All articles tagged with #diy
A BuzzFeed list compiles 27 affordable, easy-to-implement home upgrades—from under-cabinet lighting and brass cabinet knobs to touchless faucets, extra outlets, and smart thermostats—showing how small changes can dramatically improve comfort, efficiency, and style without a full remodel.
A project called Camera Things introduces a sliding, rubber-band–driven shutter for a 3D-printed half-frame camera, enabling variable exposure by partially opening the shutter; the files aren’t released yet, but skilled CAD designers could replicate the concept.
A couple renovated a dated 1990s kitchen for about $10,000 by DIY-installing IKEA cabinets and materials, taking two months and finishing with warm wood-toned cabinetry, a green backsplash, and beige hex tile. They highlight key lessons: pay for IKEA’s professional measuring service, start prep work earlier, and plan for a temporary kitchen to reduce disruption; also test grout color on a small patch before committing. Their experience shows thoughtful planning can be as crucial as materials to achieve a cohesive, affordable remodel.
With eclipse glasses scarce, the article outlines safe DIY projection methods to view the Sun: poke a pinhole in cardboard to project an image on paper, or create a simple box with a foil aperture, and even use tree leaves' dappled light or a kitchen colander to cast Sun images. These tricks let you watch the eclipse safely without looking directly at the Sun, and have NASA approval; avoid unfiltered filters, CDs/DVDs, or stacking sunglasses, and remember to keep your back to the Sun.
A Hackaday article demonstrates a DIY Theremin built around an ESP32, using capacitive touch sensing to detect hand proximity on two antennas to control pitch and volume, with the synthesized waveform output via the DAC to speakers for a quick, minimalist instrument.
An under-$100 Harbor Freight tool roundup highlighting 12 budget-friendly picks—from framing hammers and drills to calipers, saws, and a multitool—across brands like Pittsburgh, Hercules, Bauer, Quinn, Warrior, and Central Machinery. Each tool offers solid specs and consistent buyer ratings, making them practical upgrades for DIYers on a budget.
A Hackaday article introduces Stream32, a DIY open-source stream deck built around an ESP32 with interchangeable displays (4" Waveshare or 10.1" Elecrow). The firmware emphasizes simplicity and adaptability, allowing users to tailor shortcuts, pages, and layouts to their workflow, providing a customizable, affordable alternative to commercial macro pads.
An open-source app called Headunit Revived lets you repurpose an old Android or Amazon Fire tablet into an Android Auto head unit for your car. Install the app (about $4 on Google Play; APK from GitHub; $4.70 on Amazon Appstore), run through the setup (orientation, screen size, and automation options), then connect your phone via USB or wirelessly using Wi‑Fi Direct with Wireless Helper. Once paired, you get Android Auto apps like Google Maps and Spotify on the tablet, with various mounting options available for installation.
The WIRED piece shows three ways to repurpose an aging Kindle: (1) turn it into a Spotify controller using Spotify Connect via the Kindle’s browser—no music stored on the device, just remote control; (2) convert the e-reader into a smart home display that streams weather, calendars, and delivery status from third-party services through custom setups; and (3) create a literary clock that displays a book quote for every minute, using pre-made images and scripts. All options vary in difficulty and require online guides, appealing to tech-hobbyists who enjoy hardware and software tinkering.
A community member has uploaded 3D-printable files to Printables so you can 3D print a Companion Cube-style case for the Steam Machine, offering a DIY alternative after dBrand’s unauthorized case was pulled. The design closely resembles the original with additional variants, and assembly requires magnets, screws, inserts, superglue, a soldering iron, tweezers, screwdrivers, and multiple filament colors, plus videos and instructions. It’s not as easy as buying a finished case, but provides a viable option for those who missed out.
DIY Perks demonstrates turning recycled laptops and an old iMac into a capable, affordable PC by salvaging a motherboard with 32GB RAM soldered on, embedded RTX graphics, a power-on workaround via a keyboard ribbon, and even extracting the iMac’s display by delaminating cracked glass for a high-quality screen.
Thermal cameras arrive as standalone units, smartphone dongles, or built-in smartphone sensors and reveal heat patterns invisible to the naked eye, enabling energy audits, electrical fault detection, damp and leaks, pest clues, and component faults. They range from affordable sub-$100 options to professional-grade gear; the author stresses learning by use—carry one and test everything—to build skill and catch issues early, with real-world savings like identifying a loose wall switch that prevented a bigger, costly problem.
In Washington, D.C., Maggie Penman shares a six-step, neighborhood-inspired plan to curb mosquitoes in a humid, shady yard, detailing practical experiments and tactics—from managing standing water to tweaking the garden layout and using traps—to make evenings bite-free and exploring whether such community-style strategies could work at a single home.
Reddit users discovered a simple hack: the Fitbit Air’s 18mm width lets you thread its band through watch lugs to turn the tracker into a combined watch-and-fitness device. It works with watches that have at least 18mm lug width and may require a larger Performance Loop Band; the sensor can sit under the wrist and still track activity.
A computer-vision and robotics expert built a DIY AI system that uses a camera and deep learning to detect mosquitoes and a laser to kill them, with safeguards to cut power if people or flammable materials appear in view. The designer said all mosquitoes in his home were eliminated after one night, and the piece also notes CDC pest-control tips and non-laser alternatives for indoor mosquitoes.