Skill Builders

Circuit Skills: Perfboard Prototyping

http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/06/circuit_skills_perfboard_prototypin.html

When you think – “DIY electronics”, one of the first images that likely comes to mind is a bunch of parts and wire soldered to a standard piece of perforated circuit board – and that makes sense. Perfboard is super-versatile – essentially it’s just a grid of potential solder-point connections. You can trim it down to just the size you need – or leave extra space for future enhancements … or revisions, if need be.

Continue Reading March 8th, 2011October 14th, 2015 Collin Cunningham1

Circuit Skills: Circuit Board Etching

Making your own printed circuit board can be a truly satisfying process, tying together electronics and the handmade craft of etching. It’s the most accurate way to build a circuit short of sending away to a PCB manufacturer and it’s a lot more fun (+ cheaper too!).
For a full list of materials used plus more tips for etching & drilling head over to MAKE’s site –
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/02/circuit_skills_circuit_board_etchin.html

Continue Reading March 8th, 2011October 14th, 2015 Collin Cunningham2

Circuit Skills: LED Matrix

Learn the basics of controlling a grid of LEDs, then use one as a miniature game machine and more, as Collin Cunningham takes a look inside the LED Matrix.

Continue Reading March 8th, 2011October 14th, 2015 Collin Cunningham

Circuit Skills: Surface Mount Devices

http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/08/circuit_skills_surface_mount_device.html

Join Collin Cunningham as he explores the oh-so-tiny world of surface mount electronics. Follow along as he constructs what may be the world’s smallest phototheremin all in super-macro detail – plus learn why adhesive poster putty is so darn useful.

Continue Reading March 8th, 2011October 14th, 2015 Collin Cunningham

Skill Set: Intro to Machines and Mechanisms

This month, for our Mechanics Skill Set, we’re happy to have our friend Dustyn Roberts joining us again to help out with the theme. We’ll be excerpting from Dustyn’s book, Making Things Move: DIY Mechanisms for Inventors, Hobbyists, and Artists, doing a giveaway of signed copies of her book, and she’ll be writing some original […]

Continue Reading March 8th, 2011August 31st, 2015 Gareth Branwyn

Circuit Skills Video Series Roundup

We’re really digging Collin’s Circuit Skills video series. Here’s all six episodes for your electronic enjoyment! They’re also organized in a handy YouTube playlist. Circuit Skills has been sponsored by Jameco Electronics. Circuit Board Etching Electronics Enclosures

Continue Reading March 8th, 2011August 31st, 2015 Becky Stern6

Introducing the Mechanics Skill Set

This month, we’re thrilled to announce our Mechanics Skill Set. Over the course of March, we’ll explore the wonderful world of simple machines, mechanical forces, motors and motion. We’ll have guest authors, including our friend and MAKE contributor Dustyn Roberts, author of Making Things Move, features on the basic tools, materials, and techniques of mechanical […]

Continue Reading March 4th, 2011August 31st, 2015 Gareth Branwyn8