What are you currently MAKE'ing?

Thought I would break the ice with an obvious. I just thought of this an hour ago, and haven't had a chance to work on it. I want to take out the huge antenna on my cell phone and just wind a coil around in my phone's case. Shouldn't be hard. (The "MAKE" is MAKE an antenna that fits inside your phone.)

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trialex says: Oct 25, 2006. 12:15 AM

Hey guys. I'm working on an automatic flamethrower. I'm having trouble with the ignition stage, and if anyone has any ideas that would be great. I starting off trying to use a servo to push down on a peizo electric BBQ lighter - but the force required is too much for a standard servo. I can't find any cheap and safe coils to create a spark across a spark plug. My solution, which works but is non-permanent and a bit fiddly, uses a disposable camera flash to create a high voltage, then two wires soldered to the flash tube are touched together. The wires are brought together automatically by a servo. I'd really like to take the servo out of the equation - the arms holding the wire tend to shift over time. if anyone has any ideas on how to make a spark at a timed interval that would be awesome.

trialex says: May 22, 2012. 5:19 PM

Ha! It only took 5.5 years but I finally found a solution!

http://www.sparkfun.com/products/11218

Works on 5V logic, sparks across 0.5"

Halloween automatic flame-thrower here I come!

M4industries says: Feb 2, 2010. 6:08 PM

Try an ignition coil and diver circuit hooked up to a spark gap in the tube.

Zaphod Beeblebrox says: Jan 9, 2010. 8:14 PM

what about insteadof a servo you could use a hose clamp and moter witch would squeeze the button down

tumadre776 says: Apr 4, 2009. 3:48 AM

what if you but the grill ignitor behind the trigger and just had a bigger trigger to push both at once.

jeff-o says: Dec 31, 2008. 11:36 AM

Try a rotary igniter. My barbeque uses one - just turn the knob for ignition. It should be easy enough to gear it down for use with a servo.

pbekic001s says: Dec 13, 2008. 4:04 AM

dude just take a deodorant spray and a lighter. Then spray it and light it. theres ur simple flamethrower

trialex says: Dec 14, 2008. 1:55 PM

I think you missed the "automatic" bit. I don't want to have to be there when it goes off. Think about it like a burglar alarm that instead of triggering a siren triggers a flamethrower. Now how are you going to get the lighter to light automatically? That's my question!

Darkmoon says: Oct 7, 2008. 11:24 AM

A cockroft walton voltage multiplier would probably work well, it only uses capacitors and diodes. Use a micro or a 555 to pulse the input voltage and you have a nice lightweight high voltage generator.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockcroft-Walton_generator

stuffman366 says: Oct 3, 2008. 8:39 PM

a 12 volt battery and a spark plug should dothe trick

Ahmed.AlAmir says: Nov 17, 2008. 6:13 AM

Ummm, correct me if I am wrong. To generate a spark, a spark plug needs high voltage provided from the battery 12v pulsed into the ignition coil.

stuffman366 says: Dec 11, 2009. 10:56 AM

yea your right nevermind what i said

psymansays says: Jun 10, 2008. 9:33 PM

One ignition method that works is to run 120VAC through a DC Capacitor in your combustion chamber. Use a relay to switch it the volts on/off; that's what your current servo situation is emulating, is a relay.

larsjet says: Jan 26, 2008. 2:54 AM

Hi trialex I read your comment. Why dont you use something called a jacobs ladder. Or by a small stun gun which you can remotely fire or even attach a long cord with a switch to. These both make a spark which lasts so why dont you try it... stun guns are really cheap!

Firebert010 says: Mar 21, 2008. 3:19 PM

A Jacob's ladder requires extremely high voltage, it would be far too dangerous to walk around with one of these on the end of something. Not to mention a device that produces the voltage that is required to make it is by no means portable.

rocker9455 says: Mar 10, 2008. 2:58 PM

i have the best page for you - http://www.angelfire.com/80s/sixmhz/camera.html - i used this for my spudgun it takes a while to perfect the gap but works brilliantly so the servos out the way with this ...

trialex says: Jan 27, 2008. 1:19 AM

Thanks, but in Australia, stun guns are neither cheap nor legal.

psymansays says: Jun 10, 2008. 9:31 PM

You could try using a DC-DC converter from an automotive neon tube thingy like they sell at auto parts stores, for your high voltage. You could probably get enough volts to jump across a car spark plug, for example.

silentromance says: Jan 1, 2008. 6:30 PM

I'm in the process of boosting the bass and sound on My cd player, and doing an intructable on the process of jumping them

trialex says: Jan 1, 2008. 1:34 PM

Nice thinking, but the problem is the pressing of the peizo element! The system won't have any human intervention - nobody will be pressing the button. I need to find a way to automatically create the spark - I can't anything practical the push a peizo element for me - servos etc. don't have anough power.

pbekic001s says: Dec 13, 2008. 4:07 AM

or you could just atttach a lighter to the part and turn it which will create a spark

w00ty32 says: Dec 2, 2007. 8:47 PM

Create a wire that will have a contained short... i saw it om mythbusters, not sure quite how to do it...

164

Kiteman says: Oct 26, 2007. 3:30 PM

Leverage! You have a (long-ish) arm, pivoted at one end. Position the BBQ sparker under the arm near the pivot end, use the server to lower the far end.

WVSAL311 says: Oct 26, 2007. 1:02 PM

you can use a coil and from a fuel oil furnace 110 vac to 100000 vdc

John Smith says: Oct 21, 2007. 10:43 AM

You could use a flyback transformer. That should be enough to get it going.

_soapy_ says: Jun 27, 2007. 2:09 PM

Use a cheap tazer and run some wires from the end, or remote the switch and put the tazer at the muzzle. I'd go with a gas torch to light, though, as it will be fairly windproof, and is sure to light the liquid. You could tap the fumes off the tank and light that out a nozzle, rather than carry extra. I'd make it so the ignition was split from the spray, so each can be toggled separately. Remember you want to be able to spray a fairly thick liquid, remember that the tank is a bomb if you get it wrong, and remember that this isn't going to be a toy.

rocker9455 says: Mar 10, 2008. 3:00 PM

hes in Australia stun guns legal ...

_soapy_ says: Mar 10, 2008. 3:24 PM

So using a stungun is probably a good idea then. Big fat hot sparks, and a reliable trigger and circuit.

rocker9455 says: Mar 21, 2008. 4:59 AM

sorry i meant illegal typo..

mark101 says: Jan 22, 2007. 2:20 AM

An allways lit pilot light is what the pros use no? say a lighter like a zippo, how long would the feul last? I think this is safest , as you don't want an accident spill of a large amount of fuel to all of a sudden be ignited.

trialex says: Jan 22, 2007. 9:03 PM

Yeah that's not a bad idea. I guess when I started the project I was looking for something that I could leave for days on end, and I thought a zippo would be too prone to going out over that time period. Now I'm thinking of a more short term use (like 30 mins) so a permanent pilot may be the way to go. It's been fun playing around with electric sparks though!

jtobako says: Jan 22, 2007. 9:33 PM

why stuck on electric? attach a flint sparkwheel (like any cheap lighter or, better, one of these old sparky guns) to a regular motor and spark away...

mark101 says: Jan 23, 2007. 2:15 PM

they use a spark generator(like that?)under the NASA spacecraft for 10 second before takeoff, too make sure the flame doesn't accidentaly go out.

mark101 says: Jan 23, 2007. 2:13 PM

thats cool idea! I like it, only factor there is that the spark temperate has to be able to ignite the fuel. Some fuels need a big kick to get going.

sandpaper600 says: Jan 4, 2007. 8:14 PM

I don't know if you've overcome your igniter problem, but RV furnaces have a multispark igniter that runs off 12VDC.

dijme says: Jan 2, 2007. 6:54 AM

depending on what you are making the hull of the gun out of you could drill holes and attach small bolts (as small as you can find), align them where the ends will be close enough together to create the spark.You said you already were using an igniter from a BBQ right? just hook the wires to each of the bolts.

trialex says: Jan 3, 2007. 7:29 PM

yeah but howe do you push the button that makes the spark? a regular servo doesn't have enough torque

westfw says: Nov 22, 2006. 11:15 PM

A stun gun will create nice (and somewhat continuous) sparks. The circuit is simple enough that you can probably duplicate it on a slightly smaller scale.

mdivinc says: Nov 22, 2006. 9:47 PM

fine steel wool,2 wires, 9 volt battery. Ignites anything. Mike D NJ

trialex says: Nov 30, 2006. 7:09 PM

I actually don't think it would... I tried heating up nitrile wire (i.e. my foam hot wire cutter) and it wouldn't ignite the spray

mdivinc says: Nov 22, 2006. 9:45 PM

you can use a small piece of steel wool (fine) insert 2 wires of 24ga. or thicker and a small 9 volt battery. The steel wool burns up igniting what ever you want. Mike D NJ

Dr. No says: Nov 22, 2006. 8:32 PM

Take the guts out of one of those elctrified misquito rackets and just press the button when you want it to spark. And don't touch the wires, they hurt a lot.

w00ty32 says: Dec 2, 2007. 8:49 PM

LOL, those things are awsome

seudo411 says: Nov 6, 2006. 9:05 AM

U can use a ignition coil / relay setup... That creates contious spark, using a car spark plug....

spinach_dip says: Oct 25, 2006. 12:46 PM

what's your budget here? can you affford a $5 junkyard^HH^{H auto recycling center ignition coil?}

spinach_dip says: Oct 25, 2006. 1:06 PM

Is there a tutorial on the markup language used?

I've just discovered that a caret makes text following it superscript. An additional caret (that thing above the "6") makes it drop down to normal level.

^H2^O

So is there a help page? Why is there no "comment help" on the comment submission form? How would we escape this feature/^EA^ST^ER ^EE^G?

zachninme (author) says: Oct 28, 2006. 1:49 PM

I wonder if there is a thing for subscript?

Super^Script
Sub\/Script

zachninme (author) says: Oct 28, 2006. 1:51 PM

\/ isn't it...
Subscript

Goodhart says: Oct 26, 2007. 2:46 PM

You are right v is not _subscript LOL

intoon says: Oct 25, 2006. 10:03 PM

Does an escape character work?

H2\^O\

intoon says: Oct 25, 2006. 10:04 PM

I guess not...

Goodhart says: Oct 26, 2007. 2:46 PM

Do you _mean _subScript ? ;-)

zachninme (author) says: Oct 26, 2007. 3:17 PM

Haha -- exactly 1 year, 1 day :P (We've had forums for a year!?)

Goodhart says: Oct 26, 2007. 3:19 PM

Oh my, I need new glasses.....I didn't see the year LOL *blush*

protolabs says: Apr 13, 2012. 10:42 PM

i am making sprockets!!! http://www.instructables.com/id/simple-wooden-sprocket-without-cnc-machines/

Data643 says: Feb 8, 2011. 7:03 PM

I'm making a helicopter rocket (Make: 25) but instead of cardboard, I'm using thin acrylic tubes.

TheTechGuy99 says: Oct 31, 2010. 5:31 AM

Im working on a wrap around workbench w/ 3 sides and 24 square feet of space. it is meant to replace my old one that was originally meant for toys.

solarblade90 says: Oct 26, 2010. 1:09 PM

A 10 minute cellphone holder!!!

running says: Aug 3, 2010. 8:42 AM

working on nerf mavrick, replacing center tubes,removing restraters, and the hardest part, triing the build a 7 counrter led light to show remaining bullets left, hopfuly adding sound and a mister of small smoke maker in front; that goes off with every shot, allso that when look great a small about of smoke and laszer light coming from the front. maybe in the furture i;ll make some sort of keinic sparker running thought it.

M4industries says: Oct 17, 2009. 12:48 PM

Vann de graff
Motorized Bike
Makey the Robot
Homemade BUSTED sign out of steel. (Need Plasma cutter)

Zaphod Beeblebrox says: Jan 9, 2010. 6:21 PM

i've always wanted a busted sighn!

M4industries says: Jan 9, 2010. 8:06 PM

I have the welder, but an oxy-torch is too inaccurate, only a plasma cutter will work.

Maybe I can use one at Techshop!

crzy engineer says: Jan 9, 2010. 6:01 PM

Tv Bgone ha! :D

M4industries says: Dec 25, 2009. 12:40 PM

Tesla Coil

Its Giggles says: Oct 27, 2009. 5:20 PM

An automobile for the next generation. . . :P
-m

bloggpal says: Oct 18, 2009. 10:19 PM

I am boring and may be plan to sleep ealier tonite..

donnyj says: Jun 20, 2009. 3:33 PM

Something I have been planning to make for a few weeks now and am still currently working on is what I like to call potato artillery. it is a four shot electrically fired pneumatic cannon that is basically 4 regular cannons linked together but . . . slightly modified with an aiming system that is also electrically controlled.

roo525 says: Jun 9, 2009. 3:20 PM

I'm making an invention I like to call, the air blaster. Simply it's a diy teaching how to make a portable air cannon that can fire tennis balls, baseballs, and mabey eventually a grappling hook! It is basically a small aluminum case that can be filled with compressed air from an air compressor.

eyebot117 says: Apr 19, 2009. 7:35 PM

Hi everyone. I'm working on all kinds of stuff right now. I'm collecting parts for an Xbox 360 that's modded into an alluminum suitcase, has USB ports, WiFi adapter, power cable, and a built-in LCD screen from a computer monitor. I'm still in the beginning brainstorming stage of developing a ballpoint pen that can change the color of its ink with the turn of a dial and the tone with another dial. I'm designing a sperical shaped RC robot but one that can split open like a plastic easter egg (and still move, use grabbers, shoot rubberbands, etc...). I'm working on a costume made from cardboard that looks like the guy in my profile image. It's going to have RGB LED's in the head and on the arm, leg, shoulder, and chest armor. The only problem is making it, and seeing out of it! I'm working on a million (not really) water weapons (check out my group-The Water Warrior Group) including-water rocket launchers (shoulder mounted, possibly with an ammo clip)!!! I always design everything on Google SketchUp first (check out my group- Google SketchUp group), to make everything easier to build.

tarzioo says: Mar 13, 2009. 11:02 PM

i'm knitting this awesome blue beanie with earflaps. I already made a goomba out of felt and i'm going to place it on one of the earflaps. It's gonna be amazing lol

Patented says: Mar 12, 2009. 6:57 PM

Im presently eating Starburst :)

dombeef says: Mar 12, 2009. 4:42 PM

(removed by a hobo's request)

trialex says: Mar 10, 2009. 9:06 PM

Well I've moved on from the automatic flame-thrower below; although that post still continues to generate replies two years later. Current projects include high-altitude balloon & giant gameboy

ShutterBugger says: Mar 9, 2009. 9:32 PM

I am planning the construction of a microwave plasma torch using MW oven components.

TXTCLA55 says: Mar 9, 2009. 7:18 PM

well i have severl projects going,....a solar roller, a RC spy car with mini camera, and a NES PC!

teknoman says: Feb 14, 2009. 6:06 PM

Ok, I just thought of this. How about a small subwoofer that is build inside your computer case and hooked up to a circuit that gives your computer a "heartbeat" and makes it got faster say the hotter it gets inside your computer? Any thoughts or ideas on this would be much appreciated, cause I'm not sure where to start with the circuit.

Goodhart says: Dec 23, 2008. 6:42 PM

I am hoping to construct a few more test equipment style projects in the next few months.

Goodhart says: Dec 10, 2008. 7:24 PM

Well, my "annoying beeping thing" has come to an abrupt halt....it doesn't make a sound and I am running out of options as to what the problem might be.... But, I got a new UJT, so my next project will also be a sort of noisemaker ;-)

Goodhart says: Dec 10, 2008. 7:26 PM

Oops, it is going to be a modified version of a Hands-off alarm.

camperken says: Dec 10, 2008. 5:34 PM

I'm putting up a pole building for my forge, welder, homemade anvil and other stuff. I got the poles in the ground, rafters up and collecting pallets for the sides. Getting some free roofing. Cost for 16 by 16 will be under $250.

lordofthedonuts says: Nov 28, 2008. 11:51 PM

I'm making a car horn for my bicycle (up coming 'ible), I'm working on a small ROV, and I'll build a Remote controlled blimp.

tomasys says: Nov 25, 2008. 11:59 AM

i'm making an IR camera

invalidreality says: Nov 21, 2008. 9:14 PM

I'm building a workbench.

aids333 says: Nov 3, 2008. 9:42 AM

I'm making a platform bed.

Frogzard101 says: Oct 27, 2008. 3:30 PM

i am making a jacob's ladder

Hephaestus says: Jun 25, 2008. 12:22 PM

I am currently making my second phonograph. This one will hopefully record onto drink cans. as well as play conventional cylinders. It is almost complete. I am currently tweaking it to improve playback quality.

kelseymh says: Oct 22, 2008. 12:42 PM

Isn't this the Machinist's Phonograph from Make 14? That article was extremely complete. Any chance you're considering turning it into an Instructable?

Hephaestus says: Oct 22, 2008. 3:33 PM

Almost. This one is mark 2. On my first machine featured in Make you will see that the speed control is on the top of the machine. This one has it on the front. Also the box on this one is red oak while on Mark one it is pine. I have also made the mandrel removable by having a threaded spiggot. Much of the other working are the same. Since I took these photographs I have been working on an electric recording head using a speaker rather than the acoustic attempt shown. I can provide drawing for mark 1 but I haven't done them yet for mark 2 Best Wishes Roy Maybery

217

jessyratfink says: Oct 3, 2008. 7:45 PM

That looks so neat! Really impressive. :D

gmoon says: Jun 30, 2008. 5:24 AM

Cool! My neighbor just bought an Edison, and demoed it for me. (BTW, his voice cone is MANY times larger than that...) You're cutting your own wax cylinders? Excellent...

164

Kiteman says: Jun 29, 2008. 4:31 PM

Wow - I can't wait to see that project. Don't forget to include sound files.

kelseymh says: Oct 22, 2008. 12:40 PM

Adding a switch to cut out the buzzer on our clothes dryer. The d**ned thing is loud enough to wake our six-month-old daughter. I didn't take pictures before cutting the hole and mounting the light switch, so I probably won't do a decent I'ble about it.

dudeman176 says: Oct 14, 2008. 6:55 PM

Howdy. I'm working on a hypothetical RPG idea, hypothetically made of estes alpha rockets and explosives (probably m-80s). I'm also working on a hypothetical launcher.

Udon says: Oct 12, 2008. 1:57 AM

I'm working on a whole lot of stuff, but really slowly [cos i'm a lazy bum who procrastinates]: a periscope using side view mirror motors an LED sequencer a welding bench antiqued [sp] german dog tags a boolean function generator using a MUX some upgunned ear-buds rusty furniture the perfect pork dumpling

REDNEK777 says: Oct 4, 2008. 6:55 AM

purple duck take pimp sute for prom

217

jessyratfink says: Oct 3, 2008. 7:46 PM

Right now I have a few projects I'm wanting to work on. Mostly more pasties, a giant moustache pillow, chastity belt, etc. :P

sasquatchbmx says: Oct 3, 2008. 6:51 PM

Actually I just made a "no weld recumbent bike" it was pretty fun and easy to make, although I'm still working out a few flaws in the design. I have fun riding it around town and getting everyone's reaction.

Derin says: Oct 2, 2008. 11:21 PM

extension cord,the project just got rejected yesterday by my father(the 1,000,000th time)

Derin says: Oct 2, 2008. 11:23 PM

so,im currently about to MAKE a sandwich since it is 9:30 in the morning and im hungry

amyles says: Oct 2, 2008. 6:42 PM

Just finished a modification to the DIY Camera R-Strap. If there are any photographers here trust me, having one of these is a must!

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