2009-01-09T00:20:59-08:00 http://forums.makezine.com/ Lussumo Vanilla http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5252 2009-01-05T14:25:48-08:00 2009-01-05T14:25:48-08:00 philliptorrone http://forums.makezine.com/account.php?u=24

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: 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!]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5262 2009-01-08T16:50:13-08:00 2009-01-08T21:07:25-08:00 sophia115 http://forums.makezine.com/account.php?u=3699

I am a Detroit based architecture student working on my thesis project that involves specific technology and programming that I am not capable of carrying out. I am in the beginning stages of ...

http://www.artistryinmotion.com/equipment/equipment.html

I would greatly appreciate any help on where to start, what parts I will need, details on coding and if this is a basic task that a novice could configure and if not I will be looking for someone willing to produce this part of the project for me.
Kind Regards,
Sophia]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5261 2009-01-08T12:20:34-08:00 2009-01-08T20:51:35-08:00 Paul Ireson http://forums.makezine.com/account.php?u=3698

Hi, I want to build a cheap, simple tracking device that I can use to locate a package within 50m or so. The reason is that I suspect someone is interfering with my snail mail, so I want to ...

I want to build a cheap, simple tracking device that I can use to locate a package within 50m or so.

The reason is that I suspect someone is interfering with my snail mail, so I want to send a trackable package to myself to see where it ends up. I suspect it will end up somewhere in my building, and I need a fairly precise location, better than I think I would achieve with GPS (especially as I would need to know what floor it's on.)

Any suggestions folks? I'm open to other ways of investigating the issue, but a simple transmitter and receiver pair seems to be the way to go.]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5244 2009-01-03T06:00:35-08:00 2009-01-08T16:55:47-08:00 Gromski http://forums.makezine.com/account.php?u=3687

Hi all I'm trying to find a supplier of ultrasound transducers that would be suitable for use in a flow meter. Air transducers (for position/distance sensing) are everywhere but I can't seem to ...

I'm trying to find a supplier of ultrasound transducers that would be suitable for use in a flow meter. Air transducers (for position/distance sensing) are everywhere but I can't seem to find any that I can use against a solid pipe.

Just to give a little more context; I'm planning on building an ultrasonic flow meter (transit time type vs. doppler) to measure water flow in a pipe by hooking up a couple of transducers to an Arduino.

All of the transducers I can seem to find are either for distance sensing, are tx/rx rather than actual transducers or they cost a couple of hundred £££s. I've checked Maplin, RS and a couple of dozen online shops and no-one seems to stick what I'm after.

Any ideas here?

Cheers

Mark]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5257 2009-01-07T06:25:15-08:00 2009-01-08T12:12:44-08:00 rjones3 http://forums.makezine.com/account.php?u=1278

Hey all: I have a solar panel that has cracked glass on the upper surface. The panel still produces the rated voltage, I just can't say anything for the weatherproofing or decrease in efficiency of ...

ebay posting --> http://tinyurl.com/6tq469

RJ]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5235 2008-12-30T11:51:32-08:00 2009-01-08T09:44:55-08:00 Odin84gk http://forums.makezine.com/account.php?u=781

I'm always looking for detailed, yet entertaining science shows. The other night I just happened to catch a show called "Deconstructed" on the science channel. What other shows do you watch ...

Rated from most information to least:
Deconstructed
How It's Made
Mythbusters
Prototype This

(We will have to see where Make:TV goes on this list :-)]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5260 2009-01-07T19:20:31-08:00 2009-01-08T07:55:18-08:00 HanClinto http://forums.makezine.com/account.php?u=3697

Hey all! New to the boards here, but I figured this was the most natural place to post my question. Ever since my wife and I saw it posted MAKE: Blog ( ...

New to the boards here, but I figured this was the most natural place to post my question.

Ever since my wife and I saw it posted MAKE: Blog ( http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2008/11/a_revolution_in_diy_engin.html ), we've been excited about GridBeam ( http://www.gridbeamers.com/ ). We really like the open-source-ness of the design, and the way that designs can be shared, scaled, and modified so easily. Especially living in a rented housing situation, we really like the idea of building custom furniture, shelving, and end-tables that we can then re-purpose in whatever new living situation we will come to.

So we decided to try it -- our first trouble is that we couldn't find any information about how to actually _make_ GridBeam. We've just not been able to find much information about it online. Sure, most of it makes sense, but what are some of the best practices? Where does one get those cool bolts? What size should the holes be drilled? How far should they be drilled from the end? What's the best way to go about drilling them evenly and effeciently?

We answered most all of those questions but the last.

We found that the bolts that one wants to use are called "Joint Connector Bolts" (seen here: href="http://www.stafast.com/products/screws.html ) -- sometimes shortened as "Connector Bolts" (but that can be somewhat ambiguous if you're asking the person at Lowes for help finding them). if you can find (and afford) the "BA" variety, I imagine that's better, but locally we were only able to find the "BB" type. Here is one place ( http://www.baltimorehardware.com/hardware.cfm/Category/Joint-Bolt-Connectors.html ) that stocks them in many forms, but all BB type. As to the length, you have to be exact in the length on these, or else the flat nuts (that look like the heads) won't fit on the ends of the bolts. If you're going to be joining 2x2's (actual dimensions 1.5"x1.5"), we found that the perfect length of bolt is 70mm.

As to the size of the holes, that depends somewhat on the bolts that you're drilling for, but if you're using standard 1/4-20 bolts (as we are), then we like 3/8" sized holes in our beams.

Last weekend was spent replacing the rotting wiring from an old drill-press we borrowed from a friend, and tonight we were finally preparing to perforate our first beams.

However, we ran into some issues getting a good jig. How should the jig be made?

The way we started was to put a 3/8" bolt through a 2x4 and secure it with a countersunk nut. We then mounted it with clamps so that the bolt sticks out horizontally 1 1/2" away from the center of the drill. The edge of the 2x4 is parallel to where we're feeding in the beam stock, 3/4" of an inch away. The net result is that once you have one hole drilled, you can plonk the fresh hole onto the bolt, and you're (at least in theory) lined up perfectly to drill the next hole.

In reality, the problem with this single-bolt jig is that there is severe compounding error. If you are at 0.74" instead of 0.75", then after just 36 holes (4.5 feet), you'll be over a third of an inch out of whack (enough to make a 3/8" bolt hole not line up). If you are more than 0.01" off center, then the error is just that much more significantly compounded. I think that even just the incidental bumps that the jig got from me moving the boards around was more than enough to give it significant error (at least with how I had clamped it to the drill press).

I also found that even a little bit of saw dust in the way really can give you some wonky holes -- you have to be sure to clear the sawdust every time. Maybe this is more habit to an experienced carpenter, but it was something I had to learn the hard way today.

Anyone have good tips as to how to build an error-and-bump-tolerant jig for drilling GridBeam?

Thanks in advance!

Respectfully,
clint]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5258 2009-01-07T15:06:30-08:00 2009-01-07T19:23:54-08:00 jack.h http://forums.makezine.com/account.php?u=3675

Want to make a battery pack out of NiCd cells that has 12v. Does it have to out put exactly 12v or can it vary a bit. any advice would help. Jack

Jack]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5237 2008-12-31T00:10:43-08:00 2009-01-07T19:19:42-08:00 skip fix it http://forums.makezine.com/account.php?u=3679

I'm new to this forum and I'm finally ready to learn as much as I can about electricity and circuitry so I can start making use of all the broken electronics I can't seem throw away. I'll have to ...

skip]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5259 2009-01-07T16:53:44-08:00 2009-01-07T16:53:44-08:00 digitaluddite http://forums.makezine.com/account.php?u=3696

Howdy. This is my first Make post. I am a closet maker and a professional maker working in special FX (building miniatures and animatronics.) Unfortunately, I lack knowledge for a personal project a ...

I would like to find either:
1. someone who is willing to sell a busted HD video camera where important things like the ccd and controls still work and could be modded
2. someone with knowledge of where to buy some sort of ccd with video output to connect to a portable recorder.
3. some other path I am probably overlooking.

I am willing to pay or trade for help.

My Sincerest Thanks,
brian kelly hahn]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5256 2009-01-07T01:30:30-08:00 2009-01-07T01:30:30-08:00 TheDude06 http://forums.makezine.com/account.php?u=118

please delete. accidental duplicate post.

http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5255 2009-01-07T01:30:29-08:00 2009-01-07T01:30:29-08:00 TheDude06 http://forums.makezine.com/account.php?u=118

Just completed my first soft circuit project, and my first arduino project. I took ten UV led's, UV reactive beads, conductive thread, and an arduini minipro, and made a bracelet with individually ...

It was a really fun way to learn about both, and it turned out way better than i ever expected it to. its really skinny, fairly light, and its quite a nice lightshow. The UV reactive beads turned out to not work out as i hoped, but the effect is still cool.

I just did a long writeup with a ton of pictures on my project log, I hope you guys get a kick out of it. try soft circuits! its as fun as it is maddening :)

http://thedude06.blogspot.com/2009/01/uv-led-microcontroller-bracelet.html]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5254 2009-01-06T19:40:33-08:00 2009-01-06T19:40:33-08:00 JerdKing http://forums.makezine.com/account.php?u=742

http://www.mymakespace.org This is an idea that I have had for a couple of years. I have tried a couple of solutions but have not had any luck getting anything up and running. My Make Space is ...

This is an idea that I have had for a couple of years. I have tried a couple of solutions but have not had any luck getting anything up and running.

My Make Space is a collaborative project social network. Combination of sourceforge and makezine. Hacking anything for everyone.

It is currently a raw proof of concept and running off my linux box. It is based off of wordpress mu and buddypress. Any input and help would be grateful.

Thanks,
Seth]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5253 2009-01-06T13:04:22-08:00 2009-01-06T13:04:22-08:00 ferrency http://forums.makezine.com/account.php?u=3695

I have the Gakken Stirling engine kit, and found the English instructions pdf for it. So far, so good. The instructions refer to a "regenerator," parts G1 and G2, which should be used ...

The instructions refer to a "regenerator," parts G1 and G2, which should be used when running the engine in car mode. This doesn't seem to be the typical "regenerator" used between the hot and cold cylinders. Instead, it seems to be an additional heat mass you add to the outside of the hot cylinder before heating it, so the car will run longer when it's not directly heated by the alcohol burner.

As far as I can tell, my kit does not have parts G1 or G2, and they are not listed on the parts manifest that came with the kit. It does not seem like they're missing, more like they aren't supposed to be there.

If anyone else has this kit, did it come with parts G1 and G2?
If not, where do these parts come from?
What are they made of, so I can construct replacements?

I presume the three cylinder slices are metal to retain heat, and the other parts are just spring clips to keep everything in place (while allowing expansion and contraction). How massive are they?

Thanks!

Alan]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5248 2009-01-05T03:02:15-08:00 2009-01-06T12:44:35-08:00 NccWarp9 http://forums.makezine.com/account.php?u=3691

Hello Makers, I have been reading Make for some time now and it created a need within me to create, but there is a small problem. The job that I do is based alot on respect and trust. As all ...

I have been reading Make for some time now and it created a need within me to create, but there is a small problem.

The job that I do is based alot on respect and trust. As all of you might know, trust is very easily destroyed just by words.

Thats why I was thinking about putting together a recording device that would be like a wrist band that would only need to have 24h or more recording capability and possible bluetooth for downloading mp3 files.

To start things I would need to find a small IC that does real time mp3 compression and does not consume alot of power.

any ideas regarding this project ?]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=1434 2007-01-09T08:22:07-08:00 2009-01-06T11:04:51-08:00 emlodnaor http://forums.makezine.com/account.php?u=32

so, i ended up on google video and saw quite a few interesting videos on free energy, go to google video and search for "free energy" and "free energy magnet" what do you guys ...

what do you guys think? plausable?

anyone tried to build any of this?]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5251 2009-01-05T14:09:53-08:00 2009-01-05T18:16:27-08:00 shinyst http://forums.makezine.com/account.php?u=2699

I am looking to make a small bicycle generator system and need a 12V DC generator. the only decent ones I have been able to find are from WindStream ...

the only decent ones I have been able to find are from WindStream power
http://www.windstreampower.com/Permanent_Magnet_DC_Generators.php

They seem to be particularly suited to power generation at low RPM's.

Although the big issue there is the cost, the cheapest one's are currently out of my budget.

Anyone know other sources of low rpm 12V generators?]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5246 2009-01-04T17:11:01-08:00 2009-01-05T11:29:53-08:00 Qwerty36 http://forums.makezine.com/account.php?u=3688

I am new to this site, and am new to electronic device construction. I do have experience in rewiring an engine's control system. But, I am out of my league with my current project. I wish to ...

I wish to construct a bank of 40 or more LEDs that are hooked up to their own Photocell. I want to have the led to stay on after the light source has been taken away, and to not reset until the power source has been taken away. I am thinking that I need to use a microprocessor in order to keep the control system small. Using a relay system would be too big.
Any help would be appreciated.]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5245 2009-01-04T14:44:27-08:00 2009-01-05T10:13:24-08:00 cannibalpeas http://forums.makezine.com/account.php?u=3689

Hi there, everyone! I am looking for a cheap-ish way to etch polycarbonate plastic chemically. Specifically I am trying to mod my MacBook laptop with custom etching and ink fill. Any ideas? ...

BTW: I am aware of laser etching available, but want a true DIY alternative. Thanks]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5249 2009-01-05T08:20:17-08:00 2009-01-05T08:20:17-08:00 Gruner http://forums.makezine.com/account.php?u=3692

I have a pottery kiln with manual controls that I'd like to automate. It's possible to buy a computer controller from the kiln manufacturer, but those cost almost as much as a new kiln. I think I can ...

The basic idea is pretty simple - I need to read 3 thermistors, compare the temperatures to the firing schedule, and adjust the temp (and rate of heating) by controlling solid state relays that send the current to the heating elements. So the microcontroller just needs to function like a programmable thermostat.

I found an ADC (Max 6682) that converts thermistor output to 3-wire SPI.
http://www.maxim-ic.com/quick_view2.cfm/qv_pk/3319
Can all the the microcontrollers handle 3 SPI devices and give me 3 digital outputs?

User interface:
I'd like a simple way to start the kiln without hooking it up to a computer every time. Probably choose a pre-programmed firing schedule and hit "GO". I'd also need a readout on the kiln that lets me know what temp it is and where it is in the firing schedule. I could probably do all that with just a keypad and 4 numeric LEDs.

The tough part:
I'd like some wireless connectivity. The most convenient option would be for the controller itself to host a webpage showing the temps at each of the 3 thermistors, maybe showing a graph of how the firing was progressing. It might also provide a convenient way to input firing schedules. I guess I'd need a kit with an ethernet port (and connect that to a wireless bridge).

Questions:
What kits would provide the kinds of inputs and outputs I need? Which ones are easiest to build with and program? And are there any microcontrollers with an ethernet port and enough memory and computing power to host a webpage?

Thanks for reading and thanks in advance for the help.]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5247 2009-01-04T23:44:07-08:00 2009-01-04T23:44:07-08:00 chinaccess http://forums.makezine.com/account.php?u=3690

Happy New Year everyone! this is Evelyn from China,I'm glad to communicate with global friends here,so interesting and mutual beneficial, isn't it? My company Chinaccess specializes in China market ...

Besides,I am a tourism lover,working and living in Tianjin.Welcome you come to Tianjin,I can be your guide and if any point of China attracts you,I'd also like to share with you,Please directly contact me via my email ID.

Evelyn
evelyn.wang@china-access.com]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5232 2008-12-29T10:34:21-08:00 2009-01-04T13:16:28-08:00 medengineer http://forums.makezine.com/account.php?u=3677

Usually I am pretty good at finding sources but I am a little stumped with this. I am looking for a low cost vendor to laser / water jet cut 1/16 to 1/8" thick plywood. Is there anyone who ...

this. I am looking for a low cost vendor to laser / water jet cut 1/16 to
1/8" thick plywood.

Is there anyone who knows if you can water jet cut plywood without it getting
too soaked?

Is laser cutting faster or cheaper?

What is the best way to CNC cut plywood?

Thanks!]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5223 2008-12-23T10:29:36-08:00 2009-01-04T10:20:29-08:00 novaprime_21 http://forums.makezine.com/account.php?u=3665

I want to be able to convert the variations in voltage from a broken pair of headphones into a voltage high enough to powaer a couple of LEDs. My first thought was to feed the voltage through a ...

http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=782 2006-08-15T11:55:39-07:00 2009-01-03T15:36:46-08:00 rrandyy http://forums.makezine.com/account.php?u=1024

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 ...

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.]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5242 2009-01-01T20:22:42-08:00 2009-01-03T15:33:44-08:00 blandland http://forums.makezine.com/account.php?u=3686

OK - I had a killer "Little Prince" tennis ball machine, which of course broke! When I tried to repair it, I realized it really didn't appear to be that complicated of a machine. So I ...

A- fix it! In that case does anyone know how and what type of mother board / motor the "little prince" or "I - Sam" ball machines uses.

or

B - build one for myself - perhaps using the body of the little prince as my housing.

or

C - give up tennis!

So I am looking for suggestion from everyone to see what you thing the best idea is .

Thanks in advance!
Spaulding]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5236 2008-12-30T23:41:58-08:00 2009-01-02T18:54:49-08:00 skip fix it http://forums.makezine.com/account.php?u=3679

I recently purchased a couple of shop tools table saw and drill press that are 220v three phase and after looking at the prices for phase inverters i cant help but think that one can be made at home. ...

skip]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5243 2009-01-02T12:07:33-08:00 2009-01-02T12:07:33-08:00 petmar http://forums.makezine.com/account.php?u=2448

Anyone located in Pittsburgh? I'm going to be working on a project there soon, and need to know where I can get my hands on electronics parts (discrete components like LEDs, resistors, rectifiers, ...

-Pete]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5241 2009-01-01T04:05:59-08:00 2009-01-02T06:19:02-08:00 Annika Katarina http://forums.makezine.com/account.php?u=3683

Hi, I am charging batteries at fitness centers, attaching generators to spinning bikes. The setups consist in generator, charge regulator and rectifer, and can charge both big 12-volt batteries and ...

I am charging batteries at fitness centers, attaching generators to spinning bikes. The setups consist in generator, charge regulator and rectifer, and can charge both big 12-volt batteries and small 1.2-volt ones.

The charging is going fine, but my problem is that I can’t figure out how to measure how many watts that are produced and that actually goes in to the batteries when people are biking, as the watt-meter seems to be showing the watts needed by the charger to charge the battery. I don’t know much about anything electrical, so I would be really happy if anyone could help me out, or maybe point me to the right forum for this kind of questions.

Thanks]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5194 2008-12-15T15:52:06-08:00 2009-01-01T07:05:44-08:00 registrationsucks2 http://forums.makezine.com/account.php?u=3640

I'm interested in using a Stirling engine in a solar energy project. From reading around and doing some numbers it looks like I'll need around 1.5 kilowatts, and something in the vicinity of 30% ...

From reading around and doing some numbers it looks like I'll need around 1.5 kilowatts, and something in the vicinity of 30% efficiency or upwards would be nice, though I realise this may be overly optimistic.

So, what's available, how much will it cost, what temperature differential is ideal, how big and heavy are these things, etc.

Any info I get would enormously helpful.

Cheers,

Daniel.]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5240 2009-01-01T02:19:31-08:00 2009-01-01T02:19:31-08:00 Corsica http://forums.makezine.com/account.php?u=3682

I want a small box that contains an MP3 player and a small, tinny speaker. I want the MP3 player at random intervals to play a random track from the mp3 library. I am guessing I can use the ...

I am guessing I can use the Daisy MP3 player for the mp3 engine, but I am not sure what to use to control the random intervals of play (which could be anywhere from 20 to 120 minutes).

Also I'd like to do it in a smart way such that the thing is mostly asleep when not playing. (speaker amplifier turned off, etc).

What should I be looking at for simple control system for this?]]>