Toolbox

Help me write my next Toolbox column

Help me write my next Toolbox column

The theme for my next Make: Online Toolbox column is “Maker Sartorial,” looking at clothing and accessories as tools for makers. In other words, what shirts, pants, shoes, belt pouches/holsters, pocket-contents, etc. do you carry, either when you’re at work, engaged in your hobbies, or otherwise doing makery type stuff, whether for work or pleasure. […]

Linear actuators without shafting

Linear actuators without shafting

A major obstacle standing in the way of total self-replication by rapid prototyping machines, notably RepRap, is that certain of the components, particularly ground shafting (or threaded rod) for the Cartesian robot’s linear actuators, require greater precision than the machines are currently capable of. Thingiverse user fdavies is engaged in a noble effort to design printable linear actuators that require no shafting and are instead based on the hinged Sarrus linkage (Wikipedia). Excelsior!

Garrett Wade tool winners!

Garrett Wade tool winners!

We’ve done the drawing for the winners of the tools that Garrett Wade so generously provided us with, namely a set of their Extra Heavy Duty Screwdrivers and one of their Push Drills. The winners are: Jonathan Fulton – Who gets the “tank screwdrivers” Matt Kaake – Who wins the push drill Congrats, fellas! Email […]

First Halloween Microchip giveaway happening now

Just a reminder that the first promotional giveaway from this year’s Halloween contest sponsors is currently underway. First up for grabs is a PIC32 Starter Kit, shown above, with a retail value of $50, together with a PIC32 I/O Expansion Board, shown below, which sells for $72. To enter, leave a comment on the announcement page describing what cool Halloween-themed project you’d make with it. The winner will be announced this Friday, October 9.