Arcade joystick retrofits aren’t usually that interesting. This one sent in by [Jock] caught my eye for one reason – using those cheap RadioShack reed switch relays to adapt the joystick output to the 360 controllers Dpad. Personally, I think I would have thrown some opto-isolators at it – but the one’s that RS (sometimes) has are pretty crappy.
Solderless Aux In For Bose Sound Dock, Etc
This little how-to was sent in by [Ed]. The sound dock posts get quite a few hits, so I figured I’d share.
There is a solderless way to hack an aux input for the Sounddock.
(1)Go to Wal-mart (or elsewhere) and buy the Griffin Dock Adapter for iPod Shuffle (~$20) and a Belkin Speaker and Headphone splitter (~$4). (The Belkin splitter is needed in order to fit properly over the Shuffle plug on the device, but other cables/adapters might work.)
(2)Remove the existing adapter plate and replace it with the Dock adapter.
(3) Set the switch to speaker. (Very Important!) (4)Plug in one end of the Belkin adapter and you are ready to go! Any input signal automatically activates the Sounddock. Now you have a fully functional female and male stereo headphone input for your Sounddock.
–>Total cost ~$25 and no soldering required.
I’m Gonna Die From 1000lbs Of Tile Extra
I spent most of my day laying nearly an actual ton of tile in my house. Right now it hurts to just to type. (And thanks to Marsha for the helping hand.)
[ironjungle] sent in his $20 kite cam project. (Same camera as the cat cam)
[Dan] sent along some pics of his and his friends shoverboard builds (leaf blower hover boards)
[fucter] sent along his take on my simple audio mixer how-to.
[B-Rock] sent along a little iphone sim testing performed by our buds over at tuaw.
If you’re trying to develop web content for the latest in geek swag, you might dig firebug for the iphone.
Fourth O’ July Entertainment
Maybe you didn’t have a crazy physics teacher, or missed [Mr. Wizard], so you might not have seen the hot dog cooking by electrocution. There is one new idea this time – stick some LEDs in your victim. Thanks[ Matthew]
If that’s not geeky enough for you, check out this simple ibook server mod sent in by [Jonas].
Make Custom Dash Mods (ipod Dock)
[Daniel ] sent in this one, from an O’Reilly book, it’s older but the results are just stunning. The iPod dock has been done countless times, but the really interesting part is the custom dash molding technique. The cradle was mocked up with clay on the original piece, then a silicon mold was cast from the mock up. After that, the entire piece was re-created inside the mold. After some dremel work and a bit of sanding, it came out beautifully. It looks like a great way to make custom LCD/GPS dash inserts.
Build Your Own Multitouch Display
Remember reactable? (Or the iphone interface) As I recall, there were some comments noting build difficulties. [Gil]let me know about a nice how-to on building your own multitouch display. It’s not a reactable, but it’ll probably easier to re-create on your own. It looks like it was probably written by the tinkerit guy(s).
Vacuum Bike Pump
[drcrash] sent in this thorough how-to on converting a cheap bike pump to pull a vacuum. Apparently it’s just the thing for small vacuum bagging projects. I’m thinking that this could be combined with a low rpm motor and a pivot. Just picture an old steam locomotive wheel drive, and you should get my idea. (A windshield wiper motor would probably be perfect.)
