Make: Kit Reviews

Constructed from a motor and various bits of wood, plastic, and styrofoam, this retro gramophone kit offers the allure of carving grooves into compact discs and Dixie cups with a sewing-needle-based pickup and playback assembly. Illustrated instructions in both Japanese and well-translated English are included, and the hour-long assembly only requires a screwdriver, some scotch tape, and a […]

Audio Gear: audio, gramophone, music, retro

I had a great time building the Edo-Style clock kit from Gakken, and was amazed at its accuracy over several months of use. The kit is well designed, durable, and fun. The included picture-based directions are easy to follow, even if you don’t know Japanese, but if you plan to make one, you can also refer […]

Clocks: clocks, Japanese, retro, vintage

Many middle-aged DIY enthusiasts have constructed a crystal radio set; it’s such a joy to pull radio signals out of the ether using only the radio signal itself for power. Unlike traditional crystal sets, the XS-402 uses a molded, high frequency choke, eliminating the frustrating coil-winding process, and features large solder pads, great for learning to […]

Audio Gear: audio, crystal radio set, family, music, retro