Screwdriver

Infrared String Bass

Infrared String Bass

In this project we’re going to take inspiration from Len Keeler’s original Elastic String Bass. We’ll pick it up (no pun intended) and run with it, adding multiple strings for different tonal qualities, etch our own printed circuit board (PCB), and of course, demonstrate the instrument. First we will breadboard the basic version of this […]

PVC Two-Faced Clock from MAKE Volume 30

PVC Two-Faced Clock

If you and a friend or relative live in different time zones, keep track with this two-faced clock.

PVC Lamp from MAKE Volume 30

PVC Floating Accent Light

This lamp adds a romantic glow to any room. Designed to provide good airflow around the bulb, it seems to float magically on a soft ring of light around its base.

Guitar Strap Gamepad

Guitar Strap Gamepad

If you’re playing Rocksmith (and I think you should be), and you’re playing standing up (ditto), you have probably run into the “where do I put the controller” problem. The gamepad is required to navigate the menu system between songs, and if you play in a standing position you have to keep a stool or […]

Bump Sensor for the Tiny Wanderer

Bump Sensor for the Tiny Wanderer

The Tiny Wanderer robot is meant to be played with. After you have explored the two IR sensors that come with the kit, it is time to try new robot behaviors and sensors. To let your robot wanderer around your house, it needs to be able to detect and react to obstacles in its path. […]

Better Nerf Gun

Better Nerf Gun

Like most geek-filled offices, at my workplace we have several Nerf guns and similar toy weapons floating about. Not impressed with the performance of my colleague Lester’s Nerf Maverick, a mainstay of Nerf’s suction-cup-dart-firing “N-Strike” series, I decided to build a better Nerf gun myself. Here’s the result: a simple weapon, single shot only, but […]