Use a Commodore disk drive on a PC

Not that the need to connect an antique floppy drive to you computer happens everyday but if it does, this is just the device you will be needing.

The xu1541 is the modern way to connect cbm iec bus devices to todays USB equipped PCs and it is meant to replace the printer port solutions based on the so-called original x1541 cable. The xu1541 interface allows you e.g. to attach a VC1541 disk drive to your desktop PC as depicted below. This allows for easy transfer of disk images from and to the old units and helps you preserve your ancient data.

If your looking for a nice Commodore 64 emulator I’d recommend CCS64. I’ve had good results with that myself.
MAKE: Blog: Use a Commodore disk drive on a PC

Micro R/C Car Hacks for Model Airplane Use

This is a great example of what you can do with the right parts a bit of know how.

This article describes the construction of a rudder-only controlled model airplane that weighs 2.5 ounces. Total cost was about $35. For sure, I learned some interesting things along the way, all of which are shared here. The good news is that the electronic modifications are working well.Perhaps there’s something in here that you will find useful for YOUR own Micro-Sizer / BitChar-G airplane powered hack.

[via DIY Live]
RC-CAM Projects: Micro R/C Car Hacks for Model Airplane Use

DIY Nikon D70 Infrared Camera Mod

Removing the infrared filter n a Nikon D70 DSLR cameraAh, there is nothing quite like the thrill of hacking up an expensive digital camera and undoing what engineers spent countless hours fixing. I’m referring to the filter that cuts down the infrared wavelength light that strikes the image sensor. You see, if you don’t filter out the IR your images tend ot be washed out. Now this is fine if you just want to take the same old boring pictures that everyone else does. If you don’t, then this hack is for you. Once you have done this you can make some very cool looking photos by shooting through what to the naked eye looks to be a solid sheet of plastic. That plastic is a filter that only passes infrared light. Grass and leaves look white, dark clothing looks gray, the sky is black… The effect is stunning.

Nikon D70 IR cut filter removal

VictorioNixie Tube POV Display

 VictorioNixie Tube I’m liking the looks of this…

This "electrochemical and electromechanical apparatus for the display of illuminated messages" is really a (heavily) modified persistence-of-vision toy. This toy was a pen i picked up at the local pharmacy (Walgreen’s) with a spinning head that displayed whatever message you programmed in. It was only $5.00, so i picked up a couple and let my imagination fly.
This is by far the most sculptural of all my creations, as it really serves no practical purpose 🙂
All in all, it cost me about $20US and two weeks worth of spare time (about 10 hours)
To see the device in action, go to:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BMAc6 jfG0M

[via brassgoggles]
VictorioNixie Tube – a photoset on Flickr