Welcome: The New BMOC
Dale Dougherty
New college makerspaces are designed to encourage students to become innovators and creators.Page 06
Make: Volume 79 — 2021 Boards Guide
Looking back at the electronics scene in 2021 will likely be as much about what wasn’t available as what was new and exciting. Global manufacturing complications from Covid-19 meant that chips and components were in short supply across the board, from consumer electronics to cars to maker-focused dev boards. But despite the shortages, in Make: Volume 79 we look at the new microcontrollers, single-board computers, and FPGAs that you’re going to love getting your hands on!
First up, we talk to Raspberry Pi’s founder and CEO Eben Upton about the company’s surprise move to silicon manufacturing with the RP2040 microcontroller chip, their partnering with other board makers, and an unexpected new product announcement. Next, learn what you can do with the new Programmable I/O on the RP2040 chip. And, use our handy flowchart to transfer your messy breadboarded project into an elegant, usable circuit board. Then, get info on the latest boards — in dazzling augmented reality — and compare more than 100 new and popular microcontrollers in our Make: Guide to Boards special insert.
Plus, 39 projects to explore, including:
- Build a mini replica TV from The Simpsons that’s always playing one of you favorite episodes
- Bring Insta filters into the real world with a DIY film wigglegram camera lens
- 3D-print a cheap wood lathe that really works!
- Assemble a light-up, configurable USB macro keypad to speed up work apps, gaming, streaming, everything!
- Amateur Scientist, Remaking History, Toy Inventor’s Notebook, book excerpts, and much more!
Special Insert: Make: Guide to Boards
2021 Check out specs and info on the latest microcontrollers, single-board computers, FPGAs — in dazzling augmented reality. 110 boards for you to compare!
On the cover: New FPGAs, microcontrollers, and single-board computers give makers a lot to get excited about this year. Photos: Mark Madeo and Brandon Withrow
Table of Contents
Columns
Made on Earth
Backyard builds from around the globe.Page 08
Features
Shop Tour
Mike Senese
Take a peek inside Eirik Paye’s clever pop-up backyard woodshop.Page 12
Best Maker Schools 2021
Jennifer Blakeslee and Keith Hammond
College bound? Make: has compiled the inaugural “Best Maker Schools in Higher Education” listings.Page 14
Cool School
Dan Schneiderman
Meet the expert instructors ready to help build your maker skills through our Maker Campus courses.Page 18
B.O.A.R.D.S.
State of Boards
Mike Senese
From no chips to new chips, 2021 has been the craziest year.Page 20
Pi’s the Limit
Mike Senese
Eben Upton talks about Raspberry Pi’s most exciting release yet — the RP2040 microcontroller — and reveals the new Pi Zero 2 W.Page 24
PIO Primer
Paul J. Henley
Learn how to use the Programmable I/O on the RP2040. Page 30
Mighty Modules
Tim Deagan
If you’re taking your microcontroller or SBC project to market, these pluggable boards can help.Page 34
Circuit Board (Re)Flow Chart
Daniel Hienzch
So you’ve breadboarded a project… now what? Page 40
Meet the Board Makers
Mike Senese
Meet two small companies — Krtkl and Hackboard — making your projects smart with FPGAs and SBCs. Page 48
Hack Attack!
Here are 17 electronics projects to try on this year’s hottest hardware.Page 50
Projects
Build a Simpsons TV
Brandon Withrow
Ay, caramba! There’s always something good on — when you print, solder, and code this tiny tube.Page 54
DIY Film Wigglegram Lens
Joshua Bird
Salvage three disposable cameras to build this funky 3D-printed, 3D lens for your SLR. Page 64
Hot Keebs
Allen Wong
Build a light-up USB macro keypad to speed up work apps, gaming, streaming, everything! Page 72
Muon Flux
Elliott Liggett
Time-dilated cosmic rays are passing through you right now! Catch them with a DIY muon telescope. Page 82
Amateur Scientist: Cosmic Dust & Space Debris
Forrest M. Mims III
Tweak the Make: twilight photometer to detect micrometeors and orbital junk 400 miles high. Page 86
Turn It Up!
Chris Borge
Learn basic wood turning with this cheap 3D-printed wood lathe powered by a sewing machine motor. Page 90
Remaking History: Raise Water by Fire
William Gurstelle
Re-create Thomas Savery’s proto-steam engine — the first industrial machine to use fossil energy. Page 94
Isolating DNA, the Blueprints of Life
Justin Pahara and Julie Legault
Take the first step to genetic engineering at home.Page 100
New From Make: Projects
Dan Scheiderman
The latest cool stuff from makeprojects.com.Page 104
Toy Inventor’s Notebook: Fabricate a Costume
Bob Knetzger
Use these tips to build cosplay props from your favorite show or game. Page 106
1+2+3: DIY Air Filter
Ace Makerspace
When the Air Quality Index is hazardous, use this easy DIY filter to create a “clean air” room in your home. Page 110
Skill Builder
Make a Motor Move
Mario Marchese
Micro servos are the easiest way to animate your robotic creations. From our new book Robot Magic. Page 112
Block-Based Programming
Brian Jepson
Don’t write code? Try drag-and-drop, snap-together visual programming for all kinds of makers. Page 116
Toolbox
Toolbox
Caleb Kraft and Mike Senese
Gear up with the latest tools and kits for makers.Page 122
Over the Top
Farewell, Dear Friend
Remembering our friend and colleague Patrick DiJusto, a kind, funny, and enthusiastic member of Make:.Page 128
