News, reviews and articles about products that help you make and fix things.
I have a fascination with nixie tubes, or vacuum tubes that ThinkGeek calls the LEDs of the past. These tubes aren’t being manufactured any longer, but there are still some available that are being used to make Steampunk things like clocks and thermometers. You’ll need to know how to read schematics and how to solder […]
Build your own Steampunk thermometer Read More
Before deciding if you want – or need – the CMOY Headphone Amplifier, there is something any buyer should ask themselves: Why do you want one? Seriously, this is important, because many people will buy a headphone amp for all the wrong reasons. Consider this: If you want an amp to make your music louder and
CMOY Headphone Amplifier review Read More
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walmart. All opinions are 100% mine. You probably have a roll of that wide silver colored tape somewhere out in your garage.You know the stuff, that you have to start a tear with your teeth in order to rip off a strip. That type
Make your own school supply case with Duck Tape® Read More
Our family has been cable-less for a long time now. We cut the cord on cable TV years ago, and ninety percent of the time we are completely satisfied streaming our content from Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, or the affiliates themselves. But there are definitely those occasions when I wish I could watch sports events live
The Mohu Sky HDTV Antenna review Read More
A couple years ago I reviewed the Midori Traveler’s Notebook and commented that it was too expensive at $60 and that I could easily make one of my own for $20 or less. After I posted that review, I ended up buying all the supplies I needed to make my own covers. The next year
Even though I don’t own a 3D printer and I have never created a 3D model before, I know that I really want a Makerbot Digitizer. This has to be the coolest gadgets I’ve read about in a long time. Just place an object on the platform and the digitizer uses laser beams (Yes, frickin
Makerbot Digitizer – scan it and 3D print it, the future is here Read More
Ok kiddies, it’s time to put on your Martha Stewart apron and bust out some scissors, glue and construction paper so you can make this cool (and free) sound amplifying dock for your smartphone. Consider this as an upgrade to the DIY Styrofoam Cup Sound Amplifier idea that we brought you a few weeks ago.
If Martha Stewart was a gadgeteer, she’d make this Phono Horn for her iPhone Read More
Gadgeteer reader Gary Henderson sent in a great tip for anyone who wants to increase the volume on their tablet without spending money on portable speakers or other accessories. All you need is a simple paper, plastic or Styrofoam cup and a pair of scissors or a knife. Cut a slot in the cup and
DIY Tip: Jack up your tablet’s volume with a Styrofoam cup Read More
If you live in an apartment where you can’t make permanent changes or in a 60-year-old house with 4″-thick plaster-and-lathe walls that make finding the wall studs impossible like I do, you may have thought a wall organizer unit and desk like the one in the photo was impossible for you. Usually this type of
Build an organized home office without permanently modifying the room Read More
I’ve always heard great things about the Dremel line of tools. They are known for their good build quality, and can be used for cutting, grinding, sanding, shaping, and etching various materials. I recently had the opportunity to review the Dremel 4200 High-Performance Rotary Tool with EZ Change, so let’s take a look at what is
Dremel 4200 Rotary Tool review Read More
Like many hobbyists, I rely on a good soldering iron. I’ve been soldering since the 3rd grade, and I’ve had quite a few soldering irons over the years. I’m currently using a Weller soldering station that I’ve had over 20 years (still going strong), so when I had a chance to try a new Weller
Weller SP25NUS LED-lit Soldering Iron review Read More
Remembering all the interest in Julie’s recent Gadget Diary about the Qi inductive wireless charger, I know some of you will be interested in reading an article I recently found on the Huffington Post site. They have an article about modifying a nightstand to turn it into a Qi inductive wireless charging station. Basically, a
Hack your nightstand into a Qi inductive wireless charging station Read More
Since the demise of the Heathkit, I’ve lived with an emptiness in my gadget life. However hope springs eternal, so when I heard about the Calculator kit from SpikenzieLabs, I was prepared to do whatever it took to review it. Thank goodness I was selected and could now feed my kit-building addiction. Hopefully my excitement
SpikenzieLabs Calculator Kit review Read More
I have no idea what I would make if I had a 3D printer at my disposal, but I just know I want to play with one… The new Portabee 3D printer is an attractive option because it’s reasonably priced at $480 unassembled (don’t worry, there’s no soldering involved and only takes a couple of afternoons
Portabee – 3D printing gets cheaper and more portable Read More
