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Make: Volume 58 – Come Together
Do It Together!
Making is better when you’re doing it with friends! In Make: Volume 58, we explore different ways to tackle large scale projects that are way bigger than one person can handle alone.
In our cover story, get the scoop on how a team of engineers built giant robot Megabot to fight for glory in the world’s first real-life mecha battle. Then, discover the latest in robo races and build your own autonomous R/C car.
You’ll find 14 projects inside, including:
- Send stealthy messages with Morse code over the internet
- Play electronic audio games by drawing circuits with conductive ink
- Keep kitty entertained with a chaotic double pendulum toy
And more!
ON THE COVER: The MegaBots Mk.III weighs in before entering the arena.
Table of Contents
COLUMNS
Welcome: Mission Possible
Dale Dougherty
Create open communities to solve problems of greater sophistication and significance.Page 06
Made on Earth
Jordan Ramée
Backyard builds from around the globe.Page 10
The Magic of Maker Faire
Hep Svadja
Glimpse some of the fantastic projects that converged at our big Bay Area event this May.Page 16
FEATURES
Standing Out
Mike Senese
Female engineers shine at the inaugural Maker Faire Kuwait. Page 18
Maker ProFile: Zero to Sixty
DC Denison
How Make in LA jump-starts your startup through mentorship.Page 24
SPECIAL SECTION
Come Together
Louise Glasgow
Building with others lets you do great things. But first, make a plan. Page 26
MegaBet
Mike Senese
The brash MegaBots team is gambling on a bigger, better mech.Page 28
Building Burning Man
Jess Hobbs
Collaborative art is more than just projects — it builds up community.Page 34
A Global Party Game
Will Chase
MakeItGo brings together different makerspaces to create an iterative project.Page 36
Skylab
Richard Ozer
Telescope workshops share the thrill of peering through the cosmos. Page 37
Growing Grass Roots
Sophia Smith
Bottom’s Up Garden is a unique hub for culture and events.Page 38
Build It...Together
Matt Stultz
Makerspaces are the social soul of the maker community. Page 42
Taking Off
Austin Furey
Communities make R/C flight more approachable.Page 44
Hamming It Up
Mandy Stultz
Connect with the global community of amateur radio enthusiasts. Page 46
All Aboard
Neil Besougloff
Explore the multifaceted world of model railroads. Page 47
Hands-Free Racing
Adam Conway and William Roscoe
Build a $200 Raspberry Pi car that uses machine-learning software to drive.Page 48
Super Pumped
Larry Moss
Make a balloon arch to elevate your next event.Page 54
It’s a Family Affair
Matt Stultz and Mike Senese
Great builds to make with your nearest and dearest. Page 58
SPECIAL SECTION
Covert Communication
Adam, Immanuel, and Isa McKenty
Trade secret messages in Morse code with a button, a buzzer, and a Pi Zero. Page 62
1+2+3: Scrap Fabric Twine
Cintia Gonzalez Pell
Upcycle fabric pieces and offcuts into something practical. Page 67
Sounds Like Fun
Bob Knetzger
Play electronic audio games by drawing circuits with conductive ink.Page 68
Chaotic Cat Toy
Charles Platt
Build an unpredictable compound pendulum with two weights, a piece of string, and a toy mouse.Page 72
Bucky’s World
Sophia Smith
Laser-cut a map that goes from 2D to 3D with very little distortion. Page 74
Vintage Ventilation
Phil Bowie
Build a custom car-window scoop and let the fresh air in.Page 76
Amateur Scientist: Make an Impact
Forrest M. Mims III
Your pioneering project could earn you a Rolex Award for Enterprise.Page 78
Toy Inventor’s Notebook: String Climbing Racers
Bob Knetzger
Based on an old folk toy using friction and alternating tension/slack, make two and have a race!Page 80
SKILL BUILDER
Don’t Slip
Tim Deagan
Here’s the lowdown on how to hold down your workpiece for CNC.Page 82
Learn the Lingo: Machine Embroidery
Caleb Kraft
Embellish clothing, make patches, and customize all your textile projects.Page 86
TOOLBOX
Toolbox
Check out reviews of GearBest DIY Laser Engraver, Howtoons Kits, and more. Page 88
Review: BCN3D Sigma 2017
Matt Stultz
Much improved in quality and performance, this 3D printer shows great promise.Page 92
SHOW & TELL
Show & Tell
Sophia Smith
Get inspired for this year’s Halloween haunt with our contest winners from 2016.Page 96
