Reader Input
Thoughts, tips, and musings from readers like you.Page 08
Make: Volume 51 – Join the Drone Revolution
Join the drone revolution with Make: Volume 51! Inside, you’ll find articles on how drones are being used to perform rescue work, the latest in aerial robotics, and tips on becoming an expert flier. You’ll also learn how to hack and infrared lamp to become a night flier, build your own low-cost quadcopter, and knock drones out of the sky with a Raspberry Pi-powered drone jammer. This issue also features our expert drone ratings and recommendations as well as valuable skill builders. Projects in this issue include
Anti-Drone WiFi HijackerLittle Dipper DroneGet Your Freq OnTot-Sized Tank3D-Printed Tourbillion ClockPurcusso: A MIDI-Controlled Percussion Bot
ON THE COVER: Drones take flight. Know the inspiration for this image? Tell us and we’ll give you a shout-out.
Table of Contents
COLUMNS
Welcome: Flying into the Future
Mike Senese
Makers are raising autonomous aircraft to new heights.Page 10
Made on Earth
Backyard builds from around the globe.Page 12
FEATURES
Maker ProFile: Crowdfunding Coach
DC Denison
Helpful advice from Kickstarter’s Senior Director of Design and Technology Communities John Dimatos.Page 16
SPECIAL SECTION
Drone Revolution
Mike Senese and Rob Nance
The Drone Field has Changed Drastically.Page 18
Aerial Aid
Patty Hodapp
Amateur drone pilots can save lives, find bodies — or wreak logistical and legal havoc.Page 20
Little Dipper Drone
Terry Kiby and Belinda Kilby
Learn working knowledge of aerial robotics by building this 300-class autonomous quadcopter.Page 26
2016 Drone Flyer's Guide
Matt Stultz
We review 8 capable quadcopters and 8 DIY-drone flight controllers to help get you airborne.Page 31
FPV Night Flying
Justin Kelly
Hack an infrared flood lamp and rip through the darkness!Page 38
Top Guns
Mike Senese
These multirotor vanguards are pushing the field to new heights.Page 40
Build Your Own Drone
Donald Bell
Get aerial without breaking the bank by making these quadcopters and fixed-wing R/C projects. Page 42
Anti-Drone Wi-Fi Hijacker
Brent Chapman
Build a Pi-powered drone disabler to understand the security risks of wireless communications.Page 44
SKILL BUILDER
Servos 101
Emily Coker
Learn to make things move with this simple motor. Page 48
Polish with Wet Sanding
Jordan Bunker
This process removes large scratches left during shaping.Page 50
PROJECTS
Get Your Freq On
Charlie Turner
Construct a music visualizer table that dances to your tunes!Page 52
Custom Catwalk
Charles Platt
This light-duty floating shelf hangs with no visible support.Page 58
1+2+3: Rhythm Bones
Phil Bowie
Make your own set of traditional bone instruments.Page 59
Tot-Sized Tank
Brian Bunnell
Tackle any terrain in this nigh-unstoppable tracked vehicle.Page 60
Remaking History: Chester Rice and the Dynamic Loudspeaker
William Gurstelle
Build the moving-coil, direct-radiation transducer that has rocked our world for 90 years.Page 66
3D-Printed Tourbillon Clock
Christoph Laimer
Print and assemble this working, large-scale model of a precision watch design.Page 68
Percusso: MIDI-Controlled Percussion Tower
Larry Cotton
How one Maker created his crazy rhythm bot with simple solenoids and a MIDIWidget.Page 72
Ponytrap: An Arduino Robot Drummer
Quentin Thomas-Oliver
Build a hard-charging drumbot with real drumsticks.Page 75
Mario Play Cubes
Jane Stewart
Turn vintage video game pixels into an easy macramé pattern.Page 76
DIY Smart Light Switch
Alasdair Allan, Don Coleman, and Sandeeep Mistry
Learn to use Bluetooth to control AC lamps and devices from your smartphone. Page 78
Giant Vortex Air Cannon
Tom Heck
Bring the boom with supersized smoke rings that go the distance.Page 82
Amateur Scientist: Ultra-Simple Solar Radiometer
Forrest M. Mims III
No batteries, no switches — this analog meter is powered by the sunshine it’s measuring.Page 84
1+2+3: Wearable EL Flame
Helga Hansen
Craft glowing EL panels into eye-catching accessories.Page 86
TOOLBOX
Tool Reviews
DeWalt orbit sander, Black & Decker cordless glue gun, Tekton 16-piece screwdriver set, and more useful gear.Page 88
3D Printer Review: Ultimaker 2+
Matt Stultz
A new and improved extruder produces crisp, clean, and impressive prints.Page 92
OVER THE TOP
Over the Top: Crazy Train
James Burke
Ozzy Osbourne joins the Gremlins Carnival Club.Page 96
