This week on Maker Update! The most controversial DIY project of the year, a desk fan that can see your face, glowing horns, animated knots, and a 3D printed boat battle.

This week on Maker Update, a robot dog that probably won’t kill you, a skull made out of string, a lamp made out of veneer, and ways to measure things with parts of your body.

Here we go again. I don’t want to jinx it, but I think I’m getting the hang of this. Let me here from you on the YouTube comments page or by emailing me. Here are the show notes:

Project of the Week
Micro Sketch by Fernando Jerez
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1668472

News
Wazer announced
https://makezine.com/2016/09/13/wazer-desktop-waterjet-cutter/

Make Launches Comunity Projects Page (powered by Hackster.io)
https://community.makezine.com/share/?utm_source=makezine&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=launch-blog
http://makezine.com/2016/09/08/share-your-project/

Projects
DIY Steel Pipe Toilet Paper Holder by PhilL42 (Now GermanSize)
http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-DIY-Steel-Pipes-Toilet-Paper-Holder/?ALLSTEPS
3D Print onto a t-shirt by Sahrye Cohen, Hal Rodriguez
https://community.makezine.com/share/sahrye-cohen-hal-rodriguez/3d-print-directly-onto-your-t-shirt-e0622d?ref=platform&ref_id=18265_trending___&offset=5 
Vintage Intercom Echo by Nick Brewer
https://community.makezine.com/share/nick-brewer/vintage-intercom-echo-5d90bd?ref=platform&ref_id=18265_trending___&offset=24

Tools/Tips
3D Printed Pegboard adapters https://www.thingiverse.com/glitchpudding/collections/pegboard/page:1

Contests Ending Soon
http://www.instructables.com/contest/

Wood http://www.instructables.com/contest/wood
Backyard http://www.instructables.com/contest/backyard
Caning & Pickling http://www.instructables.com/contest/canningpickling

Maker Faires
http://makerfaire.com/map/

5th Mini September 17 + 18, 2016 Seattle Mini Maker Faire Seattle, Washington USA
2nd Mini September 17, 2016 Wilson County Mini Maker Faire Floresville, Texas USA
4th Mini September 17, 2016 Nashville Mini Maker Faire Nashville, Tennessee USA
1st Mini September 17 + 18, 2016 Zürich Mini Maker Faire Zürich Switzerland
1st Mini September 17, 2016 Sherbrooke Mini Maker Faire Sherbrooke, Quebec Canada
1st Mini September 18, 2016 Southcoast MA Mini Maker Faire Fall River, Massachusetts USA

Donald talks at EBMF Sun, OCT 23rd
http://eastbay.makerfaire.com/

I have no shame admitting that I love making kits. Hell, I even get a sick satisfaction from making Ikea furniture. There’s just something nice about a project that’s been well thought out, with the instructions and all the pieces you need laid out for you.

So, to put my love of kits to good use, I figured I’d dedicate a page to this site to my running list of what I think are the five best kits for makers (of any age or skill level). You can find the top navigation bar of this site (tucked under Projects), or by clicking this link here.

If you have a kit you’d like to suggest adding to the list, I want to hear about it. Contact me.

Also, in full disclosure, I (theoretically) get a little cut of the money from the Amazon links on this page. So if you feel like supporting me, indulge yourself in buying a kit from the list. Thanks.

Boldport’s Tap Sensor project is a beautiful refresh of a project that first appeared in the premier issue of 1974’s Elektor magazine. The organic lines of the circuit board traces — a hallmark of Boldport’s design aesthetic — look right at home on this retro project, which is largely unchanged from the original ‘70s design.

The kit includes the bare board, a few stickers, a printed link to project information, and all of the electronic components you’ll need to complete the board. In order to functionally demonstrate the project you will also need three LEDs, a breadboard, some hookup wire, female-male header wires, and a 5v power supply. If you’ve completed Boldport’s Cordwood Puzzle project, you can also hook the Tap Sensor directly to it with some header wires and skip the breadboard and LEDs.

Because Boldport’s boards are so thoughtfully labeled on the underside with component outlines and reference numbers, the project basically revolves around correctly placing and soldering things, with bonus points for clean, tight work that can complement the beauty of the board.