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Ever wonder where your recycled electronics go? From Wired:"Pictured here is the "demanufacturing" center of the company's [Sims Recycling Solutions] Roseville, California facility, where workers disassemble everything from printers, cameras and computers to Jumbotrons for their reusable materials. The facility receives roughly 150,000 pounds of used electronics a day."Wired Article.How to recycle old electronics.

I just made an 'ible for a really neat gadget, the mini grapple gun, check it out

This might be old news but I've just found this and thought it was a very nice thing .http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/this-gadget-rocks-the-worlds-newest-musical-instrument-791234.html

I was wondering, Why isn't there a 'Gadget' catergory for Instructables? you reasons will be much appreciated.

Hi gadgeteers :) I know what I want and I know how I want it to work. I have seen on here and other sites circuits and projects that almost do what I want, but the they are too complex. Basically I want a keyless vehicle ignition using bluetooth. What it needs to do: When my mobile moves into range it will turn on (and stay on). When my mobile moves out of range it will turn off. It needs to run from vehicle power or recharge itself from it. It specifically does not require an app on the subject device. I normally keep my bluetooth turned off, so it would actually be when it is turned on or off.

Some time back you offered projects from a GadgetGangster.Com.  That link is no longer valid so I'm wondering if you have any further details how I can get in touch with Nick McClink who was the owner and engineer behind their products. In particular, I'm interested in the 4 Channel DMX Transceiver ( https://www.instructables.com/id/4-Channel-DMX-transceiver/ ). If anyone has a photo of the back side of the PCB or a schematic of the design, I think I could recreate this project on my own.  The Raspberry Pi code would of course also be very helpful. Thank you in advance for any help you can provide. --Harvey

I tested the phones and usb out . i opened up the case and i noticed the white powder where the middle left metal clip is located has white residue..im guessing this is for the left channel. only the right channel works. i thought it was a contact issue. how do i replace it . is it easy to sodder on a connection to this board ? it is a lower end model craic mp3 player.

I want to know how to make gadgets like iphone (touch screen things), mobiles like nokia nseries, etc. Which course i need to study to make gadget's (especially touch screen tech's) hardware and software ?, I saw Chinese people make duplicate ipod's mp4 players..etc including hardware and software. how do they do it ?

At my work place this topic has been talked about so i wanted to see if any of you thought that this gadget is best so please tell me witch one is best

I have a P&P; group and we're playing Cthulhu. I thought about giving an artifact as a handout that does something strange. Like a small stone figure that becomes warm or moist after the unsuspecting player holds it for a while. Or an old phone which is clearly unusable, but when needed it rings. Maybe I will need a remote to do that. But I'm looking for really simple solutions. Any ideas?

Hello, out there, I would like to find how to build a ground penetrating gadget. I think there are a lot of 'us' would like to have something that can 'peek' underneath the surface of the ground, not necessary very deep. For example, such a gadget that can help fossil hunting tremandously. And it does NOT have to go all the way to Ground Penetrating Radar. As long as it can detect the differences between the matrix and interested object up to say 50 cm in depth, it will be good enough. And it doesn't matter what physical principle is used: GPR, ultrasound, electrical resistance or capacitance, ... (whatever). What I have in mind in such gadget would be tied to one of the shoes (so, it must be very light weight), using wifi to transmit the signal to iPad/iPhone so that the user can just walk and know the place to dig. Any help or comment will be greatly appreciated.

I was wondering if I could somehow design a simple gadget to detect pulses in your mind to turn a head mounted torch on and off.      So far, I am thinkng of putting metal pads onto your head, which would be connected to an amplifier of some sort. Since I am trying to detect Beta waves, "varying frequencies that are often associated with active, busy, or anxious thinking and active concentration." The amplified siignals would then be fed into an op amp active bandpass filter, to filter out all except that specific frequency. The output would then go into a switch of some sort. Would this work? Or are there some problems with it.

I'm working on a Robin cosplay, and I need some kind of wrist-computer set up for my iPod touch. Hopefully something fairly simple, since I really don't have much experience with nor access to major equipment. Any ideas? EDIT: Also, I still need some of the Boy Wonder's various gadgets and such. They'd mostly be just for show, but having at least some kind of decorative functionality (i.e. lights, sounds, lenses, etc.) would be nice. All opinions and ideas are very much appreciated!

Here is a link to a listing of really Cool Gadgets and such... And what is up with this ? Newtonian Fluid ? I think I want one of these chairs :-) As well as the Sun visor @ mp3/.TV/.DvD listed there. Items like the Rubik's Cube for the blind are cool too. There is even an RC camera car and matching virtual headset combo :-)

Got a dog that likes to run with the Deer, and fortunately we have found him everytime after a couple of days. Would have been easier if we knew which direction he had gone though. Perhaps he will never learn.

I would like to sell my old electronic gadgets and old appliances. Is there a site online where I can post my ads..thanks

Is it possible to combine all these features in one unit.  i)    Keyboard,  ii)    Touchpad/Trackball,  iii)    FingerPrint Reader,  iv)    Microphone,  v)    Speaker,  vi)    Card Reader,  vii)    IR,BT(optional).

I want to use this switch for examle in my car connect by the accessory or cigarette lighter plug and it will run a 12vdc fan motor i can control cfm/speed.

Alright so check this out, we didn't post it under the instructibles section since we dont own the video we found it on youtube, but seriously this guy has figured out a way to stop cats from pissing on his stuff. It's amazing and worth the time. Check out his youtube channel, I hope that some day he comes to Instructables and gives us some entertaining videos. He was so good that he is now sponsored on our site at HM-Innovations.com and thats something that we normally don't do. <br>

I want to be Inspector Gadget for Halloween this year, replete with a bunch of cool Go Go Gadgets. I was wondering if any of you have some ideas or suggestions. What I'm really looking for are plans for exploding messages, extendable hands, and maybe even a hat umbrella or helicopter (non-functional, obviously).

A variety of iconic items from the past are turned into lovely felted and embroidered items by blublythemonster on Flickr. There's some amazing work here and I'd love to see them all in person. Just so that I could briefly touch them to make sure they're real. Flickr setvia bbgadgets

Okay i'm looking to make a gadget so that pressing a red button makes it say "No" and pressing a green button makes it say "Yes". How would I go about making such a thing??? I'm presuming i'll need momentary switches of some kind. Thanks for any help :) Note: this is for a guy who is autistic and won't speak. It will enable him to be able to have an opinion by just pressing the button

Hey all, So this year I am going as Inspector Gadget for Halloween and wanted to do my best to have a couple functioning gizmos. The piece I'm focusing on for now is the trademark helicopter that comes out of his hat. I just want the blades to move. Preferably it would be something with an on/off switch (I'm thinking a toggle with strings or something that lead down the handles). Unfortunately I have little small motor experience and I don't know where to start. I know this wouldn't be a very difficult thing for a seasoned person, so I was hoping to get a little direction. Thanks a bunch!

The Propeller Platform Module (pictured below) includes an 80Mhz, 160 MIPS Parallax Propeller microcontroller, 32kb of EEPROM with space for a second EEPROM, 5V and 3.3V Voltage Regulators and the pin sockets to add additional Gadget Gangster Platform modules like the LCD UI Module or the Prototyper Module.All Gadget Gangster Platform Modules utilize .1" pin spacing and are breadboard compatible. Here's a little video demonstration of the LCD UI and Propeller Modules: What is the Gadget Gangster Platform?The Gadget Gangster Platform is a lot like the Arduino with a few improvements on the basic idea;-Modules (a.k.a. shields) can be connected to each other on top and bottom. For example, you might have a Propeller module in the middle, an LCD UI on the top, and a prototyper on the bottom. We've got a few initial modules to start, and we'll continue to expand on the selection with more modules and microcontrollers.-Pin spacing is .1". This makes the Platform compatible with breadboards, and it lets you use Platform modules in combination with other project boards.-The board footprint is 3.8" x 2.5", which is the same footprint as ExpressPCB's MiniBoard service. This makes it easier to add your own custom module.-Because they're featured in Jon Williams' Spin Zone column in Nuts and Volts, they're well documented. The Propeller Platform Module will be the basis for many of projects described in his upcoming columns and the LCD UI module will featured in his September '09 column. -Platform Modules are licensed under the MIT license (essentially public domain), giving you the flexibility to use the design in commercial products or anything else without restriction.[/list]I'm super-excited about these new project boards. There's more info on Gadget Gangster but if you have any questions, you can just reply to this thread.

I'm not one to promote or advocate a lot of products but this is pretty cool. I even know of one person who got their iPhone back after it was stolen. It's not cheap but it seems to work, catch criminals and it's still cheaper than the replacement cost of getting new stuff. I haven't checked yet but I'm guessing it'd also get you a break on your insurance if you insure your gear. Might be enough to pay for the service.  www.gadgettrak.com/

Hi gang, DealExtreme here. A lot of you shop us for parts and pieces for your projects and we love to see everything you create. Right now, we are looking for one of more folks to do reviews on Arduino compatible stuff that we can supply. Any mad geniuses out there interested? We have greatly expanded our arduino stuff recently so we want to get the word out. If anyone is interested, please PM me for details.. Thanks! ~J

Core77's Greener Gadgets Design Competition wrapped up last Friday and the first prize went to a couple of friends of ours, Limor Fried from Adafruit Industries and Phillip Torrone from MAKE magazine! Their winning entry was the Tweet-a-Watt, A twittering power meter. Their prize was $3,000 which they donated to Engineers without Borders. Congratulations!To make the whole event even cooler, one of the three judges was Instructables co-founder Saul Griffith.It was a roller-coaster ride of a panel discussion at the Live Greener Gadgets Design Competition Judging at the close of Friday's Greener Gadgets Conference in New York City. After a 10-minute overview of some of the notable entries by moderator Allan Chochinov from Core77, the judges--Jeff Kapec of Tanaka Kapec Design Group, Jill Fehrenbacher of Inhabitat, and Saul Griffith of Makani Power--toured the audience through 13 of their favorite projects before deliberating to get things down to the Top 3 (In pre-judging sessions, they were unable to decide on a set of TOP 10). It was a difficult journey, with the audience ultimately chiming in with shout outs, criticisms, defenses, philosophical meanderings, and all the good stuff you would expect from a wonderful, engaged audience. Link

how to make selfie flash for mobile phones.. which connected through audio jack and flash when shutter sounds... give me some ideas..

PopSci has a fun post. They ask a few geeks like Kevin Rose, Amanda Congdon and Fake Steve Jobs to name the tech toys they want this holiday season. They also asked them what they would want that doesn't exist yet. Here's the link.

Hey Everyone!  I am kind of an amatuer prop designer and I've recently been taken with pocket sized coil guns. My question is quite simple: I would like to know what disposable camera (brand) contains an LED indicator that flashes/turns on when the capacitor is fully charged? I've seen one such disposable camera used in this post: https://www.instructables.com/id/The-Coil-Gum/ I would love to know the exact brand or alternatives.  I would really appreciate any and all help and would love to post the resulting product. 

Hey, You see i am a new member around here but i have been here for a long time as a guest , i explored the site and it has some pretty need stuff around here. I tried some of it and really enjoyed it , then slowly i made it a hobby to invent things from here. Now i have a bunch of inventions and electronics lying around. Then i planned to design and make my own small invention workshop in my room, you see i don't want to take it as a full time work and keep it a hobby thats why i never made it big. So my question is now to you professionals who may have a personal workspace where they carry out there little evil works, how to design a effective and efficient workshop layout with the following things taken into considerations: - A work are where i would do the work ( Give m a list of things i should put over here) - A smooth storage area for my parts ( i am thinking of putting on my spare bed) - A display area for m inventions - And a circuit processing area (pcb) - And a enough space to sleep in. I hope you would help me and guide me through it. - Please let me know all the tools and things needed to start a invention workshop. ;) Arylic

I want looking briefcase sooo bad! i want to carve out foam inserts to store all my gadgets. I want it to be not that expensive but I can suffer if i have to.

Go out in (some kind of) style in a Star Trek casket / coffin, or have your dust gather dust in a Star Trek urn Should have been out already, but not yet (via Gadgets for God at Ship of Fools) L Ashes to ashes, funk to funky, planet earth is blue and there's nothing I can Doohan

Hi, I do not have technical knowledge but found this site and you guys. I need to convert a 1 RPH 240V 50Hz small motor so it will run off batteries.  Want to make a modified casing to fit both into so ideally nothing very big.  If batteries needs to be changed regular must last at least over the HOUR mark. Ideally would be rechargeable batteries (excuse my lack of knowledge, i don't know if that makes a difference) Would really appreciate your help and expertise on this one. Thanks

Hello! I am a graduate student at Pratt institute in Brooklyn, NY. I am currently working on my masters thesis in Industrial Design. My subject so far is: Hacking, 'making' and craft as a form of recycling and reusing - product life extension by the user. Basically, I am interested in keeping potentially valuable materials out of the ever-growing rubbish pile. Instructables were part of the inspiration for this thesis, and I am wondering if you would take a couple minutes of your valuable time to answer these questions for me. The questions might be a bit cursory or vague so your answers can be the same - I am also interested in the differing levels of humor involved in the motivation, process and results of the hacker and their 'products'. I would really appreciate your input, and I want to thank you for your time in advance! Disclaimer: None of this information will be used for anything other than my written thesis and 15min oral presentation in April (Which you can view, let me know if you want to attend!) - but, please do not divulge any information you dont feel comfortable sharing with my thesis class - use a good false name if you like, (or I can make one up for you) but please be as accurate as you can with all questions. Thanks! So here are some questions! 1 - Who are you (name), and what do you 'do'? How do your friends describe you? (ie- day job, side projects, labor of love, for fun, etc) 2 - What do you carry with you at all times? (keys, phone, wallet, knife, etc) Anything you consider 'unusual'? 3 - Are you a 'gadget person', do you need to have the new thing (iPhone or other smartphone, Macbook Air/EEEpc, etc)? What and when was the last computer purchase? Mac, Win (XP or Vista?) or Linux/other? 4 - What was (were) the last modification(s) you did? (electronic, soft, other) 5 - Do you recycle? (Paper, plastic, etc) How do you dispose of old electronics? 6 - Do you ever take other peoples, or buy old electronics, to hack? What was the last you did that with? 7 - With the popularity of publications like MAKE, CRAFT, ReadyMade - and websites and blogs like Instructables; are we are witnessing a new craft movement? (please explain) 8 - Can you explain the history of this movement (if you feel it exists)? What is your favorite part of the increased popularity of making, hacking and modifying? What do you think is the future of this movement? (looking near or far) 9 - How do think this change will affect Industrial Design, and the design/concept of personal electronics, shoes, tableware, furniture, etc? 10 - Is there a device, object, service, product, etc that you dream about, wish existed, half-joke about with friends? Is there a problem you feel strongly about? Something you feel is overlooked? 11 - Can you recommend anyone, or any resources you feel could be really useful in thinking about this topic? Alright! You are done! Thank you so much for you indulgent participation, I appreciate it so much! -Crankola-

MAKE has just launched its Gadget Freak Design Contest. Design a gadget and enter the contest to win $1,000 and have the kit for it sold in the Maker Market. Second and third prizes are $500 and $100. Calling all gadget freaks!

I am A Youtuber and I have been lately contemplating about how to use these gadgets in video. Not those how to videos but, comedy movies like Smosh. so if you have an idea or have please comment or continue the forum.

So, it has been around two weeks since the winners should have been announced and we are all left in the dark. What is going on? I have never seen this before with other contest.  Here is the link to the contest: https://www.instructables.com/contest/glovebox/

Back in the days when appliances had real dials and switches on them, you could set the program and then put it on a timer switch so that it would run on off-peak electric. Now that they're all software controlled with soft switches you can't do that unless you either pay a premium for one with a timer or if they have memory to resume the program from a power cut. What I'm looking for is a simple little thing with a timer on it that you stick over the top of the soft power button, and it will press it (unless you can trigger a soft switch like a capacitive switch by sticking a voltage in front of it?) when the timer runs down. Is there a little gadget to do this? or does anyone have plans to build something? I know I could hack a timer into it fairly easily but that would mean voiding the warranty. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Core77, in conjunction with GreenerGadgets, recently held an open design competition. (See also fungus amungus' post, Design a Green Gadget and Win Some Cash).Well, the results are in, and there are some really clever and/or far-out ideas among the entries. I figured I would cross post some of my personal favorites. Not all of these are great design, good ideas, or even work - some are just purty. Brenn10 already posted the 2nd prize winner, the Gravia gravity lamp, which has since been retracted by the designer due to it's physical impossibility :-).In order, we get:1) Grand prize winner: The EnerJar - an Instructables or Make project if I ever saw one! Now also has its own website with instructions on how to make your own: http://www.enerjar.net/.2) Arc - a very minimalistic wood surface armband/watch. Kinda like J_Hodgie's Solid Wood Digital Clock 'ible.3) Plug-in Watch - such a simple idea that if it isn't on sale yet in Hong Kong, I'm sure it will be by next week...4) Aperture - a shower head that tells you how much water you're using (powered by the flow of water, naturally)5) Powered by Play! - motion powered and operated Wee/iPhone for 5 year olds. Excellent idea, provided they can make it sturdy enough...6) Digital Tattoo Interface - definitely one of the more "out there" submissions...

The freebie blood glucose monitors that the big pharma co's give away? I think they can afford to give them away because they rake in so much money by selling the refill strips, which work only with the unit they are designed for. I haven't come across any Instructables using these.I have 3 or 4, lol. They have:lcd screena small speaker (usually)memory that counts various stastics (# of tests, results, date, time, etc)sometimes an led or a backlightsometimes a pc connector (!!) so it can upload dataI'm not very knowledgeable about electronics, other than the most basic stuff, so I didn't know exactly what to look for in the two I took apart.Here's a couple that are available (copy and paste the url, so it doesn't send a referrer url from here) :www.onetouchgold.com/simplestart/www.breezeupgrade.com/order.aspIf the OneTouchGold site allows a choice, it's the "Ultra2" model that has a data port.No, you don't need an Rx, they're not prescription. Anybody can get one....just walk into walmart and take one to the checkout. But Free is better ;-)I can post some pics of the boards of ones I took apart, if anybody's interested.

#BUILDNIGHT 20 SPACES AVAILABLE Deadline to sign up: Friday, February 6. Accepted spaces will be notified by Monday, February 9th. Read our FAQ to learn more about the Build Night program rules and how to make the most out of this event for your space. MARCH BUILD NIGHT We are partnering with Brown Dog Gadgets, maker of DIY kits and products, for our March 2015 build night. Sign up to participate in the build night and we will ship you a package that includes the following: (4) 5W Folding USB Solar Cells HOW TO PARTICIPATE: Host a Build Night: pick a time in March to host a project build night using the Brown Dog Gadgets solar panel . You can host multiple build nights during March to work on your projects. Post 2 Instructables: post 2 Instructables using the solar panels. Not posting these Instructables will affect your chances to participate in future build nights. Brownie Points (not required): after the build night post a forum topic on Instructables about your event. Include pictures, stories, etc... Here are two examples from past build nights: Noisebridge and Makers Local 256. We may even feature your photos on the homepage. REWARDS: If your submitted Instructable for this event gets featured by one of our editors we will send you an Instructables Prize Pack which includes: Instructables t-shirt, stickers, and patches. This forum post has guidelines for posting feature worthy projects. Be sure to let people at your event know so they can win a prize pack! Limit 3 per makerspace. RESOURCES: iOS and Android REACH OUT TO US ON SOCIAL MEDIA #BUILDNIGHT #INSTRUCTABLES #BROWNDOGGADGETS Twitter: @Instructables, @BrownDogGadgets Instagram: @Instructables https://www.facebook.com/BrownDogGadgets https://www.facebook.com/instructables SIGN UP: Fill out this google form

'Allo, I'm Jehosephat, a veteran modder/weapons constructor.I am a recent steampunk/cyberpunk fan and I need help from all you blokes & lasses.I have an idea for a costume design that is mainly to be a (ominous music)>>>Steampunk Vampire Hunter<<<so I do need help on coordinating clothing, gadgets & weapons.If anyone can give a good reference to a reasonably-priced online clothing store (US prefably), or a simple make-it-yourself, I would be more than grateful (for me and the needle are enemies).As far as props go, I would prefer not to use real copper/brass, glass, or metal.Reason is I was inspired by gmjhowe shotgun design, for it looks professional, is cheap, and uses everyday items (and simply I thought it looked spectacular)If anyone can use similar non-expensive materials to make proffesional-looking props & gadgets, please send me a message.Regards, Jehosephat

Hi there! I'm new here, but I've always thought (whilst lurking about) that some Town Called Eureka themed Instructables would be good!Some starter ideas...Crazy sonic cannonsLittle portable cookersGreen transportHover-anything!Super sci-fi pocket tools - Lazer saws ectAssistive technologies like super souped-up wheelchairsIf you have any ideas, share them here!Paradox Detected.

I think it's a great idea, but I wouldn't even know where to get started on the technical aspect, nor the legalities involved. The game is basically a walk through an instructables-inspired home-built city of interesting devices and systems all loosely (or even exactly!) based on actual instructables. During the games as you explore you stumble on different tasks that you have to complete. You find parts to complete tasks scattered about the city, or win them for completing smaller tasks. Thoughts?

I still use my beloved Sony Walkman (personal cd player ca. early-mid 2000s) with a cassette adapter in my 98 lumina, as well as w/ headphones on long family car trips. Sadly, this past weekend, I dropped it on hardfloor, and while it is otherwise unharmed, the lid and hinge-springs popped off. I was able to remount either just the springs or the lids, but not together. The lid will stay on and allow me to play, but I have to hold it open manually, which is going to be problematic later trying to keep it open to change CDs if driving alone. I know I should probably look at investing in an mp3 player instead, but I want to keep using my otherwise perfectly-good music player. Any suggestions for fixing the spring/hinge setup? Has anyone else ever had this happen?

So I got this as a gift from a friend on my birthday. I assembled it, and its great I love it. You can check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqAUmgE3WyM It always brings a smile to peoples faces on around the 3rd try to turn it on lol...  I know NOTHING about electronics what so ever just so you know, you're going to have to reply like you're talking to a second grader.  That being said, here's my idea... I want an LED scroll bar (like the kind that has text with a message you read as it goes across... similar to ones you would see in an airport, just tiny) with a script. Every time you hit the button on, it turns itself off, along with flashing a message. Do it again, another message. Etc... But I want the messages to go in some sort of order... I was thinking the script could look like this: 1st Click: "You just couldn't keep your hands off, could you?" 2nd: "Much more amusing the second time, right?" 3rd: "Ok, now you know what I do... now stop." 4th: "Please... Keep your hands off." 5th: "It's starting to hurt..." 6th: etc etc etc.... for something crazy, like 100 messages... No idea of what I need to do or how to go about it. Any guidance is welcome!! Thanks!!!!

From the steam canon to the lead balloon,talk about the gadgets and contraptions the mythbusters built.