Just like the garage computer explosion of the 70’s through the 80’s, which brought us such things as Apple, pong, Bill Gate’s hair, and the proliferation of personal computers, the maker movement is the new garage hardware explosion. Today, 135 million adults in the United States alone are involved in the maker movement.
Enthusiasts who want to build the products they want, from shortwave radios to personal computers, and to tweak products they’ve bought to make them even better, have long been a part of the electronics industry. By all measures, garage-style innovation remains alive and well today, as “makers” as they are called continue to turn out contemporary gadgets, including 3D printers, drones, and embedded electronics devices.
Making is about individual Do-It-Yourselfers being able to design and create with tools that were, as of a decade or two ago, only available to large, cash-rich corporations: CAD tools, CNC mills, 3D printers, low-quantity PCB manufacturing, open hardware such as Arduinos and similar inexpensive development boards – all items that have made it easier and relatively cheap to make whatever we imagine. For individuals, maker tools can change how someone views their home or their hobbies. The world is ours to make. Humans are genetically wired to be makers. The maker movement is simply the result of making powerful building and communication tools accessible to the masses. There are plenty of projects from makers that show good engineering: Take this Arduino board with tremendous potential, developed by a young maker, as example.
The maker movement is a catalyst to democratize entrepreneurship as these do-it-yourself electronics are proving to be hot sellers: In the past year, unit sales for 3D printing related products; Arduino units, parts and supplies; Raspberry Pi boards; drones and quadcopters; and robotics goods are all on a growth curve in terms of eBay sales. There are many Kickstarter maker projects going on. The Pebble E-Paper Watch raises $10 million. The LIFX smartphone-controlled LED bulb raises $1.3 million. What do these products have in common? They both secured funding through Kickstarter, a crowd-funding website that is changing the game for entrepreneurs. Both products were created by makers who seek to commercialize their inventions. These “startup makers” iterate on prototypes with high-end tools at professional makerspaces.
For companies to remain competitive, they need to embrace the maker movement or leave themselves open for disruption. Researchers found that 96 percent of business leaders believe new technologies have forever changed the rules of business by democratizing information and rewiring customer expectations. - You’ve got to figure out agile innovation. Maybe history is repeating itself as the types of products being sold reminded us of the computer tinkering that used to be happening in the 1970s to 1990s – similar in terms of demographics, tending to be young people, and low budget. Now the do-it-yourself category is deeply intertwined with the electronics industry. Open hardware is in the center in maker movement – we need open hardware designs! How can you publish your designs and still do business with it? Open source ecosystem markets behave differently and therefore require a very different playbook than traditional tech company: the differentiation is not in the technology you build; it is in the process and expertise that you slowly amass over an extended period of time.
By democratizing the product development process, helping these developments get to market, and transforming the way we educate the next generation of innovators, we will usher in the next industrial revolution. The world is ours to make. Earlier the PC created a new generation of software developers who could innovate in the digital world without the limitations of the physical world (virtually no marginal cost, software has become the great equalizer for innovation. Now advances in 3D printing and low-cost microcontrollers as well as the ubiquity of advanced sensors are enabling makers to bridge software with the physical world. Furthermore, the proliferation of wireless connectivity and cloud computing is helping makers contribute to the Internet of Things (IoT). We’re even beginning to see maker designs and devices entering those markets once thought to be off-limits, like medical.
Image source: The world is ours to make: The impact of the maker movement – EDN Magazine
In fact, many parents have engaged in the maker movement with their kids because they know that the education system is not adequately preparing their children for the 21st century. There is a strong movement to spread this DIY idea widely. The Maker Faire, which launched in the Bay Area in California in 2006, underlined the popularity of the movement by drawing a record 215,000 people combined in the Bay Area and New York events in 2014. There’s Maker Media, MakerCon, MakerShed, Make: magazine and 131 Maker Faire events that take place throughout the world. Now the founders of all these Makers want a way to connect what they refer to as the “maker movement” online. So Maker Media created a social network called MakerSpace, a Facebook-like social network that connects participants of Maker Faire in one online community. The new site will allow participants of the event to display their work online. There are many other similar sites that allow yout to present yout work fron Hackaday to your own blog. Today, 135 million adults in the United States alone are involved in the maker movement—although makers can be found everywhere in the world.
7,076 Comments
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2021/12/31/the-no-mcu-fan-controller/
The default for any control project here in 2019 was to reach for a microcontroller. Such are their low cost and ubiquity that they can be used to replicate what might once have needed some extra circuitry, with the minimum of parts. But here we are at the end of 2021, and of course microcontrollers are hard to come by in a semiconductor shortage. [Hesam Moshiri] has a project that takes us back to a simpler time, a temperature controlled fan the way they used to be made, without a microcontroller in sight
Cooling FAN Controller Using an LM35 (No MCU)
https://hackaday.io/project/183296-cooling-fan-controller-using-an-lm35-no-mcu
Tomi Engdahl says:
Customisable Micro-Coded Controller Helps With In-Circuit Debugging
https://hackaday.com/2021/12/30/customisable-micro-coded-controller-helps-with-in-circuit-debugging/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Threaded Wires Save Phone Numbers
https://hackaday.com/2021/12/30/threaded-wires-save-phone-numbers/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Taking A Close Look At Hawkeye’s WorkbenchWe don’t have to tell you that the representation hackers and makers get in popular media is usually pretty poor. At this point, we’ve all come to accept that Hollywood is only interested in perpetuating negative stereotypes about hackers. But in scenes where the plot calls for a character to be working on an electronic device, it often seems like the prop department just sticks a soldering iron in the actor’s hand and calls it a day.
Of course, there are some exceptions. In the final episode of Marvel’s Hawkeye, the titular character is shown building some custom gear in a work area that looks suspiciously like somewhere actual work might get done.
But from what we’re seeing here, it certainly looks like whoever did the set dressing for Hawkeye seems to have made an effort to recreate the hackerspace chic. We’ve got a multimeter within arm’s reach, the classic magnifying glass third arm, a Wiha screwdriver about to roll out of frame, and even some JB-Weld. If this looks eerily like what’s currently on your own bench, don’t worry, you’re not alone.
https://hackaday.com/2021/12/30/taking-a-close-look-at-hawkeyes-workbench/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2021/12/29/build-your-own-high-temp-oven-thermometer/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2021/12/29/the-three-cent-motor-controller/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Snap-Together Macropad Does It Without Solder
https://hackaday.com/2021/12/29/snap-together-macropad-does-it-without-solder/
Maybe we’re biased, but we think everyone has a use for a macropad. It’s just a matter of time before a highly personalized set of speed controls starts to sound like a great time-saving device to have around.
https://blog.heaper.de/3d-printed-macropad/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.eeweb.com/physics-in-espresso-coffee-making/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Sequencing your DNA with a USB dongle and open source code
https://stackoverflow.blog/2021/12/24/sequencing-your-dna-with-a-usb-dongle-and-open-source-code/
It takes the most exquisite measurements you can imagine, recording the changes in current associated with different bits of DNA.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Use a Paintbrush to Create Unique EL Segment Displays
Artem Kashkenov’s EL panels use an etched conductive layer and a phosphor-doped emitting layer, which illuminates when power is applied.
https://www.hackster.io/news/use-a-paintbrush-to-create-unique-el-segment-displays-e29c877e4db0
Tomi Engdahl says:
Awesome Idea From Old Mobile Phones || How to Make Foam Cutter
https://youtu.be/4urPIL14dr4
Tomi Engdahl says:
How to make Simple Welding machine with 12V Battery
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvFTylamScQ
Viewer comments:
I’m very curious about this simple welding concept. It’s very creative. But there’s two things I want to know more about and that is, 1. Can you use a welding goggle to weld with? and 2. Is it safe?. I mean, I’d love to work with these ideas for my small projects but at the same time do they pose greater dangers like the battery may explode on the job. Please kindly reply. Thanks and good on you.
What is used as the tip of the welding machine?
the mid of an AA Battery
I have tried this. All i had was Sparks and fume (carbon). No welding
use a brass brazing rod and flux and you would do a better weld
How to bypass all safety for beginners. Step 1: Pull the core of a AA battery with pliers. Step 2: put it on a stick and hook it up to a small car battery. Step 3: Win.
Try ac with transformer but can’t hold high current arc so not a welder really – hot rod
Is that a welding or a melting machine ?
On a welding process the welding rod melt . I hope this answers you very well
Another video:
How to make Welding Machine with 12 volt Battery and Pencil Cell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tPT829ULSU
Tomi Engdahl says:
XMoto DC as Servomotor
DIY DCMotor smallest Steppermotor with Driver and Servofunction in one package
https://hackaday.io/project/183287-xmoto-dc-as-servomotor
Tomi Engdahl says:
Swiss Army Knife Of Power Tool Carts
https://hackaday.com/2022/01/02/swiss-army-knife-of-power-tool-carts/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Battery-less Bike Computer Gets Power And Data From The Wheels
https://hackaday.com/2021/12/31/battery-less-bike-computer-gets-power-and-data-from-the-wheels/
Bicycle generator technology has advanced far beyond the bottle dynamos of years past, which as often as not would introduce enough drag when engaged to stall the bike. Granted, it’s not as much of a current draw as a big old incandescent headlight, but this wheel-powered cyclocomputer is a great example of harvesting both power and data from the rotation of a bike’s wheel.
As for measuring the frequency of the dynamo’s output, [Lukas] simply used a digital input on the MSP430 microcontroller, with a little signal conditioning of course. He also added a barometer chip for altitude data, plus an ambient light sensor to control the LCD backlight. Everything lives in a clever 3D-printed case with a minimalist but thoughtful design that docks and undocks from the bike easily; [Lukas] assures us that a waterproof version of the case is in the works.
https://github.com/carrotIndustries/cyclotron-mini/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Virtual Eurorack Based CPU Computes To The Beat Of A Different Drum Module
https://hackaday.com/2022/01/01/virtual-eurorack-based-cpu-computes-to-the-beat-of-a-different-drum-module/
In Arthur C. Clarke’s 1972 story “Dial F for Frankenstein”, the worlds first global network of phone exchanges was created by satellite link, and events happened that caused the characters in the story to wonder if the interconnected mesh of machinery had somehow become sentient. And that’s what we wondered when we saw this latest virtual CPU construction built by GitHub user [katef] and made from a virtual analog synthesizer software called VCV Rack.
https://github.com/katef/eurorack-cpu
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/01/01/teaching-a-dc-servo-motor-to-act-like-a-stepper/
Tomi Engdahl says:
An OpenSCAD Library For All Your CNC Cutting Needs
https://hackaday.com/2022/01/02/an-openscad-library-for-all-your-cnc-cutting-needs/
While there’s always the edge case, there’s a strong likelihood that if you’re using OpenSCAD, you’re probably working on a CAD model that you intend to 3D print at some point. Of course that’s not to say this is all you can do in OpenSCAD, but it’s arguably what it does best. If you wanted to make artistic models, or maybe render what your new kitchen will look like, there are other tools better suited to such tasks.
But thanks to lasercut.scad, a library that [Brendan Sleight] has been working on for the last several years, we might have to reconsider our preconceived dimensional notions. Instead of designing parts for 3D printing, his library is all about creating parts intended for subtractive manufacturing. Originally (as the name implies) it was geared towards laser cutting, but the project has since evolved to support CNC routers, vinyl cutters, and pretty much anything else that can follow a DXF file.
https://github.com/bmsleight/lasercut
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/01/01/cool-the-shop-with-a-thermal-battery-based-system/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Welding with jumper cables and a pair of batteries
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PV5oLPLUzrM
A word of caution: When done properly with healthy batteries, this method of emergency welding is safe. However, there are dozens of ways to screw this up and cause property damage and injury. Attempt this at your own risk! I accept no liability for what you decide to do.
This is a short video demonstrating how to weld steel using a pair of batteries and a set of jumper cables. I’ve used this method out on the trail lots of times and it comes in handy when you find yourself with broken parts out in the middle of nowhere!
While I would not recommend using this as your primary shop welder, it does work well in an emergency situation. Adding a few pounds of welding rod to your toolbox is excellent insurance against a long walk home!
Common questions that seem to keep popping up:
What electrode did I use in the video?
I believe that I used 1/8″ 6011 in the video, although the electrode choice depends on the material you intend to weld. I’ve found that 6011 or 7018 works well for most trail repairs
will it destroy the batteries?
No; I’m certain that it isn’t GOOD for them, but when done properly, this method of welding draws roughly 150 amps…similar to a starter motor or a lightly loaded winch motor.
This video has been up for quite a few years and there are lots of comments/questions that get asked frequently. Here are my answers to the most common ones:
1. “Don’t set the batteries on concrete, it will damage them!” This is something that used to be true, about 60 years ago. Modern battery case design, vent systems, and materials mean that it is perfectly OK to put batteries on a concrete surface. I won’t go into great detail, but the reasons why are easily available using a google search.
2. “What rod did you use?” 1/8″ 7018 is what I carry in my vehicle.
3. “This irreparably damages the batteries” No, it doesn’t. Welding current using this method varies; but is generally around 150 amps. That is less than a starter motor, a winch, and even some stereo systems. Automotive batteries have no problem supplying this current for short duration, most of them are rated at 650CCA or more. However, if it is necessary to weld for more than 20-30 seconds at a time, you should take a break to let the battery cool. And, depending on battery chemistry, you shouldn’t discharge the battery below about 50% or its life will be diminished.
4. “I can get rid of my welder now!” Please don’t! This is an emergency repair technique, not designed to replace proper welding equipment. It has lots of limitations; most notable is the lack of ability to control current. With decent jumper cables (4GA or larger), 1/8″ rod, and healthy batteries, you’ll get about 150A of welding current. But, there are all sorts of variables there so actual welding current will vary based on your setup. I can easily weld 1/8″-1/4″ material using this method, good for most emergency trailside repairs. I have used it for things like cracked frames, broken suspension links, shock mounts, etc. For any jobs where I plan to have to weld, I’ll take my Miller Bobcat and my wire feeder over the jumper cables any day.
5. “The batteries will explode!” Modern, healthy batteries will not discharge hydrogen gas during discharge. So no, this isn’t a bomb. Improper charging, a damaged battery, or a damaged venting system CAN cause hydrogen gas to form, so it is prudent to make sure you’re not dropping sparks right on top of the batteries. In my life, I witnessed one battery explosion and it was ugly. It was NOT for welding with batteries; it was jumper cables that were hooked up backwards and left in place. I would never say there is NO risk, but the risk is minimal.
6. “Can I weld with 12V and 1/16″ rod?” I haven’t had good luck with this…and most emergency repairs don’t need this small of an electrode anyway.
7. “I’m a welder/CWI/etc. and this doesn’t work!” It works just fine…as an emergency repair technique. I used to be certified as well (though I haven’t been for many years) and I would NEVER use batteries and jumper cables for a weld that was going to be inspected, or that I needed to rely on. It does, however, work quite well to stick two pieces of metal together long enough to limp a damaged vehicle home. It is not a substitute for a real welding power supply! This is essentially a constant voltage source; a normal SMAW welder is constant current so an experienced welder may try this and be immediately turned off by how different it is from normal welding. But, it DOES work for emergency repairs.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Spot Welding Machine Using Lead Acid Battery
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYivIldvS6o
Viewer comments:
Not the best way to weld, but its how I taught my self as young teen in my fathers workshop in a similar fashion. great memories. Thanks
The fixture of the nail at 2:00 is great art work! Thats whats the electrician wants to see! A connection capable of really high current – just as you need it for spot welding! But wait – its going to be even better: the diode – poor thing! Why the hell would you need a diode here??? Its probably melted to short circuit now – thats why it still works
If you make one of the probes to have a greater surface area then only 1 spot will get hot instead of both contact spots.
Can make any control circuit. Just a small pulse to ensure avoid burning of the strip.
Yes very good method if your father have a factory of car’s batteries. After 2-3 weldings you replace the baterry with a new one for the next 2-3 weldings
Even without diodes it works but it will damage the battery, so that’s why he use diode to prevent from damaging the battery
what’s the name of the diode place, can be improved more for battery not getting damaged?
I like the fact he used a galvanized nail, for the black wire is it possible to connect a clamp instead and thanks for diode does it have to be specific
Tomi Engdahl says:
For a $13 spot weld kit, I’ll pass on this. And people wonder why in Canada we make immigrants essentially re-educate themselves to prove proficiency in their field. This is why
Tomi Engdahl says:
Action camera and a HUGE old lens!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gLIizIJeUk
Today I will combine an action camera and an old huge lens. Let’s see if something worthwhile comes out of this. For such a modification, we will need to work on a lathe and milling machine, but the result will be interesting. Enjoy watching!
Tomi Engdahl says:
Glow plug Soldering Iron 1000°C
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtKZsE1dEe8
12v dc soldering iron
Tomi Engdahl says:
The energy stored in 8800uF at 30v is around 4J which is about 10% of what is needed to make a good weld with regular nickel battery strap. Also, notice how many of the “welds” demonstrated are visible only on one side of the probe… this is because the energy is spent in the sparking as the contacts close not by current flowing through the weld…. the current needs to be switched on AFTER a good contact is made!
I have no doubt that with some luck and some very thin metal strip this might work a few times, but it could not weld regular nickel battery strap, and the switch will not last 10 minutes.
New ideas to make spot welding machine with high Quality
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X5O1bVHblc
The trick of condensator based spot welding is low voltage and huge capacity. In this case it does not produce spark explosion just welds.
The cap rating of 35V is too low. If it is really a 30V transformer, it will, without load, charge the caps to more than 40V. The switch may work a while, if you limit the charging current with a resistor.
This can simply work without the doubtful tactile switch & also without such a big transformer & bridge rectifier. Use only a small 20v, 100 mA transformer & one cheap diode 1N4002 – 7 with a 1000 ohm resistor which continuously keep the capacitor bank charged. Make a quick discharge with pressure, preferably between the battery end & the connection strip. Don’t worry about any further continuation heavy currents in the joints because of the 1000 ohms resistance. For thicker strips add some more capacitors. Circuit works OK.
Tomi Engdahl says:
DIY Spot Welder From Microwave Transformer | HOW TO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UseccvORpk8
Hi everyone! In this video I decided to show you have I made a simple spot welder to save your 18650 batteries from overheating when soldering. It is a highly useful tool for a DIY’er that can be used in many different projects for creating rechargeable battieries and is super simple to make!
Tomi Engdahl says:
Another Aliexpress DIY Spot Welder Controller Review (Available)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJksfnCD8ro
I review another spot welder controller. This spot welder controller is a single pulse controller for spot welding batteries, sheet metal and more. It features two potentiometers, a digital pulse time and intensity readout.
Tomi Engdahl says:
DIY spot welder with foot pedal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4I5zWpqSJbM
Homemade spot welder with foot pedal. Detailed instructions on how to build one.
DISCLAIMER:
The spot welder presented in this video uses mains voltage (110 – 240 V~). Always be careful when using this as a source for your DIY devices, the voltage/current involved is dangerous and potentially lethal if misapplied.
I’m not a trained electrician. This video is for entertainment purposes only. If you inted to replicate what you see, do it at your own risk.
This device is made for home use only. It does not cope with a 100% duty cycle and needs cooling after a few spot welds. Please bear that in mind when building/using your own.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Car Body DIY Spotter Electric Dent Puller Welder From Microwaves UPDATED
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6UgtCN5vzU
I decided to do a ground up build video of my homemade spotter – electric dent puller that I made from microwave Transformers. I figured in this video I would be able to address all of the questions that you may have. This is a pretty simple tool that is relatively easy to make with parts that could be easily acquired. Plus in this video I’m taking my existing spotter and adding some much needed features that will make it a lot more user-friendly.
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPi-3wIgSRV_nyQ0_uSSmoqsPNgeTx11NbLyKOsN7QNQTddvyE0AsMqNGv9Ggy3UQ?key=M1hJNzY3T3g2TC1zUEx5b1NPN1A5MmZBNzdJWTVR
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/01/03/2021-as-the-hardware-world-turns/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/01/03/another-homebrew-linux-board-success-story/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/01/03/homemade-scrapyard-security-mech-gives-uncle-super-powers/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Open Source Openwheel
https://hackaday.com/2022/01/03/diy-onewheel-on-the-cheap/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Next level DIY battery spot welding
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ceos88VO6p4
I’m presenting my spot welder design that has some unique features which I didn’t find in any other related DIY projects.
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/guesses-on-what-i-am-attempting-here/
Tomi Engdahl says:
10 Increíbles trucos eléctricos | Ideas impresionantes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNSO44_3bFA
Tomi Engdahl says:
The team at The Hacksmith (Canada) have created a torch that can project light at over 500,000 lumens – here’s how they built it
https://fb.watch/akp0cCSevW/
https://www.hacksmith.tech/
Tomi Engdahl says:
What Can You Do With a $200 CNC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1waY_yPrXnQ
3018 CNC is probably the most inexpensive machine you can buy. Surprisingly with proper settings and materials, you can achieve really nice results! Sure, it’s not the fastest CNC machine but definitely a great inexpensive learning tool for beginners.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/01/06/tiny-led-matrix-panels-tile-together-perfectly/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/01/06/remoticon-2021-unbinare-brings-a-reverse-engineering-toolkit-into-recycling/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/01/05/haptic-feedback-rifle-lets-you-take-aim-in-vr/
Tomi Engdahl says:
USB Power Has Never Been Easier
https://hackaday.com/2022/01/05/usb-power-has-never-been-easier/
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5167475
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/01/05/laptop-empty-space-filled-with-rs485-and-poe/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/01/05/building-a-wifi-enabled-bird-box-on-the-cheap/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/01/04/improved-thermochromic-clock-uses-pcb-heaters-for-better-contrast/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/01/04/growing-spectacular-gem-like-crystals-from-rust-and-simple-ingredients/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/01/04/modular-design-enables-huge-ping-pong-ball-led-displays/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/01/04/what-you-should-know-before-buying-an-industrial-sewing-machine/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/01/04/the-cucumber-house-that-lego-built/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/01/04/angel-investor-gives-open-source-pnp-a-massive-boost/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.io/project/183393-compliant-servo-actuator