Daily Bits

DIY

Make Your Own Iron Man Palm Laser Weapon

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We have inition
We have ignition

Kids, do not try this at home. Then again, this is a DIY piece, so no one can really stop you from giving the project a go. Just remember, this is no ordinary DIY project. It can hurt you. Literally.

Have you ever heard of Patrick Priebe? ((Source)) Probably not, but my guess is that his name is already making the rounds and geeky DIY-ers and Iron Man fans are already on to him. This lab technician from Germany is an Iron Man fan to the highest level. As if watching the movies every week wasn’t enough, Patrick went ahead and created his own version of Iron Man’s laser thingamajig – the one the shoots out of his palm. (And I thought I was the number one Iron Man fan!) [Read more…] about Make Your Own Iron Man Palm Laser Weapon

Lab Coat Made of LED Functions as TV

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Alright, DIY-ers out there. Here is the model for your next project! This labcoat is made of LED and even works as a TV! How much cooler can you get?

The LEB lab coat was made by David Forbes, who had one special mission in mind while he was conceptualizing and creating the coat: to wear his creation at Burning Man. Here’s a peek at the lab coat.

LED labcoat
LED Labcoat

Think of it as a color TV set placed on top of a lab coat that any scientist, doctor, or researcher would wear. And yes, the TV displays NTSC video – no need to fiddle with the settings!

If you’re wondering how this was made possible, think about flex boards and color LED displays (160 x 120 pixels to be exact). If the image above is not exactly to your liking, here’s another one that might prove to be more fun.

Homer
Homer

Homer is David’s hero – just like countless other people in the universe. You have to admit that, while the resolution of the TV will definitely not compete with your HDTV at home, Homer looks pretty good on the lab coat. Well, you know what I mean. 😉

As you may have surmised, the displays covers pretty much the entire torso, down to the leg – back to front, sides semi-included. The brains of this lab coat cum TV can be found in circuit boards mounted on the shoulders and the hips. The work that has gone into this contraption is not to be taken lightly. Six months – and custom fabricated boards, hot glue, FFC cable, double-sided tape, a host of other electronics, and $20,000 – later, David is ready to be a hit at Burning Man. Did I already say this thing cost $20,000 to complete?

Here’s the TV in action.

I tried to ignore how awkwardly David had to move all throughout the demo. I guess he’s going to have to be ready not to sit or even lean against anything when he shows that thing off at the festival!

For more details and photos of the making of the TV lab coat, visit Cathode Corner.

Nintendo Games Urinal – It Works!

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Are you addicted to video games? As you lie in bed drifting off to sleep, do you see images or scenes of the latest video game that you have been playing? Do you try to figure out strategies that will work when you wake up and get to play again? (If you even stop playing to sleep, that is.)

If you’re that much into games (and probably even if you aren’t), you’ll be amused to see this fully functional urinal that was built from Nintendo games. It is real, and it works.

game-urinal-side

To be honest, I could have done without the colored liquid, but I guess they had to show that to prove that the contraption works.

Envious now? Don’t fret – you can make a urinal like this for yourself. All you need is tons of Nintendo games. Avid and long-time gamers will have no issues, but if you don’t have those old games, I am sure that you can find someone willing to give or sell them to you. Here’s a list of things you need:

  • 40 Super Nintendo games
  • Saw drill and drill bits
  • Polyurethane spray and liquid
  • Clear waterproof sealant
  • 3/4 inch inlet spud
  • 2 inch drain spud
  • 1 sheet of Hardibacker
  • 3 tubes of clear plumbing glue
  • Urinal flush valve
  • P trap
  • Sand paper
  • SNES screwdriver security bit

Phew! I zoned out after the drill and drill bit, but this should not be much of challenge for you DIY-ers out there. For the rest of the instructions, visit Price Charting. ((Source: Price Charting))

In the meantime, good luck finding 40 Super Nintendo games!

Duct Tape Wave Machine

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What do you do when you have a lot of spare time, a lot of duct tape, some shish kabob skewers, and rubber stoppers for Erlenmeyer flasks? ((Refresh your memory: an Erlenmeyer flask is a piece of equipment used in the lab. It is characterized by a flat bottom, a conical body, and a cylindrical neck.)) Well, if you’re YouTube user RDSQC, you will make your own wave machine, take a video of it in action, and upload it for the entire world to see!

As you can see, this is not the wave machine that you use to make waves in pool to simulate the ocean’s movement. (Duh.) If I am right, this is actually a DIY version of a Shive wave machine, which was named after Dr. John Shive. He developed the machine back in the 1950s when he was working at Bell Labs.

So what’s the point in having a machine like this? (Aside from the fact that the guys look like they were having fun making the machine move.)

The purpose of a Shive wave machine is supposed to demonstrate how slow transverse waves move. In order to make this machine, the rods (shish kabob sticks in this case) have to be placed at regular intervals. In conventional wave machines, the rods are attached to a wire spine. In a MacGyver-worthy move, this DIY-er decided to use duct tape.

I don’t know what practical use the average person will ever have for one of these machines, but RDSQC, MacGyver would be so proud of you! ((Source: RDSQC))

Now if you happen to adore physics, you can see videos of “real” wave machines here.

Motorized Hammock: The Ultimate Lazy Guy’s Mode of Transpo

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motorized-hammock
And I thought I was lazy! I am the last person you can expect to ask you to take a walk. Heck, if I could fit into those little trolleys for kids at the mall, I would rent one so I wouldn’t have to walk around. If I can do things the easy way (i.e., not walk), then I would.

Reading about “The American Dream,” a project by Stephen Shaffer and his friends. The American Dream is a hammock which you can use to get around – not only in your backyard, but practically anywhere in town! Using The American Dream, you do not have to walk or drive a car – which can also be a hassle for some people. Instead, you just lie there as if you were enjoying the scenery at a tropical beach. It doesn’t matter – you are in a hammock, the most relaxing thing ever made. DIY at its best!

If you didn’t know, the hammock was invented by the Mayans eons ago. Stephen and his friends took it upon themselves to make an improvement on the hammock by putting it up on wheels. They threw in an Arduino micro-controller and used a PS2 controller for the navigation system. The chassis is from a wheelchair.

See, this thing is not only convenient (although it does take time and effort to build), but it also helps in the battle for the environment by using recycled materials! Here’s the hammock in action, plus some details about its creation. By the way, you have space for some luggage in the back. And that Red Bull trailing behind the hammock tells us that this was created for a Red Bull-sponsored competition. Thumbs up, boys!

American dream, Making the segway look like hard work from vimeo user on Vimeo.

DIY LEGO Motors

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Motor
There is no doubt that LEGO is fun for people of all ages. Not only is it fun, but it does have educational value as well. However, for some people, the ultimate level of fun with LEGO can only be reached if you can make things move around and play with them as they do. That’s where LEGO Motors come into the picture.

You can purchase LEGO Technic Motors, which are all ready for use. They use standard LEGO style electrical connectors and are powered by a 9-volt power supply. Of course, with convenience comes the price. But what if you had the skills, determination, and means to create your own LEGO Motors?

This guy just JMEMantzel has caught the attention of countless LEGO fans all over the world with his YouTube video of how to make your own LEGO Motors. You might be thinking – why spend all that time creating your own when you can buy them readymade?

Come on now, it’s all about the sense of self-achievement and satisfaction, and you can’t get any better than making your own toys. Understandably, it’s not for everyone, but if you’re a DIY-er, this video will get you all excited. I bet you’ll be heading off to do some shopping after watching this.

A word of wisdom: you might want to check out insurance quotes online as well. After all, your LEGO collection needs all the protection it can get – especially if you’re going to tinker around with electronics as well.

Why don’t you send some love down JMEMantzel’s way by visiting his YouTube Channel and letting him know what you think?

Photo via Lego Hacks