All articles tagged with #diy
A designer created a two-part, 3D-printed zipper slider that can be installed onto a zipper without unsewing, with STEP-format files available for CAD and options for standard or reverse zipper teeth, offering a durable, accessible fix for broken zippers.
Hackaday covers Bigcrimping’s BHG-2000, a pin‑compatible DIY replacement for the now unobtainable HSN‑1000 nuclear event detector. The build uses four BPW34S PIN diodes coated to block visible light, aiming to detect the characteristic gamma pulse that signifies a nuclear event, with a two‑stage amp chain to output a warning. Calibration remains unverified without exposure to gamma sources, and the creator is seeking European testers with Cs‑137 or Co‑60 sources. The project is open‑source, and Hackaday cautions that nuclear explosions are best avoided while noting the detector concept could in principle warn of blasts.
A coffee water rinse, prepared by diluting brewed coffee and applying it after shampooing, is suggested to stimulate hair follicles and improve scalp circulation with caffeine and antioxidants; follow steps to cool the coffee, dilute, apply, massage for 10 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water and skip a second shampoo; use twice weekly to avoid buildup, and perform a patch test while avoiding use on tinted blonde hair, with optional boosts from scalp oils for nourishment.
A YouTuber builds a fully working electric motor from LEGO bricks, magnets, a hand-wound copper coil, a sensor coil, a transistor, and a 9-volt battery. Without a microcontroller or complex electronics, a sensor coil detects rotor magnets and triggers timed power bursts to the driving coil, producing self-timed rotation. The project illustrates core electromagnetism and feedback control, with rotor configurations claimed to reach up to 4,000 rpm and varying speeds/torques that can drive a small LEGO car.
A curated list of five Home Depot gadgets every DIYer should own: the Husky 2000-lumen rechargeable LED work light, the Gerber Suspension NXT 15-in-1 multi-tool, the Stanley FATMAX 25-ft magnetic tape measure with a carpenter pencil sharpener, the Klein Tools Electrical Test Kit with voltage and receptacle tester, and the Wen electronic digital caliper. These compact, versatile tools are highlighted for practicality, safety, and usefulness across common home projects.
A YouTuber known as Maisteer rigs two Suzuki GSX-R motorcycle engines together with a custom exhaust and drive setup to perform a trombone duet at up to 15,000 RPM, using scrap parts and sponsors’ CNC/3D-printed components. The project is presented as playful art-for-art’s-sake tinkering, complete with flames and a lengthy, entertaining build video.
A car writer enlists his longtime engineer friend to help launch a Willys WWII Jeep build using mostly eBay-sourced parts. They pull and rebuild a reference engine, assemble a new motor, refresh the transmission, inspect axles, and navigate fitment hiccups, all while turning a garage project into a collaborative, high‑stakes restoration effort.
The article outlines five practical 3D-printed garage projects—shelf hooks, an industrial paper towel holder, Ryobi tool holders, a screwdriver wall mount, and a magnetic pen/marker holder—demonstrating how additive manufacturing lets hobbyists customize and organize their workspace, with a brief primer on how 3D printing works.
IKEA's MOSSLANDA picture ledge, known for its groove and rails, is explored for 14 DIY-friendly uses beyond displaying photos—ranging from a spice rack and drawer riser to vinyl display, children’s book wall, side table, entryway catch-all, toy storage, mug station, plant shelf, radiator shelf, floating vanity, and more—showing its versatility across kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms, and kids’ spaces.
A hobbyist has built an FPGA-based system that emulates a 486 PC, capable of running vintage OS and games like Linux 2.2.6, MS-DOS, DOOM, and Wolfenstein 3D, using a Xilinx Spartan II FPGA and a vintage i486 CPU, showcasing a remarkable DIY retrocomputing project.
You can repurpose old smartphones as free security cameras using apps like Alfred, which offer live streaming, motion detection, and cloud storage, providing an inexpensive way to enhance home security without buying new equipment.
A Massachusetts YouTuber built the world's first PoE-powered driveway gate with cameras and a strobe light to prevent unauthorized turnarounds on his remote property, showcasing an innovative and cost-effective security solution using Power over Ethernet technology.
Jackery is showcasing an expensive, ready-made solar-powered gazebo at CES, but suggests that DIY enthusiasts can build their own using solar panels and power stations from various brands, potentially saving money. The gazebo features integrated solar panels, lighting, a projector screen, and weather-resistant outlets, and can be paired with portable power stations to run various devices for hours.
Laura Miller shares her passion for building a holzhausen, a traditional Scandinavian-style cylindrical woodpile, highlighting the craftsmanship, techniques, and satisfaction derived from stacking firewood, which not only prepares her for winter but also provides a sense of achievement and aesthetic pleasure.
A creative DIY project replaces traditional map projections with a magnetic globe for playing Risk, using a fabricated steel globe and hand-transferred map, offering a fun and less contentious way to enjoy the game.