There have been plenty of gadgets that have found new uses by having updated technology jammed inside of them.  The gadgets come from all different time frames and this one is actually created from a device that was originally released in 1946.  This Philco Dynamic Tester has found new life as an iPod speaker amp.  Despite that it’s made out of a device that’s 63 years old, it looks even better than the newer gadgets released this year.

The cabinet is a 10 watt integrated solid-state amplifier, as well as a Blaukpunkt 5 1/4” coaxial loudspeaker with a ceramic magnet.  It has an inset side panel has bass/treble controls, two 1/4” jack inputs, and left and right RCA inputs.  The iPod dock plugs into the side panel to play your music and charge your iPod.  The massive knob on the front is the one that controls the overall volume.  The handle on the top was actually updated since the creator wasn’t all that fond of the original. You can check out more of the pictures by heading here.  No such luck on getting a tutorial though.

Source: RetroThing

You remember all the good old days when all it took to get into your best friend’s treehouse was some secret knock you all formed.  Even if you never experienced that yourself, every little kid wishes for that kind of a code.  Well now as a full grown adult, you can create a similar item that does that for your full sized house.  Don’t worry, it’s a bit more secure than just some guy standing on the other side waiting to turn the lock on your cue.

Seeing the pictures of the lock and thinking of all the possibilities is enough to get anyone excited, but seeing the device in action is enough to make any gadget lover giddy with anticipation.  The video explains a bit on how it’s made and what is used to make it.  It also shows the device detecting the knock and unlocking the door.  Some of the parts include a tiny gear reduction motor, a PVC pipe and a piezo speaker.  For those of you that need more than a quick video to figure out the project, there is also a detailed guide on how it’s done.

Source: Techeblog

Now that gas prices are so high and so many are finding themselves a bit more broke than they anticipated.  Why not create a puzzle box that opens only at a very specific mystery location?  No, it won’t just tell you to turn left on Main St, it makes things difficult for you.  Leaving you to drive and walk endlessly until you finally figure out where this GPS box will open up for you.

It is actually a really cool idea if you or someone you know loves to solve puzzles and mysteries.  Then not only could you give them a cool gift, but you could make sure they’ve worked hard to get their hands onto it.  The box was originally built by Makal Hart as a wedding gift.  On the top it features a button and an LCD display.  You can only press the button 50 times, but every time you do it’ll tell you how many kilometers you’re away from the spot you need to be at.  You can check out a more detailed look on the box from the creator’s perspective by going here.

Source: SlipperyBrick

If you haven’t quite had your fill of steampunk gadgets, this latest home made modification is one of the better ones out there.  Not only did the creator make an awesome USB drive, but they even made a special dock just for the USB drive that is just as high quality and detailed as the drive itself.  All around making a set up that will make people green with envy.

The USB drive itself, he doesn’t say how much data it will hold, but with looks like this, I’m not sure it really matters anymore.  Then the base only has one opening, which is specifically made for this drive.  It’ll allow data to be transferred to your computer.  The base has a light on it to let you know when the drive is plugged in.  It’d be interesting to know how much time it really took them to create this, but I guess we’ll just have to live without that information.  You can see plenty more pictures of the drive and the base by going here.

Source: GeekyGadgets

There is never a shortage of various forms of arcade machines.  Usually they are fairly simple in design, but this one is far from simple.  Instead this horror movie lover took his inspiration from the classic horror movies.  That in turn gives this arcade machine a steampunk look that most people could appreciate year round.  Even if it does have a design that some would only consider appropriate right around Halloween.

This is one of those jobs that someone did themselves, so you won’t be able to find this one and simply purchase it.  However, for those of you that are good with your hands, this would be a great way to get some new ideas.  The creator doesn’t exactly show how to do the machine step by step.  He does at least provide numerous pictures at all different stages of the development though.  He also shows pictures of various quirks he’s added to give the machine a very unique look.  One of which being a very green side panel that shows Frankenstein’s monster’s face.  A PC runs the machine so that he can play his games as well as listen to his favorite music.  You can check out all of the pictures on the creator’s blog.

Source: Gizmowatch

The small oval shape contains a high carbon steel pen knife blade that is razor sharp and useful for many cutting tasks. It also has small precision scissors. It’s not designed for big jobs, but it comes in handy for cutting and trimming. Just push the button forward and it’s a bright little LED flashlight, really useful in dark entryways. There’s also a very productive bottle opener for your favorite sodas and microbrews, because we have found most of the best beverages require a bottle opener to enjoy.

You can pick this up for $21.99 – small price to pay considering how it might just help you out during those unforseen circumstances.

Source: Gizmodiva

Justin Lee and Oliver Yeh didn’t have Dennis Tito’s $20 million dollars to go into orbit, but what they did have was a weather balloon, a styrofoam cooler, hand warmers, a GPS enabled phone, and a Canon A470 point and shoot camera.

They cut a hole in the bottom of the cooler, and positioned the camera inside. They put the hand warmers and GPS-enabled phone inside, so it would not freeze in the upper atmosphere. They tied the contraption to their weather balloon, and the rest is DIY history.

Their device made it up to 93,000 feet, which technically isn’t space, but Project Icarus was high enough to shoot breathtakingly high photos. All of it was done at a relatively low budget of $148.

I will have to salute these two students for their DIY spirit. It reminds me of the Chinese man who built his own helicopter. I like stories like this because they remind us that our dreams can come true with a little technology and a lot of ingenuity.

Source

There’s never a shortage of odd clocks on the internet.  Yet, how many of those can you have a hand in the constructing process?  Well this Ice Tube Clock gives you the opportunity to have a lot more involvement in the process of creating the clock.  Instead of putting in your order and getting a shiny new clock all put together.  You’ll pay money to order a clock you have to put together yourself.  Which might appeal to those of you that like to learn what makes your clock work.

The clock is created using a Russian display tube and once put together does actually have all of the average alarm functions.  Such as volume adjustment, a snooze button, the ability to display date and time as well as being able to choose between a 12h or 24h display.  Before you decide to purchase the kit, you might want to consider that the clock does generate high voltage (40V on up to 70VDC).  Which means they only recommend those that are experienced with electronics to tackle this kit.  If you think you can handle it, you can purchase it for $70.

Source: GeekyGadgets

Gadgets typically look like, well, gadgets.  They look shiny, new and a combination of plastic and metal.  Being someone that not only adores old looking technology (almost antique in appearance), but your older than average books as well, sometimes I get tired of the same old technology day in and day out.  Well apparently I’m not the only one, because one person decided that their scanner needed to blend in a little more properly within their home.  Now that they finished their mod, it just appears that they always have the same old book laying out on their desk.

If you are tired of the way your scanner looks, this is one way to solve the problem.  Datamancer took a flatbed scanner and put it in a book that they hollowed out.  Choosing the book you use could definitely change the look of the mod completely.  It’d also be one way to show off your personality and the types of things you love.  From the looks of things this isn’t just a book he found at your local Barnes and Nobles, but one he made himself.  You can see the various pictures of his progress on his website.

Source: SlipperyBrick

Source: Technabob

There is steampunk and then there is the spooky morbid form of steampunk.  This would be the morbid kind, obviously.  Despite that it is truly morbid and somewhat wrong, you have to admit that they did a great job with this mouse and it’s most definitely a very original mouse.  Somehow I doubt you’ll ever run into one like it.  This skull mouse is also bound to turn heads, of course it might then scare off the people that happen to see it.

It’s made out of a sheep’s skull as well as brass of course.  The creator, Ivan Mavrovic, does want to reassure people that the poor sheep died of a natural death.  He didn’t kill the sheep just to create a sadistic looking mouse.  That was nice of him.  Of course, this is an original work of art and  you won’t be able to buy your own anywhere.  You could however attempt to create your own though, but please try to find an already dead sheep to borrow a skull from.

Source: Technabob

Usually I prefer for my flash drives to be small, but not so small that I’m constantly worrying that I’m going to lose it.  You know the kind I’m talking about, the ones that are so small you have to attach something to it to make sure that it stays with your keys, otherwise it wouldn’t last a day.  Well this one goes for the opposite end of things, it’s a touch larger than your average USB drive.  Which is alright, since it looks great doing it.

This drive comes from Russia, which seems to be where all the good mods come from.  Sadly, as with all the best mods, you can’t purchase this.  However, the person that created this drive was kind enough to give a few details and extra pictures on how it was done.  It’s nothing quite as in depth as a step by step guide, but if you’re good at DIY projects it should be enough to get you started at the very least.

Source: Gizmowatch

Wu Zhongyuan is a 20 year old farmer who, ever since he was a child, dreamed of not needing to climb mountains anymore. It would appear that he found his remedy by creating his own flying machine. Wu used principles that he learned in middle-school physics and other relevant knowledge by surfing the Internet on a mobile phone to create this helicopter.

The blades are made from Elm tree wood, and a motorcycle engine provides the power. The frame is reinforced with steel pipes, and he claims that his single-seat copter can fly up to 2,600 feet! Believe it or not, he assembled this DIY helicopter for just $1,600.

This is one of those stories that I really hope is not made up. After all, who hasn’t had a dream and desired that it take flight? Mr. Zhongyuan doesn’t sound like he had a major corporate sponsor, just vision and ingenuity.

Sadly, the Chinese government won’t let Wu fly. I’m pretty certain that the FAA probably wouldn’t let an American inventor fly their own helicopter either, but the fact that someone could do so much with so little just inspires me, really. Kind of makes you wonder what you are doing with your life, doesn’t it?

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With the SodaStream Soda Kit, soft drink fans can save 75% by making their own Pop.

If you knew anything about me, you’d know that I should probably have stock in Coca Cola since I drink so much of the stuff. I know, I know, worst thing for me. But it’s the one vice I allow myself. Considering a can of Diet Coke can run you over a buck these days, the cost can not only add up, but it’s one of the largest profit margins there is in the snack world next to popcorn. So, how can you lower your costs and still get your soda pop fix? Look no further than SodaStream.

The SodaStream Soda Maker kits can reduce the cost of soft drinks to about a quarter a can, and it uses ordinary tap water to do it in less than a minute. The kit comes with six different flavors to reproduce your favorite drinks and a carbonator which injects carbon dioxide through the jet soda maker into the mix to give your drink that fizz. Also included are 2 reusable bottles (even BPA free) and a 3 year warranty.

Hat Tip – The Grid

There are some that are willing to pay hundreds upon hundreds of dollars to get the top of the line sound and the quality looks that go along with it.  Which for them is fun, but not everyone needs that kind of a set up.  Instead, it’s entirely possible to go extremely minimal with your speakers.  You can now purchase a kit to create your very own DIY speakers.  What makes them even better is that they’re eco-friendly.

The kit comes with everything you’ll need for the speakers and that includes things to decorate them with.  They don’t state what exactly the utensils are though, whether they be eco-friendly crayons or just an ordinary set of coloring pencils.  Either way though, even after the speakers are finished you could still use them to decorate other items you find.  The cardboard set of speakers can be found for $18 through Urban Outfitters.  Which definitely isn’t a bad price, especially when you get to decorate them to fit your tastes.

Source: Technabob

Source: Pink Tentacle

Source: Instructables

Although normally gadget DIY projects are incredibly complicated and most people couldn’t dream of pulling it off, this is one that just about anyone could pull off.  That is provided you have the proper tools, probably a Dremel would be the best tool for this one.  If you already have an old NES controller and the Dremel this would be an incredibly affordable dock.  Which is nice since most Apple affiliated accessories tend to be a little bit expensive.

Just drill a hole and create a spot to stick the iPhone cable within the NES controller and you’d be done.  This one was created for an iPhone 3GS, but there’s no reason you couldn’t create it for a regular iPod instead.  This particular mod was done by an iPhone.fr forum member, WCR.  As lacking as I am in the crafty area, even I don’t think this one would be a difficult one to try out.  It’d be especially great for someone that wants to start doing mods and just wants a simple project to start out with.

Source: Gearfuse