Make Magazine Podcast

Open source hardware summit keynote - Limor "Ladyada" Fried (video m4v). Ladyada and the Adafruit gang will be at Maker Faire over the weekend, say hi! Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in MAKE Podcast | Digg this!

Make a mysterious electronic switch that only you know how to light up! Thanks go to J. Tregre for the original article in MAKE, Volume 23. To download The Mystery Electronic Switch video click here and subscribe in iTunes. Check out the complete Mystery Electronic Switch article in MAKE Volume 23 and you can see that in our Digital Edition. Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Weekend Projects | Digg this!

Make a mysterious electronic switch that only you know how to light up! Thanks go to J. Tregre for the original article in MAKE, Volume 23. View the PDF of this project. and then subscribe to MAKE magazine for other great projects you can do over the weekend. Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in MAKE PDF | Digg this!

Make a silver Firefox pendant using some basic jewelry making tools and turn your favorite web browser into a fashion statement in this week's CRAFT Video. To get the foxy template, check out Tobi Leingruber's Foxbling on Thingiverse. Subscribe to the CRAFT Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube. Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Crafts | Digg this!

Use hula hoops to keep your swimming pool warm year-round using the sun. Thanks go to Edward Hujsak for the original article in MAKE, Volume 23. To download The Lily Pad Pool Warmers video click here and subscribe in iTunes. Check out the complete Lily Pad Pool Warmers article in MAKE Volume 23 and you can see that in our Digital Edition. Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Weekend Projects | Digg this!

Use hula hoops to keep your swimming pool warm year-round using the sun. Thanks go to Edward Hujsak for the original article in MAKE, Volume 23. View the PDF of this project. and then subscribe to MAKE magazine for other great projects you can do over the weekend. Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in MAKE PDF | Digg this!

Once the growing sprawl of electronic parts starts showing up in your dreams, you know you've got some tidying up to do. It can be a challenge to spend quality hacking time on humdrum sorting & parts organization, but of course, in the long run it's a no-brainer. I've yet to discover a magical motivator* for organization. But if you can put aside a few minutes for the cause, consider installing an uber-simple wire rack using plain old curtain brackets - perfect for taming those wild spools that roam your workbench. *sadly, impromptu desk-naps do not help. Subscribe to the MAKE Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube and Vimeo. Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in DIY Projects | Digg this!

A cheap and easy way to organize parts of all sizes. Thanks go to Steve Sofiel for the original article in MAKE, Volume 23. To download The CD/DVD Parts Container video click here and subscribe in iTunes. Check out the complete CD/DVD Parts Container article in MAKE Volume 23 and you can see that in our Digital Edition. Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Weekend Projects | Digg this!

A cheap and easy way to organize parts of all sizes. Thanks go to Steve Sofiel for the original article in MAKE, Volume 23. View the PDF of this project. and then subscribe to MAKE magazine for other great projects you can do over the weekend. Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in MAKE PDF | Digg this!

I've used quite a variety of sound-isolating personal audio gear; around-ear cans, in-ear buds, as well as active noise-canceling models. All of these posed problems for me in one way or another. Most often, it came down to issues with comfort and how well each design could maintain a good seal on my substantial noggin. I was excited to find out that there are custom-fit headphone services out there, but my enthusiasm withered upon learning the price for such a thing. Thankfully, I did find a DIY custom-mold earplug kit available for relatively cheap. So, I dug out my old pair of Shure E2C earbuds, ordered myself up a kit, and then put together a very simple but satisfyingly effective project. Subscribe to the MAKE Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube and Vimeo. Also - for those who prefer more static imagery in their tutorials, I added this project to the very excellent Make: Projects site. Check the relevant step-by-steps here. Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in DIY Projects | Digg this!

If you're from the woods in the Northeast USA, you know that summer is all about forts, cabins, treehouses, and other alternative shelters. If you haven't known the pleasure of these delightful creations, let Derek "Deek" Diedricksen introduce you his world of microcabins in this episode of Tiny Yellow House, a MAKEcation Special Edition! Join Deek in the Massachusetts woods for a tour of his "Boxy Lady" vending cart microcabin complete with build notes inspired by his book, Humble Homes, Simple Shacks, Cozy Cottages, Ramshackle Retreats, Funky Forts, and Whatever Else We Could Squeeze in Here. Subscribe to the MAKE Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube. Gareth reviewed Deek's book not to long ago on the site: The book is a hoot and an inspiration, crammed with Deek's designs -- from practical to pie in the sky -- for "micro-houses," small backyard retreats, kid forts, treehouses, and other no-cost/low-cost outbuildings. The emphasis here is on fun and clever use of recycled materials. Deek did all the hand-lettering and the book is obsessively illustrated with wonderfully wacky cartoons and design drawings. As he himself describes it in the video: "A carpal tunnel-inducing barrage of dime store pen sketches." More: Humble Homes, Simple Shacks... preview and giveaway Another Tiny Yellow House Introducing: the Hickshaw Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in MAKE Video | Digg this!

I've tried my hand at quite a few different methods for circuit building — breadboard, perfboard, custom etching, even some boardless freeform wiring, but somehow, I never got around to using surface-mount parts (until now, that is). Understandably, many balk at the idea of soldering the infamously tiny SMD packages, but once equipped with the right tools, and a bit of patience, you too can solder your own teeny-tiny circuitry. Subscribe to the MAKE Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube and Vimeo. As my first build in the format, I decided to go with a simple and familiar schematic — the light-sensitive oscillator (aka "phototheremin") as originally described in Forrest Mims' book Timer, Op Amp and Optoelectronic Circuits & Projects. Once I got the hang of securing each part in place for soldering, the rest of the process was more or less straightforward, and the circuit worked the first time I tested it. Though I didn't run into any major snags, I'll likely do at least a couple things differently next time. Firstly, I used .032" diameter solder for the build, but .015" would have deposited an appropriately smaller amount of molten solder on each pad. Also, I would like to try using some sticky solder flux instead of adhesive gum, to keep the parts in place. Happily, the SO-8 pattern protoboard I used was a perfect fit for this little test-build. A few of these boards, plus a variety of SMD parts and related tools, can be picked up as a bundle from Jameco. If you decide to have a go at building your own electronic tinyness, we'd love to check out the results! Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Electronics | Digg this!

Make audio circuits sing higher and lower. Thanks go to Peter Edwards for the original article in MAKE, Volume 23. To download The Easy Pitch Control Hack video click here and subscribe in iTunes. Check out the complete Easy Pitch Control Hack article in MAKE Volume 23 This Weekend Project is sponsored by Livescribe. Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Weekend Projects | Digg this!

Make audio circuits sing higher and lower. Thanks go to Peter Edwards for the original article in MAKE, Volume 23. View the PDF of this project. and then subscribe to MAKE magazine for other great projects you can do over the weekend. Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in MAKE PDF | Digg this!

Replace the broken glass of an iPhone 3G. Thanks go to Morten Skogly for the original article in MAKE, Volume 22. To download The iPhone Screen Repair video click here and subscribe in iTunes. Check out the complete iPhone Screen Repair article in MAKE Volume 22 or you can see it in our Digital Edition. This Weekend Project is sponsored by Livescribe. Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Weekend Projects | Digg this!

Replace the broken glass of an iPhone 3G. Thanks go to Morten Skogly for the original article in MAKE, Volume 22. View the PDF of this project. and then subscribe to MAKE magazine for other great projects you can do over the weekend. Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in MAKE PDF | Digg this!

Tristan Shone rolled out the 'big guns' for Maker Faire Bay Area 2010. His Industrial Sound Controllers are a musical force to be reckoned with and their sheer size and weight demand considerable attention upon seeing them firsthand. Tristan took a few moments out from setting up to speak with Becky Stern and myself before performing, explaining some of the functionality of his custom gear. Fore more on his unique brand of 'heavy metal', be sure to check out the interview in MAKE, Volume 22 and the how-to on building your own 8-mic MIDI controller. Subscribe to the MAKE Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube and Vimeo. Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in MAKE Podcast | Digg this!

MAKE Volume 23 is on newsstands now! In this special GADGETS issue, we show you how to make a menagerie of delightful machines: a miniature electronic Whac-a-Mole arcade game, a tiny but mighty see-through audio amplifier, a magic mirror that contains an interactive animated soothsayer, a self-balancing one-wheeled Gyrocar, and the Most Useless Machine — the creepy mechanical box whose only purpose is to turn itself off (as seen on The Colbert Report!). Plus: how Intellectual Ventures made their incredible laser targeting mosquito zapper, how to use the industrial-strength microcontrollers called PLCs, and a lot more. Project highlights in MAKE Volume 23 include: The Most Useless Machine Gyrocar Squelette, the Bare-Bones Amplifier Magic Mirror Solar Car Subwoofer College Bike Trunk and much more, of course! Don't forget - subscribers can always read the digital edition here. Subscribe to the MAKE Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube and Vimeo. Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in MAKE Podcast | Digg this!

We're excited to bring to you our special summer kids video miniseries, Sylvia's Super Awesome Mini Maker Show! Subscribe to the MAKE Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube, Blip.tv, and Vimeo. By James (TechNinja) and Sylvia Bored on a hot summer day? In the mood to let out your inner van Gogh and make something cool? Then lets make some sidewalk chalk! Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Kids | Digg this!

Young maker Sasha shows us how to assemble the solar frightened grasshopper kit from the Maker Shed in this, another kid-made video on the MAKE 'tubes. Subscribe to the MAKE Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube and Vimeo. The snap-together Solar Grasshopper kit uses solar energy to generate electricity and propel itself around. It's an easy to assemble electronics project that's great for first-time experimenters with little or no experience. Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Kids | Digg this!

We're excited to bring to you the second episode in our special summer kids video miniseries, Sylvia's Super Awesome Mini Maker Show! Subscribe to the MAKE Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube, Blip.tv, and Vimeo. By James (TechNinja) and Sylvia Did you know that you can have fun making extended polymer chains at home with household chemicals? You bet you can! Today we're going to make "Crazy Putty!" Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Kids | Digg this!

Meet just a few of the makers & crafters who made Maker Faire Bay Area 2010 such a great event - a big thanks to everyone helped make it happen. Be sure to check out Maker Faire Detroit and the upcoming World Maker Faire in NYC! Subscribe to the MAKE Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube and Vimeo. Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in MAKE Video | Digg this!

We're excited to bring to you our special summer kids video miniseries, Sylvia's Super Awesome Mini Maker Show! Subscribe to the MAKE Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube, Blip.tv, and Vimeo. Episode 1: Rockets By James (TechNinja) and Sylvia Did you know you could be a rocket scientist in just one day? Well, a hobby rocket scientist anyways! The field of hobby rocketry is huge, ranging from $5 mini starters to multi-thousand dollar custom-made giants that can fly thousands and thousands of feet. Today we'll show you enough to get you up in the air and crashing in no time! Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Kids | Digg this!

Make your own Cornhole boards and bags. Cornhole is a fun summertime lawn game where players take turns throwing corn filled bags at a raised platform with a hole in the far end. More information on Cornhole is available at The American Cornhole Association To download The Cornhole video click here and subscribe in iTunes. Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Weekend Projects | Digg this!

Subscribe to the MAKE Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube and Vimeo. Competitors in this year's Gowanus Studio Space Jell-O Mold Competition brought their best and really wowed the judges (including me!) on a hot night in Brooklyn last month. The grand prize winner was Shelly Sable for her entry: Aspic Ascension-- Tastes Like Heaven. She cast several Marys in tomato aspic and the pun was complete: bloody mary indeed! Her beautiful presentation with fresh veggies had me coming back for seconds. Don't miss the video recap above, and hit the jump for tons more photos of the runners up, all by Emilie Baltz. Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in MAKE Video | Digg this!

Build a simple device that exhibits chaotic behavior and makes an excellent science project or conversation starter. Thanks go to William Gurstelle for the original article in MAKE, Volume 22. To download The Double Pendulum video click here and subscribe in iTunes. Check out the complete Double Pendulum article in MAKE Volume 22 or you can see it in our Digital Edition. Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Weekend Projects | Digg this!

Build a simple device that exhibits chaotic behavior and makes an excellent science project or conversation starter. Thanks go to William Gurstelle for the original article in MAKE, Volume 22. View the PDF of this project. and then subscribe to MAKE magazine for other great projects you can do over the weekend. Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in MAKE PDF | Digg this!

[Note: Jameco is currently offering all the parts I used in this video as a perfboard prototyping kit -- just add wire & solder. ] When you think "DIY electronics," one of the first images that likely comes to mind is of parts and wire soldered to a standard piece of perforated circuit board -- and that makes sense. Perfboard is widely used because it's so versatile. Essentially, it's just a grid of potential solder-point connections. You can trim it down to just the size you need, or leave extra space for future enhancements, or revisions, if need be. Subscribe to the MAKE Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube. In this latest installment of the Circuit Skills video series, I demo my own approach to perfboarding by building a rather unusual guitar effect -- the PWM, a design I found in Tim Escobedo's excellent Circuit Snippets collection. (For those interested, I also drew up a more traditional version of the schematic - available here.) In order to get this thing making sound ASAP, I omitted the stompbox switch and its somewhat complex wiring. However, the optional LFO add-on seemed a bit too good to pass up, so I did incorporate that into my build. I knew from previous projects that the 40106 Schmitt Trigger IC could make some cool experimental synth sounds. It turns out that the chip also works as a surprisingly sweet distortion pedal, if you're into that tough & spazzy fuzz-bot kind of sound (which I am). If you need a boost getting started with your layout, here's a basic diagram of all the on-board connections I made (just much neater than how I actually made 'em) If you build a PWM, have fun! And do share build pics and impressions in the comments below. More:Circuit Skills: Circuit Board Etching, sponsored by JamecoCircuit Skills: Electronics Enclosures sponsored by Jameco Electronics Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in DIY Projects | Digg this!