Friendly Mad Scientist

April 09

Hacker Space in San Diego
We're making a hackerspace in san diego!  (If you don't know what that is, you can check it out here http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2009/03/hackerspaces.html)  If you're interested, check out the discussion page here (photo stolen from here http://www.flickr.com/photos/fkrusr/3427089323/)


11:23 PM GMT  |  Read comments(0)

March 25

Munny

Got three of these toys from kidrobot.com  Man that site is dangerous, their toys and figures tickle the churlish part of my brain.  But that isn’t really something a Mad Scientist (even a friendly one) should confess to.  Anyway, I got these three mini-munny figures.  I'm excited about the prospect of modding/designing these guys.  My plan:
One is just to experiment/have fun with (maybe the iconic figure from fallout 3, maybe make a suit of armor, maybe incorporate leds, a simple motor for the arm and or some of the scavenged solar cells)
One is a present for an upcoming birthday
One Mrs. Mad Scientist will make
We’ll see what I can come up with, and I will keep you posted.  You should definitely google 'Munny' to see what people are doing with theirs  What the Munnys really makes me want, is some cheap, ubiquitous 3d printing.  But the mad can only dream for now.


11:14 PM GMT  |  Read comments(0)

March 23

Solar Led Walk Light
 
My wife picked up a pair of the solar led walk lights on sale at her work.  She presented them like they were a bouquet; which is simply more evidence that she is the coolest wife around.  Now I am going to take them apart, put them back together, take them apart again and harvest the bits.  I'm not sure know what what I will make out of them. And even though I only have a theoretical knowledge of soldering, I am going to experiment and play and hopefully make something cool.  I'll keep you posted. 


1:05 AM GMT  |  Read comments(0)

March 12

Test
Test


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The Ipod Wallet
So I had an old ipod.  I had replaced the white rectangle a couple times via Apple's warranty (this particular unit was a third generation refurb I am sure) and even replaced the battery after the warranty expired.  But it finally died (for an old, working mp3 player I recommend lifehacker top ten things to do with an old ipod page link http://lifehacker.com/5117895/top-10-ways-to-repurpose-your-old-ipod).  What to do with it?  Make it into a wallet!

I had the opener tool from the battery replacement so opening up the white plastic box was a snap.  That accomplished, I used a screwdriver to scrape off the electronic guts from the case.  The last step was to use a pair of snips to cut off half the braces of one half of the case, cutting off the hooked part.  Now the case would close, but still open relatively easily.  It was perhaps not the most elegant work imaginable, I created a makeshift hinge from duct tape.  And that's it!

I've gotten a lot of positive remarks about this wallet, and it was a really simple project.  The hardest part would actually be acquiring a defunct unit methinks. Some easy next steps would be 1)using a file/dremel tool to enlarge the bottom port so coins could fit through it (it is already almost big enough to accept quarters) 2) Gluing in a photo card holder insert as just housing a bunch of lose cards and cash seems a little untoward and 3) removing the duct tape and adhering some metal hinges and a clasp to give it the finished feel.

I currently use mine as a business card holder for my friendly mad scientist business cards.  It certainly gets attention.  So, lemme know what you think!


8:21 PM GMT  |  Read comments(0)