FromthePagesofMake:Easy1+2+3ProjectsBytheEditorsofMake:

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Preface

“1+2+3”hasbeenaregularfeatureofMake:magazinesinceitsearliestdays.

Asthenameimplies,theprojectsareall“aseasyas1,2,3.”Eachprojectisexplainedwithahandfulofeasy-to-follow,step-by-stepinstructionsandsimple,clearillustrations.

Inthepagesthatfollow,you’llfindprojectsthatarefun,artistic,useful,andeducational.Mostareperfectrainy-dayactivitiesthatyoucandowithkids.Parentsandeducatorswillfindlotsofsuitablehomeandclassroomactivities.Ahandfuloftheprojectsmaycallforgarageworkshoptoolssuchasasaworadrill,butmanyrequirenothingmorethanscissorsandtape.

It’seasytofollowalongandre-createtheprojectsjustastheauthorshavepresentedthem.But,ofcourse,youcanalsousethemasspringboardsforyourownideas,mods,andhacks.

Letyourcreativityflow!

PartI:ToysandGames

YOUNGIMAGINATIONSgettheirgreatestworkoutsfromtoysandgamesthattheymakethemselvesorwithalittlehelpfromparentsandeducators.ThesimplebutsturdydesignofEdLewis’s“FastToyWoodCar”isagreatexample.Youcanmakeitwithafewbasicworkshoptoolsandinexpensivematerials;andit’saperfectplatformforputtingimaginationstoworkonnewdesignsandmodifications.PaulRawlinsonexplainshowtomakeaworkingminiaturecanonusingpartypoppers.GusDassiosprovidesinstructionsforadifferentkindofpopper—onethatwilllivenupyournextboardgame.Adesignengineerbyprofession,Gussays,“WhenI’mnotsleeping(andeventhensometimes),I’malwaysthinkingofthenextthingIwanttomake.”

EdwinWiseisamasterofHalloweenpropsandscares.Hisstartle-inducing“BoomStick”isreprintedinTheBestofMake:Volume2.In“Ping-Ponger,”Edwinshowsyouhowtomakesomethingalittlelessscarybutstillfullofpotentialsurprises.

JulieFinnsaysherchildrenaretheinspirationbehindmostofherMakerprojects.Julie’s“CustomMemoryGame”isagreatwaytochallengeyoungminds.CheckoutherblogpostsonlineatCraftingaGreenWorldformoregreatideasforkids.

BenWendt,alifelongtinkerer,hasalsobeeninspiredbyhiskidstotakehisMakerprojectsonfurtherexplorations.Youmaybeinspiredbyhis“Remote-ControlledCameraMount”projecttomakea“Hale’sTour”ofyourownneighborhood.

IanGonsherisanartist,designer,andeducatoronthefacultyintheschoolofengineeringatBrownUniversity.His“CoffeeShopConstructionToy”demonstrateshowtoenlistsimpleeverydayobjectsasdesigntools.GeorgeW.HartisresearchprofessorintheengineeringschoolatStonyBrookUniversity,aswellasafreelancemathematicalsculptoranddesigner.His“Two-CentWobbler”(akatwo-circleroller)isaddictivelyfuntowatchrolldownanincline,butforthemathematicallymindeditalsodemonstratessomeimportantprinciples.

demonstratessomeimportantprinciples.

Alongwithhishiswife,HazukiKataoka,DavidBattinowritesandperformsJapanesestorytellingbooksforchildren.WatchingswordfightersataJapaneseculturalfestivalinspiredhimtocreatethe“SafeBambooSwords”project.

BrianMcNamara(“AlienProjector”)makessmallsynthesizers,loopers,andvariousnoise-andimage-makers.AnarticleinMake:encouragedhimtostartsellinghiscreationsonEtsy.AMake:editorsubsequentlysawhisR-TronicsequenceronEtsyandaskedhimtowriteaboutitforthemagazine.Thusthecirclewascomplete!

TheseandmanymoreDIYprojectsarewaitingforyouinthepagesthatfollow.It’stimetogetstartedmaking...andhavingfun!

FastToyWoodCarByEdLewis■IllustrationsbyJulieWest

YOUWILLNEED

Plywood¼",11"×14"ormoreBolts5⁄16,4"(2)Locknuts5⁄16"(2)Spacers½"(4)Inlineskatewheelswithbearings(4)Woodglue

Lasercutterorjigsaw,router,orcopingsaw,anddrillwith5⁄16"bitClampsCuttingtemplates

LOTSOFMYFRIENDSHAVEKIDS,andthatmeanslotsofbirthdays.Iwantedtohaveacustompresentthat’seasytomakeandhaslotsofroomtoplay,intermsofdesign.Atoycarfitsperfectly.SoIcanbuildcarsandmakekidshappy?Win-win!

1.Cuttheplywood.Downloadthetemplatesfrommakezine.com/projects/make-32/fast-toy-wood-car/andusethemtocuttheplywoodbody.Usealasercutter,orcutwithhandorpowertools.Sandedges.

2.Assemble.Runeachboltthroughawheel,aspacer,thecarbody,anotherspacer,

Runeachboltthroughawheel,aspacer,thecarbody,anotherspacer,anotherwheel,andalocknuttocapitoff.(Removethewheel'sinternalspacerifnecessary.)Thecarisreadytoroll!Ifyouwant,changealayerortwo,orevenredesignthewholething.

3.Glue.Takethecarbodyapartandapplywoodgluebetweenthelayers.Reassemble,clamp,andletdry.Younowhaveatoycarthat'sreadyfortonsofabuse.Itcangovery,veryfast.Littlekidswillhavenoproblemmovingitaround,andbiggerkidswillenjoywhippingitofframpstoseehowitperforms.

GoingFurtherThere'slotsofroomforcustomization.Makethebodyprofilerealisticormoreabstract.Givethecarafrontandback,ormakeitsymmetrical.Playwiththewheelsizeandthedistancebetweenthefrontandbackwheels.Stainorpaintcanlivenyourcarup,aswellasextradetailssuchasnamesorstickers.Makeyourcarwhatyouwantittobe!

EdLewislivesinOakland,CA,withhiswife,twosons,twocats,andashedfulloftools.

ActionRootBeerPongByCyTymony■IllustrationsbyDamienScogin

YOUWILLNEED

StyrofoamorpapercupsPing-pongballsToymotorandpaperclip,ormicro-vibrationmotorRadioShack#273-107,radioshack.comPaperclips,jumbo(3)ButtoncellbatteryCR2032,butany3VtypewilldoCopperwireTapePliers

PLAYINGTHEPOPULARBEERPONGGAMEcanbeenjoyableforawhile,butasyourskillimproves,thechallengeandfundiminish.Aftersomepractice,tossingaping-pongballatacupjustisn’ttoodifficult.Bringbackthefunbyaddingmotion,withyourownpongtoythatscuttlesabout.

1.Makethelegs.Bend2paperclipsintocurved“C”shapes,withlegs,andtapethemtothesidesofacup.

2.Connectthemotor.Usingasmallmotorremovedfromatoy,bendandpressapapercliparoundthegearshafttomakeitoff-balance.(Alternatively,youcanuseaready-mademinivibratingmotorfoundinanoldpagerorcellphone.)Testthemotorwitha3Vbuttoncellbatterybypressingitswiresontobothterminals.

Tapethemotorandbatterytothebottomofthecup.Tapeashortlengthofcopperwiretoonesideofthebattery.Tapeonewireconnectorfromthemotortotheothersideofthebattery.Tapethe2loosewires(fromthemotorandthebattery)tothesideofthecupsotheycanbetwistedtogether,actingasaswitch.

3.Playball!Turnthecuprightsideup,twistthe2switchwirestogether,andthecupshouldvibrateandmoveonaflatsurface.Youcanbendthecup’spaper-clipfeetsoitwillmoveinadesiredpattern.Nowtrytotossballsintothemovingcupfromvariousdistances.

GoingFurtherToaddtothechallenge,useapapercliptoattachanothercup(ortwo)tothesideoftheActionRootBeerPongcup.Drawscorenumbersonthemtomakeitmorecompetitive.

CyTymony(sneakyuses.com)isaLosAngeles–basedwriterandistheauthorofSneakierUsesforEverydayThings.

MiniFoosballGameByCyTymony■IllustrationsbyDamienScogin

YOUWILLNEED

Microwavepopcornbox3-bagsizeStraws(4)Jumbopaperclips(8)GumballorjawbreakercandyScissorsTape

FOOSBALL(TABLEFOOTBALL)GAMESarealotoffun,butthey’reusuallyfoundatbarsorclubs.Thatshouldn’tstopatrueMakerfromenjoyingfoosballathome.Withjustafewstraws,paperclips,andacommon3-bagmicrowave

popcornbox,youcanquicklyputtogetheryourownSneakyMiniFoosballGame.

1.Preparethecardboard.Openandflattenthepopcornbox.Cutoffthefrontofthebox,butdon’ttrashit—it’llbeusedtomakesneakygamepaddles.Foldthecardboardbackintoaboxshapeandtapetheendstogether.Besuretocutholesateachendforthegameballtoexit.

2.Preparepaddleguidesandpaddles.Affix8paperclipsontothelongsidesofthebox,4perside,evenlyspaced.Thesewillactaspaddleguides.

Usingthecardboardfrontyousavedearlier,cut6paddlesapproximately¾"wideby2"long,ovalatoneendandsquareattheother.

3.Attachpaddlesandstraws.Forthe“players,”tape2paddlesnearthecenterof2strawsasshown.

Forthe“players,”tape2paddlesnearthecenterof2strawsasshown.Forthe“goalies,”tape1paddleeachatthecenterof2straws.Slipthestrawsintothepaperclipholderswiththegoaliesateachend,andyou’redone.(Youcanalsoslidethestrawsthroughtheguidesfirstandthenattachthepaddles—eitherwayworks.)Placethecandyballonthegameboardareaandstarttheaction.

GoingFurtherTomakeaSneakyMicroFoosballGame,gotohttp://makezine.com/projects/make-28/micro-foosball-game/.

CyTymony(sneakyuses.com)isaLosAngeles-basedwriterandistheauthorofSneakierUsesforEverydayThings.

PartyPopperToyCannonByPaulRawlinson■IllustrationsbyJulieWest

YOUWILLNEED

Woodblock77mmlong×43mmwide,withthetopchoppedata15°angleWoodcircles27mmdiameter×5mmthick(4)Wooddowels6mmdiameter×300mmlong(3)Copperpipe15mmdiameter×110mmlongPipefittingcompressioncap,brass,15mmCopperpipeclips15mm(2)akasaddleclipsWoodscrewssmall(4)

Cottonballs“Partypopper”confettishooters(5)Bottlelidplastic,lessthan15mmdiameterWoodglueDrillDrillbitholesaw,27mmDrillbitwood,7mmDrillbitmetal,2mmAdjustablewrenches(2)

warning:Takeallnecessaryprecautionsandwearsafetyequipmentduringthisbuild.Handlepartypopperscarefully,astheydocontainexplosives,andneverfireatanyone.

MOSTLITTLEBOYSPLAYWAR,BUTYOUCAN’TGETYOUR

HANDSONTHEREALLYCOOLTOYSUNTILYOU’REANADULT.Iwantedtobridgethatgapalittlebymakingaworkingtoycannon.Thiswasaquickmodelmadewithverylittleplanning,butbytakingyourtimeonthedetails,youcouldeasilymakeabetterversion.1.Drill.Forthewheels,drill4cores(27mm)from5mmwoodusingtheholesaw,thendrill7mmholesinthecenterofeach.»Drilltwo7mmholesthroughthewidthofthewoodblock,inthebottomfrontandrear,toacceptaxles.»Drilla2mmholethroughthecompressioncap.

2.Assemblethecannon.Inserttheaxledowelsanduseablobofwoodgluetoattacheachwheelpermanently.»Attachthecopperpipetothetopoftheblockusingthesaddleclipsandscrews,leavingaslightoverhangonbothsidesofthecart.

3.Loadandfire!Disassemble5partypoppersandtietogetherthe5miniexplosives.Feedonestringthroughtheholeinthecompressioncap.»Usingthepairofadjustablewrenches,tightenonthecompressioncapsothatthe“olive”ringbinds,thenloosenitslightlysothatlateryoucanremoveandretightenitbyhand.»Usingthethirddowel,ramacottonballortwodownthebarrelofthecannon,sotheysitovertheexplosives.Lastly,addtheammo(Iusedalidfromasoysaucebottle)andyou’reready!Pullthestringtofire.

Youcaneasilymakeyourownadjustmentstothiscannondesigntomakealldifferenttypesandstyles.

DicePopperByGusDassios■IllustrationsbyJulieWest

YOUWILLNEED

Plasticcapsule2"diameterDieCompressionspring3/8"diameter,2"-long,.035"wirediameterWood¼"-thickand¾"-

thickFlatheadwoodscrews#8×¾"(4)Finishingnails1¾"-long,small(4)Electricdrillanddrillbits

HolesawSaw,hammer,andscrewdriver

THISISMYVERSIONOFACLASSICWAYto“roll”thedieforaboardgame.Thekeytomakingthisspecialdieagitatoristheclearplasticcapsule.Ifoundtherightsize,2"diameterand17/8"tall,inavendingmachine—it’sthekindthatholdsinexpensivetoysortrinkets.

1.Cutthewood.PartsA,C,andEarecutof¼"-thickwood,whilepartsBandDare¾"thick.Cutall5piecesto3½"×3½".

2.Drilltheholes.HoleshavetobedrilledinallpiecesexceptpartE.»ForpartA,cutalargeholeinthecenter,anywherefrom17/8"to2"indiameter,dependingonthesizeofthedomedhalfofyourcapsule.Thendrill4countersinkholesabout½"infromeachcorner,forthewoodscrews.»ForpartsBandC,cuta21/8"-diameterholeineachcenter.Theseholeswillhousethebottompartofthecapsule.ForpartD,drilla3/8"-diameterholeinthecenter,whichprovidesaguideforthespring.

3.Assemble.NailtogetherpartsBthroughEwiththefinishingnails,avoidingthecornerswherethescrewswillgo.Afterthisbottomblockisassembled,insertthespring.Placeadieintothecapsule,snapit,andloweritintothewoodblock.PartAwillcapeverything.Itrequiresaslightpushto

keepitinplaceasyouscrewinthewoodscrews.»Afterthat,you’rereadytogo.Goodluck!

GusDassioslives,designs,andbuildsinToronto,Ontario.

Ping-PongerByEdwinWise

YOUWILLNEED

RubberracquetballPing-pongballsMarker,knife,saw,andhalf-roundfilePVCglue,epoxy,andsandpaperPVCpipeand

fittings:Forthehandle:1"pipe,1½"length1"repaircoupling1½"pipe,4½"lengthForthebody:2"snapteepart#463-020Sfromflexpvc.com1½"femaleadaptercouplingForthebackstop:2"pipe,1"length3"-wideringfromtheinsertcoupling(below)Forthebarrel:2"pipe,1¾"length2"insertcouplingProPlumbermodel#PPFC200,Lowe’spart#153807(asusedin“BoomStick”inTheBestofMake:Volume2).Cutitdownto2"long.Alsocuta3"ringfromthescrap.

THEPING-PONGERusesalmosthalfofarubberracquetballasadiscspringthat’sbistable(itcanbeatrestin2possiblestates)topropelaping-pongballfromacompactPVClauncher.

1.MakethePVCparts.CutallPVCpipepiecestolength.Forthebody,cuttheendsoffthesnapteesoit’s2½"long,thenpress-fitthefemaleadapterintothebottomoftheteeandcutitoffflush.

Gluethebackstopringstogethersothatoneedgeisflush.

Beveltheinsideedgesofthebarrelpieceswithafile,sotheycurvetomatchtheshapeoftheracquetball.Gluethe2barrelpiecestogether.

Forthehandle,sandthe1"repaircouplingsoitfitsintothe1½"pipeandglueitinplace,thengluethetipofthe1"pipeintothiscoupling.

2.Makeadiscspring.Seataracquetballintothebeveledendofthebarrel.Tracealinearoundtheball(paralleltotheseam)andcutonthisline,leavingadome.Thisisyourdiscspring.

3.Putitalltogether.Gluethebackstopintothebody(thesnaptee),flushwiththebackend.

Settherubberspringonthebackstopinsidethebody.Slipthebarrelin

Settherubberspringonthebackstopinsidethebody.Slipthebarrelinplaceoverthespring,leavingjustenoughroomforittospringforwardandback.Don’tgluethebarrel;youcanremoveittochangethespring.

Slip(don’tglue)thehandleintothebottomofthebody.Thehandlealsoactsasaping-pongballholderandramrod.

PhotographbyEdTroxell

NowPing-PongAway!Putastrong,name-brandping-pongballintothebarrel,andpushitintothespringusingthehandle,untilthespringsticksopen(back),grippingtheball.Throughthebackstop,pokethetensedbackofthespringtomakeitun-spring.Pong!

EdwinWiseisasoftwareengineerandroguetechnologistwithmorethan25yearsofprofessionalexperience,developingsoftwareduringthedayandexploringtheedgesofmadscienceatnight.simreal.com

BuildingBlockPicturePuzzlesByJasonPoelSmith■IllustrationsbyJulieWest

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Buildingblocks

interlockingKnifePhotopaperself-adhesiveoryoucanuseregularphotopaperandsprayadhesiveComputerandprinter

TWOOFMYFAVORITETOYSAREBUILDINGBLOCKSandpicturepuzzles.SonaturallyIdecidedtocombinethemtomakebuildingblockpicturepuzzles.

1.Buildtheblockframe.Startbyattachingabunchofblockstogethertoformasurfaceforthepicture.Thiscanbeasimplerectangleoranyfiendishlycomplicatedshapethatyouwanttouse.»Presstheblocksfirmlytogethersothatthepicturecanbeappliedevenly.

2.Applythepicture.Next,selectapicturetouseforthepuzzle.»Scaleittotheappropriatesizeonyourcomputer,andthenprintitoutonself-adhesivephotopaper.Alternatively,youcanuseregularphotopaperandsprayadhesive.»Carefullyapplythepicturetotheblockframe.Pressthepicturedownfirmlytoensurethatit’swelladheredtotheblocks.

3.Cutoutthepieces.Finallyyou’llneedtocutouttheindividualblocks.»Takeasharpknifeandgentlyfititintothegroovebetween2blocks.Carefullyslidethebladealongthegroovetocutthepictureintopieces.»Oncealltheblocksarecutout,pressdownonallthecutedgestomakesurethey’reproperlyadheredtotheblock.

Youcanusethisbasicproceduretomaketwo-sidedpuzzlesorevencomplexthree-dimensionalpicturepuzzles.Tryitoutandhavefun.

JasonPoelSmithmakesthe“DIYHacksandHowTos”videoseriesonMake:.Heisalifelongstudentofallformsofmaking,andhisprojectsrangefromelectronicstocraftsandeverythinginbetween.

CustomMemoryGameByJulieA.Finn

YOUWILLNEED

Paperplain,colored,orprinted,formakingmatchingimagepairsScissorsGluestickLaminatingsheetsoralaminatingmachineFancypapersuchasscrapbookingor

wrappingpaper,forthefaceupandfacedownsidesofyourmemorycards

MEMORYISBASICALLYTHEPERFECTGAME.Akidcanplayitsoloorinagroup,itcanbeeasyorchallenging,andit’seducationaltoboot.Giveanoldstandbysomenewflavorandcreateaperfectrainy-dayactivitywhenyoumakeyourownmemorygameoutofmaterialsyoualreadyown.

1.Prepareyourpairs.Cutoutseveralsetsofmatchingimagepairsfrompaper,suchasnumbers,colors,orwords.(HereIusedpaintswatches.)Ifnecessary,trimthemalltobeapproximatelythesamesizeortocutoffextraneouswordsorimages.

2.Prepareyourtemplateandbacking.Findatemplateforyourmemorycards—cassettetape,coffeemug,etc.—andcutoutidenticalfaceupsidesfromyourfancypaperforeachcardinyourgame.Alsocutoutafacedownsideforeachcard—thiscanbefromthesamepaperasyourfaceupside,ordifferent.Theydon’thavetobeidentical,becausetheywon’tbefacingupatthestartofthegame.

3.Glueandlaminate.

Withagluestick,lightlystickyourfaceupandfacedownsidestogether(facingupanddown!),thenstickonememorygameimageoneachfacedownside.

Laminateyourcardsfordurability,ortakethemtoacopyshoptobelaminated.

UseIt.Whilesimpleidenticalcolormatchesworkwellforamemorygame,considertweakingyourgametowardaspecificeducationalexperienceoraspecifickid.Trymatchingcolorswithcolorwords,forinstance,orpictureswithSpanishwords,ormathequations.Keepyourkidguessing!

PhotographybyJulieA.Finn

JulieA.Finnblogsaboutallthewackyhijinksinvolvedinparentingandthecraftylifeatcraftknife.blogspot.com.

CandyAlertByCyTymony■IllustrationsbyTimLillis

YOUWILLNEED

Gummycandywithlight-uptongsR/CcartransmitterNoisemakersuchasonefromacandytoycellphone

CANDYMAKERSAREINCLUDINGINNOVATIVEEXTRASwiththeirproductsthatsneakyscavengerscanreuseforprojects.Acursorylookaroundthecandyaislerevealsspring-loadedcontainers,light-andsound-producingcellphonetoys,battery-poweredfanswithamazinglightshows,eventongsthatlightupwhenyousqueezethemtograbgummycandy.Thebatteries,switches,LEDs,andmotorsincludedinjustthese4packageswouldcostabout$10ifpurchasedseparately.Here’showtoeasilymodifysomeoftheseusefulpartsforsneakyprojects,inthiscaseanintruderalert.

1.Tapethetoytongs’switchtoadoor.Thelight-uptongsincludeawatchbattery,anLED,andapressureswitchthatactivateswhenyousqueezethetongs.Thisswitchcanberemovedtoactasasecuritytriggerwhenit’spositionedwithtapetoadoor,window,cabinet,ordrawer(Figure1).

2.WiretheswitchtoanR/Ccartransmitter.Connectthetongsswitch’s2wirestoanR/Ccar’stransmitteractivatorbutton(see“SensorSenseAbility,”page90)sothatitcanalertyouwhendoorsorwindowshavebeenbreached(Figure2).

3.WiretheR/Creceivertoanoisyalarm.NowconnecttheR/Creceiver’soutputcontactstoanoisemaker—such

NowconnecttheR/Creceiver’soutputcontactstoanoisemaker—suchasthecandytoycellphone.Youcanalsowirethetongsswitchdirectlytothetoycellphone(Figure3).

GoingFurtherAcandyfantoycanbeconvertedintoamotorizedcar.Aspring-loadedcandystickmakesagreatsneakysecuritydevice,triggeringthetoycellphonealarmlikeaRubeGoldbergcontraption.

Magazinessometimesincludehigh-techinsertstopromoteproducts,andthesetoohavepartsripeforthereusing.NBConceplacedBionicWomanTVshowpromotionalinsertsinmajormagazines.Theseinsertsincluded2watchbatteriesonaprintedcircuitboard,connectingwire,andaslideswitchthatlitasuper-brightLEDwhenyouturnedthepage.Ifpurchasedseparatelythesepartswouldcostnearly$10,andyoucaneasilyputthemtouseasalarms,educationalquiztesters,andmore.

CyTymony(sneakyuses.com)isaLosAngeles-basedwriterandistheauthorofSneakierUsesforEverydayThings.

CoffeeShopConstructionToyByIanGonsher■IllustrationsbyJulieWest

YOUWILLNEED

Coffeestirringsticks(12)Straws(3)Scissorsoptional

COFFEESHOPSAREGREATPLACESTOEXPLOREyourcreativityandcomeupwithnewideas.Alittlecaffeine,sometimetoplay,andthematerialsathandcangoalongway.Withabitofimaginationyoucanusethisconstructionmethodtobuildmanyotherkindsofforms,andthisbasiccomponentcanbecombinedwithotherelementstocreatelargerandmoreimpressivepieces.Thebaristasdon’ttendtomind,especiallyifyoutipgenerously.

1.Collectandcut.Afteryou’vecustomizedyourcaffeinatedbeverageofchoiceatthecondimentbar,pickupafewextraitems:12coffeestirrersand3straws.Cutthestrawsinhalf,creating6connectorpieces(ifyoudon’thavescissors,youcandothiswith6full-lengthstrawsaswell).

2.Buildanelement.Buildabasictriangularelementwith3coffeestirrersand3strawpieces.Push2coffeestirrers,pressedflatagainsteachother,intotheendofeachofthestrawstoconnect3coffeestirrerstogether.

TIP:Soakthestirringsticksinwaterifyouhavetroublegettingthemtobend.

3.Combinetheelements.Buildandattach3moretriangularelementstogetheruntilyougetalargertriangle.Foldthestructureupward,andconnectitwiththefinal3stirrers.Thisshouldgiveyouacube-likestructure.

IanGonsherisanartist,designer,andeducatoronthefacultyintheSchoolofEngineeringatBrownUniversity.Histeachingandresearchfocusoncreativepracticesacrossdisciplinesandthedevelopmentofpedagogicalstrategiesforteachingcreativethinking.iangonsher.com

AlienProjectorByBrianMcNamara

YOUWILLNEED

LEDgreenResistor330RSwitchSPSTpanelmount6"ofwire9Vbatteryandbatteryclip1¾"PVCpipe,6½"long6"balsawoodsheet,6"×4"2"×½"balsawoodstick,4"longHeat-shrinktubingoptionalSawWirecuttersWirestrippersSharpknifeHotgluegunSolderSolderingironDownloadtemplatesfrom:cdn.makezine.com/make/16/123_alien_template.jpg

THISSIMPLEPROJECTORSHINESanimageofanalienonthewall.ItusesanLEDasthelightsourceandprojectsanimagevaryinginsizefromafewinchestoseveralfeet.Thesimplecircuitconsistsofonlyabattery,resistor,switch,andLED.

1.Buildthebasiccircuit.TrimtheresistorandLEDleadsto¼"long,andsolder1endoftheresistorontothenegativeleadoftheLED.Cutabout6"ofwire,andsolderittothepositiveleadoftheLED.

Putapieceofheat-shrinktubingovertheblack(negative)wireofthe9Vbatteryclip,thensolderthewiretotheotherlegoftheresistor.Solderthered(positive)wirefromthebatterycliptothemiddleterminaloftheswitch.Placeheat-shrinktubingoverthiswireifyouwish.SolderthepositiveLEDwiretooneoftheoutsidepinsoftheswitch.

2.Buildthecaseparts.Printthetemplatesofthefrontandbackplates,cutthemout,andtapethemtothebalsawoodsheet.Withasharpknife,cutouttheinsideofthetemplatefirst,thentheoutside.Usethecrossonthebacktemplatetomarktheholefortheswitch.

Cuttwo1¾"lengthsofbalsawoodstick.Withtheknife,drilla3⁄16"holeinthemiddleofone,anda¼"holeinthemiddleoftheother.

Drilla¼"holeinthemiddleofthebalsabackplatewhereit’smarked,thengluethestickwiththe¼"holetothebackplate.

3.Putitalltogether.GluetheLEDintothestickwiththe6"hole.Fittheswitchtothebackplate.FittheLEDstickintothemiddleofthePVCpipe,thengluethefrontplateontothepipe.Snapthebatteryintothebatteryclip,thenfitthebackplateintoplace.

PhotographybyBrianMcNamara

Tosetuptheprojector,placeitinadarkroom1'–4'fromthewall.

Moveitclosertothewallforasmallerimage,andfartherawayforabiggerimage.Thebestthingaboutthisprojectisthatyoucancutoutanysimpleimageandprojectitontothewall;perhapspumpkinsforHalloweenandatreeforChristmas.

BrianMcNamaralivesnearCanberra,Australia.Bydayheworksinauniversityworkshopdesigningandrepairingequipmentforabiologicalresearchfacility;bynighthedesigns,hacks,andbendskids’toysandmusicalinstruments.

SafeBambooSwordsByDavidBattino■IllustrationsbyJulianHonoré/p4rse.com

YOUWILLNEED

Bamboopolesabout1"indiameterby6'longFoampipeinsulationThekindwithaslitalongonesideisbest.

DucttapeX-ActoknifetotrimfoamSaw(optional)tocutbamboo

ATANOUTDOORFESTIVAL,MYSONSANDIsawagroupofteensplay-fightingwithpaddedswords.Thatlookedlikealotoffun,sowetriedmakingourown.Itwasremarkablyeasyandinexpensive—eachswordcostsabout$4.

1.Cutthebamboo(ifdesired).Six-footswordsaregreat,butwealsomadetwo3-footers.

2.Wrapitinfoam.Squeezethefoamaroundthepole,leavingabout12"uncoveredforthe

Squeezethefoamaroundthepole,leavingabout12"uncoveredforthehandle.Allowthefoamtoextend1"–2"beyondtheotherendofthepolesothetipispadded.

3.Addducttapeforstrength.Thefoamwechosehasadhesivealongtheslit,butafewwrapsofducttapeeveryfootorsowillensurethatitdoesn’tsplitopen.Somepeoplewrapthewholethinginducttape.Coveringthehandlewithducttapeisalsoanoption.

UseIt.WebattleusingrulesbasedonMontyPython’sBlackKnight:achoptoyouropponent’sarmorlegdisablesit;keepfightinguntiloneofyouhasnolimbsleft.Inthephotobelow,SirChristopherhaslostbothlegsandKingTomahaslostanarm.

It’sgreat,sillyfuntofightwhilehoppingononelegorgrippingtheswordbetweenyourkneesbecauseyou’velostbotharms.Plus,thelowmassofthepolesandthethickpaddingmakesparringfairlysafe.

DavidBattinomakesmusic(batmosphere.com)andJapanesestorycards(storycardtheater.com).

BoomerangByCyTymony■IllustrationsbyDustinAmeryHostetler

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CorrugatedcardboardFoamrubberTapeScissors

HAVEYOUEVERWONDEREDHOWBIRDSFLYorhowsailboatscansailintothewind?In“OrigamiFlyingDisc,”IshowhowtomakeaflyingdiscusingtheBernoulliprincipletogeneratelift;hereweusethesameprincipletocreateaboomerangoutofordinarystufflikecardboard.1.Cutthecardboardtothesizeandshapeshown.Eachwingoftheboomerangshouldbe9"×2".

2.Cut2foampiecesintoovalshapesabout6"×2"with1siderising,as

showninFigure2.Therisingshapeshouldresemblethesideviewofanairplanewing.Placetheovalfoampiecesontheleadingedgesoftheboomerangandsecurethemwithtape.Thefoamcreatesacurvedshapeontheboomerangwing,causingairtomovefasteracrossitstopareathanthebottomsurface.Thiswillproduceliftfortheboomerang.

NOTE:LookcarefullyattheplacementoftheovalsonthewingsinFigure3beforetapingthem.

3.Throwtheboomeranglikeyouweregoingtotossabaseball.Throwitstraightoverhead,nottotheside.Theboomerangshouldflystraightandreturntotheleft.Experimentwithdifferentthrowinganglestoobtainadesiredreturnpattern.Iftheboomerangdoesnotreturnproperly,addextraweightbyusingthickercardboardorbytapingcoins,evenlyspaced,toitssurface.Youcanalsoexperimentwiththickerpiecesoffoamtoimprovelift.

CyTymonyistheauthoroftheSneakyUsesforEverydayThingsbookseries.sneakyuses.com

PaperWaterBomberByEwanSpence■IllustrationsbyGerryArrington

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PieceofA4orletter-sizepaperKnifeorscissorsWaterTarget

THISWINGEDORIGAMIMISSILEWITHFRONT-LOADTANKDELIVERSAWETPAYLOAD.

1.Makethebody.a.Cutthepapertomakeasheetwithalength/widthratioofabout

2:1.

b.Atoneend,foldeachcornerdowntotheoppositeedge,thenunfold,tomakeasquareXcrease.TurnoverandfoldthetopedgedowntobisecttheX.Turnoveragain,pushtheedgesin,andflattenthepapersothere’sapointatthetop.

c.Turnover,andfoldthetriangledownalongitsbottomedge.Foldeachentiretopcornerdownalongthecenterlineandunfoldjustthebackcorners.Leavethefrontcornersfoldeddown.

d.Invertthecreaseyoujustmadeonthebackcorners,sotheylieunderneathandinside,makingthetoppointyagain.

2.Foldthecargobay.a.Foldthesideofeachflapinfronttotouchthecenterline.b.Foldthebottompointofeachflapuptotouchthesamepoint.

c.Thetrickypart:Foldthebottompointsupagaindiagonally,andtucktheminsidethepocketsyoumadeinthepreviousstep(see2d).

d.Foldeachsidecornerofthediamondbacktotouchthecenterlinebehind.Foldthetopandbottomcornersinfronttotouchthecenterline.Unfoldallfourfolds.

e.Creasethewingstolineupwiththeedgesofthecargosection.f.Blowintothenoseofyourplanewhilegentlypullinguptoinflatethe

cargosectionintoacube.

3.Bombsaway!

a.Fillthecargosectionwithwater,pouringcarefullyintotheholeinfront.

b.(Optional)Waituntilnooneislooking.

c.Chuckthebombatyourtargetorvictimofchoice.

EwanSpence(ewanspence.com)isapodcaster,blogger,reporter,newmediajunkie...generallyahoopyfroodwho’sfuntobewith.

High-PressureFoamRocketByRickSchertle■IllustrationsbyDamienScogin

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Foampipeinsulation,½"insidediameterYoucanbuild8rocketswitha6'piece(instructionshereareforonerocket).

Foamsheet,2mmthick,9"×12"availableatcraftstoresoronlineZiptie,8"DucttapeFuncolorsarenowavailable.ScissorsHotgluegunandgluePackingtape,clear(optional)

CALLINGAROCKETTHATSPRINTSOVER100feetintotheaira“toy”mightbeabitofastretch.Toyornot,thisrocketreallypacksapunch.FlyitusingtheCompressedAirRocketLauncherfromtheMakerShedatmakershed.com/products/compressed-air-rocket-launcher-v2-1oraDIYstomprocketlauncher(seemakezine.com/go/stomplauncher).Findallthingsairrocketsatairrocketworks.com.

1.Cutthefoamandcinchwithaziptie.Cuta9"sectionoffoampipeinsulation.Wraptheziptie½"fromoneendandcinchittightsonoairwillescape.Trimtheexcessfoamabovethecinched-offend.

2.Applyducttapetofoamrocketbody.Criss-cross2piecesofducttapeoverthecinchedend.Nowcovertheentirefoamsectionwithducttapespanningthelength.Threeoverlappingpiecesoftapeshoulddothetrick.

3.Cutandattachfoamfins.Cuta4"×1½"rectanglefromthefoamsheet,thencutitdiagonallytomake2fins.Repeat.Usinggenerousamountsofhotglue,attach3ofthefins,spacedevenly,ontothefoamrocketbodytube.Ifthegluedoesn’tstickwelltotheroughducttape,wrap2stripsofclearpackingtapeovertheducttapearoundthebottomoftherockettocreateasmoothsurfaceforgluingthefins.

forgluingthefins.

UseIt.Pressurizethecompressedairlauncherfor45psi–65psi,andlaunch.(Foralowerpressure/altitudelaunch,useastomplauncher.)Whentheducttapefinallyfailswithaspectacularblowout,justapplymoreducttapeovertheblownsectionandkeepflying!

RickSchertleteachesmiddleschoolinSanJoseandspreadstheMakerspiritthroughafter-schoolclasses.Hiswifeandtwoyoungkidsprovideaconstantflowofcreativeinspiration.

Remote-ControlledCameraMountByBenWendt■IllustrationsbyJulianHonoré/p4rse.com

YOUWILLNEED

R/CcarwitharelativelylargebaseLightweightcamcorderDrillwith¼"bit¼-20threadedboltwithmatchingnuts,washers,andwingnut

WHATDOYOUGETWHENYOUCOMBINEACHUNKYREMOTECONTROLTOYCARwithalightweightcamcorder?Yougetastreet-levelactioncamthatcapturesvideoonthemove!Icameupwiththisquickandeasymashupforkicks,andhavehadlotsoffunwithit.Ihopeyouwill,too.

1.Drillthechassis.Removetheplasticbodyfromthecaranddrilla¼"verticalholethroughthechassis.

2.Fastenthebolt.Pushtheboltupthroughthehole,securingitwithnutsandwashersaboveandbelow.Thenputawingnutatthetop,facingupward.

3.Attachyourcamera.The¼-20boltfitsmostcamcorders’standardtripodmounts.Screwyourcameraon,pointitinyourchosendirection,thensecureitbytighteningthewingnut.

UseIt.It’sreallythatsimple!I’vebeenusingthecameratodoHale’sToursofmyneighborhood.Ifyou’reunfamiliarwiththehistory,Hale’sToursandScenesoftheWorlddebutedin1905.

CharlesHaleusedtostrapacameratothefrontofatraingoingthroughaparticularlyinterestingroute,andfilmit.Peoplewouldthenpaytoseesimulatedtrainridesthroughexoticlocalesinthisfashion.Asanhomagetomycommunityandtofilmhistory,I’vebeenre-creatingthisexperienceusingtheremote-controlledcameramount.

BenWendtisamathandcomputersciencedorkfromToronto.

OrigamiFlyingDiscByCyTymony■IllustrationsbyTimLillis

YOUWILLNEED

One8½"×11"pieceofpaperScissorsTransparenttape

UNDERSTANDBERNOULLI’SPRINCIPLEOFFLOWINGFLUIDSANDGASESWITHAPAPERFLYER.

1.DemonstrateBernoulli’sprinciple.Cutapaperstrip½"×4".Holdthepaperstripjustbelowyourlips,andblowabovethestrip(Figure1).Thepaperwillrise!

ThisoccursbecauseofBernoulli’sprinciple—fast-movingairhaslowerpressurethannon-movingair.Thestillairbelowthestriphashigherpressurethanthemovingairabove,soitpushesthestripupward.

Tryanotherquicktest:cut2paperstrips½"×4".Holdthemabout2"apartandblowairbetweenthem(Figure2).Youexpectthemtoblowapart,buttheyactuallycometogether.Bernoulli’sprincipleisworkingherebecausethefaster-movingairbetweenthestripshaslowerpressurethantheairoutsidethem,whichthereforepushesthemtogether.

together.

Thetopofanairplanewingcurvesupwardandhasalongersurfacethanthebottom.Whentheplanemoves,theairmovingalongthetopmusttravelfartherandfasterthantheairmovingpastthestraightbottom.Thefaster-movingtopairhaslesspressurethanthebottomair.Thisprovideslift(Figure3).

2.Makeanorigamiflyingdisc.NowuseyournewfoundBernoulliprincipleknowledgetomakeaflyingdiscusingonlypaperandtape.

Cuteight2"×2"squarepiecesofpaper(Figure4).Foldthetoprightcornerofonesquaredowntothelowerleftcorner(Figure5).Thenfoldthetopleftcornerdowntothelowerleftcornertocreateasmalltriangularpocket(Figure6).Repeatthesetwofoldswiththeremaining7squares(Figure7).

Insertonepaperfigureintotheleftpocketofanother(Figure8).Insertthefiguresintoeachotheruntiltheyforman8-sideddisc.Holdthediscfirmlytogetherwhileyouapplytapeasrequired(Figure9).

3.Flyit.TurnthediscoverandtossitlikeaFrisbee.You’llseethatitglidesabit,butthendropsrapidly.Thereasonisthatthetopandbottomsurfacesarestraight.

Nowbenddowntheouteredgestoformacurvedlip(Figure10).ThisshouldproducetheBernoullieffect.

Throwtheflyerwithaquicksnapofyourwrist,anditshouldstayaloftforamuchgreaterdistance.

CyTymony(sneakyuses.com)isaLosAngeles-basedwriterandistheauthorofSneakierUsesforEverydayThings.

Two-CentWobblerByGeorgeW.Hart

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2identicalcoinsorotherdisk-shapedobjectsthataslotcanbecutinto,suchasaCDDremeltoolorsawtocutslots

NOTE:Insomecountriesitisillegaltodamagecoins.

IRECENTLYRETURNEDHOMEFROMJAPANwithsomeleftovercoinsanddecidedtomaketheminto“wobblers.”Twoorthogonallyinterlockeddiskswillrolltogetherwithanamusingleft-rightwiggle.Ifthespacingbetweenthedisksisjustright,thewobbler’scenterofgravityremainsatafixedheightsoitwillwobbledowntheslightestincline.Itissurprisinglyaddictivetorolltheseandracethem,andyoucan’tbeatthemasacheapgift!

1.Cutslotsinany2identicalcoins.WithacuttingwheelonaDremelorotherrotaryshafttool,cutasmallradialslotineachcointhesamewidthasthecoin’sthickness.Holdeachcoininavisewhileyoucut,andwearamasksoyouwon’tbreatheinanymetaldust.

2.Pressthe2coinstogether.Tapthemgentlywithahammerorapplygentlepressurewithavise.Iftheslotsarenottoowide,they’llholdtogetherwithoutanysolderorglue.

3.Wiggleyourwobbler.Putthewobbleronasmoothsurfaceandwatchitwiggleaway.

GoingFurtherAfteryoumakeafew,you’llwanttomakemathematicallyidealwobblers,inwhichthecenterofgravityremainsataconstantheightasitrolls.Forthis,thecenter-to-centerdistancemustbethesquarerootof2timestheradius(d=√2r),sotheslotlengthshouldbe29%oftheradius.

I’vesincelearnedofseveralearlierdiscoveriesofthisshape,goingbacktothemid-1900s,whenthedesignerPaulSchatzusedwhathecalledthe“Oloid”aspartofapaintstirringmachine.

PhysicistA.T.Stewartfirstobservedthatthecenterofgravitystaysataconstantheightifthecenterseparationis√2timestheradius;seehispaper“TwoCircleRoller”inAmericanJournalofPhysics,Volume34,1966,pages166–167.Searchthewebfor“twocircleroller”toreadmoreinterestingpapersaboutthesetoys.

GeorgeW.HartisasculptorandaprofessoratStonyBrookUniversity.Viewexamplesofhisworkatgeorgehart.com.

PartII:ArtsandCrafts

RILEYMULLEN’S“MINISPINARTMACHINE”SPRANGFROMHISLOVEoftakingapartbrokenelectronicsandexperimentingwiththecomponents.Inthiscase,hehadacomputerfananda9Vbattery;addsomepensandthenextthingheknewhewasmakingart.“Turningelectronic‘junk’intounexpectedfunisreallysatisfying,”saysRiley.Theyoungestcontributortothiscollection,at12yearsofageRileyiscurrentlytakingjuniorcollegeclassesandplanningtobeachemistsomeday.

CyTymonyintroducesadrawingdevicefromthe1600scalledthepantographwithhis“MechanicalImageDuplicator,”aneasy-to-makeDIYversionofthisclassicdrawingtool.Inthissamesection,Cydemonstratesacleverrecipeforturningcowjuiceintomoldablematerialin“SneakyMilkPlastic.”

Withthe“Cut-and-FoldCenterFinder,”AndrewLewisshowsyouaclevertoolyoucanmaketofindthecenterofacircularsurface.Healsodemonstratesatechniqueforturninganordinarytincanintoanantique-lookingcontainerin“TinCanCopperTan.”

Alongsimilarlines,frequentMake:magazinecontributorandtechnicaleditorSeanMichaelRaganoutlinesacleverwaytouseetchanttoputyourowndesignsonordinarybottlesin“Label-EtchaGlassBottle.”Meanwhile,JasonPoelSmithexplainshowtoaddfuntoyourkids’schoollunchin“HowtoTattooaBanana.”Jasoncreatesaweeklyhow-toprojectseriescalled"DIYHacksandHowTos"formakezine.com.

Make:magazinefoundingeditor-in-chiefMarkFrauenfelderhasanaffinityforDIYstringedinstruments.AstheoriginatorofBoingBoing,it’sonlyfittingthatMarkshouldcontributeaprojectcalled“BoingBox”tothecurrentcollection.

UCSCroboticsengineeringstudentPalomaFautleylovestinkeringaroundinthekitchen,sewingroom,toolshed,andattheelectronicsbench.In“DuctTapeDouble”sheshowsyouaneasyandinexpensivewaytomakeamannequintouseforsewingandcostumingprojects.

waytomakeamannequintouseforsewingandcostumingprojects.

SindriDiegoisagymnastandanacrobatinIceland’s“firstandonlycircus.”Havinglearnedabouttheartisticeffectofblurringusedinphotographyinspiredhimtocreatehisownsimplifiedapproachandshareitwithyouin“BokehPhotographyEffect.”

ZittaSchnittisadesignprofessionalwhoseofficeislocatedinVienna,Austria.In“PETBottlePurse,”shedescribesanaestheticallyattractivewaytoreusebeveragecontainersmadefrompolyethyleneterephthalate(PET).

Make:magazineeditorCraigCoudenshowsyouhowtoaddsomeTron-inspiredfashionflairin“SimpleLight-UpHoodie.”MortenSkogly’s“Wind-TriggeredLantern”teachesyouaneattrickforcreatingmagicalbeautythatwillturnyourbackyardintoamidsummernight’sdream.

Getreadytosetyourartisticimpulsesfree!

MiniSpinArtMachineByRileyMullen■IllustrationsbyJulieWest

YOUWILLNEED

Computerfan5V–12VBattery9VToggleswitchtwo-terminalRadioShack#275-0022Alligatorclipleads(3)CardboardboxDouble-stickfoamtapeMaskingtapeScissorsPaperColoredmarkers

THISPROJECTCAMEFROMMYLOVEOFTAKINGAPARTBROKENELECTRONICSandexperimentingwiththecomponents.Ihadanoldcomputerfan,a9Vbattery,pens,andthegiftofboredom.NextthingIknew,Iwascreatinginterestingart!Turningelectronic“junk”intounexpectedfunisreallysatisfying.

1.Mountthefanandswitch.

Attachthefantotheboxtopwithdouble-stickfoamtape.»Tomounttheswitch,makeasmallholeinthebox.»Removethemountingnutfromtheswitch,pushtheswitchleverthroughtheholefromtheinsideofthebox,andreplacethemountingnuttosecureitinplace.

2.Wirethefan,switch,andbattery.Makeanothersmallholetopushthefanwiresthroughtotheinsideofthebox.»Usingonealligatorcliplead,connectthefan’sblackwiretothenegative(larger)terminalonthebattery.»Usinganotheralligatorcliplead,connectthefan’sredwiretooneoftheswitchterminals.»Usethelastalligatorclipleadtoconnecttheunusedswitchterminaltothepositive(smaller)terminalonthebattery.

3.Addpaperandcolor.Cutpapercirclessmallerthanthediameterofyourfan.»Attachapapercircletothecenterofthefan,usingaloopofmaskingtapeonthebackofthepaper.»Turnthefanonandgentlyapplyacoloredmarkertothespinningpaper.Enjoymakingcolorfuldesigns!

RileyMullenisayoungMakerwhoisendlesslyfascinatedwithelectroniccomponents,physics,and

RileyMullenisayoungMakerwhoisendlesslyfascinatedwithelectroniccomponents,physics,andengineering.Heenjoysreading,tinkering,creatingthingswithhouseholdstuff,andhangingoutwithotherMakersathislocalmakerspace.

Cut-and-FoldCenterFinderAndrewLewis■IllustrationsbyJulianHonoré/p4rse.com

YOUWILLNEED

Thickcardboardcutto10"squareUtilityorcraftknifePencil,ruler,tape

FINDINGTHECENTEROFACIRCLEISEASYwhenyouhavetherighttool.Thiscut-and-foldcardboardcenterfinderisidealforallthosefiddlymeasuringjobs.

1.Measureandmark.Onyour10"squareofcardboard,usetherulerandpenciltomarkadiagonallinefromthebottomleftcornertothetoprightcorner.Markaverticalline½"fromtheleftside,ahorizontalline½"fromthebottom,andanotherhorizontalline1"fromthebottom.

2.Cut.Usingyourutilityorcraftknife,cutouta½"squarefromthebottomleftcornerofthecard,usingyour½"pencillinesasaguide.

Next,cutatriangleoutofthecard.Startingatthetoprightcorner,cutalongthediagonallineuntilyoureachthe1"horizontallineatbottomleft,thencutalongthe1"linetotherightedgeofthecard.

3.Foldandtape.Useyourknifetolightlyscorealongthe½"borderlinessothatthecardwillfoldeasily,thenbendtheleftandbottom½"borders90°toformacorner.Tapethecornertoholdthecardboardedgesat90°.

UseIt.Tomarkthecenterofacircularobject(forexample,thetopofapaintcan),placeyourcenter-findingtoolsothatitsfoldededgestouchtheobject’soutsideedges.

object’soutsideedges.

Nowdrawalineacrosstheobject,usingtheinsidediagonaledgeofyourcenterfinderasaguide.Rotatetheobject90°anddrawasecondline.Thepointwherethe2linesintersectisthecenterofthecircularobject.

NOTE:Themaximumdiameterofthecircularobjectisroughlyequaltotwicethecenterfinder'soutsideedgelength—soyour10"centerfindercanbeusedwithobjectsuptoabout20"indiameter.Tomakealargercenterfinder,justfollowthesameinstructionsbutusealargersquareofcardboard.

AndrewLewisisakeenartificerandcomputerscientistwithinterestsin3Dscanning,computationaltheory,algorithmics,andelectronics.Heisarelentlesstinkererwholovesscience,technology,andallthingssteampunk.

MechanicalImageDuplicatorByCyTymony■IllustrationsbyAlisonKendall

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ThickwhitecardboardPencils(2)PaperPaperclips(4)Paperclipboxes(2)AAbatteryorothersmallweightMarkingpenTransparenttapeScissors

BEFORECHESTERCARLSONINVENTEDPHOTOCOPYING,inventorsengineeredvariousmechanicaldevicestoreplicateimages.Withafeweverydayitemsfoundinthehome,youcanmakeapantograph,animageduplicatorthatallowsyoutouseonepenciltotraceanimagewhileanotherpencilfollowsitspathinparalleltoproduceanear-identicalcopy.

1.Cutoutandpositioncardboardstrips.You’llneed4cardboardstrips.Cut2stripsmeasuring2"×4"andanotherpair2"×8",asshowninFigure1.Placethe2pairsofstripsatrightanglestoeachother,withthesmallerpairlyingontopofthelargerpair.

2.Linkcardboardstripswithpaperclips.Cut4holesinthestripsandslip3paperclipsintothem,asshowninFigure2.Benduptheendofanotherpaperclip,asshown,andtapeittothetopofapaperclipbox.

3.Addpencilsandsecuretotable.Cut2holesintheimageduplicatorstripslargeenoughfor2pencilstofitsnuglyandstanderect,asshowninFigure3.Turnthecardboardstripsoverandsliptheholeattheendoftheleft-handstripoverthepaperclipthat’stapedtothetopofthepaperclipbox.

Placeasecondpaperclipboxundertheimageduplicatorwherethe2largestripsmeet,tokeepitlevel.Toensurethatthedrawingpencil(B)pressesagainstthepaperproperly,youcanaddweighttothecardboardstripbytapingaAAbatteryunderneathit.

UseIt.PlacetheoriginalimageunderpencilA,andablanksheetofpaperunderpencilB.TracetheoriginaldesignwithpencilA.PencilBwillfollowalong,drawingtheimageonthepaper.

Experimentwithdifferentlengthsofstripstomakelargerandsmallercopiesoftheoriginaldesign.

CyTymony(sneakyuses.com)isaLosAngeles-basedwriterandistheauthorofSneakierUsesforEverydayThings.

Label-EtchaGlassBottleBySeanMichaelRagan■IllustrationsbyJulieWest

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GlassbottlewithadhesiveplasticlabelPermanentmarkerHobbyknifeTweezerssmallScrappaperPapertowelsRubbingalcoholEtchingcreamPaintbrushSafetygogglesGlovesSink

CAUTION:Glassetchantsaretoxicandshouldbehandledwithcare.Wearglovesandgogglesandfollowthelabeldirectionsclosely.

HERE’SASIMPLETRICKIDISCOVEREDforetchingdesignsonglassbottlesusingthebottle’slabelasabuilt-inresist.

1.Preparethebottle.Thisprocessrequiresabottlewithanadhesiveplasticlabel.Asuresignthatthelabelissuitableisthatpartsofitaretransparent.»Useapermanentmarkertodrawyourdesignonthelabel.»Usingyourhobbyknife,carefullycutaroundtheedgesofyourdesign.Lifttheedgesofthecutoutareasusingtheblade,andfinishpeelingoffeachpositivecutusingtweezers.»Wipethecutstencilwithapapertowelgenerouslysoakedwithrubbingalcohol.Thiswillremoveresidualinkandcleananyremainingadhesivefromthecutoutareas.»Tomakesuretheremainingstencilisfirmlyadheredtothebottleeverywhere,wrapascrapofpaperaroundthebottle,overthelabel,andrubitbrisklywiththesideofyourmarker.

2.Applyetchingcream.Generouslydaubetchingcreamovertheexposedpositiveareasofyourdesignusingabrush.»Leavetheetchingcreaminplace5minutes,orwhatevertheinstructionssay,andthenwashawayalltracesofthecreamwithplentyofwarmwaterinthesink.

3.Removethelabelandclean.Usingyourhobbyknifeorjustyourfingernail,liftonecornerofthelabelandpeelitoff.»Givetheetcheddesignonefinalcleaningwithrubbingalcoholandapapertoweltoremoveanyleftoveradhesive.

SeanMichaelRaganistechnicaleditorofMake:.He’sdescendedfrom5,000generationsoftool-usinghominids.Alsohewenttocollegeandstuff.

TinCanCopperTanBySeanMichaelRagan■IllustrationsbyAndrewLewis

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Atincantin-platedsteel,notaluminumMuriaticacidsoldinhardwarestoresasabrickcleanerHydrogenperoxidefromadrugstoreScrapsofcopperSplash-proofgogglesRubbergloves

WaterproofapronPlasticcontainerSoapHotwater

COPPER-COATATINCAN,TURNINGITINTOANAESTHETICALLYPLEASING,REUSABLECONTAINER.1.Wearingprotectiveclothinginaventilatedarea,mix9partsofmuriaticacidto1parthydrogenperoxideinaplasticcontainer.Slowlyaddscrapsofcopper,whichwillreactwiththeacidsolutionandturnitablue-greencolor.Whenthereactionslowsandthecopperstopsdissolving,remove

theremainingpiecesofcopper.Theblue-greencomponentiscupricchloride,whichreactswithtinandleavesashinynewlayerofcopperinitsplace.

2.Thoroughlywashatincan,removingalltracesofglueandgreasefromtheinsideandoutside.Anabrasiveplasticdishclothmightbeusefulforthis.Drythecanandgentlyplaceitintotheacidsolution.Thecanneednotbecompletelysubmerged,butkeepitturningtoexposeallpartstoanequalamountofthesolution.Afterafewseconds,thecanwillstarttochangecolor,andyoushouldseeapalecoppertanappearingwithinminutes.

3.Removethecanfromtheacidbathandrinsewithwater.Leavethecantodrynaturally.Thenyoucanfinishitwithclearacrylicspray,coatitwithwax,orjustletitoxidizetocreateadark,neglected,antiquelook.

PhotographybyAndrewLewis

AndrewLewisisakeenartificerandcomputerscientistwithspecialinterestsin3Dscanning,algorithmics,andopen-sourcesoftware.

HowtoTattooaBananaByJasonPoelSmith

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BananaImageScissorsScotchtapeNeedleMechanicalpenciloptional

DON’TJUSTPLAYWITHYOURFOOD—MAKEARTWITHIT.IstartedtattooingbananasafterseeingsimilarworkbyartistPhilHansen.Itisagreatwaytoaddsomefuntopackedlunches,anditdoesn’truinthefood.Whenyoupunctureorbruiseabananapeel,therupturedcellsrelease

chemicalsthatstarttooxidizeandturnbrown.Byusingafine-tippedneedle,youcanmakedetaileddrawingsonabananapeel.Youcanevenusestencilstomakeacopyofyourfavoritepicture.

1.Createastencil.Findapicturethatyouwanttouseandscaleittotheappropriatebananasize.Thenprintitout.Cutoutthepicture,leavingsomeblankpaperaroundtheedges.Next,useScotchtapetoattachthepicturetoyourbanana.

2.Outlinethepattern.Usinganeedle,pokeholesthroughthepaperalongallthemajorlines.Trytokeeptheholesclosetogetherandasshallowaspossible.Tomakethiseasier,tryattachinganeedletoamechanicalpencil.Whenyou’redone,removethestencil.Youshouldseeadottedoutlineofyourpicture.

3.Fillinthedetails.Nowyouneedtoconnectthedotsandapplyshading.Gobackoverallthemajorlinesandmakemoredotstofillinthegaps.Toapplyshading,gentlytapthesurfacetomakeverylightscratches.Thedetailswilldarkenovertime.It’sartthatyoucaneat!

PhotographsbyJasonPoelSmith

JasonPoelSmithisalifelongstudentofallformsofmaking,fromelectronicstocraftsandeverythingin

between.Hecreatesthe“DIYHacksandHowTos”videoseriesforMake:atyoutube.com/make.

SneakyMilkPlasticByCyTymony

YOUWILLNEED

MetalsaucepanSpoonforstirringMeasuringspoonsStrainerWaxpaperPapertowels4tspwhitevinegar1cmilk

Optional:AcrylicpaintCornstarchSmallneodymiummagnet

DON’THAVEA3DPRINTERTOMAKEPLASTICPARTS?Usemoojuiceinstead.Ordinarycow’smilkcontainsaproteincalledcasein.Whenseparatedfrommilkbyusinganacidsuchasvinegar,caseinbecomesamoldableplasticmaterialthatcanbeusedtocreateeverythingfromgluetofabrictobilliardballs.Makeyourowncustompartsforprojects!

1.Cookthemilkwithvinegar.Pour1cupofmilkintothesaucepanandwarmittoasimmer,notaboil,onthestove.

Next,add4teaspoonsofvinegartothemilkandstir.Afterafewminutesyoushouldseewhiteclumpsform.Whenyoudo,keepstirringafewminuteslonger,thenturnofftheheattoallowthepantocool.

2.Strainthecaseinfromthemilk.Pourthemilkthroughastrainerintoabowltoseparateallthewhiteclumps(thisisthecaseinplasticmaterial),andplacethemonasheetofwaxpaper.

3.Dryandmoldthecaseinplastic.Drythecaseinplasticmaterialbyblottingitgentlywithpapertowelsuntilit’sdry.

it’sdry.

Moldtheplasticmaterialintotheshape(s)youprefer,andletitdryforatleast2days.Onceithardens,youcancoloritwithacrylicpaintifdesired.

TIP:Ifthecaseinistoorunnytoshapeinyourhands,nexttimeaddapinchofcornstarchtothemilkandvinegarmixture.Thiswillmakeitholdtogetherbetter.

GoingFurtherShapeyoursneakymilkplasticintoasneakyfingerringthatwillattractpaperU.S.currency!Justhideasmall,super-strong(neodymium)magnetinsideyourringbeforeitdriesandhardens.Whentheringisplacedclosetoalegitimatefoldedbill,thebillwillmovetowardtheringbecauseoftheironparticlesinthecurrency’sink.

CyTymony(sneakyuses.com)isaLosAngeles–basedwriterandistheauthorofSneakierUsesforEverydayThings.

BoingBoxByMarkFrauenfelder

YOUWILLNEED

Acigarbox6'lengthof½"×¾"wood8'of20-gaugewireEyescrews(2)WoodscrewsL-bracketScrapsofwoodDrill,saw,andscrewdriver

BUILDAFUN,ONE-STRINGEDINSTRUMENTTHATPACKSAMIGHTYTWANG.A1951bookcalledRadioandTelevisionSoundEffects,byRobertB.Turnbull,showshowtomakea“boingbox.”(It’sreprintedatbizarrelabs.com/boing2.htm.)ImadeamodifiedboingboxusingawoodencigarboxandsomescrapsIhadaroundthehouse.1.Drillresonatorholesinthecigarboxasshown.ScrewanL-brackettotheneck,thenscrewthenecktothecigarbox.Topreventstructuralfailure,puta½-inch-thickscrapofwoodunderthelidanddrivethescrewsintoit.Thiswillkeepthescrewsfrompullingoutwhenthewireistightened.

2.Inserteyescrewsintothecigarboxandtheendoftheneck.Useanotherwoodscrapontheinsideoftheboxfortheeyescrew.Tieandtightenwiretobotheyescrews.Thewireshouldbetightenoughtocausethenecktobowslightly.(Iusedaneyeboltwithhexandwingnutstomakeiteasytoadjust.)

3.Pluckthestringandgentlyshaketheboingboxtovarythepitch.Boing!

PhotographybyMarkFrauenfelder

MarkFrauenfelderistheco-founderofBoingBoing,formereditor-in-chiefofMake:magazine,andauthorofseveralbooks.

PETBottlePurseByZittaSchnitt■IllustrationsbyTimLillis

YOUWILLNEED

16ozPETbottles(2)suchassodabottles9"zipperTapeNylonthreadViseoptionalHacksawSmallpairofscissorsThinneedleThick,sharpneedlePliersorseamripper

FOLLOWTHESEINSTRUCTIONSTOBUILDACOOLPURSEoutofthebottomsof2PETbottlesandazipper.Youcanusethecontainerasacoinpurseorastoragebox.

1.Cutthebottles.Cutoffthebottomsofbothbottlesusingthehacksaw,whileholdingthebottleinplacewithavise.Thentrimtheburrsandanyexcessmaterialwiththesmallscissors.

2.Punchtheholes.Download,print,andcutoutthehole-punchingtemplatefoundatcdn.makezine.com/make/25/M25_123_Bottlepurse_Hole_Template.pdf.Tapethetemplate,dotsfacingup,totheoutsideofthebottle,thetopedgeofthetemplateflushwiththecutbottleedge.

Holdingthethickneedlewithapairofcombinationpliersorvise-grippliers,punchholesinthebottle,usingthedotsonthetemplateasaguide.(Youcanalsouseaseamrippertopunchtheholes.)Whenyou’redone,movethetemplatetotheotherbottlebottomandrepeatthehole-punchingprocess.

3.Attachthezipper.Unzipthezipperbeforesewingitintobothbottlebottoms.Withthethinneedleandthread,beginstitching1¼"belowthezipper’stopend,leavingitloosefornow(lateryou’lloverlapitwiththezipper’sbottom,andstitchthembothdown).

Stitchthezipperaroundonebottlebottom,andthenaroundtheother(inverted)bottlebottom.

Tofinish,overlapthezipper’sbottomendwithitstop,andsewbothendstothebottlebottomsthroughtheremainingholes.

ZittaSchnitt,borninVienna,spentherchildhoodinAustriaandHungary.Inartschoolshefocusedontextiledesign.NowshestudiesindustrialdesignattheUniversityofAppliedArtsinVienna,withaspecialfocusontablewareandlightingdesign.zittaschnitt.com

DuctTapeDoubleByPalomaFautley■IllustrationsbyJulieWest

YOUWILLNEED

DucttapeOldshirtyoudon’tmindruiningNewspaperoroldclothesforstuffingEyescrewsScissorsPlasticwrapoptional

PhotographybyGuntherKirsch

THEDUCTTAPEDOUBLEPROJECTisaquickandeasywaytomakeacustommannequin.Itusescheapmaterialsyoucanfindaroundthehousetocreateadimensionallyaccuratereplica.Useyournewdoubletocraftcustomgarmentsthatfitperfectlyeverytime,orstepitupanotchandventureintowell-tailoredwearabletechnology.

1.Preparethemodel.Useatight-fittingshirtthatcoverstheareathatyouwanttoreplicate.Ifyouwanttoaddlengthbeyondtheshirt,covertheadditionalareawithplasticwrap.Makesurethatthemodeliscomfortableandcanbreatheeasily.

easily.

2.Wrapitup!Wrapthemodelwithducttape.Usethepatternsprovidedasageneralguideline.Don’tpulltootightlyorthedoublewon’taccuratelyrepresentyourtruesize.

Covereverydesiredareawith2–3layersofducttapesoitisniceandsturdy.

sturdy.

3.Removeandstuff.Cuttheducttapedoubleoffyourmodelcarefully,slicingupthebackandmakingsuretonotcutthemodelintheprocess.Carefullyslidethedoubleoff.Begentleandtrynottoloseanyfeatureswhiledoingso.Stuffthedoublewitholdclothes,newspaper,orothermaterialstomakeitsturdy.Donotoverstufforyouwilllosetheshape.Tapeuptheopenings,andyou’refinished!

PalomaFautleyisanengineeringinternatMake:.Sheiscurrentlypursuingadegreeinroboticsengineeringandhasarangeofinterests,frombakingtopyrotechnics.

SimpleLight-UpHoodieByCraigCouden■IllustrationsbyJulieWest

YOUWILLNEED

SweatshirtwithlargehoodELtapestrip,about40"Adafruit#415Pocket-sizedELinverter4×AAAor2×AAELwireextensioncordAdafruit#616VelcroenoughtomatchtheELtapeBatteriesrechargeableSewingmachineorneedleandthreadGlueoptional

TRON:LEGACYWASADECENTMOVIE,butwhatIwasreallywowedbyweretheluminescentcostumes.I’vebeenplayingaroundwithlight-upclothingideaseversince,andthesimplestideausesELtapeandsomeVelcrotoapproximateJeffBridges’sglowingdruidlookfromthefilm.It’snotremotelyscreenaccurate(foryoupuristsoutthere),butitisagreatwaytowowyourfriendsduringanightout.

1.SewVelcrotohood.CutalengthofVelcroequaltothelengthoftheELtapeandhandormachinestitchthesoftsideontotheinsideofthehoodneartheedge.Youmaywanttoremovethedrawstringfirst.

2.AttachVelcrotoELtape.Attachtheprickly"hook"sideoftheVelcrotothebackoftheELtape.(Minecamewithanadhesivebacking,butyoumayhavetoglueit.)

3.Juiceit.AttachtheELtapetothehood.ConnecttheELtapetotheextension

AttachtheELtapetothehood.ConnecttheELtapetotheextensioncable,thentheinverter.Turniton,sticktheinverterinyourpocket,andshowthatyou,too,fightfortheUser!

GoingFurtherToachievealongerweartime,use2shorterlengthsofELtapethatmeetattheapexofthehood,eachwithitsown2×AAinverter.

WhennotobsessingoverhisnewcoutureELfashionline,CraigCoudenisaneditorialassistantforMake:magazine.

Wind-TriggeredLanternByMortenSkogly■IllustrationsbyAlisonKendall

YOUWILLNEED

LED3VbuttonbatteryPencil,ruler,tapeSomethingspringymadeofmetalFeatherThreadSolderingironandsolder,ortapeCarpetknifeStrongwireBatteryholder(optional)recommendedGlassjarwithlid(optional)forweatherprotection

CREATEALITTLEMAGICINYOURYARDwiththisflickeringgardenlanterntriggeredbythewind,madewithsparepartsyouprobablyhavelyingaroundyourhouse.

1.AttachtheLEDtothebattery.SolderoneoftheLED’sleadstothebatteryholder(Figure1).Igotthebatteryholderfortheflat3VbuttoncellbatteryfromanoldPCthatI’vebeenscavengingpartsfrom.(It’sthebatterythatpowerstheinternalclock,andIguesseveryPChasone.)Youdon’tneedabatteryholderatall—youcouldjusttapeoneoftheLED’sfeettothebattery—butabatteryholdermakesthingseasier.

NOTE:RemembertotesttheLEDfirst,soyouknowyou’reattachingthecorrectleadtothecorrectsideofthebattery.

2.Maketheflickeringmechanism.Solderaflexiblepieceofmetaltotheothersideofthebatteryholder.Ihappenedtohavealong,thinspringfromtheCD-ROMdriveofanIBMThinkPadItookapartawhileback;itworksgreat.Anotheroptioncouldbeacopperthreadorwire,asthinaspossible,orapieceofguitarstring.ThenbendtheunsolderedleadoftheLEDsoitcurvesaroundthespringwithouttouchingit(Figure2).

Attachafeathertothespringwithapieceofthread.Whenthefeathermovesinthewind,itpullsonthespring,whichtouchesthefootoftheLEDandclosesthecircuit—whichequalsblinking!

3.Hangitinthegarden.Forweatherproofing,cutaslitinthelidofajarandputthefeatherthroughit(Figure3).Fiddlewithituntilthemechanismmovesfreely.Use1ydorsoofstrongwiretowraparoundthejar,tomakea“harness”andahandle.Thengooutandhangitinthegarden(orrunaroundwithit,giggling,likeIdid).Possibleimprovements:Addasolarcellandbattery.Createaprettiercasing,perhapsusingbeeswax?Ormaybeevenaddsound!

PhotographbyMortenSkogly

MortenSkoglyisacheerfulman,eveninthedark.Hemakesthingstoimpresshiswifeandkids.SeemoreofhisDIYstuffatpappmaskin.no.

BokehPhotographyEffectBySindriDiego■IllustrationsbyDamienScogin

YOUWILLNEED

PaperthickandblackCameralens50mmCameraCompassRulerScissorsX-Actoknife

Formoreonbokeheffects,visitourwebsiteat:makezine.com/projects/bokeh-filter/

OrvisitourYouTubechannelat:www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZjV94FbjRE

BOKEHCOMESFROMTHEJAPANESEwordfor“blur.”Inphotography,thebokeheffecthastodowiththeaestheticsofout-of-focusareasofthepicture.Withthisproject,youcancreateaneffectthatmakestheout-of-focus

lightsinyourpicturesappearanyshapeyouwant.

1.Measureandcutapaperdisk.Setyourcompasstomeasure25mmbetweenthespikeandthepencil,anddrawacircle50mmindiameter.

Cutoutthecircle,leavingalittletabofpapersomewhereontheedgetouseasahandle.Ifyouusethepaperwiselyyoucanmakemanybokehdisksfromonesheet.

2.Cutyourshapeoutofthecenter.Drawyourshape,centered,onthe50mmpaperdisk.It’sbestiftheshapeisnottoocomplicated.

UsingtheX-Actoknife,cutouttheshapeyoudrew.Becarefultonotcutyourself.

3.Startmakingcoolbokeheffects.Positionyourbokehdiskinfrontofthelens.Youcanprobablyfixitinplaceusingthethreadingthat’sintendedforattachingfilters.Itdoesn’t

placeusingthethreadingthat’sintendedforattachingfilters.Itdoesn’tmatterhowclosethepaperistotheglasslens,butithastocoverthewholelens.

Adjustyourcameratothelowestaperturesettingandstartshooting.Remember,youwanttohavethelightsoutoffocustogettheeffect.Beascreativeasyoucan—ifyouhaveadigitalcamera,youcanalwaysdeletetheimagesyoudon’tlike.

PhotographbySindriDiego

SindriDiegoisa19-year-oldIcelandicmultimediadesignstudent,gymnasticschampion,andcoach.Heistakinghisfirststepsinphotographyandlovestotrynewthingswithit.

istakinghisfirststepsinphotographyandlovestotrynewthingswithit.

PartIII:ScienceandElectronics

CYTYMONYHASCONTRIBUTEDMOREARTICLESTOMAKE:MAGAZINE’S1+2+3FEATUREthananyotherwriter.Morethanadozenpublishedbooks,withtitleslikeSneakyUsesforEverydayThings,attesttoCy’srestlessimaginationandboundlesscreativity.His10projectsinthissectionrangefromswitchesandbatteriesmadeofeverydaythingstoacleverhackforturninganordinaryAM/FMradiointoanaircraftbandreceiver.

MarkFrauenfeldermakesaningeniouslittle“bot”withamotorandaminttininhis“Vibrobot”project.Formorerobotfun,checkoutSteveHoefer’s“DizzyRobot.”AformerIowafarmboywhowasmaking(andbreaking)thingsassoonashefiguredoutwhichendofthetooltohold,Steveistodaythewriter,inventor,andcreativeproblemsolverbehindGrathioLabsinLasVegas.

CaseyShea’sjourneytobecomingaMakerbeganin2011whenMake:founderDaleDoughertyapproachedhimtostartanexperimentalclasscalledProjectMakeatthehighschoolwherehetaughtmath.Todayhe’snotonlyteachingstudentsbutalsohelpingotherteachersmasterthenewtoolsandapproachesofMakereducation.Casey’s“Springboard”projectresurrectsa50-year-oldtoolforteachingelectronicsandthenaddsamodernupdatethat’snewtothiscollection.

SamuelJohnsonandAnnMarieThomasdemonstratethatelectronicscantakeanyshapeyoucanimaginein“SculptingCircuits,”afunprojectforkidstoexperimentwithLEDs.Forevenmorefun,checkout“LEDThrowies”byGraffitiResearchLab—agreatwaytodecorateyourenvironment!

DougWatsonprovidespracticaladviceformountingyourGPSdevicein“Rear-ViewPowerSocket,”whileSeanRaganpresentsausefulhacktokeepyourArduinoboardsafein“BoardFeet.”FreelancemagazinewriterandacclaimedsuspensenovelistPhilBowiehasaniftytrickforplayingarecordalbumwithapaperclipandapackingpeanut,whichyoucanreadaboutinhisarticle“PaperClipRecordPlayer.”

aboutinhisarticle“PaperClipRecordPlayer.”

PhotographerDannyOsterweilandPhotojojo.compresentanentertainingprojectforturningyoursmartphoneintoaDIYslideprojector.In“SmartphoneSignalGenerator,”softwaredeveloperJacobBeningoexplainshowtouseyourphonetogeneratesignalstotestspeakersandotherdevices,generateaudiotones,orjusttoexperimentwithcircuits.JacobenjoysdesigningpracticaltipsandtricksforengineersandMakers.

Didyouknowthatapieceofironlosesitsattractiontoamagnetwhenheated?ScienceexperimenterandwriterJohnIovine’s“CurieEngine”showsyouhowtousethatprincipletocreateasimpleengine.“SoundSucker,”bybestsellingauthorWilliamGurstelle,employscommonkitchenmaterialstocreateadevicethatseemstocanceloutcertainaudiblefrequencies.Tryityourself!

VibrobotByMarkFrauenfelder

YOUWILLNEED

MetalcandyminttinWirecoathanger1.5Vmotorfromabattery-poweredtoySmallmetalWashers(4)Smallboltsandnuts(2)About1'ofinsulatedwirePaperclip¼Mflatplasticfaucetwashers37⁄64"OD(3)AAbatteryHotgluegunHotglueCabletie

WHENMY3-YEAR-OLDDAUGHTERdroppedthe$1battery-poweredfanIboughther,theplasticcasecracked,ruiningit.IpromisedherI’dmakesomethingevenbetterusingthefan’smotor.I’mafanofChicoBicalho’swonderfulwinduptoys,soImadearobotinspiredbyhisdesigns.IcallminetheVibrobot,andyoucanmakeoneinacoupleofhoursorless.

1.Preparethecandytin.Sandthepaintoffthetin,ifyouwish.Punch2holesthroughthebottomofthetinoneitherend,usingahammerandaPhillipsscrewdriver.You’llusetheseholestoattachthelegs.Punchaholethroughthelidnearoneend.Thisholeisforroutingthewires.

2.Makethelegs.Snipoff2longpiecesofwirefromacoathangerandbendeachintoaV-shape.BendthetipoftheVintoarightangle,andthenbendalittle“foot”ateachend(FigureA).Attachthelegstotheholesinthetinusingbolts,nuts,andmetalwashers(FigureB).Addadollopofhotgluetoeachfoottogivethemrubbertips.

3.Installthemotor.Pushapaperclipthroughoneoftheplasticflatwashers,andattachthewashertothespindleofthemotor.Solder2wirestothe1.5Vbattery,insertthebatteryinthecandytin,andthreadbothwiresthroughtheholeinthelid.Solderonewiretoaleadonthemotor,andsolderathirdloosewiretotheothermotorlead.Put2plasticflatwashersbetweenthemotorandthecandytin,andsecurethemotortothetinusingacabletie.

TooperatetheVibrobot,twisttheloosebatterywireandtheloosemotorwiretogether(youcanalsosolderanalligatorcliptooneofthewiresforaswitch).Experimentwiththecritterbygentlybendingthepaperclipandlegsintodifferentshapesandobservingtheeffects.Watchavideoatmakezine.com/projects/make-10/vibrobots/.

PhotographybyCarlaSinclair

MarkFrauenfelderiseditor-in-chiefofMake:.

MagneticSwitchesfromEverydayThingsByCyTymony■IllustrationsbyMarkFrauenfelder

YOUWILLNEED

MagnetPaperclipAluminumfoilTapeorfoamCardboardWireLEDorbuzzer3VwatchbatteryorequivalentRingoptionalBattery-operatedtoyoptional

X-10universalinterfaceoptionalAppliancemoduleoptional

CONTROLMANYDEVICESFROMafarwiththemagneticallysensitiveSneakySwitch.

1.Makeamagneticactivator.You’llwantastrongmagnettoactivatedevicesfromatleastaninchaway.Tinyrareearthmagnetscanbefoundinmostmicroradio-controlledcars,andinthepackagingofsomehearingaidbatteries.Glueamagnettothefaceofaringorawand,oraffixittosomeobjectsothatwhenit’sneartheswitch,ormovedaway,itwillcausethedesiredeffect.

2.MakeaSneakySwitch.

Inthismagneticswitch,thepaperclipliesacrossa“spring”ofrolledtape,oneendhoveringjustabovethealuminumfoilandtheotherendtapeddown.(Asmallpieceoffoamcanalsobeusedasthespring.)Whenamagnetpassesovertheswitch,ittugsthecliptotouchthefoil,completingthecircuit.Connecttheswitchtoa3VwatchbatterytolightanLED,buzzer,orotherlow-currentdevicesandtoys.

3.Connectswitchtoarelay.Yourmagneticswitchcanbeattachedtoarelaytocontroldevicesthatneedhighercurrent.Mountyourswitchandrelaybehindthedashboardtosecretlyactivateacut-offswitch,alarm,orothercaraccessories.OrhookyourswitchtoanX-10controlleranduniversalinterfacemoduletocontrolavarietyofappliances.Prettysneaky!

BONUS:Detectcounterfeitmoney.Legitimatecurrencyhasironparticlesintheink.Foldabillsohalfofitstandsupvertically—ifthetopedgemovestowardyourmagnet,it’stherealdeal.Ifnot,phonetheSecretService!

CyTymony(sneakyuses.com)isaLosAngeles–basedwriterandistheauthorofSneakierUsesforEverydayThings.

BoardFeetWrittenbySeanMichaelRagan■IllustrationsbyJulieWest

YOUWILLNEED

Developmentboardwith3+mountingholessuchasArduinoUno,BeagleBoneBlack,etc.14mm×8mmrecessedrubberbumper(4)Uxcell#A11120700UX0247M3×10mmF/Fthreadedhexstandoff(4)McMaster-Carr92080A110M3lockwasher(8)McMaster-Carr91111A118M3×8mmJISpanheadPhillipsmachinescrew(8)McMaster-Carr94102A103M3flatwasher(8)McMaster-Carr93475A210PhillipsheadscrewdriverElectricaltapeDrillFile

WHENWORKINGWITHARDUINOandotherboards,mostpeoplejustsetthebarePCBdownonthebench,hookupcablesandcomponents,andgo.Aslongasyourbenchtopisn’tmadeofmetal,andyou’recareful,thiscanworkfine.Butit’snotideal.Clippedleadsandothermetaljunkcanshortacrosstheexposedsolderpoints,causingerraticbehaviorandevendamage.Giveyourboardaliftbyaddinglegsbuiltfromoff-the-shelfhardware.

1.Makeaspecialscrew.(Arduinoonly)TheUnoREV3,Mega,andotherArduinoboardshaveaminordesignflawinthemountingholenearesttheUSBport—thenearbypinheadersaretooclosetoclearanystandardscrewhead.Tofix,justturnoneofyourscrewstightlyintooneendofaloosestandoff,wrapthestandoffinelectricaltapetopreventmarring,andchuckitintoahandhelddrillordrillpress.Fireupthedrill,thenuseasmallfile(withonefacetapedtomakeit“safe”)toturndownthescrewheadto0.175”/4.4mmorso.

2.Mountthestandoffs.Passfourscrewsthroughthemountingholesfromthecomponentside.Slipalockwasheroverthethreadsonthesolderside,thenaddthestandoffsandtightendown.

3.Installthefeetonthestandoffs.

SeanMichaelRagan

Putalockwasher,thenaflatwasheroverthethreadsofeachoffourscrewsbeforepassingitthroughtherecessedbumperfromthebottom.Addasecondflatwasherontopofthebumper,thenthreadthescrewsintothefreeendsofthemountedstandoffs.Tightensecurely,andyou’redone!

Checkoutstep-by-stepphotosat:

makezine.com/projects/prop-up-dev-board-rubber-feet/

SeanMichaelRagan(smragan.com)isawriter,chemist,andlongtimeMake:contributor.HisworkhasalsoappearedinReadyMade,c’t—MagazinfürComputertechnik,andTheWallStreetJournal.

BatteriesfromEverydayThingsByCyTymony■IllustrationsbyJulianHonoré

YOUWILLNEED

LemonorotheracidicfruitNail,paperclip,ortwist-tieHeavycopperwireWaterSaltPapertowelPenniesandnickelsPlate

NOONECANDISPUTEtheusefulnessofelectricity.Butwhatdoyoudoifyou’reinaremoteareawithoutACpowerorbatteries?Makesneakybatteries,ofcourse!Andonceyouknowhowtomakesneakybatteries,you’llneveragainbetotallyoutofpowersources.

1.Thefruitbattery.Insertanailorpaperclipintoalemon.Thenstickapieceofheavycopperwireintothelemon.Makesurethewireiscloseto,butdoesnottouch,thenail(Figure1).Thenailhasbecomethebattery’snegativeelectrodeandthecopperwireisthepositiveelectrode.Thelemonjuice,whichisacidic,actsastheelectrolyte.Youcanuseotherelectrodepairsbesidesapaperclipandcopperwire,aslongasthey’remadeofdifferentmetals.

Thelemonbatterywillsupplyabout¼to1⁄3ofavoltofelectricity.Tousesneakybatteriestopowerasmallelectricaldevice,likeanLEDlight,youmustconnectafewoftheminaseries,asinFigure2.

2.Thecoinbattery.Withthefruitbattery,youstuckthemetalintothefruit’selectrolytesolution.Youcanalsomakeabatterybyplacingachemicalsolutionbetween2dissimilarmetalcoins.

Dissolve2tablespoonsofsaltinaglassofwater.Thisisyourelectrolytesolution.

Nowmoistenapieceofpapertowelinthesaltwater.Putanickelonaplateandputasmallpieceofthewetabsorbentpaperonthenickel.Placeapennyontopofthepaper.Next,placeanothermoistenedpieceofpapertowelontopofthepenny,andthenanothernickel,andcontinuetheseriesuntilyouhaveastack.

Themorepairsofcoinsyouadd,thehigherthevoltageoutputwillbe.Onecoinpairshouldproduceabout1⁄3ofavolt.With6pairsstackedup,youshouldbeabletopowerasmallflashlightbulb,LED,orotherdevice(Figure3)whentheregularbatterieshavefailed.Powerwilllastupto2hours.

AdaptedwithpermissionfromSneakyGreenUsesforEverydayThingsbyCyTymony,AndrewsMcMeelPublishing,2009.

CyTymony(sneakyuses.com)isaLosAngeles–basedwriterandistheauthorofSneakierUsesforEverydayThings.

SpringboardByCaseyShea■IllustrationsbyJulieWest

YOUWILLNEED

Plywoodorsoftwood,4"×6"×¾"Springs,2"withloopsonends(2)Springs,½"withloopsonends(4–15)Woodscrews,¾"

(2perspring)PowerdrillBattery(Iuseda9V)Snapbatteryconnector9V

IGETAVICARIOUSthrillwatchingyoungMakers’eyeslightupliketheLEDsintheconductivedoughthey’reworkingwith.Butthatfeelingistoooftenfollowedbysharedfrustrationattheincreaseddifficultywhentheyswitchtoasolderlessbreadboard.Toeasethetransition,Icallbacktodutythespringboard,a50-year-

oldrelicthat’sdifficulttofindthesedays,butiseasyandcheaptomake.Thelayoutmimicsabreadboard,sobythetimestudentsreachthelimitationsofthespringboard,they’rereadytomoveontoabreadboard.

1.Designyourboard.Layoutthesprings(whilenotundertension)andmarkwhereyou’llattachthemtotheboard.Thenumberofspringsdependsonthecomplexityofthecircuitsyou’llbuild.Themostbasicdesignhastwovertical2"springsontheleftandrightsides,withtworowsof½"springsrunninghorizontallybetweenthem,twoorthreespringsineachrow.Morecomplicatedcircuitsrequiremorerows.SpacethespringssothelegsofanLEDcaneasilyspantwoofthem.

2.Screwdownthesprings.Screwthemdownwithyourpowerdrill,makingsurethatnoneofthescrewsaretouchingeachother(finishnailsarebestforboardswithcloserspacing).

3.Energize!Spreadoneofthe2"springswithapointedobject(likeamultimeterprobe)andinsertthepositivewirefromthesnapconnector.Connectthenegativewiretotheother2"spring.Completethecircuitbyconnectingindividualcomponentsfromspringtospring,usingjumperwireswhenneeded.Connectthebatterytothesnapconnector.Thespringboardexpressestheconnectedcircuitvisuallyandmakesitmucheasiertopracticeusingamultimeteratvariouslocations.

GuntherKirsch

SpringboardUpdate

MYORIGINALHORIZONTAL-SPRINGBOARDWASbasedonaclassicdesign.I’vesincecreatedanalternativedesignusingverticalsprings.

Themotivationfordesigningtheverticalmodelwastomakeiteasierto

usealligator-clipjumperwiresaswellasregularsolidorstrandedwirewithouttheneedoftools.Thehorizontalmodelrequiressomesortofsharpobjecttospreadthespringswideenoughtoinsertthewire.Theverticalspringscanjustbepushedtothesidewithafingertomakeabigenoughopeningtoinsertwires.Aswiththehorizontalmodel,thisisusedonlytomakesimpleconnectionsandtogiveusersabetterunderstandingofthefunctionofabreadboard.Thephotosdon'tshowit,butweoftenputlongspringshorizontallyalongthesidestosimulatetherails.

Theboardismadebydrillingholesslightlysmallerthanthespring

diameter.It'sreallyatrialanderrorprocessbaseduponthesizeofthespringsused.Thefitneedstobeprettytightforthespringsnottopopoutoftheholes.Weusealasercutterin1⁄8''plywood,butdrillbitsinanythicknessofwoodshouldworkfineaswell.Abitofepoxyorhotglueinthebottomofthehole(oronthebacksideoftheplywood)helpsthespringstostayinplace.

CaseySheateachesmathandProjectMakeatAnalyHighSchoolinSebastopol,CA—thehometownofMAKE:.Inadditiontoteachingstudentstheskillsofmaking,heisinterestedinsharingwitheducatorsthewaysmoderntoolscanbeusedtocreatecustominstructionalmaterialsfortheirclassrooms.

EasyMotorByCyTymony■IllustrationsbyDustinHostetler

YOUWILLNEED

Twostrong,metallicdiscmagnetsapproximately¾"indiameter(largerindiameterthanaAAbattery)6"lengthofstiffcopperwire

AAbatteryNeedlenosepliers

MAKEASPINNINGMOTORwithaminimumofparts.

1.Makeit.First,ifyourcopperwireisinsulated,striptheinsulationoff.Bendthetopofthewireintoahookshape.Pressthetipintoasharppointwiththepliers.Wrapthewireinaspiralformaroundthebodyofthebattery,asshowninFigure1.Thewireshouldbejustlooseenoughsoitwillnotcontactthebatterycase.

Next,place2metallicdiscmagnetsonthebattery’snegativeterminal.Adjusttheshapeofthewiresothetoprestsonthecenterpositiveterminalandthebottomjusttouchesthesideofthemagnet.Thelength,whentwisted,fromthetipofthetophooktothebottomofthewireshouldbe2".

2.Tryit.Oncethewiremakescontactwiththetopbatteryterminal,itwillspin.Ifitdoesnot,carefullybendandadjustthewiresothatitisfreetomoveandmakecontactproperly.Tomakethewirespinintheotherdirection,turnthemagnetsover.

3.Understandit.Whenthewiretouchesthebattery’spositivetopterminalandthesideofthemagnet,electricityflowsthroughit.Thewirebecomesmagneticandisrepelledbythe2discmagnets.Whenthewiremovesawayfromthemagnet,itdisconnectsfromthebatteryandlosesitsmagneticfield.Itfallsbacktoitsoriginalpositionandcontactsthesideofthemagnet.Then,itconnectstothebatterythroughthemetallicmagnetandbecomesmagneticallychargedagain,andthecyclerepeats.

Sincethewirecoilissuspendedbyitssharptipontopofthebattery’spositiveterminal,whenit’srepelledfromandreturnstothemagnet,itrotatesslightly.Thecycleoccurssorapidlythatitproducesacircularmotormotion.

CyTymony(sneakyuses.com)isaLosAngeles–basedwriterandistheauthorofSneakierUsesforEverydayThings.

SculptingCircuitsBySamuelJohnsonandAnnMarieThomas■IllustrationsbyJulianHonoré/p4rse.com

YOUWILLNEED

Forconductivedough:1cwater1½cflour¼csalt3Tbspcreamoftartar1TbspvegetableoilFoodcoloring(optional)

AssortedLEDs4AAbatteriesinabatteryholderLow-currentDCmotors

Forinsulatingdough:1½cflour½csugar3Tbspvegetableoil1tspgranulatedalum½cdistilledordeionizedwater(checklabsupplystores)

MAKINGPLAY-DOUGHCREATURESISfun,butmakingthemwithlight-upeyesandmovingpartsisevenmoreenjoyable.Wethoughtitwouldbebetterstillifwecouldmakethecircuitryoutofthedoughitself!Mostplaydoughisalreadyconductive,butweneededawayto

insulatetheconductivedough.Wecameupwithasugar-baseddoughthatworkswellasaninsulator.It’spliableandresistanttoblendingwiththeconductivedough.

Rainydayandfidgetykids?Whipupbothtypesofdough,gathersomeLEDsandbatteries,andcreateyourownmenagerieofsquishycircuit

LEDsandbatteries,andcreateyourownmenagerieofsquishycircuitcreations.Addamotorortwoforsculptureswithmovingparts.Feelingadventurous?Playwiththesaltcontentoftherecipestovarytheirconductivity.

1.Maketheconductivedough.Reserve½cflour,andmixtheremainingingredientsinamedium-sizedpot.Cookovermediumheat,stirringcontinuously.Themixturewillbegintoboilandgetchunky.Keepstirringuntilaballformsinthecenterofthepot.Onceaballforms,turnofftheheatandremovethedoughtoalightlyflouredsurface.

Slowlykneadtheremainingflourintotheballuntilyou’vereachedthedesiredconsistency.

Storedoughinanairtightcontainerorplasticbag.Inthebag,waterfromthedoughwillcreatecondensation.Thisisnormal.Justkneadthedoughafterremovingitfromthebag,anditwillbeasgoodasnew.Storedproperly,itshouldkeepforseveralweeks.Ifitdriesout,justaddalittlemoredeionizedwaterandkneaditwithsomeflour.

CAUTION:Thedoughwillbeveryhot!Flattenitandletitcoolforacoupleofminutesbeforehandling.

2.Maketheinsulatingdough.Mixthedryingredientsandoilinapotorlargebowl.Mixin1Tbspofdeionizedwaterandknead;repeatuntilthemixturebecomesmoistand

deionizedwaterandknead;repeatuntilthemixturebecomesmoistanddough-like.

Removethemixturefromthepotorbowl,andslowlykneadflourintoituntilitattainsafirmconsistency.Youshouldusealmosttheentire½cofflour.

NOTE:Youprobablywon’tneedmorethan¼cofdeionizedwater,buthave½creadyjustincase.

PhotographbySamuelJohnson

3.Makesquishycircuits.Insertthe2leadsfromthebatterypackinto2piecesofconductivedough,separatedbyalumpofinsulatingdough(werecommendusingfoodcoloringtodifferentiatethedoughs).

InsertanLEDsoitsanode(longlead)isinthepositivebatterylump,anditscathode(shortlead)isinthenegativebatterylump.Itwilllightup!

SamuelJohnsonisfromBlaine,MN,andisanengineeringstudentattheUniversityofSt.Thomas.AnnMarieThomasisanengineeringprofessoratthesameuniversity,andcodirectoroftheCenterforPre-CollegiateEngineeringEducation.

CupPositioningSystemByCyTymony■IllustrationsbyAlisonKendall

YOUWILLNEED

StyrofoamcupPenStaplePaperclipMagnetTransparenttape

NOTEVERYONEHASAGPS(GlobalPositioningSystem),butyoucaneasilymakeaCPS(CupPositioningSystem)fromanycupandlearntheartoforienteering!

1.Markthecup.Drawacrescentmoonononesideofthecup.Thendrawadownward-pointingarrowthatrestsagainstbothtipsofthemoon.WriteSouthatthebottom.

Ontheotherside,drawtheBigDipperandLittleDipperconstellations.Theseresemblepanswithhandles.TheBigDipper’srightmoststarspointtotheLittleDipper’s“handle”star,whichisPolaris,theNorthStar.DrawadownwardarrowfromPolarisandwriteNorthatthebottom.Turnthecupoveranddrawthenumbers1through12onitsbottomin

aclockformation.

2.Makeacompassneedle.Straightenastapleorsmallpaperclip.Tomagnetizeit,rubit30timeswithamagnetinonedirectiononly.Placethestaplelengthwiseontransparenttape,andfoldthetapeoversothestapleissealedinthemiddle.Nowfloatyourcompassneedleonacupofwaterandwhenitcomestorest,writeNonthenorth-pointingend,andSontheother(south-facing)end.Tapeittothesideofthecupforsafekeeping.

IllustrationsbyJulianHonoré/p4rse.com

3.Findyourway!YourSneakyCPSdeviceisreadytohelpyoufindyourdirectionsinseveralways,dayornight.

SunIfthesunisvisibleandyouknowwhattimeitis,youcaneasilylocatedirections.Turnthecupovertorevealtheclocknumbers.Keepingthecuplevel,aimthenumberthatrepresentsthecurrenthouratthesun.Forexample,ifit’s3p.m.,aimthenumber3atthesun.Halfwaybetweenthepositionofthesunandthenumber12isthedirectionsouth.

MoonIfthere’sacrescentmooninthesky,imagineanarrowpointingdownwardthatfollowsthe2tipsofthemoon.Thispointssouth.Thistrickalsoworksfairlywellwithahalforgibbous(¾)moon.

StarsPositionthecupsoyoucanseetheBigDipperandtheLittleDipperimagesonit.Nowlookuptofindtheminthenightsky.It’seasiertolocatetheBigDipperfirst,thenfollowitsrightmoststarsthatpointtotheLittleDipper’s“handle,”theNorthStar.

CompassAddwatertothecuptotransformitintoacompass.Floatyourcompassneedleonthesurface.Whenitcomestorestitwillpointnorth!

CyTymony(sneakyuses.com)isaLosAngeles–basedwriterandistheauthorofSneakierUsesforEverydayThings.

DizzyRobotBySteveHoefer

YOUWILLNEED

Mini-motor,vibrator:allelectronics.com,#DCM-372*AG13buttoncellbatteryNeedlenosepliers0.008"sheettinfromahobby,art,craft,orhardwarestoreTinsnipsorheavy-dutycraftscissors

*Ifanalternativemotorisneeded,therequirementsare:•1.5-to-3.5VDC•Short(5mm,0.2")metaltabsforpower,notwireleads•13mmlength(includingshaft)x4mmdiameter(or0.5"x0.16")excludingtherubbercasing

Alldimensionsareapproximate

DIZZYROBOTSARECUTEpocket-sizedpalsthatdancearounduntiltheyfallover.Justaboutanyonecanbuildone—itonlyhas3partsandrequiresnospecialskills.

1.Preparethemetalbody.Themetalbodyholdseverythingtogetherandconductspowerfromthebottomofthebatteryuptothemotor.

Tracethepatternshownatright,tapeittoathinpieceoftin,andcutitoutusingtinsnipsorheavy-dutyscissors.Becareful;theedgesandcornerswillbesharp!

Bendthesquarebaseofthebodyatarightangle,thenbendthebottompairofwingsintoaroughcircletoholdthebatteryinplace.Bendthetoppartofthebodyintoacircletoholdthemotor.Useapenorpencilasaroughguidetohelpformtheshape.

2.Preparethemotor.Ifthemotorcamewitharubberizedinsulatingcover,removeit.Useneedlenoseplierstocarefullybendoneofthemotor’scontactsaroundandunderthemotor.Thiswillcompletethecircuitwiththetopofthebattery.

3.Putitalltogether.Placethebatteryinthebaseofthemetalbodywiththenegative(–)sideup.Slidethemotorintotheupperhousingandpositionitsothestraightconductorisinsidethehousingandthebentconductortouchesthetopofthebattery.Useplierstocompressthehousingandholdthemotorin

thebattery.Useplierstocompressthehousingandholdthemotorinplace,beingcarefulnottocrushit.

UseIt.Ifeverythingchecksout,itshouldalreadyberunning.Putitonaflatsurface—it’llspinaroundandoccasionallyfallover.Ifitfallsovermorethanoccasionally,adjustthealignmentofthebasewithpliers.

PhotographyanddiagrambySteveHoefer

WhenyourDizzyRobothashaditsfun,slideasmallscrapofcardbetweenthetopofthebatteryandthemotorcontacttoturntherobotoff.

SteveHoefermakesthings,solvesproblems,andisthemainbrainbehindgrathio.com.

SensorSenseAbilityByCyTymony■IllustrationsbyMarkFrauenfelder

YOUWILLNEED

RCcarWatchbatteriesBuzzerWireLEDsSeltzertabletUniversalACadapter

WIRELESSREMOTEALARMSENSORMakedifferenttypesofalarmsandsensorswithacheapremotecontrolcar.Inexpensiveradio-controlledcarshavemanysneakyadaptation

possibilities.We’llusethecheapsingle-functiontypeofradio-controlledtoycar—thetypethatcontinuouslytravelsforwardonceit’sturnedonuntilyouactuateitsremotecontrol,causingittobackupandturn.Youcanmodifythetransmittertoamorecompactsize,andforuseasanalarmtrigger.You’llalsomodifythereceivertoactivateotherdevices,suchaslightsandbuzzers.

1.ThetransmitterisalwaysintheOffmodeuntilitsactivatorbuttonispressedoruntilwiresconnectedacrossthepush-buttonleadsareconnectedtogether.Thefirststepistoremovethecircuitboardfromthecase.Then,substitutelightweightwatchbatteriesforitsnormalbatterytype.ForeachAAorAAAbattery,useonesmall1.5Vwatchbatterytosupplythesamevoltageoutput.

2.Removetheradioreceiverfromthecar’schassis.Unlikethetransmitter,thereceivermuststayOninordertooperate.YoucanuseanACadapter(withthecorrectoutputvoltage)instead.

Thecarmotorisattachedtothereceiverwithtwowires.Ifyoudisconnectthemotorwires,thereceivercanbeusedformorepracticalpurposestoindicatethataremotesensorisactivated.LEDsandbuzzersareperfect.

3.Ifyouconnecttwowiresacrossthetransmitter’sactivatorbutton,youcanhaveanothersensororswitchactivatethetransmittertoalertyouofanentrybreachorthatyourvaluablesarebeingremoved,orthatyourbasementisflooding.

Here,twopaperclipsareattachedtothewires.Then,aseltzertabletisplacedbetweenthepaperclipswitharubberband.Ifwatergetsnearthe

wires,thetabletwilldissolveandtherubberbandwillcausethepaperclipstomakecontactandactivatethetransmitter.

CyTymony(sneakyuses.com)isaLosAngeles–basedwriterandistheauthorofSneakierUsesforEverydayThings.

Rear-ViewPowerSocketByDougWatson■IllustrationsbyJulieWest

YOUWILLNEED

12VpowerreceptacleIusedthePhilmoreTC600cigarettelighterplugsocketWire,2-conductor,insulated,20-gaugesolid,6"suchasbellwire.Or2lengthsofsingle-

conductorwireCableties(5)akaziptiesWirecutter/stripperSolderingironandsolderOhmmeterormultimeter

AGPSUNITISagreatcaraccessory,butthepowercordhangingacrossthedashboardisaneyesore.Manyvehicleshave12Vpowerattherear-viewmirror,witha2-wireplug.Tapintoittostraightenupyourview.

1.Wireyoursocket.UnscrewthePhilmorelightersockettorevealthelugs.Strip¼"ofinsulationoffallendsofyourwirepair.Solderonewiretothecenterlug(+),andtheotherwiretooneoftheouterlugs(–).Reassemblethesocket.

2.Checkpolarityofthemirrorplugwires.Makesureyourcaristurnedoff.Useyourohmmetertofindcontinuitybetweenaground(suchasthemetalhousingofthe12Vsocketinyourdash)andoneoftheexistingwiresatthe12Vmirrorplug.Thewirewithzeroresistanceistheground(–).

3.Connectyoursocket.Pushyoursocketwiresintothemirrorplug,(–)to(–)and(+)to(+),makingsuretheymakegoodcontact.Zip-tiethemtotheplugwiressotheystayput.(Forapermanentconnection,youcouldsolderthem.)Finally,zip-tieyournew12Vsocketsecurelyinitshidingplace.

Yournew12VsocketbehindthemirrorisreadytopoweryourGPSnavigationunit,radardetector,orothergadgetsthataresuction-cuppedtothewindshield.

NOTE:Ifyourmirrorlacksaplug,trytappingintoacourtesylightnearthemirror.

GoingFurtherTomountagadgetpermanently,youcouldsolderitswirestotheplug,withnosocket.ButIwantedmyGPStoberemovable.

DougWatson(planithome@mindspring.com)isafixerofallthingsbroken;sometimesthey’reevenimproved.Herecentlyenteredhis50s,andhisbrotherthinkshe'sfinallyplayingwithafulldeck.

AircraftBandReceiverByCyTymony■IllustrationsbyTimmyKucynda

YOUWILLNEED

AM/FMradioSmallPhillipsscrewdriverSmallflatheadscrewdriver

EXTENDINGTHERANGEOFYOURRADIOTheaircraftband,108to138MHz,isdirectlyabovetheFMband.ButaircraftsignalsarebroadcastinanAMformat.Amazingly,it’spossibletomodifyatypicalAM/FMradiotoreceiveaircraftsignalsintheproximityofanairport,withoutremovingoraddinganyparts!Here’show.

1.Identifytheradioparts.Useabattery-powered,inexpensive,analogradio.Removethebackcoverandlocatethemaintuningcapacitor(A).It’seasytofind—justturnthetuningdial,andyou’llseeitspartsmovethroughitsclearcase.

Nearthemaintuningcapacitoryoushouldseeoneortwosmallcoilsofcopperwire(B)mountedonthePCboard.Thesecoilsareusedtolimitthefrequencyrangeoftheradio.

Next,locatethetuningtransformers(C).Theylooklikesquare,metallicboxeswithtuningslotsinthetop.OneofthetuningtransformersmayhaveacoupleofsmalldiodesnearitmountedonthePCboard.Thisis

haveacoupleofsmalldiodesnearitmountedonthePCboard.Thisisthetuningtransformerthatyou’lladjust.ItsfunctionistofilteroutAMnoise.

2.Modifytheradio.TunetheradiotoanFMstationattheupperendoftheFMband.Noticewherethedialispositioned.

Spreadapartthesmallcoilsnearthemaintuningcapacitorusingasmallflatheadscrewdriver.Whenyoufinish,tunethedialandyou’llnoticethatthebroadcaststationshavemoveddownthedial.Theradioisnowabletoreceivestationswellabove108MHz.

Tunetheradiobetweenstationssoyoucanhearaslighthiss.Noticethepositionoftheslotonthetopofthetuningtransformerthatisnearthemaintuningcapacitor(nearesttothesmalldiodes).Slowlyturnitsscrewuntilthehisssoundisatitsmaximumlevel.Noteexactlyhowmanyturnsandinwhichdirectionyouturnthescrew,foreasyrepositioninglater.TheradioisnowabletoreceiveAMsignalsinitsnewlyexpandedFMband.

3.Testthemodifiedradio.

Replacetheradio’scover.Takeit—andthescrewdrivers—nearanairportduringapeakairtrafficperiod.TurntheradioontheFMbandwiththevolumeupandslowlyadjustthedial.Youshouldbeabletohearair-to-towertransmissions.Ifneeded,makeadjustmentstothetuningcoilsandthetuningtransformer.

CyTymony(sneakyuses.com)isaLosAngeles–basedwriterandistheauthorofSneakierUsesforEverydayThings.

SmartphoneSignalGeneratorByJacobBeningo■IllustrationsbyJulieWest

YOUWILLNEED

Stereoheadphoneplug,3.5mmWire,1-conductor,insulated,28-gaugesolid,8"orcustomlength(3)Insulatedalligator

clips,red(2)Insulatedalligatorclip,blackSmartdevicewithheadphonejack

ASIGNALGENERATORIShandytohavearoundthelab.It’sperfectfortestinginputsonanewhardwaredesign;useitwithanoscilloscopetoverifythebehaviorofyourcircuit.Turnasmartphoneintooneforlessthan$15!

1.Wiretheadapter.Unscrewthecapfromthe3.5mmplug.Strip¼"ofinsulationofftheendsofeachwire.Solderonewiretotheplug'slargetabfirst—thiswillbetheground.Thensoldereachoftheotherwirestothesmallerchanneltabs—thesewillbethesignalwires.Replacethecap.Eithersolderorscrewtheoppositeendofthegroundwiretotheblackalligatorclip.Thenconnectthe2redalligatorclipstothesignalwires.Makesuretoslidethealligatorclipinsulatordownthewirebeforehandsotheycanbereplacedaftersoldering.

2.Downloadsignalgeneratorapp.Downloadtheappropriatesignalgeneratorappforyourdevice.OniOS,SigGenisoneoption.OnAndroid,WaveformGeneratorisagreatapptouse.Theseappswillgeneratevariouswaveformsatdifferentfrequenciesandamplitudes.Theyrangeinpricefromfreetoacoupledollars.

3.Connectadaptertosmartphone.

Plugtheadapterintothephone.Connecttheclipstoyouroscilloscope,groundtogroundandthensignaltoinput.Turnheadphonevolumetomaximum.Starttheapplication.Selectthewaveform,amplitude,andfrequencyandstartgeneratingwaves!

GoingFurtherToprotecttheheadphonejack,asimplebuffercanbeaddedbetweentheadapterandthecircuit.Foranexample,andsuggestionsonhowtouseyoursignalgenerator,visit

JacobBeningo(jacob@beningo.com)isalecturerandconsultantonembeddedsystemdesign.He’san

avidtweeter,atipandtrickguru,ahomebrewconnoisseur,andafanofpineapple.What!

ShakerFlashlightModificationByCyTymony■IllustrationsbyTimmyKucynda

YOUWILLNEED

ShakerflashlightWireSmallPhillipsscrewdriverSolderingironSolder

ASHAKERFLASHLIGHTHASAbrightLED,aNiCadbattery,andanelectricalgeneratormadefromacoilofwireandacylindricalmagnet.Whenyoushaketheflashlight,themagnetslideswithinthecoiltochargethebattery.Shakerflashlightsprovideabout2to4.5voltsbutproduceaverylowoutputcurrent,sotherewillbelimitsontheirabilitytosupplypowertodevices.RecentlyWalgreensstoresofferedoneforjust$5.

1.Modifytheflashlight.Figure1showsthebasicpartsoftheflashlight—thecase,coil,magnet,battery,andprintedcircuitboard.UnscrewthelensassemblyandremovethescrewsthatsecurethePCboardtothecase.RemoveanLEDleadandsolder3wiresinplace(Figure2),soyoucanstillusetheflashlightnormallywhenyou’rethroughpoweringotherdevices.

Topoweradevice,connectthe2wiresattachedtotheflashlight’sPCboard,withthecorrectpolarity,tothedevice’sbatteryclips.Whenyouneedtousetheflashlightnormally,connecttheLEDwireandoneofthePCboardwirestogether(usecolor-codedwireorlabelsforeasyidentification).

identification).

2.Adaptadevicetoconnecttoflashlight.Selectadevicethatrequires1.5to3voltsatlowcurrent,likeasmallelectronicLCDvideogame.(I’manavidcollectorofthefreehandheldgamesthatfastfoodoutletssupplywithkids’meals.Theyrequireverylittlepowerifyouturnofftheirsoundoption.)Wrapthebareendsof2wirestightlyaroundtheclips.Figure3showstheelectronicgameconnectedtoyourshakerpowersupply.

3.Gofurther.AlargerNiCadbatterycanbesubstitutedformorecapacity.Youshouldbeabletopowerotherlow-currentdevicessuchasasmallWalkman-typeAMradio,travelclock,ormicroradio-controlcar.Youmightalso(possibly)usethemodifiedflashlightasanemergencycellphonepowersupply.

CyTymony(sneakyuses.com)isaLosAngeles–basedwriterandistheauthorofSneakierUsesforEverydayThings.

LEDThrowiesByGraffitiResearchLab■IllustrationsbyKirkvonRohr

YOUWILLNEED

10mmdiffusedLED,anycolor(s)20centseachfromHBElectronicComponents(LEDZ.com)

1"strappingtapeonerollwillmakemanythrowiesCR20323Vlithiumbatteries25centseachfromCheapBatteries.com½"x1"NdFeBdiscmagnet,Ni-Cu-Niplated25countfor$13fromAmazingMagnets

(amazingmagnets.com)Conductiveepoxy(optional)Weather-resistantalternativetotape.AvailablefromNewark

InOne(newark.com)

MAKEANDTOSSAbunchoftheseinexpensivelittlelightstoaddcolortoanyferromagneticsurfaceinyourneighborhood.

1.TesttheLED.PinchtheLED’sleadstothebatteryterminals,withthelongerlead(theanode)touchingthepositiveterminal(+)ofthebattery,andtheshorterlead(thecathode)touchingnegative(–).ConfirmthattheLEDlightsup.

2.TapetheLEDtothebattery.TapetheLEDleadstothebatterybycuttingoffa7"pieceofstrappingtapeandwrappingitoncearoundbothsidesofthebattery.Keepthetapeverytightasyouwrap.TheLEDshouldnotflicker.

3.Tapethemagnettothebattery.Placethemagnetonthepositiveterminalofthebattery,andcontinuetowrapthetapetightlyuntilit’salldone.Themagnetshouldholdfirmlytothebattery.That’sit—you’rereadytothrow(ormakeafewdozenmore).Throwituphighandinquantitytoimpressyourfriendsandcityofficials.

Athrowiewillshineforabout1-2weeks,dependingontheweatherandtheLEDcolor.Togetoneoffaferromagneticsurface,don’tpullit,oritmaycomeapart.Instead,applyalateralforcetothemagnetbase,andslideitoffthesurfacewhileliftingitwithafingernailortool.

NOTE:Thebattery’spositivecontactsurfaceextendsaroundthesidesofthebattery.Don’tlettheLED’scathodetouchthepositiveterminal,oryou’llshortthecircuit.

Throwiesnaturallychaintogetherinyourpocket,makingmulti-segmentedthrowiebugs,whichwillalsosticktometalsurfacesiftheyaren’ttoolong.

GraffitiResearchLab(graffitiresearchlab.com)isdedicatedtooutfittinggraffitiartistswithopensourcetechnologiesforurbancommunication.

CupSpeakerandMicrophoneByCyTymony■IllustrationsbyMarkFrauenfelder

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CupMagnetThininsulatedwire1⁄8"plugcableRadioormusicplayer(withearphonejack)

TURNACUPINTOaspeakerandamicrophone.Peopleseldomthinkaboutthecommondevicestheyuseeverydayandevenlessaboutadaptingthemforotherpurposes.Anyonecanlearnreal-lifeMacGyverismsusingeverydayitems—youjusthavetobealittlesneaky.

1.Turnacupintoaspeaker.Atypicalspeakerconsistsofacoilofwireattachedtoapaperconewithamagnetmountedcloseby.Whenanaudiosignaltravelsthroughthewire,itcreatesamagneticfield.Sincemagnetsattractandrepeleachother,thespeaker’smagnetcausesthecoiltopushandpullthepapercone.Thisrapidmotionvibratestheairtocreatesound.

Thisprojectillustrateshowtouseanordinarypaperorstyrofoamcup,wire,andamagnettocreateaSneakySpeaker.

Youcanuseanythinwireavailable(e.g.,fromanoldtelephonecord)anda1"plugcablefromanoldheadphonecable.Useastrongmagnetforthisproject(nottheweak,ceramictypeusedforrefrigeratormagnets).Arareearthmagnet,ifavailable,worksnicely.

First,wrap10ormoreturnsofthinwirearoundathickpenandusetapetokeepitintoacoilshape.Mountthecoilonthebackofthecupandaffixitwithtape.

Next,connectthecoilwirestothe1"plugcable.Inserttheplugintotheradio’searphonejack,andturnthevolumetomaximum.

Holdthemagnetneartheendofthecoil.Youshouldbeabletohearsoundsemanatingfromthecup.Ifnot,repositionthemagnetonthebackofthewirecoil.Onceyou’velocatedtheareathatprovidesmaximumvolume,tapethemagnettothebackofthecup.

2.Turnacupintoamicrophone.Justastheaudiosignalinthecoilnearthemagnetcanvibratethecuptoproducesound,youcanreversetheeffectandcreateaSneakyMicrophone.

ThisprojectusesthesamepartsandsetupastheSneakySpeakerbutsubstitutesataperecorderfortheradio.

Simplyinsertthe1"plugcableintothetaperecorder’smicrophonejack.Withablanktapeintherecorder,presstheRECORDbutton.Speakloudlyintothecuptorecordamessage.Rewindandplaybackthetape,andyou’llhearyourmessagerecordedwithyourSneakyMicrophone.

Howitworks:Byspeakingloudlyintothecup,youvibratethecoilnearthemagnet.Anelectricalaudiosignalisproducedinthewirethatcorrespondstoyourvoice.Thesignalisdetectedandamplifiedbythetaperecorder,whichrecordsitontape.

GoingFurtherTakeapartanoldspeakerandstudyitsdesignclosely.Experimentwithlongercoillengths.

Testtheprojectwithlargermagnetstoincreasethesoundlevel.Placethespeakerinthewirecoilandseewhatoccurs.Suspendthecupwithaclotheshangerframeandadhesivetape.Foraddedvolume,setupaspeakerarrayconnectedinparalleltothe1"plugcable.Placethewirecoilagainstthebackofyourearandbringthemagnetnearthecoil.

CyTymony(sneakyuses.com)isaLosAngeles–basedwriterandistheauthorofSneakierUsesforEverydayThings.

PaperClipRecordPlayerByPhilBowie■IllustrationsbyDamienScogin

YOUWILLNEED

Paperclip,standard#1sizePolystyrenefoampackingpeanut,rigidSandpaper,fine-grit

GOTATURNTABLETHATSTILLTURNS?Gotanoldvinylrecord?Makethispocketplayerinafewminutesforlessthanapenny.

1.Preparethepaperclip.Unbendthepaperclipandreshapeitintoahook.Usingfine-gritsandpaper,sandthelongendtoafairlyeven,slightlydullpoint.

2.Jointhepaperclipandfoampeanut.Insertthehook-shapedclipintothepeanutasshown.

3.Playarecord.Placeanold45rpmor33rpmLPrecord(oneyoudon’tcareaboutscratching)ontoaturntable,andturniton.Withoutpressingdowntoohard,carefullyholdthepointedendofthepaperclipinagrooveasshown.You’llhearthemusicreproducedinremarkablefidelity,astheclosedcellsinthefoampeanutactlikeaclusteroftinyamplifyingspeakers.

GoingFurtherFormellowersound,useasofter(butstillclosed-cell)foampeanut.Formorevolume,addanotherpeanutalongsidethefirstone,likeapeanutkabob,andapplyahairmoreplayingpressure.Formoresophistication,aswhenplayingclassicalselections,useanactualsteelrecordneedlewiththefoampeanut,availabledirt-cheaponline.

Toexperimentfurther,trystraighteningthepaperclipandtapingitfirmlytothesideofasmallpolystyrenedrinkingcupwithathin,translucent,plastictopsnappedontoit(ahalf-pintdeli-stylecontainerworkswell,too).Itmakesaremarkablyloudspeaker.

Don’thaveaturntable?TurnalazySusanintoamakeshiftturntable:oiltheballbearinginthebase,placeapieceofrubbernonskidshelflineronthetopsurface,andcentera45recordontop.Youhavetospinitfairlyfasttogetenoughrpm,butitdoeswork!

NOTE:It’simportanttoholdtheplayerbythepaperclipwiretogetthebestsound.Ifyouholdthepeanut,yourfingerstendtodampenthesound.

PhilBowieisalifelongfreelancerwith300magazinearticlespublished.HehasthreeacclaimedsuspensenovelsandashortstorycollectionavailableonAmazon.Visithimatwww.philbowie.com.

PiezoContactMicByJustinEmerson■IllustrationsbyJulieWest

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PiezodiscAudiocablesuchasa¼"guitarcableLow-poweredpracticeampHeat-shrinktubingwide

enoughtofitoverthepiezoGaffer’stapeSolderingironandsolderWirecutter/stripperScrewdriversmallHeatgunorhairdryerHotgluegunandglue

ACONTACTMICROPHONEISASMALLDEVICEthatcanbeusedtoamplifyacousticinstruments.Youdon’tsingortalkintoacontactmic.Asthenameimplies,itmakescontactwithasolidobjectandturnsmechanicalvibrationsintoelectricity.Becauseacontactmicdoesn'tpickupambientsoundsintheroom,itfocusesinononeinstrumentwithoutinterferenceorfeedback.

1.Aquireparts.Gatheroldtoysfromtheatticorthethriftstoreandpullouttheblippitybleepyones.Openthemuptoseeiftheyhaveapiezoelectricdiscora

bleepyones.Openthemuptoseeiftheyhaveapiezoelectricdiscoranormalspeaker.Hopefullyyou'llfindsomepiezos.Youwillneedtobreakapartsomeplasticbitstogetatthem—justbecarefulnottodamagethediscs.

2.Wireitup.Cuttheaudiocableinhalf.Nowyouhaveenoughcableandconnectorsfortwocontactmics!Stripoffabitofouterinsulationfromthecutendoftheaudiocable.Stripandtinthesignalandgroundwires.Desolderthetwopiezowireswheretheyconnecttothepiezo.Nowsolderthesignalandgroundwiresfromyouraudiocabletothosesamepointsonthepiezo.Dabsomehotglueonthebackofthepiezo,forstrength.Testitbypluggingthecableintoalow-poweredampandtappingonthepiezo.Youshouldhearthesoundoftheamplifiedtapping.

3.Finishitup.Useheat-shrinktubing,electricaltape,PlastiDip,orepoxytoinsulatethewires,thesolderconnections,andthepiezoitself.Usegaffer’stapetoattachthemictodifferentobjectslikecardboardboxesandpapercups,andacousticinstrumentslikeguitarsandkalimbas.Youmaygetafeedbackloopifthemicistooclosetotheamp;notnecessarilyabadthingifyou’reanoiseartist.Effectspedalscanbeusedtoflavorthesoundtoyourtaste.

JustinEmersonmakesexperimentalelectronicmusicwithhand-builtandmodifiedinstruments.Hisband,Burnkit2600(burnkit2600.com),performsandgivesworkshopsandpresentationsonthetopicsofcircuitbending,chiptune,andDIYelectronics.

$5SmartphoneProjectorByPhotojojo/DannyOsterweil■IllustrationsbyJulieWest

YOUWILLNEED

ShoeboxPaperclipSmartphoneMagnifyingglasswithlowmagnifyingpowerPencilX-ActoknifeElectricalorblackducttapeMatteblackspraypaintorblackpaperoptional

SLIDEPROJECTORSAREGREAT,BUTOUTDATED,anddigitalprojectorscostabundle.Fortunately,youcanshowoffyourmobilephotosandyourphonehacksavvybyturningyoursmartphoneintoaninexpensiveprojector.

1.Preparetheprojectorbox.Iftheinsideofyourshoeboxisabrightcolor,paintitblackortapeupsomeblackpaperforbestimagequality.»Onashortsideofthebox,tracetheouteredgeofyourmagnifyingglassandcutitout.»Forextendeduse,cutasmallholeatthebackofyourboxforyourphone’spowercord.Tapethemagnifyinglenssecurelyinplace,andmakesuretherearenoholestoletlightin.

2.Makeaphonestandandflipyourscreen.Bendyourpaperclipintoacellphonestand.»Whenlightpassesthoughthelens,itgetsflipped,sothepicturefromyourprojectorwillcomeoutupside-down.FortheiPhonegotoSettings>General>AccessibilityandturnonAssistiveTouch.Onceactivated,alittlewhiteorbwillpopopenthatyoucandragaroundthescreen.ClickontheorbandgotoDevice>RotateScreen.ThiswillallowyoutoflipapplicationslikethePhotosapp,whichwouldnormallyrotateitselfrightside-up.ForAndroidphonesopentheSettingsmenu,thenselectDisplayundertheDeviceheading,thenselect“Screenrotation”andturnoffthescreenrotationswitchtodisablescreenrotation.

3.Findyourfocus.Projectontoabarewhitewalloranotherflat,whitesurface.»Positionyourphoneinitsstandnearthebackoftheboxandwalktheboxforwardorbackwarduntiltheimagestartstocomeintofocus.Fine-tunethefocusbymovingthephoneforwardorbackwardinthebox.»Setyourphone’sphotoapptoslideshowmodeforahands-freeexperience.»Ifdesired,putthepowercordthroughtheholeinthebackoftheboxandsealwithabitoftape.»Forbestviewing,turnthescreenbrightnessofyourphoneallthewayup,putontheboxtop,coveranywindows,andturntheroomlightsdown.

ThankstoInstructablesuserMattBothellforinspiringthisproject!

Photojojoisonamissiontomakephotographymorefunforeveryone!Itpublishesaninsanelygreatnewsletterandcarriesonlythemostawesomephotogiftsandgearforphotographers.photojojo.com

HypsometerByCyTymony■IllustrationsbyJulianHonoré/p4rse.com

YOUWILLNEED

DrinkingstrawCalculatorPenTapeLargepaperclipScissorsandholepunch6"×8"pieceofcardboardorathickplasticbagRulerwithinchandcentimetermarkings

WANTTOKNOWTHEheightofapersonorbuilding?Usingsimpletrigonometricprinciples,youcancloselyestimatetheheightofobjectswithaneasy-to-makehypsometer(hypsmeansheightinGreek).

1.Makeit.Tapethestrawalongthetopofthecard.Punchasmallholeintherightsideofthecard,10cmfromthebottom.Straightenthepaperclip,bendoneendintoasmallhook,andhangitintheholesoitswingsfreely.Next,writenumbers0to12,1cmapart,fromrighttoleftacrossthebottomofthecard,startingwith0directlybeneaththehangingpaperclip,proceedingleftwardto12.Here’satip:Ifyouuseathickplasticbaginsteadofthecard,yourhypsometercanberolledupandcarriedinyourpocket.

2.Testit.Standing10'away,lookthroughthestrawatthetopofafriend’shead.Whenyoutiltyourhead(andthehypsometer),thepaperclipwillmoveleftwardatanangleasgravitykeepsitpointingdownattheground.InFigure2,itpointstonumber1.

Bymeasuringyourdistancefromanobject(incentimeters)andtheangleoftiltindicatedbyyourhypsometer,youcancalculateyourfriend’sheight.

3.Calculateit.You’llneed2morenumbersforyourcalculation:theheightofthecard(10cm),andtheheightofyoureyeline,measuredfromtheground.Youcanalsomeasurefromthetopofyourhead,thensubtractthisnumberfromyourheight.Forinstance,ifyou’re5'8"tallandyoureyesare4"fromthetopofyourhead,youreyelineis5'4",or164cm,offtheground.

Metricmeasurementsaremucheasiertocalculatewithahypsometer,becausemetricisabase10system.Useametricruler,orwriteequivalentsonyourhypsometerasshowninFigure3.

Multiplythedistancetoyourfriend(10'or305cm)bytheanglenumberindicatedbythepaperclip(1),thendividebythecardheight(10);inthis

indicatedbythepaperclip(1),thendividebythecardheight(10);inthiscase,youget30.5.Addthistoyoureyelineheight(164cm),foratotalof194.5cm.That’sabout6'3"tall.

Nowtestyourhypsometerwithobjectsofunknownheight,suchasdoors,walls,andbuildings,tocalibrateitandsharpenyourmeasuringskills.

CyTymony(sneakyuses.com)isaLosAngeles–basedwriterandistheauthorofSneakierUsesforEverydayThings.

CurieEngineByJohnIovine■IllustrationsbyDustinHostetler

YOUWILLNEED

Abitoflow-Curienickelalloy1”wire,orlargerneodymium“supermagnet”CopperwireBirthdaycandleBrassscrewandnutSmallsteelplateGlueorwoodscrews4"×¾"woodenslat2"×1¼"×½"woodblockNickelwireandmagnet,orafullkit,areavailableforpurchaseat

makezine.com/go/heatengine

CHANGINGTHETEMPERATUREOFNICKELWIREturnsheatintomotion.

1.Putittogether.Glueorscrewthesteelplateand4"slattothewoodblockbaseasshownbelow.Drillapilothole,andscrewthebrassscrewatthetopoftheslat.Drilla¼"holeinthebaseabout7/16"fromthesteelplateend.Forcompletemeasurements,gotothewebsitelistedabove.

Wrapabout1"ofnickelalloywirearoundapenciltomakeacoil.Take4"ofcopperwire,andtwistthecoilontooneend.Makea90°bendinthecopperwire1½"downfromtheendwiththecoil,andcuttheotherendsothere’s1"afterthebend.Hookthewirebendontothebrassscrew,withthecoilonthesidenearerthesteelplate.

2.Testthewireandmagnet.Placetheneodymiummagnetontothemetalplate.Thewireshouldswinguptomeetthemagnet,pulledbythenickelalloycoil.Pushdownandreleasethewire,anditshouldswingbackup.Insertabirthdaycandleinthebase,andadjustthemagnetpositionandwiresothecoilissuspendedabovethewick.

3.Lightthecandle.Thewireshouldswingdownanduprepeatedly,outofandbackintothecandleflame.Likeordinaryironorsteel,thenickel-ironalloyismagnetic,butithasamuchlowerCuriepoint—thetemperatureabovewhichitlosesitsmagneticproperties.(Thecopperwireandbrassscrewarenotmagnetic.)Whenthecoilheatsuptothispoint,itisnolongerattractedtothemagnet,soitfallsawayandoutoftheflame.Asitcools,itbecomesmagneticagainandswingsbackup,overandoveragain,untiltheflame

magneticagainandswingsbackup,overandoveragain,untiltheflameburnstoolowtotouchthecoil.

JohnIovineisascienceandelectronicstinkerer.Hehaspublishedbooksandarticles,andheownsandoperatesImagesSIInc.(imagesco.com).Tolearnmoreaboutthistopicvisit:imagesco.com/articles/heatengine/HeatEngine.html

SoundSuckerByWilliamGurstelle■IllustrationsbyDamienScogin

YOUWILLNEED

BoilingwaterGelatindessertmixsuchasJell-O,Knox,etc.Coffeestirrers,plastic,thin,hollow,5½"long(1box)Mug,large,flat-bottomedFrequencygenerator(optional)orfrequencygeneratorsmart-deviceappBowSpoonMeasuringcup

USINGTHIS“SOUNDSUCKER”DEVICEallowsyoutoexperienceacurioussensation:it’sasifsoundisnotonlybeingblocked,butactuallysuckedawayfromyourear.Thesoundsuckerworksonanarrowrangeoffrequencies.Mytesting

showeditmosteffectiveafewcyclestoeithersideof660Hz(dependingontheamountofgelatin),andtheeffectismostnoticeableinaroomwithawidespectrumofambientnoisefrequencies.

Canyouexplainthisacousticphenomenon?Orbetteryet,canyoudrawasimplediagramshowinghowyouthinkitworks?

1.Startcookin’.Preparethegelatinaccordingtoboxdirections.Beforeitsets,reserveabouta¼cupoftheliquidfortheproject.

2.Packyourmug.Pourthe¼cupofgelatinintothemug.Placecoffeestirrersinthemug,packingitasdenselyaspossible.Whendone,itlookssomethinglikethecompoundeyeofaninsect.

3.Letitset.Placethestirrer-packedmugintherefrigeratoruntilthegelatinsets.Theideaisthatthegelatinsealsthebottomtipofeachstirrer.

SuckUptheSoundInaplacewithmedium-to-loudambientnoise,holdthemugnexttoyourear,tiltedsidewayssotheopeningisfacingyourear.Ifthere’senoughsoundinthe660Hzrange,you’llnoticeasuddendrop-offinacousticenergy(noise)whenyoubringthesoundsuckernear.

Ifyouhaveafrequencygenerator,testarangeoffrequencies.Besidesthe660Hztone,italsoattenuatessomehigherfrequencies.

Make:contributingeditorWilliamGurstelleistheauthorofthe“RemakingHistory”columnaswellaspopularDIYbooksincludingBackyardBallisticsandThePracticalPyromaniac.

SneakyUVInkPasswordProtectorByCyTymony■IllustrationsbyDamienScogin

YOUWILLNEED

Invisibleink(UV)markingpenUVLEDPaperOption1:WidebarrelpenCoincellbatteryTapeOption2:LEDpocketlightScrewdriverOption3:Spareremotecontrol

WITHSOMANYCOMPUTERpasswordstorememberthesedays,it’snecessarytosafelystorethemsomewhere—butnotinacomputerfile.Sowhere?Writethemwithanultraviolet(UV)invisibleinkpensotheinformation

can’tbeseenbythenakedeye.OnlyshiningaspecialUVlightonthepasswordswillrevealthem.Usepaperwithwrittenmaterialalreadyonit,sopeoplethinkthevisiblewordsareallthat’sthere.

ButhowdoyoupreventsomeoneelsefromusingyourUVlight?Byhidingittoo!Hereare3waystorenderyourUVlightunfindabletothecasualsnooper.

1.HideacoincellbatteryandUVLED.GetaUVLED(availableonlineforunder$1)andasmallwatchbattery(youcouldremovethemfromastandardUVLEDlightset).Wrapthemtogetherwithtape,andhidetheminsideawide-barrelpen.Ifneeded,youcanretrievetheparts,squeezethebatterybetweentheLED’slegs,andcheckyourpasswords.

2.InstallaUVLEDinanLEDpocketlight.UseascrewdrivertoopenanLEDpocketlight.RemovethestandardLEDandreplaceitwithaUVLED.Nowshinetheinvisiblebeamatyourmessagetorevealit.Thismethodworkswell,butsomeonemightbesuspiciousthatyoukeepa“nonworking”LEDpocketlightaround.

3.HideyourUVLEDinaremotecontrol.Tobereallysneaky,substituteaUVLEDfortheinfraredLEDfoundina

TVorDVDremotecontrol.Useadiscardedremote,orbuyauniversalremotefromadollarstore.Ifpeopletrytousetheremote,theyprobablywon’tdetectanythingunusual,becausearemotedoesn’tmakeabrightlightanyway!

CyTymony(sneakyuses.com)isaLosAngeles–basedwriterandistheauthorofSneakierUsesforEverydayThings.

PartIV:HomeandOutdoors

EASY1+2+3PROJECTSCANBEPRACTICALANDUSEFUL,aswellasfun.Theprojectsthatfollowincludetipsandtricksforthekitchen,usefulideasforfurnitureanddécor,andsuggestionsforrecyclingandreusingthingsthatmightotherwiseendupaslandfill.

CorkyMorkisalifelongMakerwhosemanyinterestsrangefromLEDprojectswithmicrocontrollerstobackyardrailroading.In“StudChair,”heoutlineshowtomakeasturdychairoutofasingle2x4board.

RegularMake:magazinereaderswillknowthatoneofthefavoritebuildingmaterialsofMakerseverywhereisgood-oldPVCpipe.Afterall,it’sversatile,strong,andeconomical!Thestandardwhitepipegetsalittleboringthough.That’swhySeanMichaelRagandemonstratesamethodforcreatingalittlevarietyin“StainPVCAnyColor.”

Ourprolific“DIYHacksandHowTos"authorJasonPoelSmithcontributesaquintetofcleverprojects.The“ClothesFoldingBoard”willhelpyouputawayyourfreshlylaunderedshirtsquicklyandefficiently.His“CustomSodaCooler”istheperfectsummerpicniccompanion.Tryingtosprayhard-to-reachareascanbefrustrating,butJason’s“OmnidirectionalSprayBottle”hacksolvestheproblem.“KeyboardRefrigeratorMagnets”suggestsawaytoreuseoldcomputerequipmentthatmaygiveyoumoreideasalongsimilarlines.Andhis“RealisticDuctTapeRose”demonstratesonceagaintheunendingversatilityofducttapewiththeperfecthandyman’svalentine.

In“BoxFanBeefJerky,”Make:magazineengineeringinternPalomaFautleypassesalongatastytechniqueforturningaboxfanandsomeairfiltersintoafooddehydrator.YouTube’sCoolGadgetGuyTomFoxhasaniftybakingtipthathesharesin“BurntCookieDeflector.”You’llneveragainmakecookieswithoutit!

DesignengineerGusDassiosreturns(see“DicePopper”earlierinthisbook)withtwousefulideas.“PaperClipPaperHolder”presentsahandydesktophelpermadefromametalcoathanger,while“World’sCheapestMonopod”fashionsaquickandeasycamerastandfromabroomstick.

Monopod”fashionsaquickandeasycamerastandfromabroomstick.

“Skip”Areyusuallyfavorsmechanicalorelectronicsprojectsrelatingtohistwomainhobbies—bicyclingandamateurradio.Butthe“TrashCanComposter”projecttiesintohispassionforscroungingandrepurposing.He’llshowyouhowtoturnanoldtrashcanintoacompostingcanisterforcreatingrich,freshsoil.

You’llfindalltheseandevenmorehandyhouseholdprojectsinthepagesthatfollow.

StudChairByCorkyMork

YOUWILLNEED

Dimensionallumber,2×4,8'lengthstraightandsmooth,withasfewknotsaspossible.Anominal2×4actuallymeasures1½"×3½"

Drywallscrews,15⁄8"(32)WoodglueSawIrecommendatablesaworbandsaw,thoughaportablecircularsaworevena

handsawcouldworkifyou’recarefulDrillwith1⁄8"twistbitandPhillipsscrewdriverbitsSquareoptional

RECENTLY,ATMYLOCALHOMECENTERIstoppedtolookatthe2×4studs.Theycostjustafewdollars,andIoftentakeafewhome“justtohave.”They’rehandyforworkbenchlegs,sawhorses,shelving,mailboxposts,temporarystaging,andmanyotheruses.Igottothinking,WhatcouldImakewithjustone8'2×4?Igotoutmy

sketchpadandworkeditthrough...Yes!Icoulddoit.

Isettoworkwithmytablesaw,andinlessthananhour,Ihadaperfectlyserviceablechair!It’snottheprettiestormostcomfortable,butforthepriceinmaterialsandeffort,it’shardtobeat.

1.Cutthe2×4.Cutthe2×4into132"and416"lengths,thenripthesepieceslengthwise.Thefollowingripmeasurementsassumea1⁄8"kerf.

Ripthe32"pieceintothirds(13⁄32"thick)forthelegs,thencutoneoftheseinto216"legs.Ripthe16"piecesinto8slats11⁄16"thick.

2.Screwandglue.Asquarecanhelpkeepthings,well,squareduringassembly.Foreachjoint,squareitup,drillpilotholestoavoidsplitting,andassemblewithglueand2drywallscrews.Thegluewillhelpkeepthechairfromracking(twistingoutofsquare),especiallyonthelegjoints.

Firstbuildthe2sideframes;oneismirroredfromtheother.Addslatstothefrontandtheseatback,thenaddtheseatslats.

3.Finishit,ornot.Youcanpaint,stain,anddecorateyourchairanywayyoulike.Ikeptmyfirstoneaunaturelandleftitoutdoorstodeveloparusticlook.

IllustrationandphotobyCorkyMork

Whatcanyoumakewithan8'2×4?Maybeabetterchair?Atable?Orwhat?

CorkyMork(tiny.cc/corkysprojects)hasbeenaMakersincehewaskid.Inadditiontowoodworking,heenjoysworkingwithmicrocontrollers,stageeffects,toys,andoutdoorprojects,includingakid-poweredbackyardrailroad.

StainPVCAnyColorBySeanMichaelRagan■IllustrationsbyDamienScogin

YOUWILLNEED

NitrileglovesSafetygogglesPVCcleanerCheckthelabelandmakesureitcontainstetrahydrofuran.IusedOatey

ClearCleaner,aproductusedtopreparePVCpipeforgluing.Volumetricpipette,measuring1mLSolventdyeIfoundRekhaoilRedHF(SolventRed164),RekhaoilYellowHF(Solvent

Yellow126),andRekhaoilBlue(SolventBlue98)oneBaybysearching“petroleumdye.”

PapertowelsBentwirehanger(optional)

PVCPIPEISGREAT,butit’skindaugly—itonlycomesinwhite,gray,sometimesblack,andclear.Sure,youcanpaintit,butpaintcanflakeandcanscrewupdimensionaltolerances.Staindoesn’tflakeoraddthickness,sothepieceswillstillfittogether.

1.Mixthestain.Visitmakezine.com/projects/make-30/stain-pvc-any-color-you-like/foralistofdye-to-PVC-cleanerratiosforred,orange,yellow,green,blue,indigo,violet,brown,andblack.

Usingyourpipette,drawuptherequiredvolumeofeachdyeandtransferittothePVCcleanercontainer.Becarefulnottocross-contaminatethedyes.Notethatsolventdyesareverystrong;1ouncegoesalongway.

Closethecanlidtightly.Wipeoffanystrayliquidontheoutsideofthecan.Gentlyshakeforabout15secondstomix.

CAUTION:Workinawell-ventilatedworkspaceandwearglovesandgoggleswhenhandlingthesolventordye.

2.Applythestain.YoucanuseaholderforthePVC,suchasapieceofbentwirehanger.Generouslyslatherthestainontothepipeusingthecleanercan’sbuilt-inapplicator.Workquickly,smoothingoutstreaksbeforetheyhavetimetodry.

3.Dryandtest.Thesolventwilldryquickly—anhourwillbemorethanenough.Oncedry,thestainedPVCshouldbeabletopassa“whiteglovetest”andnottransferevenasmallamountofcolortoanythingthattouchesit.

NOTE:Dyescanfadeovertime;tryusinglight-fastdyesoraddingUVstabilizers.

SeanMichaelRaganisdescendedfrom5,000generationsoftool-usinghominids.Alsohewenttocollegeandstuff.

ClothesFoldingBoardByJasonPoelSmith■IllustrationsbyAndrewJ.Nilsen

YOUWILLNEED

CardboardDucttapeRulerormeasuringtapeSharpknifeorscissors

FOLDINGCLOTHESISAboringandlaboriouschore.SoItriedtofigureoutawaytospeeduptheprocessusingmaterialsthatIhadlyingaround.Mysolutionwastomakeafoldingboardoutofcardboardandducttape,liketheonesusedtofoldshirtsatretailstores.

1.Cutoutthepanels.Tomakeafoldingboard,you’llneed6cardboardpanels.Eachpanelshouldhavethedimensionsofafoldedshirt.

Sofoldoneshirtbyhandandmeasureitsdimensions.Thencutout6piecesofcardboardthissize.

2.Assembletheboard.Laythecardboardpanelsonthefloorin2rowsof3.Spacethemoutsothatthere’sa¼"gapbetweeneachpiece.Next,tapethe3panelsinthetoprowtogether.

Thenindividuallytapeeachpanelinthetoprowtothepanelbelowit.

Thenindividuallytapeeachpanelinthetoprowtothepanelbelowit.

Turnthewholeassemblyoverandapplytapetothebackofallthesesamegaps.

Pressthe2sidesoftapetogethertosealthem.

3.Usethefoldingboard.Placethefoldingboardonyourworksurface.Thenlayashirtfacedownontopofit.

Foldonesidepaneloverandback.

Thenfoldtheothersideoverandback.

Lastly,foldupthebottomcenterpanel.Youshouldnowhaveaperfectlyfoldedshirt.Thistoolcandrasticallyspeedupthefoldingprocess,andeveryshirtwillbeuniformlyfolded.

Seethehow-tovideoandmorephotosatmakezine.com/go/diy-clothes-folding-board.

JasonPoelSmithmakesthe“DIYHacksandHowTos”projectvideoseriesonMake:.Heisalifelongstudentofallformsofmaking,andhisprojectsrangefromelectronicstocraftsandeverythinginbetween.

GiveOldWorkJeansNewLegsByGregoryHayes■IllustrationsbyJulieWest

YOUWILLNEED

PairofjeansFabricscissorsStraightpinsSewingmachineUpholsterythread

DON’TLETATORNseamdoomyourveteranworkjeanstothelandfill.Withjustafewstitches,theycanreturntotheworkshopwithhonorasahandsome,durabletoolwrapforwrenches,chisels,andthelike.

1.Cut‘em.Startingatthepantcuff,cutupthelengthoftheinseam,stayingquiteclosetothetuckededgeoftheseam.Whenyoureachthecrotchseam,turn90°andcutaroundtheleg;takecarenottocutthroughanypocketsincaseyoudecidetorepurposemorethanjustthelegs.

2.Fit‘em.Withoneflapofthelegmaterialopen,layoutyourtoolsevenlywith

Withoneflapofthelegmaterialopen,layoutyourtoolsevenlywithelbowroomforeasyrolling,thenpegbetweenthemwithstraightpins.Iftheleg'stoolongforallyourtools,trimtheexcess(orgetmoretools).

3.Stitch‘em.Removethetools,thenstraightstitchonyoursewingmachineintheplacesyoupinned,usingupholsterythread.Togetthetopflaptoalwaysfoldthesameway,stitchalongthefoldedtopedge.Ifthepocketsaretoodeepforsometools,addastitchtoshallowthosepockets.Foraddedfinishanddurability,foldoverandstitchalledges;foraroughlook,don’tstitchanythingyoudon’tneedto.

GoingFurtherTrimoutthewaistband(includingzipper)tocreateabuttoningstraptosecuretherollarounditstop.Formoreideasvisitmakezine.com/projects/make-34/123-give-old-work-jeans-new-legs/.

NOTE:Testwhetheryourtoolswilleasilypullfreeandrollupbeforesewing.

GregoryHayeswranglesphotosforMake:andknowslotsofotherwaystodestroygoodjeans.

CustomSodaCoolerByJasonPoelSmith■IllustrationsbyAndrewJ.Nilsen

YOUWILLNEED

VinylsheetIusedavinyltablecloth.FlexiblefoamsheetsuchascraftfoamSewingmachineorsprayglueVelcroorazipper

SUMMERISHOT.Sowhynotmakeacustomcoolertokeepyourdrinkscold!Here’showtomakeaflexiblecoolerthatperfectlyfitsa12-packofsoda.Takethewholepackoutofthefridge,slipitintoyourcustomcooler,andgo.

1.Makethesides.Startbydeterminingtheshapeofyourcooler.Tracetheoutlineofeachsideontothefoam.Thencutouteachoutline.

Applyagenerousamountofspraygluetoonesheetofvinyl.Thenstickonthefoamcutouts,spacingthemoutbyatleast1".

Applyspraygluetoasecondsheetofvinylandstickthatontop.

Dryovernight,thencutout.

2.Assemblethecoolerbody.Layoutthesectionsastheywillbeassembled,andglueorsewthepiecestogether.

Afterattachingthesidestogether,trimtheseamstonomorethan½".

3.Invertandaddaclosure.Carefullyturnyourcoolerinsideout,sothatalltheseamsareontheinside.Ifyou’reworriedaboutbreakingaweakseam,youcansecure

inside.Ifyou’reworriedaboutbreakingaweakseam,youcansecureyourseamswithbinderclipsbeforeinvertingthecooler.

Finally,addazipperorvelcrothatwillholdtheopeningofthecoolerclosed.Attachthisbygluingorsewingitinplace.You’rereadytochill.

Seestep-by-stepphotosandvideoandshareyourcoolerdesignsatmakezine.com/go/custom-cooler.

JasonPoelSmithmakesthe“DIYHacksandHowTos”videoseriesonMake:.Heisalifelongstudentofallformsofmaking,andhisprojectsrangefromelectronicstocraftsandeverythinginbetween.

PaperClipPaperHolderByGusDassios■IllustrationsbyDamienScogin

YOUWILLNEED

WireclotheshangerorotherstiffwirePaintandprimer(optional)WirecuttersorhacksawLineman’spliers

FileElectricaltapeBenchviseoranotherwayofmakingacleanbendPaperclip(optional)

WHAT’SBETTERATHOLDINGpaperthanapaperclip?Abiggerpaperclip!Here’saverysimpleprojectthatwascompletedinabout5minutes.Findingthepartsandtoolstooklonger!

1.Cutthewire.Cuta15"lengthofstiffwire.Wirecuttersmakethecuteasy,butasmallhacksawwillwork,too.

Youcanusethebottomofawireclotheshanger,sothatyoudon’thavetostraightenoutanyofthebends.Naturally,alongerlengthwillmakealargerclipandashorterlengthwillmakeasmallerclip.

Filethesharpendsuntilsmooth.

2.Benditintoapaper-clipshape.Lookatanormalpapercliptohelpyoudeterminewhereandhowtomakeyourbends.

Someonewithstronghandsshouldbeabletobendthewirewithoutanytools,butlineman’spliersmakeiteasiertotwistthewireintoalargeversionofatraditionalpaperclip.

Wrapsomeelectricaltapearoundtheteethoftheplierssotheydon’tdigintothewiretoomuch.

3.Makea90°bend.Forthefinalbend—requiredsothattheclipcanbefreestanding—useavise.Securethebottomquarteroftheclipinthevise,andthenbendthetopoverintoa90°bend.

Afterremovingtheclipfromthevise,benditbyhandanother10°farther,sothatitwon’ttipovereasily.

Ifthecoatingremainsintactontheclotheshangerwire,you’refinished.Ifyouchippedthecoatingduringthebendingprocess,orifyouusedbaremetalwire,youcanprimeandpaintyourpaperclippaperholder.

GusDassioslives,designs,andbuildsinToronto,Ontario.

OmnidirectionalSprayBottleByJasonPoelSmith■IllustrationsbyJulieWest

YOUWILLNEED

Spraybottle,16ozorbiggerFlexibletubing,1⁄8"ID,¼"OD,suchasaquariumairlineStainlesssteelnuts,¼"(5)ScissorsGlue(optional)

MODIFYASPRAYBOTTLEsoitworkswhenheldatanyangle.Ifyoureplacethehardsuctiontubewithflexibletubingandaweightontheend,thetubingwillnaturallyfalltothelowestpointofthecontainer.

1.Cutthetubestolength.Cuttheoriginalspraybottletube,leavingabout1"stickingoutpastthescrewcap.Thencuttheflextubingabout1"longerthanthecutportionoftheoriginaltube.

2.Attachthe2cuttubes.Thesuctiontubeonatypicalspraybottlehasanouterdiameterbetween1⁄8"and¼",sotheflextubingshouldmakeagoodsealwithoutanyadhesive.Slideitontotheoriginaltubeuntilyougetafirmseal,withatleast¼"ofoverlap.

Ifyoudon'tgetasatisfactoryseal,useglue.Withbothtubescleananddry,applyathinlayerofgluearoundthelower½"oftheoriginaltube.Slidetheflextubingontotheoriginaltube,overlappingbyatleast½",andslowlytwisttheflextubetohelpspreadtheglueevenly.Lettheadhesivecompletelycurebeforecontinuing.

3.Addtheweight.Twistanutontotheendoftheflextubingandturnthesprayerupsidedowntoseehowlowthetubehangs.Addnutsuntilthetubehangsalmostdowntothecap.Thestifferthetubing,themorenutsyou’llneed.Iused5.

UseIt.Fillthebottlewithliquidandenjoysprayingup,down,andupsidedown!

Ifthetubegetsstuck,givethebottleagentleshake.

JasonPoelSmithisahelicoptertoolingengineer.Whenhe’snotinventing,he’sspendingtimewithhisamazingfamily.

BurntCookieDeflectorByThomasR.Fox■IllustrationsbyDamienScogin

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Aluminumfoilheavy-dutyCookiesheetroughlythesamesizeasthecookiesheetyouusetobakethecookieson

PROBABLYTHETOUGHESTPARTOFBAKINGgreat-tastingcookiesisavoidingahard,burntbottom!Whiletheproblemcouldbethattheoven’sthermostatisinaccurate,thecauseismorelikelythatinfraredradiationisstrikingthebottomofthebakingsheet,whichheatsitseveralhundreddegreeshotterthantheoven’sairtemperature.Thisreallyhotbakingsheetiswhatburnsthebottomsofthecookies.Tosolvetheproblem,keepthebakingsheetascoolaspossibleby

usingaradiationdeflectorshield,madebycoveringasecondbakingsheetwithshinyaluminumfoil.

1.Cutthefoil.Cutalengthoffoil8"longerthanthecookiesheet(or2lengthsifyoursheetiswiderthanthefoil).

2.Coverthebakingsheet.Centerthefoiloverthebakingsheet,shinysideup,soyouhave4"ofoverlaponeachend,andsecureitinplacebyfoldingtheextrafoilaroundthebottomofthesheet.

3.Setinsideoven.Placetheovenrackforthecookiesinthemiddlepositionoftheoven,andmovethedeflectorracktothelowestposition.

Invertthenewlymadedeflectorsothefoilsidefacesdownandthebottomofthecookiesheetfacesup,andplaceitonthelowestrack.

Oncethecookiesarereadyfortheoven,simplyplacethebakingsheetontherackabovethedeflector.There’snoneedtoadjustoventemperatureorbakingtime.

HowItWorksInanelectricoven,theheatingelementgetscloseto1500°Fandradiatesintenseinfraredtothecookiesheet.Inagasoven,theburnerdoesnotgetquitehotasanelectricelement;but,evenwithgas,itisn'tuncommontogetburntcookiebottoms!Theshield’sheatcapacity(amountofheatenergyneededtochangeabody'stemperature)protectsthebottomofthecookiesheetfromthemostintenseinfraredradiation.

PhotobyTomFox

TomFox(magiclandfarms.com)isabookauthorandmagazineeditor.

BoxFanBeefJerkyByPalomaFautley■IllustrationsbyJulieWest

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BeefMarinadeKnifeKitchencontainerorplasticbagsformarinatingAirfilters,nonfiberglass(3-4)forfurnace

orairconditionerBungeecordBoxfan

JERKYISTHEON-THE-GOSNACKthathasfueledNativeAmericans,pioneers,andastronautsalike.Andit’seasytomakeathome.Thismethod,popularizedbyAltonBrown,usesanordinaryboxfanandairfilterstodrythemeat.

PalomaFautley

1.Sliceit.Buyyourdesiredcutofbeef(sirloinisagoodchoice),andsliceitintothinstripsusingalong,thinblade.

2.Marinateit.Chooseamarinadeandletthemeatsoakintherefrigeratorfor6–8hours.Makesuretoincludeingredientsthathelpthemeatstaymoistand

hours.Makesuretoincludeingredientsthathelpthemeatstaymoistandtender.Honeyisagoodchoice.

3.Dryit.Removethemeatfromthemarinadeandpatdrywithapapertowel.Placethestripsontopofalarge,cleanairfilter(makesureitcontainsnofiberglass).Continuestackingmeatandfiltersuntilyourunoutofmeat.Placeonefinalairfilterontopandputthestackoffiltersonaboxfan.Useabungeecordtosecurethefilters,thenturnonthefan.

Letthefanrunandenjoythatsweet,sweetmeatsmellfor8–12hours.Oncethemeatisdehydrated,enjoy!

Checkoutstep-by-stepphotosat:makezine.com/projects/box-fan-beef-jerky.

PalomaFautleyiscurrentlypursuingadegreeinroboticsengineeringandhasawiderangeofinterests,frombakingtopyrotechnics.

TrashCanComposterByThomasJ.Arey■IllustrationsbyDamienScogin

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TrashcanwithlidDrillwith1"spadebit

ILIKETOPICKthingsoutoftrashcansandreusecastawayitems.Here,Irepurposethetrashcanitselftofacilitaterecyclingorganicwasteintobeneficialcompost.Commercialcompostingcanisterscanbecostly,butthey’resimplya

placetoallownaturalmicrobialprocessestoconvertwastematterintoadark,fresh-smellingsoil.Commercialversionsallowairandsomewatertogetin,andsometimesawaytomix.

Mosthometrashcansfailwhenpartofthebottomwearsaway,leavingahole.Suchatrashcanisperfectforthisproject,sincewe’rejustgoingtoaddmoreholesanyway.

1.Cleanthetrashcan.Scrubthetrashcanthoroughlyinsideandouttoensurethatnoinorganicwasteremains.Ifyou’resqueamishaboutthis,buyanewone.

It’shelpfulbutnotnecessarytohavealid.Iftheoriginallidhasgonemissing,I’llleaveittoyoutocomeupwithanothersolution.

2.Drillairholes.Useadrillwitha1"spadebittomakeairholes.Spacetheholesabout3"to4"apartoverallsidesofthetrashcan.Drillplentyofholes,butdon’tcompromisethestructuralintegrityofthetrashcan.Avoidthecornerstomaintainthetrashcan’sstrength.Drillholesonthebottomtohelpwithdrainage.

3.Startcomposting.Theoriesaboutcompostingareasnumerousastheholesyouhavedrilled.Generalrules:

▶Keepthecompostmaterialdamp,notwet.▶Mixbrownmaterial(suchasleaves)inwithgreenmaterial(suchasgrassclippings).▶Useuncookedfoodscraps;nomeat.▶Don’tallowpetwasteoranythingtreatedwithpesticidesintoyourcomposter.▶Turnthecompostmaterialregularly.Ifyourcanhasatight-fittinglid,youcanlayitonitssideandrollitaroundontheground.

TIP:Nothinggoestowasteinthisproject!The1"cutoutsmadebythespadebitcanbeusedasinsulatingwashersinotherprojects.

T.J.“Skip”Areyhasbeenafreelancewritertotheradio/electronicshobbyworldforover25yearsandistheauthorofRadioMonitoring:AHowToGuide.

KeyboardRefrigeratorMagnetsByJasonPoelSmith■IllustrationsbyJulieWest

YOUWILLNEED

ComputerkeyboardSheetmagnetsneworrecycledfrommagneticadvertisements,carsigns,orbusiness

cardsScrewdriverScissorsWirecuttersPliers,needlenoseHotgluegun

IALWAYSTRYTOFINDWAYSTOREUSEthepartsfrommyoldelectronics.Ihadacoupleofoldkeyboardslyingaround,soIdecidedtousethekeystomakealphabetrefrigeratormagnets.

1.Removethekeyboardkeys.Useanarrowscrewdrivertoprythekeysoffthekeyboard.Inmostcasestheywilljustpoprightoff.

Lookatthebacksideofthekeys.Ifthemountingtabsstickoutpastthebodyofthekey,thenyouneedtotrimthemsothatyoucanmountthemagnetsflushwiththebackside.Youcaneithercutthetabswithwirecuttersorjustbreakthemoffwithneedlenosepliers.

2.Cutthemagnetsintosquares.Nowgetsomemagneticadvertisementsormagneticbusinesscards.Usescissorsoraknifetocutthemagneticsheetintosquaresthatarethesamesizeasthebackofthekeys.

3.Gluethekeystothemagnets.Applyalargedropofhotgluetothebackofoneofthekeys.

Thenpressthekeyontooneofthemagneticsquaresthatyoucutout.Youwantthebaremagnetsidetobefacingoutsothatitcansticktothefridgebetter.

Repeatthisprocesswithallthekeys.

JasonPoelSmith

Checkoutstep-by-stepphotosat:

makezine.com/projects/keyboard-refrigerator-magnets.

JasonPoelSmithmakesthe“DIYHacksandHowTos”projectvideoseriesonMake:.Heisalifelong

studentofallformsofmakingandhisprojectsrangefromelectronicstocraftsandeverythinginbetween.

World’sCheapestMonopodByGusDassios■IllustrationsbyDamienScogin

YOUWILLNEED

Broomhandleor1"-diameterwooddowelElectricdrillanddrillbits:3⁄16"andanotherbitnarrowerthanyourspiralnailHexnut,¼"-20thread

Hangerbolt,¼"-20threadWrenchSpiralnail,8"HammerHacksawSandpaper(optional)

MOSTPEOPLEAREFAMILIARWITHtripods.Theyhavethreelegsandaregreatforsettingupatalocationandtakingphotosfromthatonespot.Monopods,ontheotherhand,haveonlyoneleg,sotheycanbequicklymovedfromplacetoplace.Butwithonlyoneleg,monopodsaren’tverystable.Thisonehasa

spikeatoneendthatcanbepushedintothegroundfortimedphotos.Oryoucantakefixed-heightorbitalphotos,whichisusefulforprojectslikePrintYourHeadin3D(makezine.com/projects/make-ultimate-guide-to-3d-printing/print-your-head-in-3d/)inwhichyoutakeaseriesofphotos,createadigitalmeshonline,andthenprintoutyoursubjectona3Dprinter.

1.Preparethehandle.Ifithasaroundedend,cutofforsandtheendsoit’sflat.Pre-drilleachendofthebroomhandle:onewiththe3⁄16"bit,theotherwiththebitsizedforyournail.

Pre-drillingallowsthehangerboltandnailtogoineasierandreducestheriskofthewoodsplitting.

2.Attachthehardware.Securethehexnutonthehangerbolt,andthenattachbothtothebroomhandleusingawrench.

Ontheotherend,installthenailbycarefullyhammeringitintotheotherpre-drilledhole.Afterit’ssecure,useahacksawtocutofftheheadofthenail.Thiswillallowthemonopodtobestuckintotheground.

3.Attachthecamera.Thefinalstepistoscrewonthecamera.Mostcamerashavea¼"-20threadedholeonthebottom.Withoutthethreadedhole,itcannotbemountedtoamonopodoratripod.Ifyousecurethemonopodintotheground,makesureit’ssteadybeforelettinggo.

GusDassioslives,designs,andbuildsinToronto,Ontario.

RealisticDuctTapeRoseByJasonPoelSmith

YOUWILLNEED

Ducttape,red,~3-4'perroseDucttape,green,~2-3'perroseFloralwireorotherstiffwireMarkers,redandgreen

ScissorsWirecutters,optional

JasonPoelSmith

SURPRISEYOURSWEETHEARTWITHarealistic,handmaderosecraftedfromanunexpectedmaterial—ducttape!

1.Makethepetals.Cutoffa1'lengthofwireanda4"pieceofredducttape.Stickthewiretothetapesothattheyoverlapby1½".Thenfoldthetapeovertheendofthewireandstickthe2sidestogether,leavingabout1"ofstickytapeexposed.

Cutthepetaltoshapebyroundingoffthecorners,andcolorinthecutedgeswithmarkers.Makeabout10petals.

2.Buildthebud.Takethefirstpetalandlooselyrollitintoatube.Thensoftlywrapeachadditionalpetalaroundthepreviousone.Asyougo,bendagentlecurlintoeachpetaltogiveittheshapeofanactualrose.

3.Makethestem.Buildthestembytwistingthewirestogetherandwrappingthemingreenducttape.

Tomakethesepals,takeseveralpiecesofgreenducttapeandfoldoneendover,similartothewaythepetalsweremade.Cutout5smalltriangleswiththeexposedtapeatthebase,andcolorinthecutedges.Thenattachthesetothebaseoftheflower.Yourducttaperoseiscomplete.

Seethehow-tovideoandmorephotosandtipsatmakezine.com/go/duct-tape-rose.

JasonPoelSmithmakesthe“DIYHacksandHowTos”projectvideoseriesonMake:.He’salifelongstudentofallformsofmaking,fromelectronicstocraftsandeverythinginbetween.

UrbanSurvivalButtonByCyTymony■IllustrationsbyTimLillis

YOUWILLNEED

Garmentbutton,hollowMagnet,neodymium,smallJacketKeyfob,retractableVelcrostripMirror,small,roundScissors

Optional:MatchbookLED,super-brightBattery,3Vbuttoncell,CR1025typeor1.5Vwatchbatteries(2)TapeStaple

EMERGENCYSURVIVALKITSAREdesignedforthewildernessandenclosedinpouchesormintcontainers.Butwhataboutsurvivalsituationsinthecity?PrepareyourselfbymakingaSneakyButtonSurvivalKit,which

containspracticalitemsyoucanusetoprotectyourselfinurbansituations.

1.Insertthemagnet.Getahollowgarmentbuttonfromanoldcoatorasewingsupplystore.Ithas2parts:abuttonandaseparatecaporcover.Openthecover,putthesmallmagnetinside,andpressthebuttonbacktogether.

2.Attachtoyourjacket.Withthescissors,removeabuttonfromyourjacketandpunchasmallholewhereitwasattached.

Removethekeyring(ifsupplied)fromthekeyfob.Pushthefob’sextendablecordthroughthejacket’ssmallholeandloopitthroughyourbutton’sshank.

3.Attachthemirror.Cutasmall,roundpieceofvelcroandstickittoonesideofthekeyfob.Peeltheothersideofthevelcrobackingandpressthebackofthesmallmirrortoit.

UseIt.Pulloutthekeyfobandusethemirrortoseebehindyouwhileyou’rewalking,orwhenusinganATM.

Totestforcounterfeitcurrency,bringthebuttonneartheedgeofafoldedbill.Ifthebillislegitimate,it’llmovetowardthemagnet,duetotheironparticlesinthecurrency’sink.

GoingFurtherStoremoreemergencyitemsinsidethebutton:

Fire:Tearoffsomematchheadsandasmallpieceofthematchbookstrikermaterial.(Wrapthestrikerintapesothematchesdon’tstrikeaccidentally.)Compass:Asmall,straightenedstaplecanmakeahandy

compassinapinch.Simplystrokeitmultipletimeswiththemagnet.

Light:Storeasuper-brightLEDandasmall3Vbattery(ortwo1.5Vbatteries).Insulatethebatterieswithtapesotheywon’tdraintheircharge.

CyTymony(sneakyuses.com)isaLosAngeles–basedwriterandistheauthorofSneakiestUsesforEverydayThings.

EasyBoomboxByMatthewT.Miller■IllustrationsbyJulianHonoré

YOUWILLNEED

EarbudsPapercupsPocketknifeAudiosourceVelcrostrip

MatthewT.Miller

MANYEARBUDSCANPLAYathighvolumewithoutdistortion.Usethemtodrivepapercups,andthesoundissurprisinglygood.Ifirstput

thistogetherwhenIreallyneededtolistentosomejamsatwork.Puttheghettobackintotheblaster!

1.Preparethecups.CutsmallXsinthebottomsof2papercups.

2.Inserttheearbuds.CarefullyinserttheearbudsintotheXs.Theyshouldfitsnugly.

3.Turnonthejamsandrockout.

UseIt.

Myearbudsdoplayatveryhighvolumeswithoutdistortion...sothesoundfrommyghettoblasterisactuallyreallygood.Thisisacheap,easytrickandwillsaveyouseriousmoney.

MatthewTeagueMillerisa36-year-oldfatherwholivesinSanPedro,CA.Helovestocreatethingsoutofhouseholdobjects.