There’s no foolproof way to prove that your sister actually stole your sunglasses, but polygraphs can sometimes do a pretty good job. Here’s how to throw together a DIY polygraph machine with nothing but an Arduino, some wire and some tin foil.
It seems like no matter what you do bicycles are just too easy to steal. As long as a thief has a bolt cutter or a crowbar, they can get through most locks in a jiffy. Cars have alarms to deter thieves, but why not bikes? Here’s an easy, cheap way to create a magnetic bike alarm that will leave thieves fleeing the scene.
The problem with remote controls is that you often can’t find them when you need them. This hack will truly let you control your devices from a distance, by whistling.
If your home or office has unique security challenges or you just want the geek cred you assemble a system to open a door via an RFID signal. At around $US100 the parts aren’t expensive, but in addition to basic electronics skills you’ll need familiarity with Arduino Uno boards and access to a laser cutter.
One of the problems with having a lot of accessories plugged in around your computer is that even after you turn everything off they’re still draining power. Instructables user schubertj wanted a way to automate the powering off of his speakers, monitors and printer, so he hacked a USB into a power strip so it’s powered by the computer itself.
Ever wished your house would greet you when you opened the front door, which unlocked automatically when you approached? Or your kitchen kept an inventory of everything inside it? The Jetsons may seem like they’ve got it all, but with a little patience and the right DIYs, the Jetson’ll have nothing on you.
Happen to have an old FM Radio and a smartphone sitting around collecting dust? DIY electronics blog The Daily Life of a DIY Person shows how you can combine an HTC Hero phone with an old FM radio for a cheap and portable media centre.
Whether you spend hours on end at workbench fiddling with wires and a soldering iron or you’re just getting started with DIY projects and want to make sure you’re doing it right, this technique for easily stripping and tinning wires with solder is worth learning. Once you have it down, it only takes a couple of seconds to get your wires ready to connect to a board, crimp, or connect to another device.
If you’re a serious electronics hobbyist, you’ll find that a large portion of your project cost consists of transformers. There are thousands of non-functioning microwave ovens out there that contain perfectly good transformers that you can safely use and remove as long as you follow the correct procedures.
If you have a set of “helping hands” (alligator clips that hold the piece you’re working on, usually with a magnifying glass) you can make soldering wires much easier by having the hands hold a large washer. In addition to holding your wire in place, the wires use the washer as a point of stability that will keep them from tearing apart if you use too much force.
