So I found a 9-track reel-to-reel tape drive on eBay that looked like it was in working and beautiful condition. It’s a Kennedy 9800 with the reels arranged horizontally so it doesn’t take up half an equipment rack. I’d like… Continue Reading
I ran a bunch of speaker and signal cable along my wall because I relocated my audio receiver to an equipment rack. Plastic wire conduit is hideous and too small/large. Wire staples/clips are too small. Infinitely adjustable, mounted zip ties… Continue Reading
What it is KnobSwitch is a minimal entertainment center controller. One big-ass knob for volume control and one selector switch for input source. What it does Gives you instant, simple selection of your input source and volume control. Communicates to… Continue Reading
I had a lot of high-spec plywood left over from my foolhardy attempt at mounting the TV with it. I also needed to raise my speakers off the floor. So I took some cinderblocks and some of that wood to… Continue Reading
Abstract I live in an old building with brand-new looking drywall. Studs were not all on 16″ centers. My low-profile mount could only span 16″centers. Went through the trouble to make a spanning board. turns out the drywall was not… Continue Reading
Our parents’ first mobile phone, probably. Background These phones are cheap on eBay and elsewhere, and so are simple GSM/Bluetooth radio modules. What it does Makes and receives calls either by itself or as a Bluetooth extension to your existing… Continue Reading
A computer-controlled ferrofluid display. Background Ferrofluid looks cool, so why not play with it in 3D space? What it does The ferrofluid blob is suspended in 3D space however you want. You can stretch it, break it, move it, spin… Continue Reading
A centrally-controlled grid of wind-sensitive tea candles. Background I wanted to make a light-art piece for my barren walls at home to impress unsuspecting female co-workers who happened to stop by. What it does It generally looks like a grid… Continue Reading
A heating system to keep me toasty in my slumber. Background I live in San Francisco. Naturally, the 4000W in-wall heater in my bedroom is placed such that I can’t use it. Also I have what used to be a fireplace… Continue Reading
Just a fun fact I discovered recently and wish I knew years ago: Texas Instruments (along with many other companies) publishes component symbols/devices/footprints for their parts that you can import into EAGLE easily. Let’s use a nice power convertor as… Continue Reading