MAKE Video

Quick LED Robot Ornament (video)

My colleagues over on CRAFT all have the work ethics and compulsive tendencies that of any crafter worth his/her stripes. When Rachel and Lish proposed an ornament swap this year, precariously close to Christmas, we all piled on. None of us can resist crafting on a deadline. I whipped up a whole bunch of these cardboard LED robot ornaments on Sunday morning. I used what I had at hand– some cardboard, spray paint, and a whole bunch of LEDs. Since I can’t resist the urge to document my crafts, enjoy this video and see the complete how-to on Make: Projects.

Collin’s Lab: DIY Contact Mic

Collin’s Lab: DIY Contact Mic

It’s amazing what a little disk can do … when it’s layered with piezoelectric crystals. Piezo disks are impressively sensitive to vibration and can easily be adapted to work as a contact microphones. The trick is the preamp – a basic circuit used to match the piezo’s signal to levels compatible with modern audio gear inputs. The resulting piezo/preamp combo can be used for electrifying an acoustic guitar or simply exploring the lesser-heard world of small sound around us.

In the Maker Shed: LED Menorahs

In the Maker Shed: LED Menorahs

I’m not Jewish but if I were I would definitely have one of these LED Menorahs, available in the Maker Shed, on my desk. The Hanukkah Electronica(above) is an elegant, pre-assembled LED Menorah for celebrating the festival of lights. The Deluxe LED Menorah kit is an updated take on the traditional hanukkiyah, the nine-armed Hanukkah candelabrum. When you turn it on, it displays the correct configuration of LED “candles” for a given night of Hanukkah. The LEDs are lit up in the traditional sequence, with a gentle fade.

Supercap Racer

Supercap Racer

Learn to build the Supercap Racer Kit from the Maker Shed. http://makeprojects.com/Project/Supercap-Racer-Kit/1659/1
http://www.makershed.com/Supercap_Racer_Kit_p/mstin4.htm&Click=37845

Assemble the Supercap Racer kit and make a new toy that’s fast, unpredictable, and fun to build. Designed by George Albercook (founder of Rocks and Robots) and manufactured by MAKE, the Supercap Racer is a great way to hone your soldering skills, and have some fun.