Today we’re building a mini television for cats. My cat Benchley loves watching TV. It’s really a mini computer, since I’m using a Raspberry Pi to play YouTube on a little HDMI screen. Let’s get started. Materials and supplies: Raspberry Pi computer (tested with both 4 and 5) Power supply 5” HDMI LCD display Low-profile HDMI cable, standard to…

Here’s how to make your own telepresence hug toy. Each circuit connects to the Arduino IoT Cloud and translates your hug into a soothing vibration on the other toy. Xyla Foxlin originally developed this project as a crowdfunded product, and we collaborated to bring this DIY version to life. To make this project, you will need 2x of each: MPRLS ported pressure sensor Feather HUZZAH ESP8266…

Today I’m making some big stamp rollers using acrylic paint markers and 3D printing. Here’s how to make your own. Continue reading Untitled

After working on this project over the span of two years, It’s finally time to share my costume for Penny from Inspector Gadget. I made the wig, I made the computer book, I made the watch, I customized the clothes, and I put together a look for the Inspector. In this post, I’ll share how I built each element of this cosplay. Continue reading Untitled

Embr Wave 2 Teardown

Today I’m taking a look inside the Embr Wave 2, a wristband that helps with temperature regulation. It’s the only wearable I’ve ever seen with a Peltier cooler in it. Watch the video above to see me try it out, take it apart, and analyze the design and manufacturing of the circuitry inside. Thanks to David Cranor for lending his EE expertise and to Lumafield for the 3D scan. This teardown is…

PS4 Controller Breakout Board

Here’s how I made a custom replacement circuit board for a PS4 controller. I had been hanging onto a few broken controllers, hoping to turn them into something new. I thought that if I connected to all the switches, I could repurpose the controller. Inside, there’s a circuit board that hosts the joysticks, a few switches, and the brains of the operation, but most of the buttons are wired up…

My NYC Workshop Tour (200 ft²)

This is a tour of my compact New York City studio, which I use for my work as a full-time content creator. I’ll show you how my small space pulls off some big tasks, share with you some of my favorite storage and organization tips, and answer your frequently asked questions about my workshop. My studio is the biggest bedroom in my Brooklyn apartment– it’s about 200 square feet of space, and it…

Here’s an easy method for etching metal with electricity. I wanted to make some brass plaques to commemorate my brother, who passed away recently. Other methods use toxic etchant chemicals, but this method uses salt water. Both methods have pros and cons, but I prefer the electric method because it’s safer and the cleanup is more straightforward. Supplies: 12V 2A power supplyExtra long…

Muse S Meditation Headband Teardown

Welcome back for another teardown! This time I’m taking apart the Muse S meditation headband. This biofeedback wearable sends sensor data back to the app to help inform the audio experience during its meditation or sleep sessions (iOS/Android). Thanks to David Cranor for lending his EE expertise and to Lumafield for the 3D scan. Tools used in this…

Here’s how to make a portable soldering station with a USB iron and a battery pack. I’ve 3D printed some sides for a plain stand that turns it into a storage box for the soldering iron and solder. The TS80P smart soldering iron is super tiny but packs a ton of features. It’s got a little OLED screen, adjustable temperature, customizable firmware, and comes apart to get even tinier. You need to…