If you’re a maker just starting out your journey in sustainability, it can be overwhelming to figure out how to get started. From understanding the types of materials to utilize, learning what steps will help reduce waste and emissions, and finding inspiring new ways to explore creativity that don’t have a negative environmental impact. The good news is there are plenty of resources available for DIYers looking for ways to make their projects more sustainable – from simple switches you can make today, big-picture ideas for longterm change, or exciting new ways makers are helping push sustainability into the future. In these blog posts we’ll look at tips tricks and ideas specifically tailored towards diyers and makers on the road to creating projects with greater eco consciousness so that not only will you create something beautiful but also respect its impact on our planet!
Very cool in car PC project- Aydiosmio writes “So, for the longest time, putting a PC in the place I spend about 2 hours every day has been a goal of mine. I finally got up the gusto to do it. My 01′ Malibu presents, the Car PC…” The project uses Media Engine on the touch screen that can control audio, video, DVD, FM, XM, and GPS (via Destinator). Nice work! Link.
You know we all want this. Have you ever wanted to just plug an AC appliance into your car but it didnt have any jacks? Well here is an article on how to add 110v AC Power jacks to your car! Great project, flip switch on the inside, to test it out they brew some coffee in-car. Link.
Great project to add your MP3 player to your car (Cool MAKE Photo too!) “Over the past couple of years I have upgraded my Pioneer Car CD changer to meet my needs. I went from a 6CD to a 12CD and now I have a portable MP3 player I want to connect. Pioneer offers an auxiliary adapter (CDRB-10) for ~$40 or an iPod adapter (CD-IB100) for ~$130. The auxiliary adapter appears to be a simple input-to-RCA-out, so I decided to make an aux adapter myself for ~$6. A quick tally of the cost of the parts listed is ~$12 bucks but you’ll have plenty of wire for your future projects and an extra stereo jack“. Link.
It’s a bike! It’s a shopping cart! It’s CartBike! Not only is this bike mod handy and practical, it requires no welding and uses only “U” brackets and hose clamps! Full step by step and construction details on the site. Link. Thanks Novysan!
Neat history and photos of “art cars” in Pakistan. “This extraordinary tradition has it’s routes in the days of the Raj when craftsmen made glorious horse drawn carriages for the gentry. In the 1920’s the Kohistan bus company asked the local Michaelangelo, Ustad Elahi Buksh, a master craftsmen to decorate their buses to attract passengers. Buksh employed a community of artists from the Punjab town of Chiniot, who’s ancestors had worked on many great palaces and temples dating back to the Mogal Empire. It was not long before truck owners followed suite with their own designs”. Link.
Here’s a site that shows how Mike made a working jet engine built from junkyard parts. The engine presented here is based on a used automotive turbo charger, lots of off the shelf parts, and only a few custom made components. Anyone with a little knowledge of engines, access to a reasonably well stocked workshop, some free time, and some excess cash should be able to make an engine…Link.
Is there anything bamboo can’t do? Here’s a how to on making a bike frame out of bamboo. “I saw many amazing constructions made of bamboo and I always wondered, why such light, strong, stiff and elastic material is not widespread used for building of bicycle frames. Since I finished my carbon frame, I was thinking about using bamboo for my second frame”. Link via BoingBoing.
