The Ultimate Kit Guide

5

coke and mentos kit

Diet Coke and Mentos Kit

Make Kit Reviews

Diet Coke and Mentos Kit

$25

Complexity:
Components:
Documentation:
Community:
Completeness:

TAGS: , , , , , , ,

Reviewed: December 1st, 2011

Recreate the Internet sensation in your own backyard! Fresh from their performance at Maker Faire, the guys at EepyBird hand-crafted replica PVC nozzles just like the ones they use themselves. Each kit contains a variety of nozzle cuts to give you the coolest, highest-shooting geysers. They even throw in a pack of Mentos to get […]

Toys & Games: , , , , , , ,

littleBits Starter Kit

littleBits Starter Kit

Make Kit Reviews

littleBits Starter Kit

$130

Complexity:
Components:
Documentation:
Community:
Completeness:

TAGS: , , ,

Reviewed: November 14th, 2011

The littleBits kit is like Lego for basic circuits. Each “bit” is a small circuit board that enables a single electronics component or electronic function, like a potentiometer, light sensor, LED, or motor. The bits snap together magnetically with edge connectors that are color-coded to indicate their general role within a circuit; for example magenta […]

Electronics and Controllers: , , ,

Egg-Bot

Egg-Bot

Make Kit Reviews

Egg-Bot

$195 to $220

Complexity:
Components:
Documentation:
Community:
Completeness:

TAGS: , , ,

Reviewed: November 13th, 2011

The Egg-Bot is an art robot designed by Bruce Shapiro that’s fun to watch as it draws intricate designs on eggs or any other round objects 3cm–10cm in diameter, including ornaments, golf balls, and light bulbs. You design the patterns in the free app Inkscape, and the bot draws them using fine-point Sharpies, engraving tools, […]

Electronics and Controllers: , , ,

TV-B-Gone Kit

TV-B-Gone Kit

Make Kit Reviews

TV-B-Gone Kit

$25

Complexity:
Components:
Documentation:
Community:
Completeness:

TAGS: ,

Reviewed: November 12th, 2011

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. […]

Electronics and Controllers: ,

Bread Making Gear

Bread Making Gear

Make Kit Reviews

Bread Making Gear

$13 starter, up to $50 for other tools

Complexity:
Components:
Documentation:
Community:
Completeness:

TAGS: , , , ,

Reviewed: November 11th, 2011

While not exactly a “kit,” Cultures for Health has everything you need for making sourdough bread: 15 starters from all over the world, clear instructions, and a great selection of useful bread-making tools, like cookbooks, dough scrapers, bread bags, and baker’s blades for scoring that classic ridge down the middle of your loaf. I experimented […]

Food: , , , ,

Bulbdial Clock

Bulbdial Clock

Make Kit Reviews

Bulbdial Clock

$90

Complexity:
Components:
Documentation:
Community:
Completeness:

TAGS: , ,

Reviewed: November 3rd, 2011

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.

Clocks: , ,

Monochron Clock

Monochron Clock

Make Kit Reviews

Monochron Clock

$80

Complexity:
Components:
Documentation:
Community:
Completeness:

TAGS: , ,

Reviewed:

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 […]

Clocks: , ,

Ice Tube Clock

Ice Tube Clock

Make Kit Reviews

Ice Tube Clock

$85

Complexity:
Components:
Documentation:
Community:
Completeness:

TAGS: , ,

Reviewed:

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 […]

Clocks: , ,

Octopus Friend

Octopus Friend

Make Kit Reviews

Octopus Friend

$18

Complexity:
Components:
Documentation:
Community:
Completeness:

TAGS: , , , ,

Reviewed: November 2nd, 2011

If you’ve never needle felted before, you’ll start this kit a beginner, and complete it an expert. With enough wool to make two large friends, or a handful of tiny octopi, these creatures will take shape before your eyes, and as you work, you’ll refine your skills. Follow the clear and funny directions to needle […]

Craft: , , , ,

Wood Duck 10 Kayak

Wood Duck 10 Kayak

Make Kit Reviews

Wood Duck 10 Kayak

$799

Complexity:
Components:
Documentation:
Community:
Completeness:

TAGS: , , ,

Reviewed: November 1st, 2011

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 […]

Outdoor & Sport: , , ,