I happened across this nice simple PWM circuit, and eventually ran across this excellent little tesla coil. The build information is pretty interesting. Between the capacitor brick and the car ignition coils, I’d say it gets pretty creative.
Misc Hacks4182 Articles
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.)
DIY SCUBA: Death On A Stick
Sorry guys, I’ve got to comment on this one.
[tylin] sent in this “DIY SCUBA” youtube video. These guys used a home shop air compressor with a particle filter so they could “SCUBA dive”. This kid is lucky he didn’t die.
I guarantee there were impurities in the compressed air. A major concern here is carbon monoxide, among others. That filter they used is designed to reduce particles, not scrub out CO, CO2, etc. Hemoglobin loves CO even more than dear old O2, so he could have asphixiated or suffered from convulsions despite having an air supply.
He’s lucky he didn’t blow his lungs out. The second he took a remotely full breath off that hose, he started to float up. If he happened to hold his breath it would have ruptured his lungs and caused all sorts of nasty problems.
He wasn’t wearing a weight belt – furthering the risk of floating up when he took a breath. (in my experience about 90% of people are positively buoyant)
4)Nobody was in the water watching his back. If he’d suffered any complications, no-one was there to make sure he didn’t drown. (Think convulsions, black out, etc)
Sorry for the rant – but this is just effing stupid. Don’t try this crap, ever. I’m an advanced open water diver myself – get training and real equipment.
Update: The video was removed after reading my response to it. I went ahead and puled the youtube link since it’s useless.
IPhone Eve’ Extra
The guys at I-hacked put up a how-to on giving your windows mobile phone some iPhone skinned powers, but later in the day they decided to make it login required. Thanks to [Katrina] for the tip. (requiring logins for contributed content just doesn’t sit well with me.)
[chris] sent in his own round up of his personal projects.
[Chris Coleman] let me know about hacktherazr. They’ve got some decent guides on customizing just about everything on the things.
[Ben Heck] got sick of emails, so he’s offering to build one more xbox 360 laptop, if you give him a pile of money.
Staring sunday, I’ll be ripping the hell out of my new house (and re-doing most of the upstairs). Do me a favor and keep the tips line brimming over.
[David] has some interesting ideas involving wireless AP antennas and wireless keyboards. How about a cantenna…
