Component Quality: 4
(5=Highest quality) How nice are the components in terms of materials, design, fit, and other qualities? Well-made circuit boards, computer-cut plastic and metal parts, and other precision components add to the experience.
TV-B-Gone Kit
Tired of all those TVs everywhere? Want a break from advertisements while you’re trying to eat? Want to zap screens from across the street? The TV-B-Gone kit is what you need. The new v1.2 works worldwide, turning off virtually any TV by running 230 TV power codes for Asian/North American and European IR remote standards. […]
Drawdio
Drawdio is an electronic pencil that lets you make music while you draw. It’s a great project for beginners: an easy kit with instant gratification. Invented by Jay Silver, it’s a very simple musical synthesizer that uses the conductive properties of pencil graphite to create sounds. The result is a fun toy that lets you […]
Toys & Games: art, audio, electronics, Games, toys
Brooklyn Brew Beer Making Kit
The Brooklyn Brew Shop 1 Gallon Beer Making Kit is the perfect introduction to brewing for the quality-conscious quaffer. Instead of the typical can of malt extract, you’ll learn about the true steps of making a grain mash, sparging, hopping, yeasting, fermenting, bottling, and then drinking a delicious homebrew. I made a tasty IPA, though […]
Alcoholic Beverages Beverages: alcohol, beer, beer-making, beverages, fermentation
Bulbdial Clock
The Bulbdial Clock displays analog time, without any motor, movement, or screen. The 72 LEDs cast shadow hands across its face, with red, green, and blue for hours, minutes, and seconds. It’s a beautiful effect, and the kit is not difficult to assemble, thanks to incredibly well-done instructions.
Monochron Clock
The Monochron is an extremely rewarding kit to build. Not only is it fun, but the finished clock adds retro flair to any home. As with all Adafruit kits, the instructions are clear and well thought out. The clock features an alarm function, custom laser-cut case, and several different display modes to suit your mood or […]
Ice Tube Clock
The heart of the Ice Tube Clock is a distinctive, vintage, Russian vacuum fluorescent display (VFD) housed in a transparent, laser-cut enclosure. The clock features a precision watch crystal, alarm function, and battery backup. The build quality and online instructions are excellent, as is the completeness of the kit. Anyone who stops by my studio is always […]
DS1307 Real Time Clock Breakout Board
Need to add a clock function to your next Arduino project? This Real Time Clock (RTC) breakout board kit is your answer. Based on a DS1307 RTC and equipped with an onboard battery and crystal, this kit is simple to solder together, works well, and is easy to use thanks to Adafruit’s online documentation. It’s […]
Wood Duck 10 Kayak
I’ve built several boat kits from Chesapeake Light Craft (CLC). I’d recommend the Wood Duck kayak with the okoume deck to start out with, but all of the kits have been very complete (just add sandpaper, paint, and varnish) and have gone together just as the straightforward, illustrated manuals say they should. In addition, there […]
Voilé Splitboard Kit
This straightforward kit provides the parts to convert your snowboard into a backcountry splitboard capable of skinning deep into the wintry wonderland. All the heavy-duty hardware to mount the components to the board is included. You supply marine epoxy and the gumption to saw your trustworthy deck in half. The process is simple but time-consuming, […]
Outdoor & Sport: outdoors, skiing, snow, snowboarding, splitboard, sports
Video Game Shield
The Video Game Shield is an Arduino add-on shield to make your own video games, including graphics, text, sound effects, and music! Using the power of open source, this shield allows you to make awesome black-and-white video games on your TV. It supports up to two Nintendo Wii Nunchuk controllers for an easy and familiar […]
