So my sister and I live on a street that decorates for Christmas. This year we wanted to make something for our gate but we’ve run into a problem.

The idea is a row of bells (2D bell shapes cut from a wood or acrylic) that when pressed play a note. They’ll all be different colors and we were thinking of cutting these bells out of wood or acrylic on our xTool. We have the tech part figured out. And we found some small waterproof buttons that we can use, but we really want the bells (about 10” diameter) to be the whole button. We are thinking we could have waterproof buttons under the bell that press into the actual buttons, but we don’t know how to make the bell itself act as a button if that makes sense?

If it helps, we are using a raspberry pi 4, and we’re also considering potentially using multiple buttons underneath the bells to make sure at least one gets pressed.

Here’s a project that enables Ethernet to work with a USB-C Type connector. Whether it’s USB-C or some other new connector, I think it’s time for Ethernet connectors to become smaller.

https://maker.wiznet.io/Alan/projects/the%2Dsmallest%2Dethernet%2Dmodule%2Din%2Dthe%2Dworld%2Dc%2Dtype%2Dethernet/

https://preview.redd.it/4ztzkkfrek1e1.png?width=615&format=png&auto=webp&s=7dd78807813cdcead5b78d9aec03238a84ff4685

Hey all,

I do woodworking and I purchased a CNC machine a while back. I'm looking at doing some custom projects for people (like cutting boards or other similar projects) and I'm wondering what AI image generator you all may recommend. I've tried a bunch of the sites that pop up on Google already and it looks like a whole slew of options that often want to limit how many images I can create by giving me "tokens" and then charging monthly fees.

I'm not opposed to paying for something but would love to know that I am getting into a decent site.

Thanks!

I have a pretty cool tiki bar in my basement and something I’ve wanted to include in the decor/experience is tiki idol/god head to mount to the wall where it makes sound, light, and fog, maybe even moves its jaw. I’m not sure where the idea came from, because it can’t be that original but I haven’t found something similar to what I have in mind. So far, I’m thinking:

• Shape it with foam and paint (my wife and I are artistic so feel like it’s doable) • Add LED lights and a sound device with recorded phrases, ominous laughter, etc. internally • Possibly add ultrasonic fogger • Possibly add some motorized mechanism to have its jaw lower and rise. • Include a way to trigger the effects through a button behind the bar, smart device, randomly

I think the usecase would be to either have it randomly ‘come alive’ with lights, voice, fog every 30-45 minutes during a party which could signal it’s time for everyone to take a shot, or perform some task, solve a riddle, whatever…

Or if someone orders a drink the bartender can trigger the effect.

Additionally, the bar is lit by smart LED bulbs so if a color change could sink up with idol’s effects that could be really cool. I’m not married to any of these ideas so please lend me your creativity and help me game this out. The things I’d love to get input from the community to help my design and build:

• Some creative ideas for what the idol could do • Suggestions for materials and devices to pull together the various effects components (best light, speaker, fogger, trigger mechanism, foam to use, etc). • Any other tips or considerations for a somewhat novice maker. I don’t build props or tech stuff much but I’m pretty handy and do most home, vehicle, device maintenance by myself

I think I must be inspired by a few things like Olmec from Legend of the Hidden Temple (https://youtu.be/LEWjDyzPwc8?si=278hOYryMHgNmxdI)

Thanks in advance for any help you can lend!

you have a thin plastic film (that can be stretched) and want to make it produce a parabola (not catenary or any other shape). you clamp the film with a circular vice, in one case you create a seal and pull out some air from one side of the film (vacuum) thereby making the film get pulled to one side. in the other case you apply a pushing force in the center of the film which pushes the film downwards. I made 3D model illustrations to help visualize the 2 scenarios. which one will yield a Parabolic shape more (I understand that it probably wont create a perfect Parabola but which one would approximate a parabola more). The red in the image is the thin plastic film. on the left is the vacuum example and on the right is the force being applied in the center of the film example.

https://preview.redd.it/8d5z784p2g1e1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=31af17d65c9679ed8beb4b4b223b2dde340838a8

Background: For people starting microcontrollers (arduino esp32 etc) and small computers (Raspberry pi, Jetson Nano), you quickly learn after a while that you don’t really need the whole pcb when making only certain functionalities. You can prototype a smaller board with just the components you need (and of course the proper connections).

With machine learning, say Computer Vision, is it possible to strip down a computer down to bare necessities? what I want to know is… just like you can wire some LED with a timer IC for certain behavior(instead of coding it with an arduino) Can ML be done with just a certain circuit? (imagine a circuit board that only does computer vision and nothing else) —— I’m guessing it would still require a place for memory etc but in more detail, how can this be achieved?

Looking to get dies made for highly precise shapes with 1mm slots between them.

Most places I've seen so far have a 1/8" minimum radius, or can't have gaps smaller than 2-3mm.

https://preview.redd.it/qud9xskn1r0e1.png?width=457&format=png&auto=webp&s=6924d140a6275b1c98f68c98ee775c506ec78bca

Thanks for any help!

I've googled velcro/iron/heat/bonding and thats just giving me heat activated velcro. My Googling is letting me down.

I have an odd one here.

I'm looking for a way (I picture fiber optic cables but maybe just a certain shape of glass) to capture and concentrate light from outside to inside a small object (picture a 50mm cube). We're trying to make like a miniature flashlight to light a gauge inside the dark device, using only the outside light.

Like, is it possible to take 10 strands of fiber optic and join them in a way where the "trunk" strand isn't any larger than each individual strand? That way you could be gathering light over an area of 10-whatever-units and shooting it out the other side with 10x the brightness.

It's the same concept as a deck prism, kind of, but it needs to be very small and ideally flexible but that's not necessarily a requirement if it can be made small enough.

See poor drawing:

https://imgur.com/a/jKLuzRg

Anything?

Trying to locate a mount similar to this, however instead of manually loosening the mechanism to tilt the mount, the user simply tilts and it stays in place. I've seen these in the wild before for different applications but can't pinpoint what the name of that style of hinge would be. Friction hinge feels right but search that isn't producing anything close for me. If I can get the right term I can keep researching. TIA

https://preview.redd.it/ag569kfpyi0e1.jpg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=756c76193f8a046afec42594f67c53fe4780e97c

I'm looking to get something like a pendant or a bracelet with a single button, that when pressed would send out a notification or a call to pre programmed contacts. I've seen something like this, but they are only available in some regions and usually come with subscriptions and their own call centers that handle those emergencies.
What I would assume I would need is a button that can be programmed to send out a signal to some base station that then could be programmed to send messages or calls. This device would be for my grandmother, she's alright but I'm being preemptive, she walks her dog daily so the system would need to have some range to it. I'm not sure what type of signal could carry good enough range, maybe like loRa or something like that?
And for base station, what would I need? Something like an arduino or even raspberry pi?
Any suggestions would be nice. I'm not too experienced with stuff like this, maybe some of you have made a system that would work in such a way?

Hey All,

I have a motorcycle project that I am working on, and would like to do a custom seat for it. I have gone back and forth with materials, and would love to have a matching seat/saddlebag combo. Deerskin came up as a possible option because, here in Minnesota, it is deer season and I can get pretty easy access to raw deer hide. Tanning the hides would get me enough deerskin to make these bags and seat out of, which would be a fun project and something I would like to learn, but wondering if it would be worth it for this project or if I should put that on the backburner and some other material.

Thanks!

I was looking at the Concept Bytes holomat and AI... Any unknown subscriptions (e.g. ChatGPT) which I will need to purchase? I want to maek the holomat, but I'm guessing the light sensor will be a sizeable amount of money too?

I make a variety of wood projects, my most popular being wood signs.

Currently I am printing out lettering and using carbon paper to trace it onto my sign and hand painting it on (same method for tracing out a shape to cut with my scroll saw) or I freehand.

This doesn’t always work well and takes an extremely long time, especially with intricate designs so I’m looking for a machine to assist.

Are there recommendations for a machine that makes good stencils or a wood laser cutter as I’m pretty exclusively working with wood. And if people recommend one over the other? I don’t want to spend more than $1000 (Canadian) and the more budget friendly the better. I’ve been researching but feel a little lost.

I’ve got a large bookcase I want to put on casters and connect to another case next to it. I’m wondering if I can use magnets to “latch” the bookcases together. Then when I want to release the magnet I press a button that applies an electric current that reverses the magnetic field and they separate. I know this is possible in the other direction but 8 don’t want to keep an electric current running all the time to keep it closed.

Hey all,

I'm looking for advice on creating a color change monitoring tool.

I have an object that gradually changes color from light blue to a darker blue or purple when exposed to sunlight. I want to track the rate of color change and capture the specific color values it goes through until it reaches its final color. My goal is to compare this object with another to determine which one performs better or if they are comparable.

My initial idea was to capture both objects side by side with a GoPro. Are there specific settings I should use to avoid losing important details? Then, I’d pass the video through a tool that would monitor specific pixel areas on each object, extracting color values in HEX or RGB. (I'll likely need to build this tool, as I haven’t found one online, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.)

Will there be a difference between the captured color and the color displayed on the screen? Since I’m comparing both objects, would it matter if the colors are slightly altered, as long as they’re exposed to identical conditions? Or does color theory suggest I need to account for potential discrepancies?

Thank you for taking the time to read this! I greatly appreciate any guidance you can provide

Title

Similar question to https://www.reddit.com/r/maker/comments/18m7wvg/motorized_hinge/, but I will actually tell you what I want to make.

I will 3D print a cat bowl lid to fit my exact specifications, but the lid will only be 165mm x 70mm, and not very thick, maybe 10-15mm. I need some kind of small motor, either a stepper motor or servo to actuate the hinge.

The lid will be printed out of PLA, with 40% infill (to give you an idea on the weight).

Thanks in advance!

Dogs chewed on this shoulder piece. I'm not sure how or what to use to rebuild what was lost

Does anyone know how well a box like this works from a basement scenario with spray paint (maybe ill switch to airbrush), for doing 3d part spraying or whole helmet spraying? Prob need a 12-14 foot total tube to the window vent, was thinking of adding in anline 205 CFm exhaust to it, not sure if thats enough or if theres a way to calc this? Safe enough? edit: looks like i only need to go 6 foot or less, so basically the existing hose will work.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFGP8QYF spray box (4" tube?), have 6" dual ports at the window to utilize (assume convert 4" 6" at the window

Or https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CFH9XX9F

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M7S46YZ inline exhaust (some reports seem to suggest its only really 100cfm)

EDIT: i guess these boxes arent ideal for primer spray cans, but with limited choices especially in the winter, its about all i could come up with, i guess warm water with the cans take outside for primer quickly is the best bet, do acrylic spray inside

Hi guys, I'm making an action figure with my 3d printer and the joints are all effectively slots for rods. I know I could use a cotter pin or a nut and bolt but I'd like to have a bit of resistance so it can be posed. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I really want to make one of these for my brothers birthday and I need advice on how to create the light up portion of the track as It needs to be 3 different colors and I want it to look clean without having to break the bank. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

https://preview.redd.it/dcbyqyengezd1.jpg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9b5db2d5dfeebfa9eea23e6a3e2737ee7945087a

Hey fellow makers and tinkerers!

You know those moments...

- When you're ready to show off your awesome project but final_v3_REAL_actually_final_v2.ino is... somewhere

- When that perfectly working CAD file is hiding in one of your 47 "New Folder" directories

- When your project is scattered across your desktop, laptop, and that mysterious USB stick labeled "Backup?"

- When someone asks about your cool build, but your documentation is spread across three different note-taking apps

- When you find an amazing component and you know you have a project for it... but where did you put those files?

Yeah, we've all been there. That's why I built a solution that actually works...

# 🔧 What I Built

A smart CLI tool that does for your project files what your toolbox does for your workshop - keeps everything organized, accessible, and ready for action. It automatically detects and organizes Arduino sketches, CAD files, documentation, and more.

Here's what it does:

- Takes your scattered files (project.ino, arm.stl, notes.txt, pcb files)

- Creates a clean project structure (software, cad, hardware, docs)

- Organizes everything automatically based on file types

- Keeps your project files exactly where you expect them to be

# 🚀 Why It's Different

- Built specifically for maker workflows

- Handles mixed projects (code + CAD + docs)

- Smart enough to preserve project structures

- Simple enough to use without reading a manual

# 🤝 Join the Build!

This is just v1.0, and I'd love your help making it better! Whether you're a Python pro or just have ideas for features.

https://preview.redd.it/r0uhahx41izd1.png?width=954&format=png&auto=webp&s=c5d03b8f7509968cdb686caed0835c7bb7561a44

https://preview.redd.it/y1at95c51izd1.png?width=496&format=png&auto=webp&s=902411d048e5738bb2fc897f4811ff3bd2b92c7f

https://preview.redd.it/okfwgwm51izd1.png?width=409&format=png&auto=webp&s=6f5a5ef6f2f7f67b01dbfc5089d2236a3faf1e57

https://preview.redd.it/mqpd6sz51izd1.png?width=425&format=png&auto=webp&s=d297647c6c70d83b1ca367c0cd2dea00ec497f9d

https://preview.redd.it/30kk0aa61izd1.png?width=489&format=png&auto=webp&s=cc7453fda65321886c971db2f628fa2514982034

Currently running on WSL and Linux, executable coming soon!

[Check it out on GitHub](https://github.com/Kalougear/Project-Manager-for-Makers)

Let's build something awesome together! 🛠️

Because spending time organizing files is the least fun part of any project.

I am renovating a space to create my own maker lab. I am using a tool chest with a custom wooden top as a bench surface, and I want to attach a vice and a metal arm with a light and magnifying glass. Can anybody recommend specific brands for these things? They seem like commodities, but I would prefer to buy something that I won’t replace soon. Thank you.