Archive for the ‘Builds’ Category

Kenwood TM-V71A & APRS Tracking

Sunday, April 18th, 2010

APRS allows users to send real time text messages, GPS coordinate data, weather information, and many other things over ham radio frequencies (normally 144.390Mhz on the two meter band) that are picked up by nodes and logged on the internet. APRS is a form of packet radio so if you tune to the frequency used [...]

Axle Flip

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

Here is a little how to article on how to give your trailer a cheap and easy lift. Basically if your trailers axle is mounted atop the spring you can move it to the bottom of the leaf spring pack thus lifting the axle by the width of the leaf spring pack and axle.
Before:

After: 

 
First you [...]

Golf Ball Cannon

Thursday, December 31st, 2009

Here is some info on building a blackpowder cannon capable of shooting golf balls or other small items. Please be aware that this article is for informational purposes only and any damage/danger that results from use of any part of this article is not our fault. Also please check the legality of building such a [...]

Homemade Aluminum Casting

Saturday, November 7th, 2009

By using air blown charcoal you can easily melt aluminum cans and other aluminum pieces for homemade castings. I used a bucket, a coffee can, dryer ducting, and a blower fan. By simply letting the charcoal heat up and then using air to “turbo charge” the furnace you can then melt aluminum.

Castings:

Motion Activated Electric Switch

Sunday, October 25th, 2009

Halloween is here and I made this so I could have things such as my pneumatic coffin be activated automatically when someone walked by.

Materials:
1. Motion Activated Switch – Here’s Mine
2. 5ft outdoor extension Cord
3. Outlet box – Home Depot
Steps:
First you need to cut the extension cord in half. Then using the wiring diagram provided with [...]

Toyota Tacoma Bed Basket

Saturday, October 10th, 2009

Here are designs for making a bed basket for a toyota tacoma specifically, but the dimensions can be easily modified to fit any other truck. This design took 40ft on 14 gauge 1″ box and 10 feet of 11 gauge 1″ box.

How to Add a Headset to a Phone

Saturday, September 26th, 2009

After being asked how one would go  about adding a microphone and headphone jack to a phone so that a headset could be used, I decided to take a look for myself and figure out what to do. Here is what I found, however, I didn’t actually add the jacks as I have no need [...]

Amateur Radio — Basic Practices

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009

Here is some basic information for new hams to help them get started.
Being a new ham can be a little intimidating at first as there are many established protocols for conducting conversations on the air. However, with a few attempts and contacts it all begins to make sense and is truly very easy. One thing [...]

Blazer Radio Install

Friday, June 5th, 2009

Installing a 1/2 face modern style radio in a pre 90’s blazer.

Blazer Quick Release Door Pins

Friday, June 5th, 2009

How to make quick release door hinge pins to make door removal and installation a breeze.

Homemade alarm for your truck or car

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

This is a cheap way to put an alarm on your car or truck without spending alot of cash and can be done in 30 to 45 minutes. First, you need to find an old car alarm horn. Lots of cars already have unused ones under there hoods already but if not They can be [...]

GM 14 bolt swap into a 1/2 ton chassis

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

This is a common swap done by many in the 4×4 world to beef up there 1/2 ton or c-clip axles. Other than the larger and beefier ring and pinion the major benefit of this swap is the full floating axles. The difference is that when a c-clip axle breaks the axle will slide out [...]

Climate Controlling Backpack!!!

Sunday, September 7th, 2008

A brief overview of how to make a backpack that will heat and cool you.

Adding a Switch to a Rotary Phone

Friday, May 23rd, 2008

How to add a switch to a rotary telephone to turn on or off the ringer.

Fire Extinguisher Flashlight

Wednesday, March 26th, 2008

There are instructions on how to build your very own fire extinguisher flashlight.

Halloween Pneumatic Coffin

Wednesday, March 12th, 2008

Here’s how to build and setup a coffin that opens and closes using pneumatics! This project is great for Halloween but can be used for other occasions like birthdays, parties, etc. This setup is about the simplest way you can make it and still retain quality. This setup is very easy to do (can be [...]

Engine Valve Pens

Wednesday, March 5th, 2008

I was board and decided to make some pens out of a couple of worn out valves I had laying around. The first one I made came out so good I decided I should share how to make it.
Here is how to build your very own:
1. Since most valves are hardened steel we will need [...]

BMX To Motorcycle Conversion

Tuesday, June 26th, 2007

Here are plans to build a small motorcycle from any old BMX bike and get close to 100 miles per gallon in the process. The tools that I used were a welder, die-grinder, crescent wrench, and other smaller hand tools that are common around most people’s homes. My finished product had a gear ratio of [...]