News, reviews and articles about products that help you make and fix things.
The OWC Express USB 2.0 hard drive enclosure is an exercise in minimalism. In the picture you see the two elements of the case; a mini-USB port and an activity LED. I received a silver model to review. The enclosures come in your choice of silver, white, or black.
OWC Express USB 2.0 Hard Drive Enclosure Review Read More
Here’s something for all our crafty DIY readers out there that also happen to own a Kindle eBook reader. It’s an article with 10 Kindle cases that you can build for free. The article includes links and instructions to various cases, like the one shown here using an old pair of jeans to make a
10 Kindle Cases You Can Make Yourself Read More
If there’s anything that I love as much as getting my hands on a shiny new gadget, it’s taking old gadgets and repurposing them to accomplish something completely awesome. I recently combined a low-end Eye-Fi card, a 2008 Mac Mini, and a little elbow grease to turn my home theater system into a slideshow displaying
Geek Up Your Party With a Live-Updating Slideshow Read More
If you are tired of the way your recessed can lights look, you can convert them to pendant fixtures in minutes without paying for an electrician. These Instant Pendant Lights from Solutions simply replace the bulb in your old fixture. You can adjust the length of the fixture without having to cut the wiring, and
Change the Look of Your Room With Instant Pendant Lights from Solutions Read More
If you are equally handy with “needle, thread, and battleaxe”, you can make yourself a D20-shaped handbag (called a dice bag, if you’re male). The ThinkGeek kit contains all the components you need to make the bag; you just need to supply the sewing machine, thread, iron, and the skills. The DIY Dice Handbag kit is
DIY Dice Handbag Kit Read More
I recently posted news items about an official Moleskine Kindle case with a reporter-style notebook and the DODOcase Moleskine-style case for iPad. If you really want a Moleskine-style case for your iPad but don’t want to spend $50 and wait up to six weeks for it, you can try your hand at making your own.
DIY Moleskine Case for iPad Read More
Have you seen A Christmas Story? Remember the “oh fudge!” scene when Ralphie is helping his dad change the flat tire and dropped all the lug nuts in traffic? Ralphie could have been spared having his mouth washed out with soap if only his dad had owned a MagnoGrip wristband! The MagnoGrip wristband from ThinkGeek
MagnoGrip Magnetic Wristband Read More
Not only do I love pocket tool kits, I have a real need to carry a variety of tools with me at work. Not just the pliers and screwdrivers common on most multi-tools, but other tools as well. I was pleasantly surprised by Doc Allen’s Versatool.
Doc Allen’s Versatool Review Read More
I’ve always loved taking photos, but I’m not so good with keeping my photos arranged to make it easy to enjoy looking at them. A few years ago, I tried scrapbooking, but that’s a very expensive hobby. A single book could end up costing hundreds when you factor in cost of printing the pictures, buying
AdoramaPix Photo Book Review Read More
FastMac has announced a 110V wall power outlet that can be used to replace any existing wall outlet. The TruePower U Socket contains two USB charging ports in addition to the standard 3-prong power outlet ports. The USB ports aren’t vampires – they don’t pull any power unless something is plugged in for charging. FastMac
TruePower U Socket Wall Outlet with Two USB Charge Ports Read More
The-Gadgeteer post for the getting-started-guide-for-Linux reminded me of this useful site: devcheatsheet.com. The best thing? You can post your own cheat sheets and help others grok perplexing and poorly documented libraries and programs. The next best thing? You can download many of them as PDF files and put ’em on your e-reader.
One-Stop Cheat Sheet Shopping Read More
Wee-Meng Lee sent in a nifty tip for those of you that own a Pilot Varsity disposable fountain pen and would like a relatively easy way to refill the ink instead of throwing away the pen. Wee-Meng has created a video that demonstrates his method. If you have other gadget tips like this one, please send them
Recycle Tip – Refill Pilot Varsity Fountain Pens Read More
If you are a photography buff or just like to build things, check out the Plamodel build-your-own working 35mm camera with a 28mm lens. You simply snap together the plastic parts in the DIY camera kit from Japanese design house SuperHeadz. This could be a fun project for you to do with a younger child who’d
Build Your Own 35mm Camera Read More
Benny Johansson sent in a link to his site where he demonstrates how to make your own holders for flashlights, bicycle pumps and other items. His photography and clear instructions are great. I’ve bookmarked the site for future reference. Go check it out.
DIY holders for flashlights Read More
Do you ever read new product posts here on The Gadgeteer and think that you could easily make something yourself that would be a fraction of the cost? Sandee Cohen did just that. Let’s check the results.
If you are a Harry Potter fan and are mechanically inclined, you can make your own magic Whereabouts clock like the Weasley family owned. The clock in the picture is a one-of-a-kind creation, built by a man who was inspired by a conversation he had with his sons – yes, the magic in Harry Potter
Build Your Own Harry Potter Whereabouts Clock Read More
Do you have your eye on a multi-device charging system, but don’t want to fork over the $’s to buy one? Have you ever considered making one? That’s exactly what Gadgeteer reader Robert Grenader decided to do. Check out his handy work.
DIY – Multi-Device Charging Station Read More
I was in Greenland a few years ago and fascinated by the multi-choice toilets which allow the “consumer” to flush using either a half or full tank of water, the idea being to conserve water. The capability was built into the commode and I thought that was a really cool idea. Meanwhile back in the
Brondell PerfectFlush Review Read More
I bumbled across this on Lifehacker: Make Photo Necklaces, Earrings, Magnets and More Using Shrinkable Plastic. Make your own zipper pulls, earrings, nose rings, key chain fobs, dog collar fobs, cell phone fobs, wine glass fobs, e-reader fob, blah blah blah. The technique involves the “Shrinky Dink” shrinkable plastic from waaaay back in the day,
More Junk to Hang Off Your BackPack – But It’s YOUR Junk Read More
Look on the Internet for plans to build a robot from an old computer mouse and you’ll find plenty. Really useful, huh? But, look for a set of plans for a Murphy bed and you’ll be disappointed. Oddly there are plenty of people out there searching for do-it-yourself plans for Murphy beds, myself included (both
A Real Murphy Bed Plan Read More