how i maek things?! (aka getting into building things)

cooljammer00

I've recently become interested with the idea of building things with like, my own two hands, I guess. Not just with wood and nails, but I want to get into hardware hacking and soldering and other types of things. But I have absolutely no idea on where to start or what to build, or even how to do such things. I don't think I've ever built anything in my entire life, but I'd like to try.

It's for this reason that MAKEzine seems sort of intriguing, but I've never subscribed to a quarterly before. Does anyone have any experience with this "zine"? Is it good or a waste of money (and it sure does seem like a lot of money for four issues)

tl;dr - Soldering, wood, building stuff? Where do I start? also MAKE.

I guess, also on a side note, how does one become proficient in doing these types of things? Like, I enjoy vidcasts like Systm and thebroken. How do these people come up with these things, though? And how do they become leet enough to be on the level of a Kevin Rose?

TresstheFool

In some places, there are community colleges that offer some of this stuff. Some people also apprentice with carpenters and the like.

Burning Organ

My old carpentry teacher had these awesome catalogs with stuff like printed circuit boards, some small motors etc. They came in some sort of kits of varying costs, with instructions to build things. One of my friends bought a light sensing robot for 40€, and built it together...
Right now I think he makes more of his own stuff. I recommend seeing if you can find similar kits and learn some electric principles (like how to get several batteries to output more power or to last longer.)
We learned some of this stuff in elementary school. It is fun, but you need some tools.

Zonkytonkman

For the most part learning the skills to build is just practice. If you want to get good at soldering you just buy some cheap circuit board and some wire and solder connections over and over. My first time I had to do nearly 200 connections for a project, and the difference in quality as I moved from one side of the board to the other was amazing.

As for putting it all together to form a coherent project? I don't know.

alcoholic_engineer

check out this website hack a day it has lots of different levels of difficulty for projects, and seems to have a few cool ideas and tips.

cooljammer00

alcoholic_engineer wrote: »

check out this website hack a day it has lots of different levels of difficulty for projects, and seems to have a few cool ideas and tips.

i've been looking into that site, but they always seem to assume the reader has things like soldering irons and circuit boards to fiddle with. where could i get some?

and please, continue. I like the responses I'm getting, thank you.

edit: also, if it helps, I'm a student at Stony Brook University, so I can't just go to a community college and take these woodwork classes. Maybe I can see if there's some sort of club or class or whatnot.

double edit for bumpage:

cooljammer00

ok, apparently edits dont bump threads.

so anyway, how would i get like, wires and circuit boards to fuck around with? that Cold Heat soldering tool asseenontv......would you recommend it?

also, anyone have any opinions about MAKE?

Burning Organ

I think soldering tools should be available in any well equipped hardware shop... Be sure to look for good quality though, otherwise they won't get hot fast enough or at all, really...
As for the materials, there are usually more specialized shops for that... If you search around on the internets I'm sure you can find a huge catalog or two.... I think it's good if you learn to understand the markings on resistances and such before you begin with more advanced stuff. I've seen too many fuckups because someone thinks "blue blue red.... Can't find any... I'll take blue blue brown instead" (I don't know if that's an actual code, just an example.) and surprise surprise, it doesn't work.
Also, if you can, get a circuit board holder with a magnifying glass. Those things are pretty awesome when working on more complicated boards. And a... Vacuum pen thing that's used to remove excessive metal when soldering... And, ofcourse, you need some metal to solder with, but I can't remember the mixture I used in school, but I think there was led in it, so it wasn't recommended...

blincoln

Like Zonkytonkman said, just pick a project and start working on it. If it's your first time doing soldering or whatever, you will probably screw up a few times and possibly have to buy some replacement parts. Consider that your tuition fee. There are *tons* of free guides online on how to do things like soldering.

I would recommend getting a pencil iron instead of the Cold Heat. The Cold Heat is great when it works, but in my experience that is not the most predictable aspect of it. A pencil iron will work anywhere. Make sure you get one designed for electronics work. You should be able to find a pencil soldering station at Frys or Radio Shack or wherever for a reasonable price.

evilmrhenry

For soldering, just get a cheap one from Radio Shack or something. Do not get a cold heat iron.
Also, grab a cheap multimeter.