Author: Eliot

1332 Articles

DS Serial Interface

July 20, 2005 by 13 Comments

ds keyboard

natrium42, the original PassMe designer, has released a guide for building a serial interface on the Nintendo DS. It does require you to flash a new firmware on the Passme, but other than that it is just a matter of soldering wires to the RX and TX. He’s tested it with a keyboard, a bluetooth module, and a USB adapter. If you want to hook it to a computer you’ll need the level converter he suggests. There is a lot of potential here.

In other news: StoneCypher has offered a bounty for an open source TCP/IP implementation on the DS; it’s already broken $1100.

[thanks pete]

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Scope Clock

July 18, 2005 by 8 Comments

scope clock
It’s official: build anything with a display tube or a rat’s nest of wires and I’m in love. The project uses a CRT intended for an oscilloscope, but it may be even easier to build if you’ve already got an old CRT scope. Full plans are on the site. Check out the other projects too. He’s got a few Nixie tube clocks with links to board suppliers; very cool.

[thanks yair]

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Computer Headset From Walkie Talkies

July 17, 2005 by 25 Comments

wireless headset

Okay, now I think we’ve covered all of the bases when it comes to modifying devices to use them as Skype peripherals. Reader Mad Matt chopped up a pair of toy walkie talkies so that he could build a wireless headset to use with his computer. Although he doesn’t mention VOIP, there are only a few other things this could be used for. Of note is that he used a usb connector between the headset and the receiver/transmitter so that he could have a quick disconnect if needed. If we kill Matt’s free hosting you can try the Coral Cache.

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Junkyard TIG Welder

July 16, 2005 by 9 Comments

tig welder

This might come in handy on your next automotive project. Here is an extensive thread on how to build a TIG welder using scavenged parts. The setup uses a 130 amp alternator connected to an air compressor motor. The negative side of the alternator is attached to the torch and the positive to the ground clamp. The alternator field is supplied by a battery with a headlight dimmer to regulate the input power which in turn regulates the output amperage. People have been using similar setups like this to do track side repairs for many years. The pictures have disappeared from the thread a while ago, but here is a link to a site that stole them wholesale.

[thanks Phinh]

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Router Design Project

July 15, 2005 by 5 Comments

router

Sure, I’ve known for quite a while that Linux is good for scratch building devices like routers, but I never considered that there might be an online community dedicated to doing exactly that. It isn’t just Linux either; whether you want to run Windows, DOS, BSD or Linux, RDP has compiled summarys and links to the software you need. They’ve got a gallery of projects that you can rate and luckily only a few feature cardboard. If you’ve got some specialized networking needs this is definitely worth a look. Me, I’m going to remain firmly entrenched in my WRT fanboyism.

[thanks XyTec]

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