Soldering Your Own Soldering Iron
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/soldering-your-own-soldering-iron/
A device that even DIY enthusiasts don’t usually think to DIY is the humble soldering iron. Yet, that’s exactly what one Hackaday.io user did by building a USB-powered soldering pen with better performance than a $5 Chinese soldering pen.
The project draws inspiration from another Weller RT tip-based soldering pen …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/soldering-your-own-soldering-iron/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/soldering-your-own-soldering-iron/
A device that even DIY enthusiasts don’t usually think to DIY is the humble soldering iron. Yet, that’s exactly what one Hackaday.io user did by building a USB-powered soldering pen with better performance than a $5 Chinese soldering pen.
The project draws inspiration from another Weller RT tip-based soldering pen …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/soldering-your-own-soldering-iron/)
Hackaday Links: October 6, 2019
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/hackaday-links-october-6-2019/
“If you or someone you love has been exposed to questionable quality electrolytic capacitors, you could be entitled to financial compensation.” Perhaps that’s not exactly the pitch behind this class action lawsuit against capacitor manufacturers, but it might as well be. The suit claims that the defendants, a group of …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/hackaday-links-october-6-2019/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/hackaday-links-october-6-2019/
“If you or someone you love has been exposed to questionable quality electrolytic capacitors, you could be entitled to financial compensation.” Perhaps that’s not exactly the pitch behind this class action lawsuit against capacitor manufacturers, but it might as well be. The suit claims that the defendants, a group of …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/hackaday-links-october-6-2019/)
Professional Audio on an ESP32
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/professional-audio-on-an-esp32/
Audiophiles have worked diligently to alert the rest of the world to products with superior sound quality, and to warn us away from expensive gimmicks that have middling features at best. Unfortunately, the downside of most high quality audio equipment is the sticker price. But with some soldering skills and …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/professional-audio-on-an-esp32/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/professional-audio-on-an-esp32/
Audiophiles have worked diligently to alert the rest of the world to products with superior sound quality, and to warn us away from expensive gimmicks that have middling features at best. Unfortunately, the downside of most high quality audio equipment is the sticker price. But with some soldering skills and …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/professional-audio-on-an-esp32/)
2D-Scanner Records Surfboard Profiles for Posterity
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/2d-scanner-records-surfboard-profiles-for-posterity/
[Ryan Schenk] had a problem: he built the perfect surfboard. Normally that wouldn’t present a problem, but in this case, it did because [Ryan] had no idea how he carved the gentle curves on the bottom of the board. So he built this homebrew 2D-scanner to make the job of …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/2d-scanner-records-surfboard-profiles-for-posterity/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/2d-scanner-records-surfboard-profiles-for-posterity/
[Ryan Schenk] had a problem: he built the perfect surfboard. Normally that wouldn’t present a problem, but in this case, it did because [Ryan] had no idea how he carved the gentle curves on the bottom of the board. So he built this homebrew 2D-scanner to make the job of …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/2d-scanner-records-surfboard-profiles-for-posterity/)
PVC Pipe Turned Portable Bluetooth Speaker
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/pvc-pipe-turned-portable-bluetooth-speaker/
We’ve always felt that sections of PVC pipe from the home improvement store are a criminally underutilized construction material, and it looks like [Troy Proffitt] feels the same way. Rather than trying to entirely 3D print the enclosure for his recently completed portable Bluetooth speaker, he combined printed parts with …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/pvc-pipe-turned-portable-bluetooth-speaker/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/pvc-pipe-turned-portable-bluetooth-speaker/
We’ve always felt that sections of PVC pipe from the home improvement store are a criminally underutilized construction material, and it looks like [Troy Proffitt] feels the same way. Rather than trying to entirely 3D print the enclosure for his recently completed portable Bluetooth speaker, he combined printed parts with …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/pvc-pipe-turned-portable-bluetooth-speaker/)
Make “Wireless” Earbuds Truly Wireless
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/make-wireless-earbuds-truly-wireless/
[Don] bought some off-brand Bluetooth earbuds online that actually sound pretty good. But while it’s true that they don’t require wires for listening to tunes, the little storage/charging box they sleep in definitely has a micro USB port around back. Ergo, they are not truly wireless. So [Don] took it …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/make-wireless-earbuds-truly-wireless/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/make-wireless-earbuds-truly-wireless/
[Don] bought some off-brand Bluetooth earbuds online that actually sound pretty good. But while it’s true that they don’t require wires for listening to tunes, the little storage/charging box they sleep in definitely has a micro USB port around back. Ergo, they are not truly wireless. So [Don] took it …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/make-wireless-earbuds-truly-wireless/)
Better Battery Management Through Chemistry
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/better-battery-management-through-chemistry/
The lead-acid rechargeable battery is a not-quite-modern marvel. Super reliable and easy to use, charging it is just a matter of applying a fixed voltage to it and waiting a while; eventually the battery is charged and stays topped off, and that’s it. Their ease is countered by their size, …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/better-battery-management-through-chemistry/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/better-battery-management-through-chemistry/
The lead-acid rechargeable battery is a not-quite-modern marvel. Super reliable and easy to use, charging it is just a matter of applying a fixed voltage to it and waiting a while; eventually the battery is charged and stays topped off, and that’s it. Their ease is countered by their size, …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/better-battery-management-through-chemistry/)
Designing Sci-Fi Hack Chat
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/designing-sci-fi-hack-chat/
Join us on Wednesday, October 9 at noon Pacific for the Designing Sci-Fi Hack Chat with Seth Molson!
We all know the feeling of watching a movie set in a galaxy far, far away and seeing something that makes us say, “That’s not realistic at all!” The irony of watching …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/designing-sci-fi-hack-chat/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/designing-sci-fi-hack-chat/
Join us on Wednesday, October 9 at noon Pacific for the Designing Sci-Fi Hack Chat with Seth Molson!
We all know the feeling of watching a movie set in a galaxy far, far away and seeing something that makes us say, “That’s not realistic at all!” The irony of watching …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/designing-sci-fi-hack-chat/)
Raspberry Pi Ham Radio Remote Reviewed
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/raspberry-pi-ham-radio-remote-reviewed/
One problem with ham radio these days is that most hams live where you can’t put a big old antenna up due to city laws and homeowner covenants. If you’re just working local stations on VHF or UHF, that might not be a big problem. But for HF usage, using …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/raspberry-pi-ham-radio-remote-reviewed/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/raspberry-pi-ham-radio-remote-reviewed/
One problem with ham radio these days is that most hams live where you can’t put a big old antenna up due to city laws and homeowner covenants. If you’re just working local stations on VHF or UHF, that might not be a big problem. But for HF usage, using …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/raspberry-pi-ham-radio-remote-reviewed/)
Ask Hackaday: What’s The Perfect Hacker Smart Watch?
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/ask-hackaday-whats-the-perfect-hacker-smart-watch/
Since Dick Tracy all the way back in ’46, smart watches have captured the public imagination. After several false starts, the technology has gone through a renaissance in the last 10 years or so. For the average consumer, there’s been a proliferation of hardware in the marketplace, with scores of …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/ask-hackaday-whats-the-perfect-hacker-smart-watch/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/ask-hackaday-whats-the-perfect-hacker-smart-watch/
Since Dick Tracy all the way back in ’46, smart watches have captured the public imagination. After several false starts, the technology has gone through a renaissance in the last 10 years or so. For the average consumer, there’s been a proliferation of hardware in the marketplace, with scores of …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/ask-hackaday-whats-the-perfect-hacker-smart-watch/)
Dry Your Clothes In One Minute or Less
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/dry-your-clothes-in-one-minute-or-less/
If you’re like most people, then washing clothes is probably a huge pain for you. Figuring out the odd number of minutes necessary to run a wash and dry cycle, trying desperately not to end up with clothes that are still wet, and worst of all having to wait so …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/dry-your-clothes-in-one-minute-or-less/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/dry-your-clothes-in-one-minute-or-less/
If you’re like most people, then washing clothes is probably a huge pain for you. Figuring out the odd number of minutes necessary to run a wash and dry cycle, trying desperately not to end up with clothes that are still wet, and worst of all having to wait so …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/dry-your-clothes-in-one-minute-or-less/)
Tacking Against The Sun: Flying A Batteryless Solar RC Plane Is Almost Like Sailing
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/tacking-against-the-sun-flying-a-batteryless-solar-rc-plane-is-almost-like-sailing/
Flying on the power of the sun is definitely not a new idea, but it usually involves a battery between the solar panels and the propulsion system. [ukanduit] decided to lose the battery completely and control the speed of the motor with the output of the solar panels. This leads …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/tacking-against-the-sun-flying-a-batteryless-solar-rc-plane-is-almost-like-sailing/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/tacking-against-the-sun-flying-a-batteryless-solar-rc-plane-is-almost-like-sailing/
Flying on the power of the sun is definitely not a new idea, but it usually involves a battery between the solar panels and the propulsion system. [ukanduit] decided to lose the battery completely and control the speed of the motor with the output of the solar panels. This leads …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/tacking-against-the-sun-flying-a-batteryless-solar-rc-plane-is-almost-like-sailing/)
A Bootable Greeting For The Xenomorph In Your Life
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/a-bootable-greeting-for-the-xenomorph-in-your-life/
When he needed a gift for his Alien superfan friend, [Stephen Brennan] decided the best way to put his unique set of skills to use would be to create a bootable Linux operating system that captures the sights and sounds of the Nostromo’s retro-futuristic computer systems. We could all use …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/a-bootable-greeting-for-the-xenomorph-in-your-life/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/a-bootable-greeting-for-the-xenomorph-in-your-life/
When he needed a gift for his Alien superfan friend, [Stephen Brennan] decided the best way to put his unique set of skills to use would be to create a bootable Linux operating system that captures the sights and sounds of the Nostromo’s retro-futuristic computer systems. We could all use …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/a-bootable-greeting-for-the-xenomorph-in-your-life/)
An Apartment-Hunting AI
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/an-apartment-hunting-ai/
Finding a good apartment is a lot of work and includes searching websites for available places and then cross-referencing with a list of characteristics. This can take hours, days or even months but in a world where cars drive themselves, it is possible to use machine learning in your hunt. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/an-apartment-hunting-ai/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/an-apartment-hunting-ai/
Finding a good apartment is a lot of work and includes searching websites for available places and then cross-referencing with a list of characteristics. This can take hours, days or even months but in a world where cars drive themselves, it is possible to use machine learning in your hunt. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/an-apartment-hunting-ai/)
This Dibbling Plate Will Grow Your Love for Sowing
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/__trashed-7/
One of the best things about 3D printers and laser cutters is their ability to produce specialized tools that steal time back from tedious processes. Seed sowing is a great example of this. Even if you only want to sow one tray with two dozen or so seeds, you still …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/__trashed-7/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/__trashed-7/
One of the best things about 3D printers and laser cutters is their ability to produce specialized tools that steal time back from tedious processes. Seed sowing is a great example of this. Even if you only want to sow one tray with two dozen or so seeds, you still …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/__trashed-7/)
Hacking the IKEA TRÅDFRI LED Power Supply
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/08/hacking-the-ikea-tradfri-led-power-supply/
Just because something is being actively documented and tampered with by enthusiastic hackers doesn’t mean the information is handily centralized. There can be a lot of value in gathering disparate resources in one place, and that’s exactly what [Trammell Hudson] has done with his resource page for hacking the IKEA …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/08/hacking-the-ikea-tradfri-led-power-supply/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/08/hacking-the-ikea-tradfri-led-power-supply/
Just because something is being actively documented and tampered with by enthusiastic hackers doesn’t mean the information is handily centralized. There can be a lot of value in gathering disparate resources in one place, and that’s exactly what [Trammell Hudson] has done with his resource page for hacking the IKEA …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/08/hacking-the-ikea-tradfri-led-power-supply/)
Resurrecting a Recalcitrant SE/30
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/08/resurrecting-a-recalcitrant-se-30/
The Macintosh SE/30 is well regarded as the choice pick of the compact Mac line. Packing a powerful 68030 processor and with the capability to use up to 128 MB of RAM, it brought serious grunt to bear in a tight form factor. With these machines now over 30 years …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/08/resurrecting-a-recalcitrant-se-30/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/08/resurrecting-a-recalcitrant-se-30/
The Macintosh SE/30 is well regarded as the choice pick of the compact Mac line. Packing a powerful 68030 processor and with the capability to use up to 128 MB of RAM, it brought serious grunt to bear in a tight form factor. With these machines now over 30 years …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/08/resurrecting-a-recalcitrant-se-30/)
The Long History Of Fast Reactors And The Promise Of A Closed Fuel Cycle
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/08/the-long-history-of-fast-reactors-and-the-promise-of-a-closed-fuel-cycle/
The discovery of nuclear fission in the 1930s brought with it first the threat of nuclear annihilation by nuclear weapons in the 1940s, followed by the promise of clean, plentiful power in the 1950s courtesy of nuclear power plants. These would replace other types of thermal plants with one that …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/08/the-long-history-of-fast-reactors-and-the-promise-of-a-closed-fuel-cycle/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/08/the-long-history-of-fast-reactors-and-the-promise-of-a-closed-fuel-cycle/
The discovery of nuclear fission in the 1930s brought with it first the threat of nuclear annihilation by nuclear weapons in the 1940s, followed by the promise of clean, plentiful power in the 1950s courtesy of nuclear power plants. These would replace other types of thermal plants with one that …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/08/the-long-history-of-fast-reactors-and-the-promise-of-a-closed-fuel-cycle/)
Celebrate Ada Lovelace Day by Catching Up on Stories of Science and Technology
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/08/celebrate-ada-lovelace-day-by-catching-up-on-stories-of-science-and-technology/
Today is Ada Lovelace Day, a day to celebrate and encourage women in the fields of science and technology.
It’s a perfect time to look back and catch up on biographies of some incredible people whose stories have been featured over the past year. You’ll find a ton of those …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/08/celebrate-ada-lovelace-day-by-catching-up-on-stories-of-science-and-technology/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/08/celebrate-ada-lovelace-day-by-catching-up-on-stories-of-science-and-technology/
Today is Ada Lovelace Day, a day to celebrate and encourage women in the fields of science and technology.
It’s a perfect time to look back and catch up on biographies of some incredible people whose stories have been featured over the past year. You’ll find a ton of those …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/08/celebrate-ada-lovelace-day-by-catching-up-on-stories-of-science-and-technology/)
Teardown: Quirky Egg Minder
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/08/teardown-quirky-egg-minder/
Many of the biggest stars are hesitant to do sequels, believing that the magic captured the first time around is hard to reproduce in subsequent productions. As I’m known (at least around the former closet that now serves as my home office) as the “Meryl Streep of Teardowns”, I try …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/08/teardown-quirky-egg-minder/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/08/teardown-quirky-egg-minder/
Many of the biggest stars are hesitant to do sequels, believing that the magic captured the first time around is hard to reproduce in subsequent productions. As I’m known (at least around the former closet that now serves as my home office) as the “Meryl Streep of Teardowns”, I try …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/08/teardown-quirky-egg-minder/)