We’ve talked about using Asterisk as a home PBX, but what if you hand built your own PBX? It is an interesting read covering how a home phone system works. There is an example situation of how this system would be used. The hand drawn schematics are cute too. I doubt anyone would try this now, but it is neat to see how a nonsoftware based system would work.
[thanks joelanders]
Want to make one of those gaudy pc cases everyone has sporting lately? A good first step is probably building an acrylic bender. It will save you $200 which you’ll feel better about after you screw up your tenth bend in a row.
[thanks rui maldonado]
So, did you hear about those Girl Scouts kicking ass with their home built telescope? [via] Here I thought they were only about overpriced cookies. The telescope is a “Dobsonian”; a design over 50 years old and named for creator John Dobson. People have been building these long before commercial telescopes were available. Here is a link to a pdf describing how-to build one of these monsters.
[thanks marc melcher]
This is a change of pace for us. Probably because this day next week I’ll be in sin city at DEF CON 13 and
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]
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]
It’s been a while since we’ve featured a hardware project and I thought this one looked pretty simple. It was originally intended as a Christmas ornament. If you follow the schematics and burn the provide source you’ll end up with an 8×8 animated display. Not really sure what your going to do with it after that, but a flashing sign is sure to clue in the general populace to your dorkitude.
[thanks camzmac]
