Make: Kit Reviews

This fully functional alarm clock lets you practice defusing simulated explosives. When the red button is pressed, the clock starts a scary countdown like bombs in Hollywood movies. There are four wires across the top of the clock, and you have ten seconds to choose the correct wire to cut. Programmed with the Arduino IDE, so […]

Clocks: clocks, difusable, dynamite, gag

I save recipes on cards and always get bits of food or water on them, but laminating them with this hot laminator kit makes wiping them off a breeze. Use it for scrapbooking or for special photos you want to protect, or make your own laminated crafts such as luggage tags, signs, and more. Any crafter […]

Craft: crafts, laminator, scrapbooking

Sashiko embroidery is a Japanese needle-art that can be both meditative and addictive. Colors are worked into the design by making “little stabs” along the printed lines, creating a surprisingly complex final piece. Once complete, the ink washes out, leaving only your perfect sewing. TaDaa provides beautiful thread, sashiko needles, a leather thimble, and a […]

Craft: craft, embroidery, Japanese, Sashiko, sewing

Starting with the basic sock-style, this kit empowers kids to create handsome puppets and teaches different construction methods. With simple instructions, pre-marked patterns, pre-sewn parts to stuff, and packaging that becomes a stage, this kit is only two hours from coming to life. The hardest part is waiting for the glue to dry, but that’s the […]

Craft: animals, arts, crafts, kids, puppets

Bzzzzrrrreeeeepeh-khkhkhhhhhhhk! Build your own Noise Toy with this kit from electronic noise group the Loud Objects. Plug in your headphones and glitch out, or jack into an amp and play it as an instrument. These kits come complete with a custom-printed circuit board, a noise generating microchip programmed with the firmware Loud Objects uses for […]

Musical Instruments: music, musical instruments, noise-maker

Perfect for the hobby electronics musician, the E.S.V. Fuzz pedal adds that “Extra Special Vintage” tone to your electric guitar. The kit has a handy PCB design that makes soldering a breeze, and as a result I was able to put this kit together in about an hour. Follow the detailed instructions and you, too, […]

Musical Instruments: effects pedal, guitar, music, musical instruments

Looking to get some clean preamp boost out of your guitar, and love the tone that vintage tubes offer? Check out The Persuader pedal from Mod Kits DIY. The Persuader can take the tone of your guitar from nice and clean to that warm, smooth tube overdrive. Easy to construct with the solid instructions, this […]

Musical Instruments: effects pedal, guitar, music, musical instruments

The Octolively is one of the most entertaining kits I have built in a while. It’s an interactive, tileable LED module that carries eight huge (10mm) LEDs arranged on its 4″×8″ board. Its sensors detect nearby movement using both infrared and visible light, and the LEDs, which come in a variety of colors, respond with […]

LEDs: electronics, LEDs

I chose this kit airplane because it has great performance, but even better, it’s designed for builders who don’t have a ton of tools. Only common hand tools are needed — no fiberglass work or welding. The fuselage comes pre-welded, and the wings fully assembled, so I only needed to assemble and wire the plane, […]

Outdoor & Sport: outdoors, planes, sports

This wild-looking R/C plane is life-sized (78” tall) and can take off vertically! The kit makes a superhero-shaped fuselage; you add R/C gear. Directions are clear, and the laser-cut parts go together smoothly, but it’s a bit tricky — a fun and unique kit for experienced builders that will definitely command attention! 57” hero plans […]

Radio-Controlled Vehicles: plane, RC, superhero