Author Topic: favourite hardware hacking resources (Read 19560 times)

Target · « **on:** May 19, 2011, 11:57 PM »

The inkjet thread got me thinking about this and a quick search indicates it hasn't been mentioned here before.

Does anyone have any favoured sites or resources on this?

(that's hacking as in modifying or re-purposing, nothing nefarious here

)

JavaJones · « **Reply #1 on:** May 20, 2011, 12:30 AM »

I don't know of anything that isn't probably already well known, e.g. Hack-A-Day. I used to be a regular follower but found I never did anything with most of the info. Still interesting for a while just to see the cool things people are doing, but after a while keeping up on it felt like a waste of time. Cool site though.

- Oshyan

Ath · « **Reply #2 on:** May 20, 2011, 01:23 AM »

^+1, but please feel free to share your adventures here

phitsc · « **Reply #3 on:** May 20, 2011, 02:09 AM »

The sugru product site has some hacks related to that product. I've bought some of that stuff, because it looked so cool. I have to admit though that I haven't used it yet. And it needs to be used within 6 months they say, so I really gotta have a look at these hacks

sugru is like modeling clay when you take it from its pack. Once it's exposed to air, it cures to a tough flexible silicone overnight using the moisture in the air.

mouser · « **Reply #4 on:** May 20, 2011, 04:29 AM »

I ordered some sugru when it was first announced and got a few tiny tiny satchels of it.. each one barely enough to make a marble sized thing out of.
Then i walked around my house for 2 days looking for something to use it on.. and couldn't find a single thing $:-\$

phitsc · « **Reply #5 on:** May 20, 2011, 05:14 AM »

Hey, that's exactly my problem

- Look honey, I've just got this cool stuff that I can use to fix all kinds of broken stuff
- She goes, comes back with all kinds of broken stuff
- Me, looking through all that stuff: nah, can't use it to fix this, nah, can't use it to fix that, ...

mouser · « **Reply #6 on:** May 20, 2011, 05:49 AM »

40hz · « **Reply #7 on:** May 20, 2011, 06:12 AM »

@Target:

+

Stoic Joker · « **Reply #8 on:** May 20, 2011, 06:31 AM »

You're not from the south are you ... It's supposed to be Duct Tape and a Coat Hanger.

a.k.a. Standard Redneck muffler/exhaust repair kit.

Edvard · « **Reply #9 on:** May 20, 2011, 06:46 AM »

http://thereifixedit.failblog.org

40hz · « **Reply #10 on:** May 20, 2011, 07:33 AM »

You're not from the south are you ... It's supposed to be Duct Tape and a Coat Hanger.

a.k.a. Standard Redneck muffler/exhaust repair kit.
-Stoic Joker (May 20, 2011, 06:31 AM)

1) AFAIK you only absolutely needed the coat hanger to fix the throttle on an old style carburetor. It was also an especially effective universal 'replacement part' for a lot of tricky little things in a pre fuel injection era VW Beetle engine...

2) And no. I am not from the south. (Unless 'southern' New England qualifies.)

Stoic Joker · « **Reply #11 on:** May 20, 2011, 11:51 AM »

Coat Hanger Uses I've Seen:
Radio Antenna
Attach License Plate
Tie up Exhaust to frame (so it don't drag on the ground)
Replace missing bolts (obviously not for blind holes)
Hose Clamp (Twist tight carefully)
Attach front grill to radiator (major rust issue)
Welding rod
Replace missing/broken Door Latch
Replace missing/broken door, tool or lunch box handle
Get keys out of locked car
Jump start motorcycle or lawn mower (I've done this one - Vehicles touching = ground)

...And that's just off the top of my head ... Welcome to the South...

40hz · « **Reply #12 on:** May 20, 2011, 12:14 PM »

^Added missing "solutions" to the KB. Thx!

P.S. Add impromptu grill. Or griddle with a double piece of heavy tinfoil.

Edvard · « **Reply #13 on:** May 21, 2011, 01:44 AM »

+ temporary chain link. (I have done this...)

My latest hack fave:
Fresh out of AAA batteries?
Got a 9v battery hanging around somewhere (even a half-dead one)?
Crack the 9v open and there's the equivalent of six AAA cells in there (AAAA's actually, but whatevs).
http://lifehacker.co...ry-as-emergency-aaas

ewemoa · « **Reply #14 on:** May 21, 2011, 02:04 AM »

Neat!

sources, sources

The link mentioned at the article didn't go anywhere useful -- but archive.org to the rescue

4wd · « **Reply #15 on:** May 21, 2011, 07:55 AM »

Coat Hanger Uses I've Seen:
-Stoic Joker (May 20, 2011, 11:51 AM)

Replace Coat Hanger with fencing wire and it's welcome to Australia

A lot tougher than coat hangers and ubiquitous anywhere not in a suburb.

Renegade · « **Reply #16 on:** May 22, 2011, 01:28 AM »

Well, for hardware hacking, perhaps this will entertain:

http://blog.pricecha...deo-game-urinal.html

Not sure if that will piss off some console fans though.

Fred Nerd · « **Reply #17 on:** May 22, 2011, 06:39 AM »

The trick is Duct Tape and WD 40
If it moves, but shouldn't = Duct tape
If it doesn't move and should = WD 40

No other problems exist

40hz · « **Reply #18 on:** May 22, 2011, 06:40 AM »

The trick is Duct Tape and WD 40
If it moves, but shouldn't = Duct tape
If it doesn't move and should = WD 40

No other problems exist
-Fred Nerd (May 22, 2011, 06:39 AM)

Renegade · « **Reply #19 on:** May 22, 2011, 07:01 AM »

The trick is Duct Tape and WD 40
If it moves, but shouldn't = Duct tape
If it doesn't move and should = WD 40

No other problems exist
-Fred Nerd (May 22, 2011, 06:39 AM)

Bwahahahaha~!

That was excellent!

Stoic Joker · « **Reply #20 on:** May 22, 2011, 07:38 AM »

The trick is Duct Tape and WD 40
If it moves, but shouldn't = Duct tape
If it doesn't move and should = WD 40

No other problems exist
-Fred Nerd (May 22, 2011, 06:39 AM)

He's got a point there...

Target · « **Reply #21 on:** May 22, 2011, 06:08 PM »

The trick is Duct Tape and WD 40
If it moves, but shouldn't = Duct tape
If it doesn't move and should = WD 40

No other problems exist
-Fred Nerd (May 22, 2011, 06:39 AM)
He's got a point there...
-Stoic Joker (May 22, 2011, 07:38 AM)

what about electrical/electronic 'projects'?

one squirt of wd and you'll need either a fire extinguisher (if you got this far I suspect you probably keep one handy at all times) or a defribrillator (though you could use that coat hanger in the wall socket)

Renegade · « **Reply #22 on:** May 22, 2011, 06:11 PM »

The trick is Duct Tape and WD 40
If it moves, but shouldn't = Duct tape
If it doesn't move and should = WD 40

No other problems exist
-Fred Nerd (May 22, 2011, 06:39 AM)
He's got a point there...
-Stoic Joker (May 22, 2011, 07:38 AM)

what about electrical/electronic 'projects'?

one squirt of wd and you'll need either a fire extinguisher (if you got this far I suspect you probably keep one handy at all times) or a defribrillator (though you could use that coat hanger in the wall socket)
-Target (May 22, 2011, 06:08 PM)

In those cases it's obvious... No moving parts. Plaster them with duct tape!

Stoic Joker · « **Reply #23 on:** May 22, 2011, 06:23 PM »

The trick is Duct Tape and WD 40
If it moves, but shouldn't = Duct tape
If it doesn't move and should = WD 40

No other problems exist
-Fred Nerd (May 22, 2011, 06:39 AM)
He's got a point there...
-Stoic Joker (May 22, 2011, 07:38 AM)

what about electrical/electronic 'projects'?

one squirt of wd and you'll need either a fire extinguisher (if you got this far I suspect you probably keep one handy at all times) or a defribrillator (though you could use that coat hanger in the wall socket)
-Target (May 22, 2011, 06:08 PM)

Actually, WD40 does work quite well for displacing moisture from wet (or mildly corroded) wiring. It was frequently used back in my junkyard days on wiring harnesses that had been pulled from a parts bike. Squirt a little in each of the multi-pin plugs before assembly and all works well.

It's flammable yes, but completely non-conductive (paraffin based).

Target · « **Reply #24 on:** May 22, 2011, 09:37 PM »

In those cases it's obvious... No moving parts. Plaster them with duct tape!
-Renegade (May 22, 2011, 06:11 PM)

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