DIY Projects

In MAKE 03 we have a VCR cat feeder project, but Peter from NYC sent in another way sans VCR…“When I had to feed ol’ Skippy upon leaving my apartment for a few days or so, I’d hot-glue a standing box of kittyvittles in the center of a piece of 2′-square cardboard, and cut a paw-sized hole in the bottom. After making sure the bathtub faucet was dripping slightly into a dish, I was good for as many as 3 or 4 days, and no worrying about power outages. Skippy had to work for his meals, but all the better. Now, an electric self-cleaning litterbox – THAT would be something worth warming up a soldering gun for.” Link.

Richard (not a DR), has shared his shed, and it happens to be a TARDIS. He’s built a full size one out of wood, he even has the plans to download so you can have a go. This TARDIS is being assembled in the village of MARTIN where the Dr. Who episode “The Awakening” starring Peter Davison was filmed. Link and build your own.

This paper steam engine is based on Richard Ademek’s CAD drawing of a Riches and Watts nominal 2 ½ horsepower vertical A-frame double acting simple slide-valve steam engine circa 1870-75. The original engine was used to drive a water pump to irrigate the fields of Norfolk. If this model had a scale, it would be roughly 1:19. I had to double the size of the eccentric and strap in order to make it buildable. Everything else is close to scale, but changed in design and apprearance because, well, paper isn’t iron. [via] Link.

It’s that time of year again…time to bust out the headlight for a midweek-after-work-night ride! But, in order to have a fun and safe nighttime mountain bike adventure you need one critical piece of equipment…a bright light to adorn your helmet and illuminate the trail ahead. The only dilemma is, a good light system can run between $200-$300 bucks. I don’t know about the rest of you, but that’s a little rich for my blood. That’s why last year I decided to take the MacGyver approach and build my own Link.

MAKE pals -from the shadows- have a new episode out. “Box 5.0: Beer! Science. Art. Technology”. This episode kicks it off with the science of beer at the Anchor Brewing Company, then moves on to “Home Brewing 101”, and tops it off with an exclusive look at the KegBot! Link.

I really like this idea…I hate wrapping gifts. It’s the most unoriginal part of gift-giving. Although my gifts are hardly ever spectacular, my wrapping will always outshine them. I recommend using this wrapping method for giving out crowbars at Christmas. The extra irony makes the project that much sweeter. It’s really not your problem how to open the crate once the gift has been given, so don’t let anyone sucker you into opening it for them. Link.