Maker Project Lab
September 14, 2023 AUTHOR: Donald Bell CATEGORIES: News Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

All Eyes On Me [Maker Update]

This week on Maker Update: a necklace with a staring problem, a laser powered mosquito swatter, moire play, and a giant 3D printed mechanical hand.

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December 15, 2022 AUTHOR: Donald Bell CATEGORIES: News Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Ornament of Doom [Maker Update]

This week on Maker Update: vintage gaming for your tree, a snowflake made from LED noodles, making for fun, and the Alpakka open source gamepad.

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October 14, 2021 AUTHOR: Donald Bell CATEGORIES: News Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

G-code Wuz Here [Maker Update]

This week on Maker Update, graffiti CNC, a commitment to carbonation, a laser cut haunted house, a face-detecting leaf blower, and going Gaga for Halloween.

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May 20, 2021 AUTHOR: Donald Bell CATEGORIES: News Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Jam On It [Maker Update]

This week on Maker Update, wearable microphone jammers, reinventing retro tech, moving mirrors, 3D printed turntables, digital Super 8, and a circuit sculpture radio.

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September 1, 2020 AUTHOR: Donald Bell CATEGORIES: News Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Drum Break! [Maker Update #195 *Adafruit Edition*]

This month on Maker Update, a 3d printed drummer, Adafruit at the newsstand, going live, a voting calendar, an eyeball shootout and a panic button for all your Zoom calls.

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June 10, 2019 AUTHOR: Donald Bell CATEGORIES: Kits, Project Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Best Electronic Soldering Badge Kits For Classrooms

Learning how to solder is a right of passage for any maker. Personally, I remember holding out for the longest time, relying on alligator clips and breadboard jumpers to complete beginner projects and simple circuits. Soldering is intimidating, and the prospect of mangling a project while you learn the basics technique can compound the anxiety.

The best way I’ve found to dip your toe in to learning to solder is with a fun, inexpensive soldering badge kit. These come in dozens of varieties, with a wide range of cost, which I’ve outlined here.

Boil them down, they’re essentially a simple LED circuit, powered by a coin cell battery. For both students and instructors, they offer a quick project with a high payoff. Plus, you literally get to wear your new skill as a badge of accomplishment. How cool is that?

For a look at ore advanced kits for beginning makers, check out our current list of the Top 5 Best Kits for Makers.

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February 28, 2018 AUTHOR: Donald Bell CATEGORIES: News Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Split-Flap Attack [Maker Update #73]

This week on Maker Update, rolling your own split-flap display, the unholy union of Furby and Alexa, customized fan grilles and a walnut box with a foam core secret. This week’s Cool Tool is the Joe Knows Electronics Resistor Starter Kit.

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January 24, 2018 AUTHOR: Donald Bell CATEGORIES: News Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Nintendo’s Cardboard Kits [Maker Update #68]

This week on Maker Update, a 3D printed thermal camera, Nintendo Switch gets making with Labo, an 8-note harp with only one string, Scratch 3.0, and making CNC designs by hand. This week’s Cool Tool is the Neiko Mini Ratcheting Screwdriver.

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