DIY Projects

New in the Maker Shed: Desktop Onager

New in the Maker Shed: Desktop Onager

This Desktop Onager is constructed out of only wood and twine. That’s right, no metal parts here! These types of war machines were the predecessors to cannons and modern artillery. This desktop model uses the torsion skein for all of its power. Using this ancient power mechanism, it can launch the wooden projectiles up to […]

New in the Maker Shed: ArduPilot

New in the Maker Shed: ArduPilot

The ArduPilot from the Maker Shed is a full-featured autopilot based on the Arduino open-source hardware platform. It uses infrared (thermopile) sensors for stabilization and GPS for navigation. Requires a GPS module and an infrared XY sensor (not included). The autopilot handles both stabilization and navigation, eliminating the need for a separate stabilization system. It […]

Blogging epic kludges

Blogging epic kludges

The latest addition to my feed reader is There, I Fixed It, a site collecting fantastic and hilarious examples of jury-rigging in daily life. My favorite so far is the point-of-use hot water heater shown above, but the “Franken-chair” has to take a close second. Thanks to Melody for steering me to it.

In the Maker Shed: Fiber Optics Kit

In the Maker Shed: Fiber Optics Kit

Learn the basics of fiber optics communications while you build this exciting kit. Transmit your voice or 1kHz signal through the fiber optic cable to a fiber optic receiver. Comes complete with all of the necessary components including the PC boards, microphone, speaker and fiber optic cable. Requires (2) 9-volt batteries. More about the Fiber […]

DIY air rocket

DIY air rocket

From rosendahl in the MAKE Flickr pool: Built from plans in Make Magazine with a couple mods. Made from a sprinkler valve and PVC (and of course duct tape!), compressed air fires the rocket high into the sky. Our rocket is make of the foam cylinders you wrap around hot water pipes (and duct tape!). […]