Tindie

Badges and by extension #Badgelife, are an easy and simple way for makers to connect and create unique projects that reflect their personality and style. That being said, you should always expect the unexpected, as badges can come in all shapes and sizes.

The Unexpected Maker 2018 Badge is one such surprise that features a hackable ATtiny85 micro-controller, and a buzzsaw inspired PCB. It comes both pre-assembled and in pieces, but you can solder the entire thing by hand, thanks to the use of surface mount components and four 0603 resistors.

The electronic badge uses a CR2032 and features both a power switch and a momentary button that is used to change the animation of the LEDs. For those who enjoy hacking badges, it also includes all the required connections broken out on the back for an AVR programmer to hack the Tiny85.

Keep Reading ›

Recording sounds in the home, on the move, or in the studio always requires amplification to get an accurately reflected sound. The SoundSniffer designed by Soniphorm allows you to connect 3 types of recording inputs, suitable for a range of practical applications and get an amplified signal for the best possible clarity anywhere you go!

It’s a handy, pocket-sized pre-amp which can be used with a condenser mic, a piezo mic, or a coiled electrical pickup. It’s designed to be used on the move and is battery operated to record anything you desire, from conventional instruments, nature, voices – even underwater using hydrophones; there are no limits.

Soniphorm are based in Donegal, Ireland and offer a DIY Kit, an Assembled Kit, and the Assembled Kit with a single coil pickup (which has been hand wound around a 3D printed bobbin). It comes with an extensive instructions available from their website (PDF).

The kit comes with all components, sockets and a PCB, with a unique wooden enclosure to house them in. Watch the video below to see it in practice.

Keep Reading ›

The CB55 from circuitbenders is a nostalgia-inducing device to bring you true analogue drum sounds at an incredible price. It’s a direct replica of the Boss DR55 drum machine from 1980, featuring a bass drum, hat, snare and rimshot for some superb analogue action – as used by artists like New Order, The Cure, Soft Cell, Chris Carter and Thomas Dolby.

This is a classic machine, re-imagined and brought to life for 2018! Each of the sounds is triggered from an external input – perhaps a modular or another such CV emitting device. The warmth and depth of the sounds has to be heard to be believed (see below) and it features an accent feature to hit that little bit harder.

The CB55 comes to you in PCB form, and is designed to be made by people familiar with ordering electronic parts. If you’ve not done that before, this might be the place to start as you’ll become familiar with the components, their details, and eventually save some money on future builds. The extensive build guide and parts list are located here,

It even comes with a Eurorack power connection to load into your modular – if you so desire.

Keep Reading ›

We’ve all been there: you’ve got a simple task you’d like to do with your microcontroller, and need an LED or ten to indicate that things are working correctly. You should use a current limiting resistor to keep from burning out LEDs prematurely, but this means selecting the proper resistor and soldering or breadboarding things into place. This is often neglected if you’re just doing a quick prototype, but it’s hard to shake that nagging feeling that you’ve broken the rules a bit.

For an easy solution to this tiny problem, seller Radomir Dopieralski offers the Rainbow Jellyfish Kit. This lovable design comes with a jellyfish shaped PCB “head,” which is adorned with LEDs in a variety of colors, along with the proper resistors and probe tentacles that hang down to plug into a breadboard.

While not explicitly advertised as such, it could make a nice learn-to-solder/SMD challenge device. It’s handy for its intended purpose, but it will also look nice adorning your garage or workspace, perhaps the end of a fan pull-cord!

Keep Reading ›

There’s no denying the power and convenience of open-source software and hardware provides. Bringing these type of technology into your project can only speed things up and also elevate it to the next level. That’s exactly what this Digital Signage Infrared Development Kit seeks to do.

By leveraging open-source hardware and software provided by Iridoid, this kit is a complete infrared remote control transmitter, receiver, IR extension, and enclosure compatible with Raspberry Pi. It speeds up your digital signage development process by reducing the time-to-market.

Digital Signage developers will find a complete open-source infrared remote control solution with IR extension cables, enclosure, and an IR transceiver. In addition to Raspberry Pi and Raspbian, it also works with LIRC.

Keep Reading ›

Let’s be honest, the Game Boy is the best handheld gaming system ever made. Sure, there have been some solid successors, but the Game Boy will always be the king of portable gaming. This is why so many makers create emulators and devices that seek to harness this golden age of gaming.

The Gaboze Pocaio is one such device. You may be wondering where the name came from, it’s actually an acronym:

• Game
• Boy
• Zero
• Pocket
• All
• In
• One

This device features a 2.4″ TFT LCD screen with 60 FPS display, a classic Game Boy button layout, battery charger, headphone jack, and speaker capability. The board has been tested with Emulation Station, Lakka, and RetroPie.

In addition to this board and screen, you’ll need a Raspberry Pi Zero W, a LiPo battery, a micro SD card, and a Game Boy Pocket Shell to complete the package. Once you’re all set up, you’ll have a stylish and capable arcade that fits in your pocket!

Keep Reading ›

The Hackaday Superconference is the greatest gathering of hardware hackers, builders, engineers and enthusiasts in the world, and takes place in Pasadena, CA from November 2-4 (2018). Besides a variety of activities, workshops, and talks, the price of admission also covers food during the day, as well as access to “Party Day One” on—you guessed it—the first day of the conference, November 2nd at Supplyframe HQ. On top of that, you get a custom electronic badge that you can cherish forever!

The specific speakers and talks for the conference are currently undecided as the Call for Proposals is still open. This means that you could be one of the speakers. We do know that talks and workshops will fall under the overarching theme of hardware creation—lessons learned, techniques, engineering heroics, or anything that could somehow be entertaining to a hacking audience. So, exactly in line with the Tindarian audience. Don’t be afraid to send in a proposal; those selected to speak get free admission, and even if you don’t, you’ll still get tickets for half off the normal price!

To see what you missed last year, check out this Hackaday.com writeup, or if you need more convincing, here’s Hackaday’s announcement for this year’s event. The playlist of talks from last year is embedded below.

Keep Reading ›

When you take your first steps on the road to becoming a maker, one of the first skills you’ll need to master is soldering. It’s the backbone of just about every electronics project, but it’s not an easy skill to master. Don’t let the fear stop you, soldering opens up a lot of DIY projects for you.

With the I Can Solder Badge, you’ll not only learn the basics, but you’ll also have proof to show the world. This badge project is unique in that it also teaches you about circuits and includes a switch to save the battery power.

Included in the kit is a purple PCB manufactured in the USA by OSH Park, an RGB LED, a resistor, a switch, and a battery holder for the CR2032. Keep in mind that you’ll need to purchase the battery yourself as it cannot be mailed out with the kit due to USPS guidelines.

Keep Reading ›

August is in full swing, meaning that Tindarians are cleaning out space on workbenches worldwide to make room for Halloween projects.* While some previously-valuable electronics will sadly end up in landfills, other electronic detritus may make it to the Tindie Flea Market. Let’s see what’s on tap this month:

^{*Is this true? I don’t know. Let’s be honest though, your bench could use a nice tidying up once in a while.}

Linear Actuator/Stage

If you need to precisely position something for a CNC machine or other robotics application, this stage is described as “very rigid,” and is driven by a NEMA17 stepper motor. Looks like a great device for the right application.

5V Input ==> Lower Voltage Output

Yes, you might be able to run a component on 5V even though it says something different, but you really shouldn’t. This device, Texas Instruments part number PTH05050WAH, converts a 5 V input to an output between 0.8 V and 3.6 V at an efficiency up to 95%!

3D Printer Width Sensor Kit

If you’re worried about the variation in your 3D printing filament, this kit measures its diameter, allowing you to set up your printer to adjust accordingly. Note that the sensor itself is only included in some of the options.

Russian Vacuum Fluorescent Display

There is not a whole lot of info on these devices, with a product description that notes: “This was produced in USSR for use in some sort of electronic devices.” It displays 4 digits, as well as some Russian text, and could make a great prop for a retro-futuristic themed hack.

Tah: BLE Arduino-Compatible Dongle

Tah is a dongle that can plug into your computer or other system with a USB port to act as an HID. It’s Arduino-compatible, and since you can link it up with a smartphone, it opens up all kinds of control possibilities!

Keep Reading ›

Strobe lights are used in everything from photography, to haunted houses, and in both cases, they have an amazing effect on our perception of time. Harold “Doc” Edgerton was an American electrical engineer who created high-speed photography techniques by developing and improving strobes to seemingly freeze objects in time and space.

His “Piddler” machine used a stroboscopic technique that made water droplets appear as if they were levitating or even flowing backward. This is the inspiration behind the Time Fountain from jolliFactory.

This Time Fountain DIY Kit gives you the basic building blocks you need to build a small and portable version of this concept. An Arduino Nano or compatible microcontroller is required, but not included in the kit.

A few add-ons are also offered, including the main panel fit, enclosure, and an Arduino Nano clone microcontroller pre-loaded with the JF Time Fountain program. Detailed instructions are also available on Instructables.

Prepare to be amazed as you watch this fountain in action below!

Keep Reading ›