The Solder Buddy
This mechanised solder dispenser was built by design engineer Jude Pullen, as an example of what could be done using ABS plastic sheeting, a broken brake cable from a bicycle, and some Sugru.
Tools
Kickstarting the HexBright: Adventures in Flashlight Hacking
Christian Carlberg is a Cornell-educated mechanical engineer. After his undergraduate degree, he spent three years doing classical aerospace work and getting an MS, part time, at night school. At 25 he moved to LA to work in movie FX, specifically “practical effects”—physical, animatronic robot-based puppets now in decline thanks to low-cost CGI. After that, he […]
Inside MIT’s Hobby Shop
It’s remarkable how the MIT Hobby Shop presages aspects of the hackerspace movement… In the 1937-38 academic year, Vannevar Bush, then Vice President of MIT, granted a group of 16 MIT students permission to use a room in the basement of building 2. With equipment they found around the Institute they set up a wood […]
Somewhere Outside the Rainbow: Imaging Across the EM Spectrum
Inspired by FLIR Systems scientist Austin Richards’ recent book, “Alien Vision,” I decided to see if I could put together my own imaging-based tour of the electromagnetic spectrum using web-based resources. This post is the result. Here are 17 striking images from across the spectrum at wavelengths ranging from one meter down to one-trillionth of a meter, from radio waves to gamma rays, arranged in order of increasing frequency / energy. Each is accompanied by a caption identifying the instrument used to record the image, the approximate wavelength at which it was recorded, the subject, and a link for those seeking more information.
DiResta: Leather Pants
In each bi-monthly episode of DiResta (every other Wednesday at 2pm PST), artist and master builder Jimmy DiResta (Dirty Money, Hammered, Against the Grain, Trash for Cash) lets us into his workshop, to look over his shoulder while he builds whatever strikes his fancy. On this episode of DiResta, Jimmy fashions himself a badass pair […]
Your Favorite Tools, Part 1
The most recent special edition of the Make: Newsletter asked readers: What is your favorite tool? We got some fantastic responses, many with photographs, from makers all over the world. These are just a few of them. Thanks to all our newsletter subscribers, to everyone who responded, and especially to those of you who sent […]
Decorating Eggs With the EggLathe
Chris Connors is a master of low-tech making, and he’s built this “poor maker’s Eggbot” — an EggLathe. This EggLathe was built of laser cut corrugated plastic, and is an early iteration of the design. The first parts were cut of cardboard, but future parts should be cut from either acrylic or baltic birch plywood. […]
