This video is an advertisement for the polymer laser-cut soldering stencils made by LaserCutPCBStencils.com, but it’s a pretty good overall introduction to using stencils for quick and easy surface-mount soldering that you can then bake in an oven. LaserCutPCBStencils
The twice-monthly Lost Knowledge column explores the possible technology of the future in the forgotten ideas of the past (and those just slightly off to the side). Every other Wednesday, we look at retro-tech, “lost” technology, and the make-do, improvised “street tech” of village artisans and tradespeople from around the globe. “Lost Knowledge” was also […]
Carlos found this little safe in the trash. It’s got stuff locked away inside. He wants in, but doesn’t want to destroy the safe. So he created a Pololu Micro Serial Servo Controller-powered, servo-controlled, robot safe-cracker, house in an old PC power supply. The results? So far: safe: 1, bot-cracker: 0. Turns out, the servo […]
Back in December, we posted a piece about Lucas, a six-year-old who’d learned how to solder and made a battery-powered guitar amp for his grandmother for Christmas. Six might be a little young for most kids to handle a soldering iron, but each person is obviously different (and you likely know what your kids can/cannot […]
I love to solder. I’ve found it to be a surprisingly relaxing and very rewarding process that opens up a world of practical and creative abilities. But before I knew the basic tips & tricks of the craft, soldering was something I only did out of pure necessity (and often with a good deal of […]
I really heart coiled cords. I think coiling is a very elegant way of dealing with the problem of unsightly slack cables, and often I find myself wishing that this or that appliance had come with a coiled cord. Replacement cords that are factory-coiled can usually be purchased and installed (if necessary), but that may be an unnecessary expense because, with some simple tools, it is easy to coil a straight cord yourself.
Taking a torch to an IC package to see what’s inside.
