DIY Projects

HOW TO make DIY security bits

HOW TO make DIY security bits

Bits
Johnathan writes “Now that volume 4 of MAKE is hitting newsstands, I have posted my article from volume 3: “DIY Security Bits”. Figured it might be a good way to give blog readers more of a taste of the magazine content (though the existing sample PDFs are obviously the first stop for that.) The article details a method for making your own security bits for tamperproof screws, whose drivers are often ridiculously priced and just as ridiculously scarce.” Link.

Make kerosene lamp and lanterns

Make kerosene lamp and lanterns

Sconce0Jake writes “I make kerosene lamps from old electrical lamp parts. Much of the hardware in today’s electric lamps is actually descended from the days of kerosene and gas, the ubiquitous 3/8″ threaded rod for instance. It’s amazing how genuinely useful a good kerosene lamp is, it’s oh so easy to imagine a steampunk future where Mr. Edison’s electric light never came to be!” Link.

The portable electromechanical slug thrower

The portable electromechanical slug thrower

SlugInteresting device built from a Sherline 5400 tabletop milling machine…information on a a portable, battery powered, electromechanical projectile launcher the author designed and built. It is a type of “centrifugal” launcher powered by a DC motor. The launcher fires primarily plastic spheres (or steel with some modifications) semi- or full- automatically that is more powerful than a typical airsoft gun. No compressed air or any other energy source besides the battery pack is needed to power the launcher, so it is capable of sustained full automatic fire. The device is called a “PEST”, or Portable Electromechanical Slug Thrower for short. *grin* The PEST has the following specifications… Link.

Make your own postage stamps

Make your own postage stamps

StampsThere are a few services out there that allow you to make your own postage stamps and here’s a new one from Yahoo! In a few simple steps you’ll be configuring your stamps online with our simple customization tool. In days, you’ll receive your stamps in the mail, ready for use! All you need is a Yahoo! Photos account. I’ll eventually try this out once they allow you to use Flickr photos, I really want a LM555 timer chip stamp to send to friends, or other geeky stamps. [via] Link.

HOW TO – make a Dalek

HOW TO – make a Dalek

Rubydalek1 SmallWe’ve covered a lot of the R2-D2 droid building, in MAKE and Makezine.com – so, here’s a wonderful site with all you need to make your own Dalek. “We were the very first site devoted to the building of the Dalek, and it is still our intent to supply all the information you’ll need to produce an accurate full size working Dalek as seen in the long running BBC TV series Dr Who.” Thanks Rick! Link.