Woodworking

Crafting wood can be a complex and rewarding task, but often times beginners may find themselves frustrated with their results. But no matter where you are in your woodworking journey, there are always tips and tricks that can help you create something beautiful – without breaking the bank. We’re going to look at woodworking tips and tricks for makers of all skill levels so even if you feel like it’s too overwhelming to attempt your own project, we’ll provide some guidance so don’t give up just yet!

How-To: Variable DC Power Supply

How-To: Variable DC Power Supply

Hobbyist electronics projects need robust, reliable power supplies for prototyping and testing. I learned how to build this circuit from the Basic Analog Circuits class at ITP taught by Eric Rosenthal, but took it several steps further in building a solid enclosure and integrating a voltage meter. Now it lives on my desk, ready to power most small projects I’m working on, ranging from 0 – 24 volts and up to two amps. You can learn all about how to make one yourself using this Make: Projects tutorial.

Continue Reading Michael Colombo34
Strum Motion Pictures with the VideoBass

Strum Motion Pictures with the VideoBass

Invented by Swiss media artist Michael Egger in collaboration with Maïté Colin, the VideoBass is an instrument that plays moving images instead of sound. The performer uses their left hand on the neck of the instrument to select or scrub through video clips and triggers them in rhythm with their right hand on PlayStation controller knobs. The result is a mix of visuals that stand on their own or compliment music made by traditional instruments. Originally developed in 2003, the first incarnation of the VideoBass has undergone many revisions since.

Continue Reading Matt Richardson
What’s this kind of joint called?

What’s this kind of joint called?

I have built a couple of laser-cut and CNC-routed kits, recently, that use this clever arrangement of tabs, slots, and a couple bits of cheap hardware to securely butt one panel against another at a right angle. One panel has a pair of rectangular ports with a round hole in between, and the other has a matching pair of tabs with a smaller T-shaped slot between. In use, the ports receive the tabs and a screw passes through the round hole and along the upright of the T to mate with a square nut captured in the arms of the T. There are many possible variations and the technique has lots to recommend it from a manufacturer’s standpoint.

Continue Reading Sean Michael Ragan70
CNC-cut Wooden Sega Saturn Case Mod

CNC-cut Wooden Sega Saturn Case Mod

Why settle for off-the-shelf when you can have it your way? Turkish modder c_mon built this custom CNC-cut wooden Sega Saturn enclosure complete with 5-inch LCD liberated from a PSOne, extra cooling fans, stereo speakers, and some cool blue EL wire trim. In addition to custom engraved graphics, attention to detail is spent on custom hinges to support the combination CD drive cover/LCD monitor.

Continue Reading Adam Flaherty