Make - All Discussions

Welcome to Make: televison!

2009-01-05T14:25:48-08:00

Make: television debuted today online and on public television (broadcast / cable tv) on 1/2009. The series encourages everyone to invent, revent, recycle, upcycle, and act up. Based on the popular Make magazine, each half-hour episode hopes to inspire viewers to think, create, and, well, make. Each episode can be viewed or downloaded DRM-free, in HD on makezine.tv - the show is also available on Vimeo, YouTube, blip.tv and iTunes.

here's our about blurb--

About Make: television
Make: is the DIY series for a new generation! It celebrates "Makers" - the inventors, artists, geeks and just plain everyday folks who mix new and old technology to create new-fangled marvels. The series encourages everyone to invent, revent, recycle, upcycle, and act up. Based on the popular Make magazine, each half-hour episode inspires millions to think, create, and, well, make.

Make: began premiering nationwide on Public Television stations and online at makezine.tv in January 2009.

Post your questions and comments about the show here!

Slow Color Changing LEDs

2009-11-23T19:32:56-08:00

Hey Makers,

I'm working on a project now that utilizes a couple of elements from the LED Art Kit from the Maker Shed. The LED Art Kit (LAK) is just a 3 color-changing LEDs wired to a battery pack with an on/off switch. Mine will have more electronic components that will probably need to be powered in parallel.

I'm probably going to build a few models of my new project, each utilizing 3 or 4 LEDs like those found in the LED Art Kit. They don't say exactly what LEDs are used, so I'm looking to find them online. Buying multiple LED Art Kits would obviously not be that cost-effective.

So. I found these online:

http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/LED-95/FLASHING-RED-GREEN-BLUE-LED/-/1.html

They're 2 bucks a pop, so we're already shaving money off the LAK. They look like they're just about the same thing, but I don't know enough to be able to tell.

And then I found this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lot50-5mm-RGB-Slow-Color-Change-LED-Free-Resistors_W0QQitemZ320452886561QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4a9c7b0021

(The eBay auction is still up for another 30 days, hopefully long enough to continue with this forum topic. If the link expires, just search eBay for Lot50 5mm RGB Slow Color Change LED + Free Resistors)

So, now we're cooking. Except there has to be a reason these things are so damn cheap. Are they probably crappy and worthless? Also, does one assume that they can't handle power directly from a battery and require the resistors that they come with?

Does anyone have advice on how to proceed?

Hyundai Accent 2008 headlights vs. 1990 Miata headlights

2008-08-10T16:07:04-07:00

Hi folks!
I have a 2008 Accent and what my girlfriend noticed was that the headlights are wonderfully, ridiculously and gloriously much brighter than what she has on her 1990 Miata. Her question was whether it was possible to have the same brightness on her vehicle.

Knowing nothing about cars, I was curious about this as well. Anyone have any insight?

JC

Turning Lamp On/OFF using relays

2009-11-16T20:05:39-08:00

Hi there. I am new to these electronics stuff.

I have read lots of stuff on relays on the internet and got a little understanding of how they work. Now my intention is to create a circuit which will turn on/off a 120V AC Room lamp using relays having 5V external Voltage. My questions are

1) can i create this circuit on Breadboards?
2) Can i light up more than One lamps using the same External Voltage (5V)?
3) Do Series and Parallel Connections have something to do with this kinda circuit?

I hope this makes sense.

Simple RC build parts needed (or builder needed)

2009-11-23T20:04:13-08:00

I am an entertainer and I need a small radio frequency remote control (max 0.75" x 5" x 5" but the smaller the better) that will work two servos that are on stage with me. Basically the same as what you find in an RC car but the remote has to be smaller. Any direction? Anyone who wants to build it for me?
Thanks!
Brian
brian@bhappie.com

Source for Wind Generator

2006-02-07T07:12:57-08:00

I'm curious about the windmill project in volume 5, but am light on where I may be able to find a suitable motor for the generation component. The article mentions a treadmill motor, but they are few and far between on my bulky waste days. I was thinking a motor from a ceiling fan may suffice, but it would be half the voltage and a larger form factor. Does anyone have recommendations on either location for finding a proper motor, or would my idea on the ceiling fan be an alternative?

Thanks

Jon Bonesteel

Fortune Telling Fish- what's the material?

2009-11-22T15:52:09-08:00

The title says it all! I'm trying to obtain the material that Fortune Telling Fish are made from.

I've googled and found out that they are made from cellophane, but I got some cellophane and it didn't curl up (or tell my fortune).

Is it just ordinary cellophane or what?

Any info would be great, thanks!

flying saucer model parts

2009-11-23T07:27:15-08:00

I want to build model flying saucers. Does anyone know a cheap source for metal 1/2 moon shapes (parabolic reflectors or something cheaper)? Size maybe 1 foot in diameter. Doesn't have to be metal I suppose.

Thanks
roger901

Help with a pulsating LED display

2009-11-19T19:40:54-08:00

I'm working on a project for my Girlfriend's birthday, and i wanted to make a pulsating LED heart display
http://metku.net/index.html?path=mods/colorfade/index_eng
this is where i got the circuit from. I excluded the very right side of it though (PNP transistor and LED display).
My circuit calls for only one display, but the array itself makes up a total of 20 LEDs and for some reason it will not pulsate. I have checked my soldering and i don't think i did anything wrong there but i wanted to make sure that i didn't hook up something wrong or if i should look for another schematic.
I'm a beginner at this stuff, so please go easy on me. Much apreace to the help i get in advance.

TV fix, or recipe for disaster?

2009-11-22T10:22:55-08:00

I've got a Panasonic rear projection TV and in the 4 or 5 years I've owned it, the STK392-110 convergence IC's have fried twice.

My question is this: would moving the IC's off the board via ribbon cable and mounting them on the side of the cabinet near the vents help or would signal drop over the 2 ft of ribbon cable just make matters worse?

I'm not afraid of cutting into things, but I am pretty new to electronics. So, any help would be greatly appreciated

Is there a way we can help MAKE: keep out the DVD SPAM?

2009-03-13T05:25:14-07:00

Dear MAKE:

I love the service you provide with the MAKE: forum.

It's an exciting community of makers helping, learning and encouraging
each other.

It is being invaded by DVD ripper SPAM posts, and they greatly detract
from the community.

Is there some way we as a community can help you tag and eliminate
these unwanted forum postings?

We're here to help you maintain this wonderful place you've provided for us.
Just let us know how we can help.

Baseball/Softball pitching machine?

2006-08-15T11:55:39-07:00

I'm considering making a softball pitching machine for batting practice. Searching around on the web, I didnt fine any "true" build-it-yourself instructions--only "buy all the parts and assemble it" instructions.

Have any of you guys tried to make a pitching machine before? Any suggestions on where to start? I was thinking of using an old gas engine from an edger as the power source.

Liquid Hydrogen Powered Aviation

2009-11-13T15:04:52-08:00

Investors wanted who'll help me create new ........

UAV Drone or Piloted ELECTRIC MOTOR POWERED "Airframe & Powerplant " aviation designs

Extended Range Liquid Hydrogen & Electric Motor Powered Flight already exists at:

www.lange-aviation.com

and at:

http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/17/korean-researchers-build-a-fuel-cell-uav-that-runs-for-10-hours/

For any help I can provide I will trade this for a stake in this new venture

Maximum Time Aloft Regards,

Gary, 480.528.0632, Phoenix

Can anyone tell me what component this is??

2009-11-21T11:05:15-08:00

I have no idea what this component is or where to get one. It's from a sleep comfort bed pump and I need a replacement part. Here's a picture of it and the pump label. Thanks!

It's the RED one by the way.

http://img682.imageshack.us/img682/7545/pb210124.jpg

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/5311/pb210127.jpg

Nespresso Coffee Pods

2007-12-05T18:13:40-08:00

Like many people, I own coffee maker that uses disposable capsules. Although I really enjoy the ease of using the machine in the mornings or at parties, I am concerned that the capsules are wasteful and Nespresso offers no Fair Trade coffee in their entire line. I thought about just getting rid of the machine, but is there a way of "taking it back" ?

How can I power my desktop computer from a18v Ryobi battery and not an inverter

2009-11-20T23:37:41-08:00

Hi, I'm a newbie here but have been reading the magazine since the first issue. In any event, I have need to run my HP slimline desktop computer from a rechargeable dc battery and not an inverter. There will be no ac power source at the location I'm going to use it at and won't be able to run it from my truck either. I am not very electronic savvy, but understand the basics. I don't want to go through a battery , then make the power ac again through a small inverter (which will add more weight and bulk) I know the power supply in all desktops is basically a ac to dc converter that steps down 120 volts to something like 3 volts. I've been told this takes place inside the power supply and that the optimum place to T off with some kind of dc outlet would be there and run it through a capacitor to be accessible on the outside of the case. I am capable of soldering and mechanical fabrication but don't read schematics and truly don't know how to go from concept to finished creation. Also, I 'd like input on what will be the cheapest and lightest battery to use to run this rig for several hours at a time. I know lead acid batteries are the cheapest but also the heaviest. I was wondering if I could adapt Ryobi 18v Lithium batteries used for their power tools to work for my application. It sure would be nice to take advantage of their price and somehow just plug one or 2 into a receptacle on top of the case somehow. Also, how do I figure out how long a battery will last? I am confused in regard to 12 volt deep cycle batteries and the lithium ones rated at 12, 14, 18, or even 24 volts. I realize they are apples and oranges but both produce usable electricity. I know the battery amp hour rating plays in to the picture but don't know how to formulize what is needed to run this setup. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

P.S.- the reason I'm doing this is that I just don't have the money to buy a laptop capable of doing the computing necessary to power certain render intensive video programs.

Please help with my "Blinky Light Costume" (My very 1st project)

2009-11-19T19:09:17-08:00

I have a design for a costume. Lightup wire and or LEDs will be sewn into the fabric of my costume. Here is what I want to do:

1)Sequence the lighting of the LEDs/Lightup wire
a)I would like to have more than one sequence....maybe 5 or more
2)Use PWM to fade in/out
3)(this one is not as important, but would be cool, if I could pull it off):
**Have the patterns respond to sound.**

This costume is for a music festival and having the patterns respond to sound would be cream cheese icing on a most-delectable cake.
________________________________________________________
I have never undertaken a project like this, but I know enough of electronics/electricity to get myself into trouble. Fortunately, I will be assisted by a technically-minded friend, as well.

Any guidance, direction or wisdom is welcome.
A shopping list would be a great place to start. I think I could use and arduino kit, LEDs and lightup wire, but I don't know what else I'll need.
I am game for doing a project or two to get aqcuainted with arduino-type projects.

Finally, I have a deadline. I would like to be done by about 12/21, but absolutely must have the project completed by 1/3/10.

Thank you, in advance to anyone willing to take the time to read this and consider sharing any helpful information that you may have.

-deej

What can you do with this cheap 3-axis motion-detector/accelerometer?

2009-11-20T04:54:47-08:00

Or, maybe 25 of them?

These were featured on the latest Mouser catalog I received (that thing is huge, isn't it?) and look like they might have a lot to offer from a maker perspective. At $1.42 each, I'm going to have to get some ordered soon to try out.

Interrupt-driven gesture events like tap and shake, plus 6-bit XYZ readings and 2-wire serial interface. 1.5G sensitivity and can withstand 10,000G impacts. 3V power and logic. If you don't need precise coordinates, it even gives general orientations in a bit register like up, down, left, right, front, and back.

http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Freescale-Semiconductor/MMA7660FCR1/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMt9EC5K82p3yomYDgdldlKH

Here's the tinyurl in case that long one doesn't work:

http://tinyurl.com/yfl4frp

Ideas for a thorax model?

2009-11-18T12:04:42-08:00

I'm not an experienced maker by any means-- looking for some ideas on materials and methods to build a model human thorax to practice a procedure called a thoracentesis (putting a needle between the ribs to remove fluid).

Not important that it look like a real human chest, but should be roughly cylindrical in shape, have some outer coating approximating skin, with ribs underneath. Inside, there should be an air filled sac to represent the lungs, that can be surrounded/immersed in fluid. I'd like to be able to put a needle in and remove fluid without it springing a leak. Any thoughts?

I need a second opinion on why I should not learn Aurduino.

2009-11-17T22:04:37-08:00

I'm new to the Make scene and I've been fascinated with all of the Arduino projects, which has sparked an interest in learning it myself.

I discussed this with a friend who, unlike me, is knowledgeably in several coding languages and suggested against it. He said that you can do the same thing with PIC controllers, and it is much cheaper to do. Then again, he did say he didn't know too much about Arduino.

What are your opinions?

Real guitar hero controller

2009-11-18T21:01:13-08:00

So I'm working on a project that lets you play Guitar Hero / Rock Band / Frets on Fire by playing an actual guitar. It basically uses the strings and frets like switches, and uses an ATMega168 to process the data and send it out to a Wiimote or via USB. There's more details about how it works and everything on our website, www.OpenChord.org, but right now, I'm looking for people who would be willing to test it out.. I'm looking for people who have an AVR ISP programmer and a guitar; I'd be willing to send you a kit below cost in exchange for testing the product....If you're interested, please let me know!

Thanks,
Alan Chatham

RGB colour sensor?

2009-11-18T14:40:54-08:00

I'd like to be able to detect the ambient colour in an environment with an Arduino to perform some "mood" based actions.

The sensors I've seen appear to be based on having an LED illuminating a surface in close proximity to the sensor whereas I'm trying to find an average background colour which is obviously far less bright so on face value these type of sensors won't work.

Any pointers?

Radio Shack 130 In One additional "recipes"

2009-11-18T16:04:10-08:00

I have Radio Shack 130 In One Electronic Project Lab kits http://www.discoverthis.com/electronic-project-lab-130.html . I was wondering if there was a community out there that had additional "recipes" for making more than just was is listed in the manual. I used to have a one of the Science Fair kits in the 80's called http://www.evg2000.com/graphics/electronicprojectkits/communicationslab28254.jpg Communications and it had an FM transmitter as one of the setups. I assumed the 130 In One would have at least all of the functions of the Communications kit, but it does not. Also, it would be fun to make some other things besides what is in the manual.

Anyone ever bought something from Robot Objects?

2006-09-10T18:07:40-07:00

I bought a product from Robot Objects (robotobjects.com) on August 26th. I have yet to hear from them re: shipping, and they have not responded to my emails or phone calls. Does anyone have any experiece with this company, or have any suggestions?

Hacking an old camcorder viewfinder for art

2007-01-14T19:31:03-08:00

Hey,
I am an artist who specializes in electronic, microprocessing, mechanical, and generally conceptual art (you can visit http://www.blakefallconroy.com for more background info). Anyway, I recently came across four identical panasonic AG-180 camcorders, and i want to hack these CRT viewfinders. It is not proving as easy as i thought. Does anyone have any prior experience with these, or any real electronics experience? I would possibly be willing to send you one of the viewfinders to work it out with. I need to be able to use video inputs with them, but the connector from the viewfinder to the camcorder body has ten pins on it. How do I go about figuring this stuff out?

Does anyone know where I could find info on doing this?

Thanks,
Blake

Looking for Bevel gears or equivalent

2009-10-26T12:45:44-07:00

I've been working out some plans for a prototype version of the electricity free table saw for the past couple of weeks. I work with small wood parts frequently and would love one, but can't justify the price tag. That it was posted on the Make blog means I should reach out and ask for some help:
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/10/electricity-free_tables_aw.html

The aspect I'm having the most trouble with is the blade raising mech. I think bevel gears (much like theirs) would be the way to go, but I know admittedly little about specs for gears. I'm having trouble finding affordable gears to try out in a prototype.

I briefly considered a worm gear setup (I have one from an old garage door opener), but felt that it would be far too slow. After watching the vid a couple dozen times, I came upon the conclusion that you want about a 1:1 ratio (or very close to it) for cranking the threaded rod. Since you're turning a rod that raises and lowers the saw itself, you're already getting quite a bit of control over the height. Going any finer and it would really slow the process down.

I've looked into several sets of differential bevel gears used in RC cars, but I think they're likely too small (the shaft diameter typically maxes out at 1/8"). While I suppose I could have an 1/8" shaft drive a 1/4" threaded rod for the lift, I think it'd be better to work at 1/4" all the way through.

I saw a die cast set of gears on my stove top popcorn maker (<$20) so there must be a source for these that's affordable to play with. Unfortunately, I JUST threw out an old mixer that probably had some gears in it.... It figures.

I'm also considering using a wooden gear box similar to this:
http://woodgears.ca/router_lift/index.html

The downside is that it's much bulkier than an all metal solution and would likely hamper the tilt mechanism or at least make the whole structure far larger than I'd like. The upside is that it'd be fairly inexpensive prototype for the basic table. It'd probably be better adding the tilt after I figure out if it can be made by me at all anyway.

In case anyone was wondering, I was going to use the stop motion dolly plans as a base for the sliding table parts:
http://www.stopmotionworks.com/articles/stopmocamdolly.htm

I had been debating whether to just slide the pieces across the work surface, or do a sliding table. I think I'm going to try for the sliding table. Again, working with very small pieces is one of the primary reasons for trying this out, I think the sliding table may be the way to go, but may also be the first "feature" to be dropped.

Well, if anyone has some nifty suggestions for changing horizontal rotary crank motion in to vertical rotarty motion, I would love to hear it. Even better would be a good source for affordable bevel gears (I'm looking at $10 per set if that's even possible).

How to Make Personalized Thanksgiving Flash ECard

2009-11-18T01:38:28-08:00

Thanksgiving is a great time to reach out to friends and families by sending out greeting eCards. There a lot free online Thanksgiving eCards (http://www.acoolsoft.com/blog/free-thanksgiving-ecards-websites.html#110) for us to send our wishes and thanks to our friends and families. You can save some money with these free Thanksgiving eCards. Plus, you can also make the recipient smile by personalizing Thanksgiving Flash eCards with your photos, music, greeting voice and videos.

Do you how to make such personlized Flash eCard? This tutorial will tell you how to do it through PowerPoint http://www.sameshow.com/ppt2flash/article/make-thanksgiving-flash-ecard.html/#110

Electronic Muscle Stimulator

2006-04-25T03:31:41-07:00

Can anyone out there provde any help on buiding an electronic muscle stimulator? I know the general idea is to use a transistor for buffering and a transformer to step up the voltage but I want to do it right, for obvious reasons. Any help would be appreciated (a circuit digram would be great!).

Thanks.

Electro-Acoustic Saxophone idea

2009-11-16T02:44:36-08:00

Hello everybody

I would like to submit an idea I had to create a "silent" saxophone to determine if it's just a plain stupid idea or if it's something that can really be made :

The saxophone is a great instrument, but very loud for practicing. Many sax players have difficulty with their neighbours and look for solutions to mute the sound so they can practice safely in their appartement without anyone calling the cops... The existing solutions are either not very effective and ruins the sound f the instrument or expensive and awkward to use.
The main problem is that the saxophone have holes and keys which makes it almost impossible to cover effectively to mute the sound.

The concept I am proposing :
Creating a closed body instrument shaped so it can make a single reference note with all the qualities of the saxophone sound, using regular saxphone mouthpiece to produce the sound.
Creating a special mute to put on the end of this instrument with a recording mic (like yamaha's silent brass system).
Creating an electronic device that will transpose and modify the sound accordingly to keys switches combinations.
Creating an output with integrated HPs or earbuds to get the resulting sound.

The "sax" sound is the result of a specific conic shaped tube. In theory, the material has very few influence on the resulting sound (bamboo saxophones have been succesfully made already). The shape, length and inner smoothness of the tube used is what matters most to reproduce this specific brass sound.

Some notes are easier to produce and have more richness depending on the shape of the instrument. There's a practicing theory based on the idea that the saxophone has in fact only one note, the middle C (which is one of the easiest note to make on the saxophone), and that the performer should train to blow all the other notes trying to reproduce the same "feel" that the middle C.
The aim would be to have a "single note" saxophone based on that idea so the sound have the most harmonics and richness to work with.

Software transposition rapid tryouts of a saxophone sound produces encouraging results, that would of course need fine tuning using comparison with clean saxophone reference recordings.

This is a very crude concept, only based on a theory... It may be a very stupid non-practical idea, but maybe there's something interesting there, I'm not sure.

Your insights on it will be very welcome.

Thanks

silicone button keypad

2009-11-16T17:34:58-08:00

Hey, does anyone have a recommendation for a company that can help me with a short run of silicone button keypads?