Welcome
Dale Dougherty
Policies that invest in our community can help makers solve new problems in the future.Page 06
Make: Volume 76 — Behind New Eyes
Make: Volume 76’s cover story is an enlightening profile feature about Jorvon Moss, aka “Odd Jayy,” and the genesis of his delightful robotic companions and his new set of moving, responsive sci-fi goggles.
Then, take a deep dive into LoRa, the long-range, free-to-use wireless protocol that’s great for tracking sensor data. Learn the basics in our in-depth primer, and then put your knowledge to use building an off-the-grid portable text messaging network.
And in our special music section, create new and interesting musical instruments using everyday maker tools like microcontrollers, servos, and more. Learn to set up a MIDI-enabled, BLE driven xylophone. Then make a tapping bot that listens to the rhythms around it and synchronizes its output to match them. And finally, build a 3D-printed pocket synthesizer that omits a dedicated PCB for simple route-in-place wiring. Now you’re ready to rock!
Plus, explore 30+ projects and skill builders, including:
- Construct a location tracking clock like the Weasley family has in the Harry Potter series
- Build a unique, single-rotor “ball drone” that uses air vanes to navigate
- Learn to use a Raspberry Pi & Pi camera to stream live video
- Make a fold-up kayak out of corrugated plastic sheets
- And tons more projects and maker inspiration!
On the Cover: Jorvon Moss — aka @odd_jayy — rocks the latest version of his sci-fi-inspired Magpie goggles.
Table of Contents
Columns
Made on Earth
Backyard builds from around the globe.Page 08
Making a Safer Space
Jeff Shaw
Narwhal Labs was about to open its doors. Then the Covid-19 shutdown hit and the makerspace needed to navigate a new course.Page 12
Me and My Robot
Dale Dougherty
Odd Jay wanted a friend so he built a robot — and in doing so, he discovered his community.Page 16
Projects
Ball Drone Mk II
Benjamin Prescher
This unique single-rotor drone steers with air vanes instead of extra props.Page 20
DIY Folding Kayak
Nathaniel Taylor with Hong Wong
Escape from it all in this lightweight, foldable boat made of corrugated plastic.Page 28
Live Streaming With Raspberry Pi
Eben Kouao
Set up and stream a remote viewable video camera, using everyone’s favorite micro computer.Page 36
Weasley Whereabouts Clock
Patrick Peters
Build a real location clock that knows and shows where your family and friends are.Page 42
Maker Magician
Mario Marchese
A card mysteriously arises, and in a flash, changes into the right one!Page 50
Coffee Roaster Wobble Disk
Larry Cotton
Fabricate the eccentrically optimum bean stirring device for perfect roasts.Page 56
Very Slow Movie Player
Tom Whitwell
Ambient cinema is the perfect lockdown project.Page 60
Stick Man
Simon Begg
Show your Lego love by constructing an oversized wooden minifig.Page 62
Corona Creativity
Keith Hammond
Cooped up by Covid-19, makers are sharing fun and functional fixes that you can make, too.Page 66
New From Make: Projects
Makers everywhere are sharing great builds on makeprojects.com — post yours, too!Page 70
Making Music
Aural Innovations
Helen Leigh
All instruments are inventions, and all music is made up — so make your own, using microcontrollers.Page 74
Glocken’ Roll
Liz Clark
Play this wireless BLE MIDI xylophone, or watch it play itself!Page 84
Dr. Squiggles AI Rhythm Robot
Michael Krzyzaniak
Build a smart octopus drumbot that listens, learns, and plays along with you.Page 88
Print-A-Synth
Johan von Konow
Get started with DIY synths with this 3D-printable, no-PCB keyboard.Page 98
Skill Builder
Go Long!
Andreas Spiess
Need to monitor remote sensors on your next project? LoRa might be your best wireless bet.Page 102
More LoRa to Explore
Flex your reach with these long-range projects.Page 110
Armachat
Peter Mišenko
Learn to build and flash a graphical Arduino-based device with this wireless LoRa communicator.Page 112
Pretty Printed Patterns
Billie Ruben
3D-print mesmerizing designs into your creations by customizing and controlling the toolpath of your first layer.Page 118
Toolbox
Toolbox
Gear up with the latest tools and kits for makers.Page 122
Over the Top
Double Decker
Witness the world’s largest concrete 3D printer build a 2-story house!Page 128
