How To: Install or Remove Bob's Battery
bObsweep Standard and Pethair both come with their lithium-ion battery installed for you. But if you ever need to remove and replace the battery on either model, follow the walk through below.
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How To: Replace Bob's Side Brush Motor
A step-by-step guide to replacing the side brush motor on bObsweep Standard or Pethair. Follow the video or multimedia directions in order to open up bObsweep, remove the main board, replace the side brush motor, then close your vacuum for future use.
How To: Replace bObsweep's Bumper
The bumper for bObsweep Pethair and Standard are installed the same way. It holds the sensors that allow Bob to see any obstacles in his path. If a repair of the wall detection sensors is needed, the steps for replacing the whole bumper are the same when working on either bObsweep model.
How To: Replace the Dryer's High Limit Thermostat
The high limit thermostat can be found in gas and electric dryers and serves as a safety feature that helps to prevent the dryer from becoming too hot when it’s running. The thermostat is designed to shut off power to the dryer’s heater when the dryer vent is blocked or clogged. The high limit thermostat on your dryer is something that does need to be replaced from time to time. Fortunately, it is a job that you can do on your own with basic tools.
How To: Make an AC Arc Welder Using Parts from an Old Microwave, Part 1
In a previous article, I demonstrated an Arc Welder made using parts from old microwave ovens. Video: .
How To: Scare Yourself Out of Bed with This Explosive TNT Alarm Clock
The first alarm clock in recorded history can be traced back to ancient Greek philosopher Plato, known for laying the foundations of Western philosophy and science. Plato was said to possess a very large water clock with an alarm signal similar to that of a water organ.
How To: Add Inductive Charging Capabilities to a Samsung Galaxy Nexus, Note 2, and Other Android Devices
Inductive charging is already a reality on popular smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S III and Google Nexus 4, and Apple has recently published a patent that would make inductive chargers a reality for the iPhone. There are also several phones that have the capability for wireless charging, such as the Samsung Galaxy Note II.
How To: Create a Light Painting Vortex Using a DIY Reusable Steel Wool Cage
There's no shortage of uses for steel wool, but the majority of them tend to be on the pyromaniacal side, like DIY fireworks. This trick by Mike Mikkelson is no different—it uses a homemade reusable "wool cage" to create a spinning vortex of light, like in the photo below. You can do this with just a piece of steel wool on a cable, but Michael wanted something he could easily reuse no matter how many shots he took, so he built a small cage to house the steel wool out of chicken wire, a small ...
How To: Hack Your Car's Cassette Deck into a Wireless Bluetooth Music Player
Still have an old tape deck installed in your car? This nifty hack lets you upgrade to the digital age without sacrificing your love for cassettes. There's nothing wrong with some low-fidelity tunes in your car every now and then, but if you want to listen to the tunes on your iPod or smartphone too, it's a lot easier (and cheaper) than buying a new in-dash player that supports line-in connections. Just add some wireless capabilities to you tape deck! All you need is a cheap cassette adapter,...
News: Artist Uses 300 Apples to Power 30 LEDs for 1 Electrified Fruit Battery Science Experiment
You've probably seen the classic fruit battery science experiment a thousand times, but I doubt you've ever seen it turned into an art project! Photographer Caleb Charland uses everyday objects like apples, coins and vinegar to create makeshift batteries, then takes these gorgeous long exposure photos. For the apple tree photo, Charland got about 5 volts for every 10 apples, so he had to wire 300 apples to power the lamp for several hours. He used a zinc-coated galvanized nail and copper wire...
How To: Send Redstone Signals Both Ways with This Two-Way Repeater
If you're at all like me, you constantly get frustrated that repeaters only boost redstone signals in one direction. It's annoying!
How To: Build Your Own Kinect-Like 3D Tracking Interface with Cardboard, Foil, and Arduino
Back in 2008, media artist Kyle McDonald created a 3D interface that could track movement, which he turned into a virtual Tic-tac-toe game.
How To: Make a Static Electricity Generator—Shock Anything and Fry Electronics with Just a Touch!
In the following video, I demonstrate how to create a device capable of charging the body of anyone who wears it with static electricity, allowing a powerful shock to be discharged into anything that is touched. This grants the wearer the ability to do some pretty amazing things, some of which are shown in the first segment of the video.
How To: Make a wind turbine using a ceiling fan
Scott Brown teaches us how to make a wind turbine using a ceiling fan in this video. First, place steel banding around the middle of the ceiling fan base. Now, cross all the combinations of the wires and keep them close together so you don't confuse them. Hook these up to DC terminals so you get around 50 volts on both of them. Hook them parallel so you keep the voltage down to around 50 volts together. Then place the wires into a connector that has a pipe connected to the bottom. This will c...
How To: Pick a lock easily with 2 paper clips
ZurplusFaction shows viewers how to pick a lock easily using 2 paper clips. First, you need to take your first paper clip and fold one end out. Fold it out again and straighten this out. Next, take the folded out in and fold in again so it forms boomerang shape with the paper clip. Now, take your pliers and squeeze this folded part together tightly. With a bigger paperclip, and use wire cutters to cut of a straight piece of the paper clip with a curve at the top. Now, you are ready to pick yo...
How To: Make a polymer clay charm bracelet
kriquit describes how to make a PacMan charm bracelet in this video. She uses various colors of polymer clay to make Mr.. and ms. PacMan and the little ghosts. The color she uses are red, blue, pink, orange, yellow and white and black for the eyes. She also says that you need some hardware tools: a poster roller, wire tools, quick drying glue, needle tool, a flexible razor blade (to cut the polymer clay), chain for the bracelet, 24 gauge wire and a lobster clasp. She makes the shapes using th...
How To: Make silver different colors by anodizing
Watch this science video tutorial from Nurd Rage on how to make silver different colors by electrochemical anodizing. Without using paint, you can give a silver surface various colors by anodizing it.
How To: Make peanuts & ham
Learn to make boiled peanuts and hickory smoked ham in the deep Southern tradition. To make boiled peanuts you will need: Large stock pot filled with enough water for boiling, 3/4 - 1 1/4 cup salt, 1 - 5 bay leaves, 1 tbsp. Extra Hot powdered red pepper4 lbs. raw peanuts in shell3 - 4 lb. Lid (used to make kimchi or pickles). Combine all ingredients in the pot and place weighted lid on top. Bring water to a boil. Turn the heat off and allow the peanuts to absorb the salted water until there i...
How To: Make low-fat chicken tenders
Learn how to make low-fat chicken tenders. Even if you're watching your waistline, you don't have to give up your favorite foods. Baked – not fried – chicken tenders can be just as tasty as the real deal.
How To: Make the World's Hottest Burning Man-Made Substance: Thermite
I feel like doing a bit of chemistry today, how about you? To my knowledge, thermite is the hottest burning man-made substance. Thermite is a pyrotechnic composition of a metal powder and a metal oxide that produces an exothermic oxidation-reduction reaction known as a thermitereaction.
How To: Hack Your Electricity Meter
This video will show you what you'll need to know to hack a digital electric meter. You'll need 2 magnets, one much bigger than the other, an AC adaptor that you'll cut into pieces, or some speaker wire, distilled water, electrical tape, a knife, some plastic wrap, and a plastic cup. Remember, this is illegal, and shown only for educational purposes.
How To: Learn about the tools and components used in basic electronics
Electronics are the most important new thing people have created in the last hundred years, and learning how to use them will make you much more able to function in modern society. If you want to learn about electronics without going to a class or anything so formal, this excellent video series will teach you everything you need to know to get started. This video, the first in the series, will teach you about the basic tools and components you'll need to work on electronics projects, includin...
How To: Craft an awesome "Tron Legacy" laptop bag with EL wire
Are you a "Tron" fanatic? Then this laptop case will blow your mind. Styled after the streamlined, glow-in-the-dark "Tron" cinematography, this laptop bag looks like a "Tron" suit and will shine even at night.
How To: Craft your own crystal earrings with a fall theme
Turn two leaf charms into elegant, autumn-themed earrings with a few green and white crystals, jewelry wire and an earring base! This tutorial shows you how to make a pair of beautiful seasonal earrings for yourself, using two separate styles!
How To: Use redstone to make gates in Minecraft
Minecraft is a pretty addicting game, and building your own fortress is half the fun of the game itself! If you're wondering how to use the redstones to make wires and create operational objects, look no further! In this video you will learn how to use redstone circuits to build useable gates in the world.
How To: Tie a great sailor's chain (sea chain) knot
Have a lot of left over rope that you don't need? Looking for an easier way to store your extension cables and the like without getting them all tangled up? Then learn how to make a sailor's chain! This great video shows you the basic steps that you'll take to creating an endless set of slip knots that'll keep your wires, cables and ropes all tidy without.
How To: Create a dazzling mermaid Halloween makeup look
Unless you're an actual mermaid or a member of the Na'vi, this insane mermaid look probably won't get you any propositions on the street.
How To: Make a sneaky, snake spy camera that records video
Snake cams have become the epitome of high-tech gadgets on television and in movies. In 24, Jack Bauer is always using a snake camera to check for terrorists on the other side of the door. The video game Splinter Cell has made the snake cam an integral part to Sam Fisher's arsenal. And almost every spy movie features its use at one point or another.
How To: Swap an old ceiling rose with a modern light fixture
Modernize your home with a new ceiling light fixture. That old, traditional ceiling rose with the decorative chandelier or light fitting might just not look right anymore, with all of your modern furniture and appliances. The best thing… replace it.
How To: Share Internet access at highway speeds
Systm is the Do-It-Yourself show designed for the common geek who wants to quickly and easily learn how to dive into the latest and hottest tech projects. They will help you avoid pitfalls and get your project up and running fast. In this DIY episode, see how to share Internet access at highway speeds.
How To: Make a DTV antenna & a steadicam
Learn how to make a DTV antenna & a steadicam. Digital converter box? Check! Great reception? Not so much. John Park shows how to take a fistful of wire coat hangers and make a TV antenna that gives great digital reception. While he’s at it, he also makes a video camera stabilizer using metal piping and counterbalance weight; great for at-home moviemaking.
How To: Make your own Harry Potter magic wand
In this video tutorial, go into the world of Harry Potter and learn how to make your own Harry Potter magic wand. For this magic wand project, you'll need an LED, copper wire, colored markers, plaster, and a straw. Sure, it's not the best magic wand ever, but it's nice and cheap and easy to make... a good project for the kids.
How To: Build a starship enterprise out of a floppy disk
If you’ve got an old floppy disk, you can create a tiny replica of the Starship Enterprise. You will need an old floppy disk, sturdy scissors or a wire cutter, and invisible thread.
How To: Hang garlands and tinsel on a Christmas tree
Master the art—and it is an art—of hanging garlands and tinsel on your Christmas tree. You will need garlands and tinsel, craft wire, ribbon and a step ladder. Tip: Follow the six-six rule: Don't hang more than six strands per branch, and leave about six inches of space between tinsel decorated branches.
How To: Prank your friends with a secret envelope
Give people some deadly goosebumps! Also tells you how! Learn how to prank your friends with a secret envelope. All you need is copper wire, a button, an envelope, a card and elastic. This prank is sure to scare your friends.
How To: Make Arduino circuit boards for robotics
This week on Make Magazine is a project with parts from the Arduino Starter Kit. Skip over building the Proto Shield. Otherwise, it's a simple build that doesn't require any soldering. Arduino is a speaking control for robotics. It can be used in other Make kits or robotic projects. This is a circuit bending and circuit board project that involves basic circuitry and wiring.
How To: Make an inexpensive 3D movie viewing station
Want a great, inexpensive, 3D movie experience in your bedroom (and have an aversion to the perennial red/blue anaglyphic glasses)? Sean Hellfritsch from Encyclopedia Pictura shows how to make the Vizard, a home 3-D viewing station. This podcast from Wired Magazine is a creative and whimsical hack with both modern and nostalgic technology perfect for watching a flip book style movie in 3D. The Vizard is a polarized stereoscopic display. It's not a red or cyan filter. LED has a natural polariz...
How To: Make Christmas ornaments for the birds
Learn how to make this fun Christmas craft! Christmas ornaments for the birds are pine cones wrapped with wire, lathered with peanut butter and sprinkled with birdseed. Create a bird-friendly Christmas ornament to hang outside with instructions from an experienced craftswoman in this free video on Christmas crafts.
How To: Make Christmas ornaments from pine cones
Learn how to make this fun Christmas craft! Make a Christmas ornament from a pine cone by wrapping the top with wire, applying hot glue to the edges and sprinkling glitter over the entire thing for a winter effect. Add holly to the top of a pine cone ornament with instructions from an experienced craftswoman in this free video on Christmas crafts.
How To: Install off-road lights onto a Toyota FJ Cruiser
Reach the lights at the end of the tunnel, or better yet... be the lights at the end of the tunnel. Check out this video tutorial to see how to install off-road lights onto a Toyota FJ Cruiser. You will see exactly how to install Baja Designs' off-road lights onto that Cruiser in preparation of running the Baja 1000 Course. These lights only make things stronger and more clear. Forget simple automobile headlights, do you want to see that tree up that hill or not? This will take some time, mou...