Make: Kit Reviews

Solder: Time was a perfect father-daughter project: my 8-year-old assembled the components and I soldered. Afterwards, she had a chunky blue wristwatch that her cousin admired longingly, so we made another one for her. Now their friends are asking for them. I think we’ve started a trend!

Clocks: clocks, LEDs, wristwatch

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

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 […]

Clocks: Arduino, clocks

Old-fashioned Nixie tubes are beautiful, but driving them in a circuit can be complicated since they often require voltages as high as 250V DC. The ArduiNIX board for Arduino makes it easy to add standard clock functions to your next project. Just be sure to design an enclosure that will keep those high voltages safe. I […]

Clocks: Arduino, clocks, Nixie tubes, old-fashioned

The Real Time Clock Kit Parts Bundle includes everything but the casing to build the PIC-based clock designed by Sparkle Labs and featured in MAKE Volume 09. Be sure to read the article for detailed explanations of how the PIC, Real Time Clock, and LED driver all work together to make a functioning clock.

Clocks: clocks, LEDs, microcontroller, PIC

A friend and I tried to build a pottery kick wheel ourselves, but the concrete flywheel we poured cracked immediately, rendering the wheel a bit wobbly. Fortunately I later discovered these two kits, which include everything you need to make a solid kick wheel, including the wheel head, ball bearings, and all the pre-cut wood. And […]

Craft: crafts, pottery

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

Beginners can learn how to weave their own bags, mats, coasters, and more with this portable weaving kit. The plastic mini loom comes with two shuttles, a beater, a weaving needle, five colors of yarn, and project instructions. Perfect for kids!

Craft: arts, crafts, weaving, yarn

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

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