POV (persistence of vision) displays allow you to spell out words that appear to float in mid-air by flashing a single row of LEDs in sequence. The Red Blinky POV, now available in the Maker Shed, has a very unique feature; no programming port is required to change the text!
For today’s “Toolsday” we’ll be looking at the EX210 multimeter by Extech. It’s a mid-range meter that’ll take all your standard hobby readings like resistance, continuity, voltage, and current, but it also boasts an infrared thermometer and a backlit display. It came in handy while working on my TV-B-Gone Jacket. I used it to test […]
The Switch, now available in the Maker Shed, is the ultimate modular pocketknife. With 18 different attachments you can mix and match your most frequently used tools.
This tool has been extremely helpful in mapping the wiring in my new home. It is the size and shape of a pen, and could not be simpler to use: Touch the plastic tip to a cable, switch, receptacle, or fixture where an AC potential in the range of 90 to 1000 volts is present, and the LED lights up.
The MTM Snap was designed by Jonathan Ward of MIT’s Center for Bits and Atoms. It costs about $500, runs off an Arduino, is CNCed out of HDPE, and can mill a 5″ x 3″ x 1.75″ area. Design files and BOM are available if you want to make your own. [Via the Arduino blog]
I treat knives as the second most dangerous implements in the average kitchen. (Microplanes and mandolins hold the top spot.) When using a knife, I’m always thinking about the “failure mode.” If it slips, or something goes wrong, how is it going to go wrong? Where is the knife going to go if it does slip? How can I use the knife and position myself such that if an exception does occur, it isn’t fatal? Of course, getting a good, clean cut and keeping the knife in good working order are also important.
In this second Skill Builder installment on Kitchen Equipment, Cooking for Geeks author Jeff Potter discusses more essential tools and their use. Next up: Knife play! -Gareth Measuring Cups and Scales In addition to the common items used for measuring (e.g., measuring cups and spoons), I strongly recommend purchasing a kitchen scale. If you will […]
