Kit […]
The DrinkDuino drinking game was the perfect excuse for me to get my first Arduino. After ordering the DrinkShield breathalyzer kit and an Arduino Uno to drive it, I hastily pieced it together on my living room floor. The kit was simple enough, all components were included, and the instructions online were quick and easy. […]
Whether your motivation is the environment, the economy, independence, or you simply despise the oil companies, converting your diesel vehicle to run on waste vegetable oil (WVO) can truly be a rewarding experience. (You can get WVO free from restaurants, preferably higher end. Luckily for me, my brother-in-law is a head chef, and he has access to WVO.) […]
It took me about 45 minutes (not including glue drying time) to put together a service-able ukulele from Wolfelele’s precut wooden components. The well-designed parts fit together in a way that ensured it didn’t end up crooked, and the triangular instrument sounds better than any other $100 ukulele I’ve played. The kit has everything you […]
Desktop battering ram? I think yes. This small kit is a lot of fun to build and use. It takes some time to put together and uses a fair amount of wood glue, but the instructions are clear and easy to read. The kit comes with two ½”-thick boards that are CNC’ed out with all […]
Check out this hugely inventive use of normal holiday cookie cutters to make amazing Star Wars cookies. You can see how each of the cutters was repurposed to create everyone from a young Anakin and Chewbacca (both from a Santa cutter!) to your favorite vehicles like the awesome TIE Fighter (spider cutter, anyone?) over on […]
