zedomax.com &#187; Design

Looking for a great Christmas gift for your whiz kid? Here’s a great DIY that shows you how to make a solar powered ball robot. Of course, there exactly isn’t a kit for this but all the parts are easily findable so it might actually work better than any other gift you can buy off the shelf.

This technology of using minimal electronics and simple mechanical design is call BEAM robotics.

The Miniball itself was originally invented by Richard Weait of North York, Toronto.The Miniball is a amazing robot – it uses a simple circuit and the robot itself proves to be very capable, rarely getting stuck. The Miniball is mechanically complex and electronically simple. (But don’t worry – the mechanical part is still pretty easy)

In this case, we aren’t going to build the original Miniball, but a smaller, more basic wannabe version. This robot is extremely simple and can take a beginner less than 2 hours to build.

Robot DIY – How to Make a Solar Powered Ball Robot!

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Craft DIY – How to Make Hand-Warming Heat Gloves!

max — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:10:45 +0000

For those of you trying to beat cold in snow, here’s how to make re-usable hand-warming heat gloves using rice as inserts that can be heated via microwave. I can tell you from growing up in the snow in Korea during winters that hand-warming heat gloves can come in super handy on those short trips outside the house.

Place the gloves in your microwave and heat for a few seconds. Microwaves vary, so experiment with yours to see what amount of time and what power level work best. The gloves should feel warm but not hot to the touch. When you have your hands in them, the heat will be trapped against your palms and feel quite a bit warmer, so heat your gloves a little less than you think you need to.

via craftstylish

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Craft DIY – How to Make Hand-Warming Heat Gloves!

Water Leak Spotter/Detector!

max — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:26:05 +0000

Can you think of how much water the world can save if every energy company such as PG&E here in the U.S. used these water leak spotters powered by a single 3V lithium battery? Probably gigatons! – via keetsa

Here is something that should be useful for bathrooms in our homes. The toilet is known to be one of the causes for wasted water and the one which escalates our water bill. This could be due to leaks or some defect. But now, all you have to do is attach this device called the H2Orb from AquaOne Technologies.

Simply attach it directly to the water valve behind the toilet and when it spots a leak, it shuts off the water and alerts the user of the leak with an alarm and icon via the featured LCD screen. The whole system operates on a single 3V lithium coin cell battery.

Brought to you by: Zedomax.com

Water Leak Spotter/Detector!

Table DIY – How to Make a Table Out of Recycled Wood!

max — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:20:44 +0000

Here’s a great way to make a table using recycled wood. When I get a big house, I will certainly make one myself. (and upload me doing so on YouTube)

The results on this table are rather magnificent, I didn’t know you could do that with old wood.

There’s a lot of wood out in the world free for the taking — in dumpsters, back alleys, vacant lots, abandoned buildings, recycling yards, and architectural salvage centers. Most wood, if free from rot, is just as strong, durable, and good to use as new wood, once you sand off the weathering. This table was made from all salvaged wood — both dimensional lumber and plywood, mostly taken from decaying buildings in and around Hale County, Alabama

via bedzine

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Table DIY – How to Make a Table Out of Recycled Wood!

It is that time of year again

David Allen — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:00:41 +0000

The festive season normally means presents and wrapping paper, but buying wrapping paper is just too hard especially for geeky types.

However, why not check this wrapping paper out; it has been specifically designed for the geek in your life, so why not bring a smile their faces.

Features:

•Equations – Scientific equations hand-written on blue and white graph paper.

•Binary – Black paper with a terminal green font and ‘Wrapping Paper’ in binary written all across it.

•Birthday (not pictured) – ‘Happy Birthday’ written in elvish, klingon, binary, h4×0r and hex. Little PDAs, USB cables and cell phones simulate confetti. Dark blue background.

•Zombies – Black paper with zombies in various states of gift-giving/receiving, including a brain wrapped up with a pretty red bow.

•Can Has – “Can Has” in LOLcat font (aka Impact) printed over and over on a wasabi green background.

•Christmas Bots – Light blue paper with the cutest little holiday robots you’ll ever imagine. And by cute we mean hella-nifty.

•Nondenominational – Dark blue paper in a traditional style emblazoned with “Have a Satisfactory, Non-denominational Capitalist, Wintertime Gift-giving Season!”

Each pack of wrapping paper contains 4 sheets. Each sheet is 20″ x 30″. Many trees *were* harmed to bring you these unique creations, but it was all in good fun so what can we do?

Priced at $5.99

Source [Think Geek]

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It is that time of year again

Pac Man is back

David Allen — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:00:46 +0000

It is the retro game of the yesteryear, most of us have played on it at some time and this is a chance to remember just how cool the game actually was and in fact still is.

The game is printed onto a mug and when heated up the pattern changes just like the real game.

Features – When hot water is introduced to the The Pac Boy Mug the monsters simply disappear, but watch out, they might come back sooner than you think. Features: Changes with hot water and Do not microwave or use in dishwasher. Priced at $5.99.

Source [Lazy Bone UK]

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Pac Man is back

In the cat house

David Allen — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:00:28 +0000

Cats are poor old things they get kicked out at night and in the daytime have to put up with all of the noise around the home and yet they still come home to have their dinner, what a life that must be!

Why treat them to something special with one of the build your own cat house, they are funny and cool.

Priced at $23

Source [Suck UK]

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In the cat house

DSLR DIY – How to Make an Intervalometer for Canon or Nikon!

max — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:30:54 +0000

Intervalometer can be used in DSLR photography to take time-lapse shots. You can buy one of these Intervalometers off the shelf for anywhere between $60 to $200+ but if you got some programming and soldering skills, you might be interested in learning to make one yourself.

Circuit schematics, code, and whole bunch of images are included in this DIY to help you make the intervalometer for your Canon or Nikon DSLR camera.

This instructable is teaches you how to make an intervalometer that can be used with virtually any camera. It has been tested with Canon and Nikon cameras, but making adapter cables for other cameras is just a matter of figuring out the camera pinout.
It’s also available as a kit so you might want to go that route if you are not familiar with programming an AVR.

This intervalometer has the following features:

Intervalometer mode with options to change delay time and exposure time

Sensor mode with built in light sensor and connector for external sensor input

Manual mode allows intervalometer to act like a simple remote cable

Integrated 2×12 LCD display

Fully optically isolated interface to camera

Total package is roughly 1″ x 2.5″ x 3″ finished

Electronics small enough to fit in a mint box

Source code is available for download so that you can change programming as desired

Available as a kit from www.ottercreekdesign.com

DSLR DIY – How to Make an Intervalometer for Canon or Nikon!

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DIY Accelerometer Controlled Marble Maze!

max — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:20:46 +0000

DIY Accelerometer Controlled Marble Maze!

Here’s a rather very interesting DIY project that involves a marble maze controlled by a wireless accelerometer housed in a Wii Steering Wheel unit. Brilliant!

I purchased the Wii steering wheel unaware that an additional button is mounted to the back for the “B” controller input. At first I considered removing this button to prevent users from getting confused but decided to utilize it instead. During testing I found it awkward and difficult to hand off the controller or put it down without the maze going crazy as it continued to follow the accelerometer’s measurements. I decided that a “dead-mans” switch would be a useful addition so that the maze would only accept input when the button is held down. This allowed the controller to be handled without causing the maze to move unless desired.

via hackedgadgets

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Recycle DIY – How to Recycle Tin Cans as Pencil Holders using Grout and Creativity!

max — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:53:57 +0000

I really love it when people make things like this out of stuff that would go into your recycling bin, a pencil holder made using old tin cans and grout! Brilliant! Keep up the great work and reduce our carbon footprint!

We all use some canned foods from time to time. And we all probably use empty cans for one purpose or another. This instructable shows how to decorate cans to be used as organizers for pencils, pens, paint brushes, etc. It’s a simple thing to do, and children would especially have fun making their creations.

Recycle DIY – How to Recycle Tin Cans as Pencil Holders using Grout and Creativity!

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Understanding baby language

David Allen — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:00:51 +0000

If there is anyone who has seen the Look Who’s Talking movies, they would know that babies do actually have their own language and if parents could understand it then that would make like so much easier wouldn’t it?

This is the Why Cry Baby Analyser and yes it actually does what it says on the box or so we think! You cannot take anything for granted these days.

Product Information

•Used by adults for all ages 0+

•Takes 4 AA batteries that are included

•This crying analyzer detects why your child is crying (i.e. Stressed, Sleepy, Annoyed, Bored or Hungry)

•Displays the temperature and humidity in the room

•Distance between the Why Cry and the baby should be 1 to 6 feet to detect properly

•Other noises in the room may cause a false reading

•Dimensions: 2 x 6.3 x 2 inches

•Weight: Approx. 0.5 pounds

Priced at $89.99

Source [Think Geek]

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Understanding baby language

Like tattoos but not the pain

David Allen — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:00:01 +0000

If you are one these people who see celebrities that have those massive tattoos all over their arms, but are too scared to go and get one done. Then this is the sort of thing that you have been waiting for all of your life.

These are slip on tattoo sleeves, which from a short distance look just like the real thing. You can now go around with your sleeves rolled up!

Features – Fake Tattoo sleeves are like the coolest gift/prank/look around for anyone who does not have the time – or commitment – to get that permanently cool look. They come in eight different styles, so make sure you click through all the pictures before picking out the style that is right for you. Priced at $11.89.

Source [Stupid]

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Like tattoos but not the pain

Like Pong, love this

David Allen — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:00:29 +0000

The game of pong was one of the first commercial video games to grace those old style TV’s, so anyone out there looking to relive their past we are talking about the 1970’s here!

Naturally, this is just a representation of the old style game and not a giant game that you can actually play one. However, I suppose you guessed that already.

Specs – The composition shown in the image is approx. 3 x 2.5m. This pack contains: all the elements shown in the picture, “net” can be up to 2.6m long (102 inches), score numbers are 35×20cm and “how to apply” instructions. Please note: you can cut the “net” line to obtain the desired length. Available in any colour from the palette: please note your colour choice in message to seller upon checkout. If no colour is chosen, black will be sent by default. Please read our Policies section for more information about the product. Priced at $55

Source [Techna Bob]

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Like Pong, love this

DESIGN – DIY Polaroid Flower Vase!

max — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:24:36 +0000

Check out this awesome design, a DIY Polaroid Flower Vase for small plants and alike. (via greenmuze)

Designer’s Website

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DESIGN – DIY Polaroid Flower Vase!

A weird xmas tree decorations

David Allen — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:00:30 +0000

Xmas is not just for kids and it would seem that it is not just for adults too.

These decorations will add another dimension to your tree and will probably be the beginning of a lot of long conversations on what is right and wrong about having these dudes on the tree or anywhere that you would like.

Features

•Handmade felted Christmas ornaments by Nifer Fahrion

•Large tree topper

◦Tentacle span of 2 feet!

◦Head 6 inches long!

•Smaller hanging ornament

◦9 inches long

◦Hangs by silvery cord

•Perfect for Yule, Solstice, and Saturnalia, too!

Priced from $39.99 to $139.99

Source [Think Geek]

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A weird xmas tree decorations

Rate the babes in your office

David Allen — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:00:31 +0000

Sometimes during those quiet periods in the office, it is hard to think of something constructive to do. So what about rating the ladies that work in the office, seems like a reasonable thing to be doing doesn’t it?

Obviously, this is going to get some of you into trouble, but what the hell! This is something that the women who work in offices have been doing for years; they just did not have the flash cards to mark the talent up with.

Priced at $9

Source [Spinning Hat]

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Rate the babes in your office

One day all signs will like this

David Allen — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:00:21 +0000

Naturally this is a concept design that could really make a difference to the visitors of any city, it is a man hole cover that direct the person to the nearest public transport and how far it is.

It is a simple enough idea, but they are usually the best ones anyway as the simpler the idea more chance it has of getting off the ground.

This man hole cover uses rain water for power, so there is no need for it to be wired up to the mains power supply either.

The rainwater flows through the gaps onto a fan which rotates, this in turn will charge the battery pack, simple and yet very effective.

Source [Gajitz]

Brought to you by: Zedomax.com

One day all signs will like this

Re-use DIY – How to Make Recycled Wallpaper!

max — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:56:52 +0000

I remember when I lived in South Korea for a year couple years back, there used to be a bunch of bars where the walls were pasted with DIY newspaper wallpapers. Of course, they looks sorta nicer, it wasn’t just pasted randomly but looks “clean”.

I think this is a great way to make any room in your home “vintage”. Even better, you might be able to make a wallpaper out of all your old photos somehow, that would be more awesome than your digital frame that’s pushing out only 1 image per second.

you can make wallpaper out of anything from newspapers and magazines to color copies by applying them to the wall with polyurethane (one coat underneath and one on top to seal the paper).

via apartmenttherapy

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Re-use DIY – How to Make Recycled Wallpaper!

Make your own Tauntaun

David Allen — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:00:18 +0000

This is the second occasion in as many weeks that the Tauntaun from the Empire Strikes Back has been featured.

However, this time the costume is a little bit more intense.

Coming in at over feet tall, this is going to get you some serious attention when you travel to work on this!

Source [Hack a Day]

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Make your own Tauntaun

How do you do without Zipper Tape

David Allen — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:00:24 +0000

This is something that is on the one hand going to make you look really cool and on the other hand get you into serious trouble, as people will think that you are just some super geek or something similar.

Of course, it is a simple optical illusion and that’s where the troubles comes into play, as this is tape that just has a zipper pattern printed on it.

Features – This photo-realistic tape looks like a giant zipper is holding whatever you tape together. People will ‘wow’ your moving boxes, your UPS packages, your gifts, and everything else you can Zipper together. Unleash the inner Pop-artist inside you and go wild with this Zipper Tape. Tape is 1.5″ wide and 25 meters long. Priced at $5.99

Source [Stupid]

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How do you do without Zipper Tape

Magnet Lamp!

max — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:44:56 +0000

Here’s a rather cool design for a lamp that uses a sphere to turn itself off or on. When in the “ON” state, the sphere levitates under the lamp via magnetic forces creating an illusion of floating ball. Brilliant!

The lamp is lighting and the switch levitates till it is taken off by the user in order to turn the light off.

via neatorama

Brought to you by: Zedomax.com

Magnet Lamp!

Get out the Graffiti!

David Allen — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:00:57 +0000

Like graffiti then you will love this, it is called glow graffiti and is powered by UV Light. The light effect comes the spray is discharged from the can, it will spray almost any surface and unlike real graffiti this spray will fade in an hour or so.

That means no long lasting issues or problems with being called a vandal either.

Features – Aerosol-style can with a sheet of re-usable light-sensitive material, Designed to be used in the dark, Graffiti will completely fade from the sheet in less than one hour, Takes two AA batteries (not included), Dimensions (spray can): 2.5″ x 6″ (6.5 x 15cm), Dimensions (sheet): 24″ x 24″ (61 x 61cm), Includes: light can, light sensitive sheet, instructions, alphabet stencil and Do NOT shine directly into eyes (emits UV light) Priced at $49.99.

Source [Think Geek]

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Get out the Graffiti!

Cellphone that looks like a pack of cigarettes

David Allen — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:00:44 +0000

This can be only one question here, why!

Features: Cigarette box style mobile phone, 1.6 inch display screen, MP3 / MP4 multimedia player, 1.3MP Spy camera, FM radio, GPRS, WAP, Bluetooth function, Dual Sim Card Standby! Keypad input, Dual Sim Standby, MP4 player / record, Video Recorder, Sound Recorder, GPRS, FM radio, E-Book, Schedule power on / off, Flight mode and Calculator, Calendar, Memo, Alarm. Package Contains : 1 x transceiver, 1 x earphones, 1 x cable, 1 x case, 2 x charger and 1 x Chinese manual. Priced at $144.99.

Source [Techna Bob]

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Cellphone that looks like a pack of cigarettes

Circuit DIY – How to Make PCB with an EAGLE schematic!

max — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:57:59 +0000

Here’s a great tutorial showing you how to make a PCB with an eagle schematic. I am sure most of your PCB experts know how to do this but for those of you dummies who can’t, this is invaluable free lessons.

In this instructable, we’ll make a printed circuit board from that schematic

I guess I should say that we’ll make a PCB DESIGN ; making the physical board is a different task, and there are a lot of tutorials on the net (and even some instructables) on making the board after you have the design.

Circuit DIY – How to Make PCB with an EAGLE schematic!

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Stroller DIY – How to Make Stroller Handle for your Toddler!

max — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:53:52 +0000

Check out this cool little DIY stroller handle you can make for your toddler so he/she can grab while you push your stroller for “the other” baby.

Btw, everyone has been telling my friend about the Maclaren Stroller recall where it has been apparently cutting toddler’s fingers off. (Recall here)

Attach something to the stroller for your older child to hold onto, so that she feels included and so that you know exactly where she is, without rolling over her little feet. Make a Big Brother/Sister Handle out of something you’ve already got in the house.

via craftzine

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Stroller DIY – How to Make Stroller Handle for your Toddler!

USS Galileo up for sale

David Allen — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:00:39 +0000

Well it is actually a simulator created by Alpine School District and it looks pretty cool too. I am fairly sure that this machine does not actually fly so anyone thinking that they will be able to shoot off to the Pacific Islands should think again.

What this will give you is a great feature for students of bigger kids to work on and play with, it is up for auction at the Public Surplus Site, at the time of writing the latest bid is $3,200!

http://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/auction/view?auc=384131

DESCRIPTION: The USS Galileo Space Ship Simulator – Remember those days, as a child, when you pretended to be a daring captain of a starship? Or when you pretended to be the brave crew? Why pretend? The USS Galileo, from Alpine School District’s Christa McAuliffe Space Education Centre in Pleasant Grove, is now up for sale. Those days of pretend are over, a real starship for the taking. The USS Galileo is a space ship simulator, complete with stations, networking, speakers, a main view screen, and anything a futuristic starship should have. The Space Education Centre built a new Galileo so we must sadly sell our old Galileo.

Source [Techna Bob]

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USS Galileo up for sale

Whatever happen to Rudolf

David Allen — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:00:54 +0000

This is what happened to him and serves him right for being the brightest reindeer in the pack; you see nobody likes a smart ass these days.

Features – Complete commode set features a tank topper with 3D antlers that are decorated with plastic bulbs, plus a seat cover with a pom pom nose. Removable clings for eyes add the perfect finishing touch and will restick year after year. Polyester. Spot clean. Imported. Fits tanks 20″L. Priced at $14.99.

Source [Nerd Approved]

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Whatever happen to Rudolf

Does grass make it green?

David Allen — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:00:54 +0000

Computers and accessories are not really ever going to be green, they use all sorts of plastics, metals, the components have travel all around the world, and then there is the amount of power consumed by the device.
However, it seems that the artist Hanaoka from Japan has found the answer, you do not change the way that the computer is being made, just add a bit of grass for instant green appeal and it doesn’t even have to be a computer either this greening can be added to almost anything even my Land Rover!
This may a gimmick or joke, but there is a good idea at the end of it, because half the proceeds from the sale of these items goes to a group that help green up schools in Osaka.
Source [Techna Bob]

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Does grass make it green?

The e-Paper Watch

David Allen — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:33:30 +0000

Electronic Paper is a cool looking digital display that is better than just a plain LCD digital display because it offers a thick black figure almost like it has been drawn by a thick marker pen.
It is quite technical but basically, it is the same technology that is used in the modern style eBooks, so you get the idea of what this is all about.
Features – When the microcapsules are positively and negatively charged, they either rise to the surface or fall to the bottom within liquid medium, making the display appear white or black at any given point for an easy-to-read, high-contrast display. The time can be displayed with the numerical hour at the top of the display and the minutes beneath or as an analogue dial on top with the minutes beneath (12-hour display only)–the display can also be reversed (white on black background). It is water-resistant down to 165′. The curved stainless steel case secures to a stainless steel band that accommodates wrists 9″ in circumference. Case 2″ L x 1 1/2″ W x 1/4″ H. (3/4 oz.) Priced at $199.95
Source [Hammacher Schlemmer]

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The e-Paper Watch

The robot speaking clock

David Allen — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:00:52 +0000

At first, this looks like the “Pringles” logo, but upon closer inspection it is clear that the robot is female if that is at all possible!
However, what this robot does is speak the time yes that is all, but it could be in a sexy Futurama style robot voice.

Features – Retro-styled speaking robot clock, Press her nose, and she reads the time, Alarm clock feature crows or beeps and Requires 3 AA batteries Included. Priced at $49.99.
Source [Think Geek]

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The robot speaking clock

Make your own iron curtain

David Allen — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:00:05 +0000

Its twenty years since the Berlin Wall was breached and destroyed and so it must be time to build some more iron curtains.

These are simple devices to create and maintain, just start keeping your soda cans and start planning how you will fence yourself in.

Source [DIY Gadgets]

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Make your own iron curtain

LED Hack – How to Make (Google)Voice Activated LED Signs!

max — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:07:48 +0000

LED Hack – How to Make (Google)Voice Activated LED Signs!

Here’s a really cool hack that uses GoogleVoice to translate voice into words and to his LED sign. This should save a lot of time anytime you want to change the message on your LED sign. Brilliant!

I made the LED sign following instructions from this tutorial on Nerdkits.com. The hardware is some LED’s, a nerdkit, a piece of cardboard and a bit of wire that I got from some Cat 5 cable laying around. I cut out the cardboard and printed a grid to help me lay out the LED’s. I think mine were 1 cm apart. The soldering took forever and it was the first real time I did any soldering so it looks kinda crappy. Oh well. It works. The sign itself is powered by a 9 volt battery and receives data from my laptop through the serial port via a USB adapter. All that stuff was included in the Nerdkit when I bought it. The microcontroller is running code from the tutorial I mentioned earlier. One of these days I’m going to make an enclosure for this thing.

via hackedgadgets

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LED Platform Bed Made with Sustainable Materials!

max — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:43:54 +0000

Here’s a rather cool $3400 LED Platform Bed I would want to get. This sustainable wood platform bed features naturalistic looking cuts on the bed itself couple with high-output LEDs to glow in the dark. Perhaps, I can make one myself but the designer of this furniture has done an awfully good job, I don’t think I can actually replicate it.

Expose LED bed is a sustainable green bedroom furniture with a complete series of bedside and wall lamp (1 Bed + 2 Bedsides + 2 Wall lights). Taking around three months to complete one set, the LED bed is handcrafted in rotten teak planks mixed with white LED light, and a blue light effect is caused by the clear epoxy material.

via bornrich

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LED Platform Bed Made with Sustainable Materials!

Bag Hack – How to Make a Dance Revolution Recycled Bag!

max — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:18:52 +0000

Have a one of these dance revolution pads lying around? Well, you can get a bit creative and make one of these bloody Dance Revolution Recycled Bags! (Did I say bloody? Awesome I meant really…)

I am not a sewing expert but if I were, my girlfriend would get a lot of great recycled handbags like this one.

via bag blog

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Bag Hack – How to Make a Dance Revolution Recycled Bag!

When it’s cold only a Tauntaun will do

David Allen — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:00:51 +0000

There cannot be anyone that has not seen the Empire Strikes Back and early in the film when Luke is injured and cold. The only way that Han Solo can do to save him is slip inside the Tauntaun that had just died from exhaustion and the cold.

This is a fun sleeping bag that has many uses as well as being able to catch some zees at the office, as if that’s going to happen.

Product Features

•Classic Star Wars sleeping bag simulates the warmth of a Tauntaun carcass

•Built-in embroidered Tauntaun head pillow

•Plush Lightsaber zipper pull

•Printed intestines pattern on inside of bag

•Great for playing pretend “Save Luke from the Wampa” games

•Teach your children about the best Star Wars movie ever

•Fully Licensed Lucasfilm™ Collectable

•100% Polyester construction, Machine washable

•WARNING CHOKING HAZARD – Ages 3 and Up ONLY

•For indoor use only. Not suitable for camping.

•One size fits all. Enough room for adults, plenty of space for kids

•Bag Dimensions – 33″ x 67″ (not including head pillow or legs)

Priced at $99.99

Source [Think Geek]

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When it’s cold only a Tauntaun will do

Old style communications

David Allen — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:00:31 +0000

Kids used to make their own mobile communications by using cups or cans fixed together by string; the voice was actually carried along the string to the other person.

This is a modern take on that design and naturally, it uses modern technology to make the device wireless.

Features – Tug the cord to activate, squeeze to talk and hold to the mouth and ear. The design of the Cup Communicator is focused on the gesture of use and the relationship between the users and object.

Source [Oh Gizmo]

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Old style communications

Make your own hologram

David Allen — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:41:27 +0000

This is so Star Trek, and yet it is a kit that you buy and it comes with everything that you need. But surely, that cannot be right so let us have a look.

You get a laser diode so care is needed there, but it really looks as if it is possible to produce a proper 3D holographic image, however we could do with a video to see if this actually produces what they claim.

Features – The kit includes a small model car (you can use any number of similarly-sized objects) that is placed in front of the holographic film plate. A laser diode illuminates the object and creates an interference pattern that is captured on the holographic film, creating a three-dimensional image of the object. Includes 20 holographic film plates for creating an equal number of images using different objects. Ages 13 and up. 10″ L x 8″ W x 5″ D. (3 lbs.) Priced at $99.95.

Source [Hammacher Schlemmer]

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Make your own hologram

Multi-Touch DIY – How to Make your Own Multi-Touch Table!

max — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:59:00 +0000

Here’s a rather cool DIY interactive Multi-touch display project that you can learn to make also. I like this multi-touch project as the display is actually not LCD but a projected screen on a whiteboard.

This rules as I think projected LCDs are slightly more safer for child use, spills, and whatnot.

Also, don’t forget about Ideum’s 100-inch multi-touch table, how to turn an HD TV into multi-touch table, and more on how to build a multi-touch table using regular LCDs too.

Between the Apple iPhone and Microsoft’s interactive table, multi-touch displays are all the rage. This instructable will show you how to turn your lcd projector into an interactive multi-touch display table using a few cheap components readily available from the hardware store.

Multi-Touch DIY – How to Make your Own Multi-Touch Table!

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DIY Croc-Skin USB Flash Drive!

max — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:05:42 +0000

Here’s a rather interesting design of a USB Flash drive that involves a croc-skin craftpaper. You can order one for $10 from the DIYer. Very good indeed for people who might need something matching their bags.

This DIY item was done on a used 512MB SanDisk Cruzer Micro USB Flash Drive. It features a pink faux croc skin outer layer topped with a glossy finish.

via pretty-lil-things

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DIY Croc-Skin USB Flash Drive!

Medical Device Hack – DIY Cellphone Digital Microscope!

max — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:52:40 +0000

Here’s an awesome hack involving a cellphone and a microscope! An engineer has made a DIY cellphone digital microscope that can actually be pretty darn useful. I think this hits the sweet spot that perhaps, many of our smartphones can be recycled as devices such as these. Kudos!

Now an engineer, using software that he developed and about $10 worth of off-the-shelf hardware, has adapted cellphones to substitute for microscopes.

“We convert cellphones into devices that diagnose diseases,” said Aydogan Ozcan, an assistant professor of electrical engineering and member of the California NanoSystems Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles, who created the devices. He has formed a company, Microskia, to commercialize the technology.

via nytimes

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Medical Device Hack – DIY Cellphone Digital Microscope!

DIY Carpet Light for Awesome Ground Lighting!

max — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:47:20 +0000

Here’s a great design for carpet lighting using one of those string lights and carpet material.

Here’s a rather interesting idea that involves lighting and carpets, a DIY spiral carpet light! I think there’s many uses to this concept if applied to carpets in real houses. For example, you can hook it up to a motion sensor so the carpet near your front door will light up whenever you walk in/out of the house. Brilliant!

via bed blog

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DIY Carpet Light for Awesome Ground Lighting!

Beer DIY – How to Make Massive DIY Wort Cooler!

max — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:36:21 +0000

Making your own brew of beers will take some cooling with the use of a wort cooler.(I think)

This home brewer has built his own MASSIVE DIY Wort Cooler, this might be indeed useful for those of you who like to tinker.

A 5 meter length of pipe is filled with dry sand, This is tamped down firmly and then the pipe is capped. I did this by standing on top of my garage so I could reach 5 meters high (over 16 ft) and I then filled the pipe with dry sand through a small funnel! The pipe is then laid out straight somewhere soft (the lawn) and is inserted down the formers central hole. It is then formed around the end of the former either left or right and then wound around the formers outer surface following the spiral guide tape (blue) The diameter of the former, the pitch of the spiral and the number of turns in each coil is up to you. My coils are 6″ internal diameter, 2″ pitch on the spiral and 8 turns on the coil

via homebrewtalk

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Beer DIY – How to Make Massive DIY Wort Cooler!

Fashion DIY – How to Make Nuts and Bolts Necklace!

max — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:00:57 +0000

It seems like designers all over the world are implementing more brick and mortar hardware parts to their jewelry designs. Well, here’s how to make one of those, using a vast array of nuts and bolts. This might look actually look pretty good on you ladies.

Basically, in order to make this necklace, I purchased from the Home Depot plumbing section:

*1 pack of 3/4 x 3/4 straight couplings (5 to a pk)
*2 packs of 1/2″ compression nuts (3 to a pk)
*1 pack of 5/8″ compression nuts (3 to a pk)

via chicsteals

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Fashion DIY – How to Make Nuts and Bolts Necklace!

This could catch on!

David Allen — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:00:14 +0000

Most people know that there is a tiny electrical current flowing through the line into the socket, so if this could be utilised then that would be free electricity wouldn’t it?

Description:

Environment friendly 8 LED RJ11 Lamp is powered by any available RJ11 socket only.

Easy plug in and use, draw power direct from your RJ11 socket.

Made of durable plastic and alloy material, it features 8 white LEDs and ON/OFF button.

Life of LEDs last up to 100,000 hours.

Goose neck makes you adjust the illuminating angle you desire.

Compact design 8 LED RJ11 Light is light and handy.

This 8 LED Table Lamp can be used in nursery, childs bedroom as a desk light or bedside lamp

Plug Type: 6P2C RJ11 plug

Cable Length: approx. 63.5cm.

Base Dimension: ~8.5(L) x 5.4(W) x 3.2(H)cm

Total Height: ~27cm

Weight: 74g

Battery compartment can’t use.

Package Included:

1 x 8 LED Table Lamp

Priced at $4.69

Source [Oh Gizmo]

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This could catch on!

“This Is It”

David Allen — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:00:42 +0000

There is not much that can be said about this, good thing or bad thing?

Source [Ubergizmo]

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“This Is It”

DIY Servo Robot!

max — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:40:28 +0000

Here’s a really cool DIY Servo robot built with *very* expensive servos, at $200-300 each! Of course, you can buy a similar consumer product like G-Robot from Japan here too.

First post here but figured I would share my most recent work; an RX-64 servo based custom humanoid robot named Giger. This bot was designed in Autodesk Inventor, and machined from 5052 alloy aircraft aluminum using a Sherline 2000 CNC and some work from Big Blue Saw. He stands 62cm tall, weighs about 5kg and uses a total of 16x RX-64s and 8x RX-28s. Video shown is rough initial progress, walking gait still needs a lot of work and the IMU data needs to be integrated for dynamic balancing.

via engadget

Watch the video of this DIY Servo Robot:

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DIY Servo Robot!

IKEA Hack – How to Turn a GORM into a Horizontal Bookshelf Bench!

max — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:31:07 +0000

Here’s a good IKEA hack that shows you how to turn a GORM into a horizontal bookshelf bench. I think there’s a ton of ways you can make IKEA furniture more useful and rather customized to your house. I see too often that too many people have the same IKEA furniture where ever I go, another reason I stopped shopping at IKEA or hack it like this to differentiate my home furnishing.

As you probably just guessed, this Instructable will show you how to convert a Gorm shelving unit into a bookshelf bench. With a few extra peices of hardware and a couple of basic power tools, you could be on your way to relaxation and organization all at the same time.