Make: Kit Reviews

Nixie tubes, beautiful relics of early computing, display their numerals with a quivery orange glow. Peter J. Jensen makes Nixie tube clock kits, and it was a joy to put one of them together, thanks to the clear step-by-step instructions and parts envelopes labeled with corresponding numbers. Jensen designed the clock and circuit board himself, […]

Clocks: clocks, Nixie tubes, retro, vintage

Alternative time-telling devices are compelling, but only if they’re easy to read. Building a kit can be satisfying, but only if it leaves room for creativity. The Chronulator clock kit fits the bill on both counts. Solder it together, and you’ve got a microcontroller-based clock that converts time to current, displaying hours and minutes on […]

Clocks: Arduino, clocks, hackable

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

An introduction to sewing with soft circuits, this fantastic kit teaches you how to augment your garments or needlework with LEDs. There’s a free video tutorial as well as step-by-step instructions, and the kit includes everything you need to get started; Jawa doll not included!

Craft: craft, LEDs, sewing, soft circuits

Turn your trash into treasure, or in this case, a trash can. Out of the box, this metal basket skeleton won’t hold a lot, but add your own recycled material, and it becomes much more useful. Walls are formed by weaving through the spokes. If you like paper crafts, weave in folded strips of newspaper. […]

Craft: arts, crafts, plastic bags, trash can

MAKE blogger Sean Ragan created this provocative kit enabling you to make a medical replica out of nothing but Lego, with the exception of one slightly modified piece. Build the syringe by following the easy “order-of-operations,” using red for blood, or maybe a blue medicine from the future, or create yourself a sickly yellow-green poison. Complete […]

Craft: arts, crafts, lego

Without ever painting a portrait before in my life, I re-created the likeness of Pee-wee Herman with this PopParty Paint by Number Kit. Choose from the Golden Girls, Pee-wee, or my personal favorite, Lindsay Lohan’s mug shot. Better yet, order a custom kit from your own photo for $125, with up to 16 acrylic paint […]

Craft: art, celebrities, crafts, paint-by-number, Pee-Wee Herman

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