3D Printed Metro Charger Ready for the Wasteland
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/3d-printed-metro-charger-ready-for-the-wasteland/
In the video game Metro 2033 and its subsequent sequels, players fight their way through a post-apocalyptic version of Russia using improvised weapons and tools cobbled together from the sort of bits and bobs the survivors of a nuclear war might be able to scavenge from the rubble. One of …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/3d-printed-metro-charger-ready-for-the-wasteland/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/3d-printed-metro-charger-ready-for-the-wasteland/
In the video game Metro 2033 and its subsequent sequels, players fight their way through a post-apocalyptic version of Russia using improvised weapons and tools cobbled together from the sort of bits and bobs the survivors of a nuclear war might be able to scavenge from the rubble. One of …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/3d-printed-metro-charger-ready-for-the-wasteland/)
Hackaday Podcast 046: Bring Us Your Nonsense, Hacking NES Clones, Grasping FPGAs, Many a Music Hack, and Fish Tanks Full of Random
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/hackaday-podcast-046-bring-us-your-nonsense-hacking-nes-clones-grasping-fpgas-many-a-music-hack-and-fish-tanks-full-of-random/
Hackaday editors Elliot Williams and Mike Szczys highlight the most delightful hacks of the past week. Need a random-number showpiece for your office? Look no further than that fish tank. Maybe the showpiece you actually need is to complete your band’s stage act? You want one of Tristan Shone’s many …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/hackaday-podcast-046-bring-us-your-nonsense-hacking-nes-clones-grasping-fpgas-many-a-music-hack-and-fish-tanks-full-of-random/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/hackaday-podcast-046-bring-us-your-nonsense-hacking-nes-clones-grasping-fpgas-many-a-music-hack-and-fish-tanks-full-of-random/
Hackaday editors Elliot Williams and Mike Szczys highlight the most delightful hacks of the past week. Need a random-number showpiece for your office? Look no further than that fish tank. Maybe the showpiece you actually need is to complete your band’s stage act? You want one of Tristan Shone’s many …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/hackaday-podcast-046-bring-us-your-nonsense-hacking-nes-clones-grasping-fpgas-many-a-music-hack-and-fish-tanks-full-of-random/)
Reflection On A Decade Of Hackerspace Expansion
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/reflection-on-a-decade-of-hackerspace-expansion/
A few days ago I was invited to a party. Party invites are always good, and if I can make it to this one I’ll definitely go. It’s from a continental European hackerspace, and it’s for their tenth birthday party. As I spent a while checking ferries and flights it …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/reflection-on-a-decade-of-hackerspace-expansion/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/reflection-on-a-decade-of-hackerspace-expansion/
A few days ago I was invited to a party. Party invites are always good, and if I can make it to this one I’ll definitely go. It’s from a continental European hackerspace, and it’s for their tenth birthday party. As I spent a while checking ferries and flights it …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/reflection-on-a-decade-of-hackerspace-expansion/)
Interview: FieldKit Team the Morning After Winning the 2019 Hackaday Prize
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/interview-fieldkit-team-the-morning-after-winning-the-2019-hackaday-prize/
We caught up with Shah Selbe and Jacob Lewallen the morning after their project, FieldKit, won the Hackaday Prize. FieldKit is an open-source field-based research data collection platform. Which is basically a lot of fancy words for saying it’s a system for collecting sensor data in the field without being …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/interview-fieldkit-team-the-morning-after-winning-the-2019-hackaday-prize/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/interview-fieldkit-team-the-morning-after-winning-the-2019-hackaday-prize/
We caught up with Shah Selbe and Jacob Lewallen the morning after their project, FieldKit, won the Hackaday Prize. FieldKit is an open-source field-based research data collection platform. Which is basically a lot of fancy words for saying it’s a system for collecting sensor data in the field without being …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/interview-fieldkit-team-the-morning-after-winning-the-2019-hackaday-prize/)
A Modular System For Building Heavy Duty 18650 Battery Packs
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/a-modular-system-for-building-heavy-duty-18650-battery-packs/
With 18650 cells as cheap and plentiful as they are, you’d think building your own custom battery packs would be simple. Unfortunately, soldering the cells is tricky, and not everyone is willing to invest in a spot welding setup just to put the tabs on them. Of course that’s only …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/a-modular-system-for-building-heavy-duty-18650-battery-packs/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/a-modular-system-for-building-heavy-duty-18650-battery-packs/
With 18650 cells as cheap and plentiful as they are, you’d think building your own custom battery packs would be simple. Unfortunately, soldering the cells is tricky, and not everyone is willing to invest in a spot welding setup just to put the tabs on them. Of course that’s only …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/a-modular-system-for-building-heavy-duty-18650-battery-packs/)
Burning Propane Beautifully Illustrates How a Tesla Valve Works
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/burning-propane-beautifully-illustrates-how-a-tesla-valve-works/
When you hear the name “Tesla”, chances are good that thoughts turn instantly to the company that’s trying to reinvent the motor vehicle and every industry that makes it possible. While we applaud the effort, it’s a shame that they chose to appropriate the surname of a Serbian polymath as …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/burning-propane-beautifully-illustrates-how-a-tesla-valve-works/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/burning-propane-beautifully-illustrates-how-a-tesla-valve-works/
When you hear the name “Tesla”, chances are good that thoughts turn instantly to the company that’s trying to reinvent the motor vehicle and every industry that makes it possible. While we applaud the effort, it’s a shame that they chose to appropriate the surname of a Serbian polymath as …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/burning-propane-beautifully-illustrates-how-a-tesla-valve-works/)
Yosys Fronts for Xilinx ISE
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/yosys-fronts-for-xilinx-ise/
We always marvel at how open-source tools can often outstrip their commercial counterparts. Yosys, the open-source tool for Verilog synthesis, is a good example. Although the Xilinx ISE design suite is something close to abandonware, a lot of people still use it because it supports older FPGAs the newer tools …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/yosys-fronts-for-xilinx-ise/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/yosys-fronts-for-xilinx-ise/
We always marvel at how open-source tools can often outstrip their commercial counterparts. Yosys, the open-source tool for Verilog synthesis, is a good example. Although the Xilinx ISE design suite is something close to abandonware, a lot of people still use it because it supports older FPGAs the newer tools …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/yosys-fronts-for-xilinx-ise/)
Edge-Lit Ping Pong Paddle Lights Up The Fight
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/edge-lit-ping-pong-paddle-lights-up-the-fight/
[George] and his coworkers like to blow off a little lunchtime steam on the company ping pong table. We might do the same, except it’d just be us versus the wall, and most of the exercise would consist of bending over to pick the ball up off the floor. When …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/edge-lit-ping-pong-paddle-lights-up-the-fight/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/edge-lit-ping-pong-paddle-lights-up-the-fight/
[George] and his coworkers like to blow off a little lunchtime steam on the company ping pong table. We might do the same, except it’d just be us versus the wall, and most of the exercise would consist of bending over to pick the ball up off the floor. When …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/edge-lit-ping-pong-paddle-lights-up-the-fight/)
Replica Proton Pack Is A Great Halloween Build
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/replica-proton-pack-is-a-great-halloween-build/
Way back in 1984, the Ghostbusters defended New York City from an onslaught of supernatural phenomena. In their honor, [BALES] created this costume for Halloween, replete with an amazing replica proton pack.
(We know, this is a little late for Halloween 2019, but just think about how early you’re going …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/replica-proton-pack-is-a-great-halloween-build/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/replica-proton-pack-is-a-great-halloween-build/
Way back in 1984, the Ghostbusters defended New York City from an onslaught of supernatural phenomena. In their honor, [BALES] created this costume for Halloween, replete with an amazing replica proton pack.
(We know, this is a little late for Halloween 2019, but just think about how early you’re going …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/replica-proton-pack-is-a-great-halloween-build/)
It’s About Time We Saw Another Infinity Mirror Clock
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/its-about-time-we-saw-another-infinity-mirror-clock/
Have you made an infinity mirror yet? They’re pretty much a rite of passage project at this point. But unlike that DIY power supply, most of them serve no function beyond looking cool (not that there’s anything wrong with that). Might as well make it do something, right?
[How …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/its-about-time-we-saw-another-infinity-mirror-clock/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/its-about-time-we-saw-another-infinity-mirror-clock/
Have you made an infinity mirror yet? They’re pretty much a rite of passage project at this point. But unlike that DIY power supply, most of them serve no function beyond looking cool (not that there’s anything wrong with that). Might as well make it do something, right?
[How …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/its-about-time-we-saw-another-infinity-mirror-clock/)
Why Is Your Cellphone Not A More Useful Computer?
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/why-is-your-cellphone-not-a-more-useful-computer/
Sometimes when you are browsing randomly through the tech feeds, up pops an article that just crystallizes a nascent thought that had been simmering below the surface for a long time, and is enough to make you sit up and say “Yes! I agree completely with that!”. Such a moment …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/why-is-your-cellphone-not-a-more-useful-computer/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/why-is-your-cellphone-not-a-more-useful-computer/
Sometimes when you are browsing randomly through the tech feeds, up pops an article that just crystallizes a nascent thought that had been simmering below the surface for a long time, and is enough to make you sit up and say “Yes! I agree completely with that!”. Such a moment …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/why-is-your-cellphone-not-a-more-useful-computer/)
ArrBot is a Fast Way To Get Out Standing in a New Field of Robotics
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/arrbot-is-a-fast-way-to-get-out-standing-in-a-new-field-of-robotics/
[Junglist] correctly points out that agricultural robotics is fast on its way to being the next big thing (TM) and presents his easy to build ArrBot platform so others can get hacking fast.
The frame is built out of the same brackets and aluminum tubing used to add handrails to …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/arrbot-is-a-fast-way-to-get-out-standing-in-a-new-field-of-robotics/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/arrbot-is-a-fast-way-to-get-out-standing-in-a-new-field-of-robotics/
[Junglist] correctly points out that agricultural robotics is fast on its way to being the next big thing (TM) and presents his easy to build ArrBot platform so others can get hacking fast.
The frame is built out of the same brackets and aluminum tubing used to add handrails to …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/arrbot-is-a-fast-way-to-get-out-standing-in-a-new-field-of-robotics/)
Say What You Will, A Fursuit is a lot of Work.
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/say-what-you-will-a-fursuit-is-a-lot-of-work/
One thing [Dr. Cockroach]’s build log shows is that a fursuit isn’t an easy thing to make.
Furries came out of early American comics and grew into the subculture the internet just can’t leave alone today. Many people take on an avatar of their furry self when participating in this …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/say-what-you-will-a-fursuit-is-a-lot-of-work/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/say-what-you-will-a-fursuit-is-a-lot-of-work/
One thing [Dr. Cockroach]’s build log shows is that a fursuit isn’t an easy thing to make.
Furries came out of early American comics and grew into the subculture the internet just can’t leave alone today. Many people take on an avatar of their furry self when participating in this …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/say-what-you-will-a-fursuit-is-a-lot-of-work/)
Bottle Organ Breakdown
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/bottle-organ-breakdown/
A keen-eyed commenter pointed us to a homemade bottle organ that plays like a piano. The complexity gets turned up with foot-powered bellows and custom keys, but the magic of [Mike] and [Simon Haisell]’s garage-built instrument is not lost in the slightest. We also have the video below the break …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/bottle-organ-breakdown/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/bottle-organ-breakdown/
A keen-eyed commenter pointed us to a homemade bottle organ that plays like a piano. The complexity gets turned up with foot-powered bellows and custom keys, but the magic of [Mike] and [Simon Haisell]’s garage-built instrument is not lost in the slightest. We also have the video below the break …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/bottle-organ-breakdown/)
What Does An Electronics Tinkerer’s Workbench Need?
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/what-does-an-electronics-tinkerers-workbench-need/
Ever been in a situation where you’re not sure where to begin building your own electronics workbench or improve your existing one? [Jeff Glass] writes in with a blog post as detailed as it is beautifully long, chronicling each and every part of his own home lab in order to …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/what-does-an-electronics-tinkerers-workbench-need/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/what-does-an-electronics-tinkerers-workbench-need/
Ever been in a situation where you’re not sure where to begin building your own electronics workbench or improve your existing one? [Jeff Glass] writes in with a blog post as detailed as it is beautifully long, chronicling each and every part of his own home lab in order to …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/what-does-an-electronics-tinkerers-workbench-need/)
3D Print Your Way to a Glass Cockpit Simulator
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/3d-print-your-way-to-a-glass-cockpit-simulator/
Today’s commercial aircraft are packed to the elevators with sensors, computers, and miles and miles of wiring. Inside the cockpit you’re more than likely to see banks of LCDs and push buttons than analog gauges. So what’s that mean for the intrepid home simulator builder? Modern problems require modern solutions, …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/3d-print-your-way-to-a-glass-cockpit-simulator/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/3d-print-your-way-to-a-glass-cockpit-simulator/
Today’s commercial aircraft are packed to the elevators with sensors, computers, and miles and miles of wiring. Inside the cockpit you’re more than likely to see banks of LCDs and push buttons than analog gauges. So what’s that mean for the intrepid home simulator builder? Modern problems require modern solutions, …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/3d-print-your-way-to-a-glass-cockpit-simulator/)
.NET to FPGA with Hastlayer
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/15/net-to-fpga-with-hastlayer/
tHERE are lots of ways to use FPGAs. One way is to convert compute-bound software into hardware. This can increase speed and — in some cases — reduce power consumption. Typically, you’ll do this by writing in a subset of C, but Hastlayer can convert .NET assemblies into FPGA configurations …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/15/net-to-fpga-with-hastlayer/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/15/net-to-fpga-with-hastlayer/
tHERE are lots of ways to use FPGAs. One way is to convert compute-bound software into hardware. This can increase speed and — in some cases — reduce power consumption. Typically, you’ll do this by writing in a subset of C, but Hastlayer can convert .NET assemblies into FPGA configurations …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/15/net-to-fpga-with-hastlayer/)
The Home-Made Drill Press Of Your Dreams
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/15/the-home-made-drill-press-of-your-dreams/
We are lucky to live in an age when tools have almost never been so affordable, when if we’d like a drill press on our benches we can pick one up for not a lot from our nearest discount store. If the cheapest tools aren’t very good quality then even …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/15/the-home-made-drill-press-of-your-dreams/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/15/the-home-made-drill-press-of-your-dreams/
We are lucky to live in an age when tools have almost never been so affordable, when if we’d like a drill press on our benches we can pick one up for not a lot from our nearest discount store. If the cheapest tools aren’t very good quality then even …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/15/the-home-made-drill-press-of-your-dreams/)
See How Wildly Different Air Conditioners Can Be (On The Inside)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/15/see-how-wildly-different-air-conditioners-can-be-on-the-inside/
Air conditioners are easy to take for granted. From refrigerators to climate control, most of us would miss them dearly if they disappeared. That’s part of what draws [Josh Levine]’s interest in air conditioners, and he has provided an interesting tour of several different units and how different they can …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/15/see-how-wildly-different-air-conditioners-can-be-on-the-inside/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/15/see-how-wildly-different-air-conditioners-can-be-on-the-inside/
Air conditioners are easy to take for granted. From refrigerators to climate control, most of us would miss them dearly if they disappeared. That’s part of what draws [Josh Levine]’s interest in air conditioners, and he has provided an interesting tour of several different units and how different they can …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/15/see-how-wildly-different-air-conditioners-can-be-on-the-inside/)
The Boxy All-In-One Nintendo 64 Your 1990s Self Always Wanted
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/15/the-boxy-all-in-one-nintendo-64-your-1990s-self-always-wanted/
In 1997, chances are that if you didn’t have a Nintendo 64 already, you wanted one. (Never mind that the games cost the GDP of a small country.) It gave you both the supreme game designing talent of Shigeru Miyamoto and graphics that left the Sony behind. The trouble, though, …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/15/the-boxy-all-in-one-nintendo-64-your-1990s-self-always-wanted/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/15/the-boxy-all-in-one-nintendo-64-your-1990s-self-always-wanted/
In 1997, chances are that if you didn’t have a Nintendo 64 already, you wanted one. (Never mind that the games cost the GDP of a small country.) It gave you both the supreme game designing talent of Shigeru Miyamoto and graphics that left the Sony behind. The trouble, though, …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/15/the-boxy-all-in-one-nintendo-64-your-1990s-self-always-wanted/)