random diy projects

200+ Electronics Projects and Tutorials

Welcome to our repository of electronics projects. We make electronics projects with ESP32, ESP8266, Arduino and Raspberry Pi related with Internet of Things and Home Automation. To help you discover our projects easier, we’ve compiled our most popular projects in one page by categories. Our projects have step-by-step instructions and we provide all the resources and information you need to build them.

Choose one of the categories below or scroll down this page for more!

The ESP32 is the ESP8266 successor loaded with lots of new features. The ESP32 is a development board that combines Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless capabilities, and it’s dual core. It is one of the best solutions for DIY Internet of Things Projects and DIY Smart Home Projects. With our course  Learn ESP32 with Arduino IDE , anyone can learn how to build IoT projects in an easy way.

Here is a list with +20 free tutorials and projects with the ESP32.

Getting started guides

• Getting Started with ESP32 Dev Module
• Installing the ESP32 Board in Arduino IDE (Windows instructions)
• Installing the ESP32 Board in Arduino IDE (Mac and Linux instructions)
• ESP32 Pinout Reference: Which GPIO pins should you use?
• Getting Started with ESP32 Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) on Arduino IDE
• ESP32 with LoRa using Arduino IDE – Getting Started
• ESP32 Troubleshooting Guide
• Programming ESP32 with Atom Text Editor and PlatformIO IDE
• Install ESP32 Filesystem Uploader on Arduino IDE
• ESP32 with DC Motor and L298N Motor Driver – Control Speed and Direction
• How to Use I2C LCD with ESP32 on Arduino IDE (ESP8266 compatible)
• Getting Date and Time with ESP32 on Arduino IDE (NTP Client)
• How to use ESP32 Dual Core with Arduino IDE
• ESP32 Flash Memory – Store Permanent Data (Write and Read)
• MicroPython: WS2812B Addressable RGB LEDs with ESP32 and ESP8266

Sensor-based projects

• Build an All-in-One ESP32 Weather Station Shield
• ESP32 with PIR Motion Sensor using Interrupts and Timers
• ESP32 Publish Sensor Readings to Google Sheets (ESP8266 Compatible)
• ESP32 with BMP180 Barometric Sensor – Guide
• ESP32 Data Logging Temperature to MicroSD Card
• ESP32 with Multiple DS18B20 Temperature Sensors
• ESP32 Web Server with BME280 – Mini Weather Station

Web-based projects

• ESP32 Web Server – Arduino IDE
• ESP32 Servo Motor Web Server with Arduino IDE
• ESP32 with DHT11 DHT22 Temperature Humidity Web Server using Arduino IDE
• ESP32 Static/Fixed IP Address
• How to Set an ESP32 Access Point (AP) for Web Server
• ESP32 MQTT – Publish and Subscribe with Arduino IDE
• Alexa (Echo) with ESP32 and ESP8266 – Voice Controlled Relay
• ESP32 Web Server using SPIFFS (SPI Flash File System)

Data logging projects

Other projects

• Latching Power Switch Circuit (Auto Power Off Circuit) for ESP32, ESP8266, Arduino

Recommended premium course:   Learn ESP32 with Arduino IDE

The ESP8266 is a $4 (up to $10) WiFi module with an ARM processor that is great for internet of things/home automation projects. You can quickly create a web server, send HTTP requests, control outputs, read inputs and interrupts, send emails, post tweets, etc. Learn how to make  Home Automation Projects with the ESP8266 .

• Getting Started with ESP8266 WiFi Transceiver (Review)
• Flashing NodeMCU Firmware on the ESP8266 using Windows
• How to Install the ESP8266 Board in Arduino IDE
• ESP8266 OTA Updates with Arduino IDE | Over the Air
• Decoding and Encoding JSON with Arduino or ESP8266
• WiFiManager with ESP8266 – Autoconnect, Custom Parameter and Manage your SSID and Password
• ESP8266 Troubleshooting Guide
• ESP8266 ADC – Reading Analog Values with NodeMCU
• ESP8266 0.96 inch OLED Display with Arduino IDE
• How to Make Two ESP8266 Talk
• 7 Weekend Projects/Tutorials For the ESP8266 WiFi Module

IoT projects

• Hack a PIR Motion Sensor with an ESP8266
• Build a Multisensor Shield for ESP8266
• ESP8266 Multisensor Shield with Node-RED
• Build an ESP8266 Web Server – Code and Schematics
• ESP8266 Web Server with Arduino IDE
• ESP8266 Wi-Fi Button – DIY Amazon Dash Button Clone
• ESP8266 Daily Task – Publish Temperature Readings to ThingSpeak
• Nextion Display with ESP8266 – Touchscreen User Interface for Node-RED
• ESP8266 Voltage Regulator (LiPo and Li-ion Batteries)
• ESP8266 Deep Sleep with Arduino IDE
• ESP8266 Weather Forecaster
• ESP8266 and Node-RED with MQTT (Publish and Subscribe)
• Posting a Tweet with the ESP8266
• Door Status Monitor using the ESP8266
• ESP8266 Publishing DHT22 Readings to SQLite Database
• ESP8266 Publishing DHT22 Readings with MQTT to Raspberry Pi
• Raspberry Pi Publishing MQTT Messages to ESP8266
• $10 DIY WiFi RGB LED Mood Light with ESP8266
• ESP8266 DS18B20 Temperature Sensor Web Server with Arduino IDE
• ESP8266 DHT11/DHT22 Temperature and Humidity Web Server with Arduino IDE
• ESP8266 RGB Color Picker
• ESP8266 Controlled with Android App (MIT App Inventor)
• ESP8266 Remote Controlled Sockets
• How to Control Your ESP8266 From Anywhere in the World
• Retrieving Bitcoin Price Using ESP8266 WiFi Module

Recommended premium course:   Home Automation Using ESP8266

We create home automation projects using open-source hardware and software. We use ESP32, ESP8266, Arduino and Raspberry Pi. If you want to learn how to build a complete Home Automation System using Arduino, ESP8266 and the Raspberry Pi, consider taking a look at our course:  Build a Home Automation System for $100 .

Here is a list with +30 free home automation projects and tutorials:

Home automation

• Raspberry Pi Motion Detector with Photo Capture
• Car Plate Recognition System with Raspberry Pi and Node-RED
• CCTV Raspberry Pi Based System with Storage using MotionEyeOS
• Control Sonoff Basic Switch with ESP Easy Firmware and Node-RED
• Reprogram Sonoff Smart Switch with Web Server
• ESP8266 – Wireless Weather Station with Data Logging to Excel
• Node-RED with Xiaomi Mijia Bedside Lamp (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth)
• Node-RED with Xiaomi Yeelight RGBW Smart Bulb
• Node-RED with WS2812B Addressable RGB LED Strip
• Node-RED with Raspberry Pi Camera (Take Photos)
• Video Streaming with Raspberry Pi Camera
• Exporting and Backing Up your Node-RED Nodes
• What is MQTT and How It Works
• 9 Home Automation Open-Source Platforms for Your projects
• Build a Home Automation System for $100
• Control a 12V Lamp via SMS with Arduino
• Getting Started with Node-RED on Raspberry Pi
• Getting Started with Node-RED Dashboard
• Getting Started with Home Assistant on Raspberry Pi
• Install MotionEyeOS on Raspberry Pi – Surveillance Camera System
• Guide to Raspberry Pi Camera V2 Module
• Sonoff – $5 WiFi Wireless Smart Switch Introduction
• How to Flash a Custom Firmware to Sonoff

Recommended premium course:   Build a Home Automation System with Raspberry Pi, ESP8266, Arduino and Node-RED

The Raspberry Pi is a tiny and affordable computer that you can use to learn programming and electronics. It’s also a great board to make powerful home automation systems and IoT projects. If you’re just getting started with the Raspberry Pi and want to learn making cool projects right away, our “ 20 Easy Raspberry Pi Projects ” Book is the best way to get started.

Here is a list with +25 free Raspberry Pi projects and tutorials:

Raspberry Pi projects with cameras

• What’s the Best Raspberry Pi Camera For Your Project?

Raspberry Pi and Node-RED

• Turn Your Raspberry Pi Zero into a USB Keyboard (HID)
• Getting Started with Raspberry Pi 3

Other Raspberry Pi projects and tutorials

• Email Alert System on Location Change with Raspberry Pi and GPS Module
• 20 Easy Raspberry Pi Projects Book
• SQLite with Node-RED and Raspberry Pi
• SQLite Database on a Raspberry Pi
• Learning Basic Linux Commands – Raspberry Pi Cheat Sheet
• Raspberry Pi Web Server using Flask to Control GPIOs
• How to Install the Latest Version of Node.js in Your Raspberry Pi
• Installing Raspbian Lite, Enabling and Connecting with SSH
• How to Install Mosquitto Broker on Raspberry Pi
• Testing Mosquitto Broker and Client on Raspbbery Pi
• How to install phpLiteAdmin Database in a Raspberry Pi

Recommended book:   20 Easy Raspberry Pi Projects

The Arduino is a small computer that you can program to read information from the world around you and to send commands to the outside world. All of this is possible because you can connect several devices and components to the Arduino to do what you want. The Arduino is the best way to get started into to the world of digital electronics. To get started with Arduino enroll in our Free Arduino Mini Course .

Guides for Arduino sensors and modules

• Guide to Fingerprint Sensor Module with Arduino (FPM10A)
• Complete Guide to Ultrasonic Sensor HC-SR04 with Arduino
• Guide to NEO-6M GPS Module with Arduino
• Guide to 1.8 TFT Display with Arduino
• Guide to SIM900 GSM GPRS Shield with Arduino
• Guide to SD Card Module with Arduino
• Guide for TCS230/TCS3200 Color Sensor with Arduino
• Guide for Relay Module with Arduino
• Guide for the Tilt Sensor (inclinometer) with Arduino
• Guide for Microphone Sound Sensor with Arduino
• Guide for 0.96 inch OLED Display with Arduino
• Guide for BMP180 Barometric Sensor with Arduino
• Guide for Real Time Clock (RTC) Module with Arduino (DS1307 and DS3231)
• Guide for WS2812B Addressable RGB LED Strip with Arduino
• Guide for DS18B20 Temperature Sensor with Arduino
• Guide for 8×8 Dot Matrix MAX7219 with Arduino + Pong Game
• Guide for Rain Sensor FC-37 or YL-83 with Arduino
• Guide for Soil Moisture Sensor YL-69 or HL-69 with Arduino
• Guide for MQ-2 Gas/Smoke Sensor with Arduino
• Complete Guide for RF 433MHz Transmitter/Receiver Module With Arduino
• Complete Guide for DHT11/DHT22 Humidity and Temperature Sensor With Arduino
• Complete Guide for Nokia 5110 LCD with Arduino
• Complete Guide for nRF24L01 – 2.4GHz RF Transceiver Module With Arduino
• Arduino Membrane Keypad Tutorial
• Arduino with PIR Motion Sensor
• 20 Free Guides for Arduino Modules and Sensors
• Nextion Display with Arduino – Getting Started

Projects with Android applications

• Getting Started with MIT App Inventor 2 and Arduino
• How To Use App Inventor With Arduino
• Android Apps for Arduino with MIT App Inventor 2 (8 Projects)
• Android App – RGB LED with Arduino and Bluetooth
• Arduino – Control 2 DC Motors Via Bluetooth (Perfect To Build a Robot)
• Android App that Sends a Message to Your Arduino
• Control your Arduino with Voice Commands [Android App]
• Arduino – Control DC Motor via Bluetooth
• Arduino Temperature Data Logger with SD Card Module
• Arduino – Datalogger with Temperature Sensor and Photoresistor

GSM based projects

• Request Sensor Data via SMS using Arduino and SIM900 GSM Shield

Home automation and web-based projects with Arduino

• Arduino Time Attendance System with RFID
• Security Access using MFRC522 RFID Reader with Arduino
• Monitor Your Door Using Magnetic Reed Switch and Arduino
• Build a Night Security Light with Arduino
• Arduino – Control 220V Lamps from Anywhere in the World
• Arduino Ethernet Web Server with Relay
• Arduino – Webserver with an Arduino + Ethernet Shield

Arduino projects for beginners

• Arduino Step-by-step Projects – Build 25 Projects
• Gesture Slider Swiper with Arduino
• Arduino – Display the LED Brightness on a LCD 16×2
• DIY 3×4 Keypad for the Arduino (includes Schematics )
• Teensy/Arduino – Memory Game
• Arduino – LED Cube 3x3x3
• Arduino – Temperature Displayed on 4 Digit 7 segment (common anode)
• Arduino – Control Servo with Visual Basic
• Arduino – Control LEDs with IR Remote Control
• Arduino – Poor Man’s Oscilloscope
• Arduino – Ultrasonic Sensor with LEDs and buzzer

Recommended premium course:   Arduino Step-by-step Projects – Build 25 Projects

Lists with interesting stuff about electronics.

• 21 Arduino Modules You Can Buy For Less Than $2
• 9 Tools That All Electronics Labs Must Have
• 19 Awesome Robots You Can Build With an Arduino
• 4 Hot Glue Tricks for Your Electronics Projects
• 7 Arduino Compatible Displays for Your Electronic Projects
• 11 Clever Uses for Your Raspberry Pi
• 25 Useful Arduino Shields That You Might Need to Get
• 9 Arduino Compatible Temperature Sensors for Your Electronics Projects

Best Tools for Your Electronics Projects:

To find the best tools for your electronics projects and best equipment for your electronics workspace, visit Maker Advisor . If you’re just getting started and want to set up your own electronics workspace read our guide:  How To Set Up an Electronics Lab – Tools and Equipment .

Here’s a list with reviews of the best tools for your lab:

Development boards :

• Best Raspberry Pi Starter Kits
• Best Raspberry Pi Retro Gaming Kits
• Best Raspberry Pi Zero W Kits
• Best Raspberry Pi Accessories
• ESP32 Development Boards Comparison
• ESP8266 Wi-Fi Boards Comparison
• Best Arduino Starter Kits
• Best Arduino Sensors and Modules Kits
• Top 10 Most Useful Arduino Shields
• Top 5 Arduino Books for Kids
• Best Raspberry Pi Books For Beginners

Tools and equipment:

• Best Soldering Irons for Beginners
• Best Helping Hands For Soldering
• Top 10 Soldering Accessories and Tools
• TS100 Soldering Iron Review – Best Portable Soldering Iron
• Protect Your Workbench – Soldering Mats Review
• Best Bench Power Supplies
• Best Multimeters Under $50
• ANENG AN8002 Multimeter Review – Best Low Cost Multimeter?
• Hantek DSO5102P Digital Storage Oscilloscope (DSO) Review
• Best Hot Glue Guns
• Best Hobby 3D Printers Under $250
• Top 11 Accessories and Supplies for 3D Printers
• TEVO Michelangelo 3D Printer Review – Unboxing and First Prints
• Best Self Adjusting Wire Stripper
• Best Precision Screwdriver Sets
• Best Storage Organizers For Electronics Components
• Utorch PZE – 911 Smart Ceiling Light Review
• Build a Smart Home on a Budget
• Best Smart Ceiling Light: Yeelight YLXD01YL Review
• Digoo DG-TH8868 Weather Station Review
• Xiaomi Yeelight RGBW Smart Bulb Review
• Xiaomi Mijia Bedside Lamp Review (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth)
• Best SONOFF Products to Build a DIY Smart Home

Recommended reading: How To Set Up an Electronics Lab – Tools and Equipment

• Random DIY Projects

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50 Easy and Unique Craft Ideas for Adults That Won't Break the Bank

Fun, unusual DIYs to inspire crafters of all skill levels — some you can make within an hour.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

The best part of these projects is that they can be completed within an hour. We've included practical DIYs for the home , from an entryway organizer and patterned fabric lampshade to painted wood serving trays and fabric switch plates. Try giving thrift store finds a new look with a few genius upcycling ideas — egg carton flowers and wallpapered vessels are just a few favorites on our list. Many of these crafts make thoughtful homemade gifts , while others might be worthy of selling (think knit mittens and chunky crochet pillow covers from the GH Stitch Club ). And since Easter is fast approaching, you'll find a few spring-themed crafts on our list, from egg-shaped coasters to floral candlesticks.

So if you're looking for a fun activity to tackle alone or with family and friends, let our list of craft ideas for adults inspire you. And if you really want to be adventurous, don't just go for the easy ideas. You'll discover a few more challenging options to put your skills to the test. Happy crafting!

Patterned Lampshade

Give any lampshade a personalized twist using colorful fabric and cotton twilling. Surprisingly, this fun DIY takes just six steps to complete, making it ideal for seasoned and newbie crafters alike.

Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built »

Easily update your wood frame with half-round molding and bold paint. Blogger Holly cut the trim with a hand saw — an inexpensive process she found doable with some "elbow grease."

Get the tutorial at Club Crafted »

Egg Coasters

Place these egg-shaped coasters on the table during your Easter celebration and keep them displayed long after the holiday ends. You'll need replacement glass, Mod Podge, lightweight fabric, fabric scissors, and a craft or foam brush to create.

Follow these steps:

• Make sure the glass is free of dust and lint. Cut fabric 1” larger than your glass.
• Paint a generous amount of Mod Podge on one side of the glass. Lay it on top of the fabric and smooth out any wrinkles or air bubbles.
• Cover your glass with a heavy book and wait several hours for your new coasters to dry.
• Once dry, trim around the edge of the glass with fabric scissors.

SHOP ACRYLIC BLANK OVAL

Veggie Centerpiece

Believe it or not, cabbage can be used to decorate a vase for the spring season. Start by securing cabbage leaves around your glass jar with a rubber band. Hide the band with a ribbon before filling the vase with water and arranging your flowers inside. Mix in herb greens and sturdy root vegetables, like carrots, radishes and turnips, to add to your new veggie centerpiece. It's an unconventional craft that'll make a statement no matter where it's placed.

SHOP GLASS VASE

Statement Fanny Pack

A fanny pack is not only stylish — it's also brilliant for traveling. DIY your own using blogger Brittany's fanny pack template. You'll also need mini striped fabric and a sewing machine.

SHOP FABRIC

Faux Flower Coat

Snag some dollar store flowers and hot glue them to your collarless jacket of choice. No matter where you wear it, you're sure to stand out (and get questions about where it's from).

Get the tutorial at Studio DIY »

Fabric Switch Plates

Rather than buying new outlet covers or switch plates, simply cover your old ones in vibrant fabric for an instant upgrade. All it takes is repurposing old clothing or making use of leftover wallpaper.

Get the tutorial at DIY Inspired »

Graphic Acrylic Purse

Use letter beads to DIY a playful purse you can wear for any occasion. It's a 20-minute craft that only requires an acrylic purse, letter beads, E600 glue , a toothpick and a paper plate.

SHOP LETTER BEADS

Cupcake Liner Wreath

A wreath as eye-catching at this one is sure to give your door some pizzazz. Here's what you need: white cupcake liners, a white foam wreath form, acrylic paint, craft brushes, a drop cloth and sewing pins with white tops.

• Lay down a drop cloth on your work area.
• Paint each cupcake liner a different color by making brush strokes on the edges of the liner. Be sure to keep the center white to get a 'flower look.'
• Once dry, attach your painted cupcake liners to the foam wreath form with a pin in the center and alternate colors to create a more dynamic-looking wreath. Then, get to hanging!

Wood Table Runner

Use rectangular wood pieces and yellow spray paint to create this vibrant table runner for your dinner table.

• Lay down drop cloth outside or in a well-ventilated area.
• Put down all the wood pieces and spray them with an even layer of yellow paint. Let them dry completely and spray another coat if needed.
• Once the pieces are dry, arrange them on the table in the pattern you like and use them as a decorative table runner!

SHOP WOOD PIECES

Textured Eggs

One of the perfect crafts for spring, these textured eggs can be done in three easy steps. Cut ½” strips of fabric about 8” long using fabric scissors (or a rotary cutter), a self-healing cutting mat and a ruler. Paint each strip with glue and wrap it around the egg. Continue overlapping strips until the whole egg is covered and trim any excess. Allow several hours for the eggs to dry fully before you put them on display.

SHOP ROTARY FABRIC CUTTER

Floral Candles

Decorate taper candles to make your home more inviting, especially if you're hosting a party. For this craft, we used paint markers (acrylic paint works too) for the floral designs.

• Use a clean cloth to wipe your candles with rubbing alcohol. This will remove lint and debris for a smooth surface.
• Use paint markers or craft paint to draw a series of dots, flowers and patterns.
• Work on one side and let it dry completely before moving to another side.

SHOP TAPER CANDLES

Decorative Pinboard

Create a personalized or seasonal display by hanging photos, greeting cards and your favorite artwork from an old window frame. Add small bulldog clips with a hot glue gun to complete the vintage-inspired look.

Woven materials, like cane webbing, are neutral in color, giving bold florals the space to shine. Cut a piece to fit around any ol' vase, then stitch a line or cross pattern along the edges in a contrasting color of your choice. Wrap the webbing around the vase and adhere with hot glue.

DIY Wallpaper

Bloggers Niña Williams and Cecilia Moyer used a sponge to create a custom accent wall. To recreate it at home, simply dip the straight edge of a kitchen sponge in paint, then gently press it against your wall.

Dip-Dyed Candles

Cast a custom glow with these color-blocked candles. Take plain taper candles and dip them in a mixture of colored crayon shavings and melted candle wax. Use painter's tape for a more even dye job or embrace the unexpected and dip as you please.

Knit Mittens

If you understand the basics of knitting and you're looking to move onto something more challenging, these knit mittens are a fun idea — plus, they make a great gift for loved ones! Follow our easy-to-read instructions and download the pattern .

Get the tutorial »

Woven Coasters

Burlap coasters add a layer of texture and warmth to your display, all while keeping your table protected from spills and water marks. Give plain burlap squares a more finished look by stitching a colored border or pulling at the thread along the edges to create a fringe detail.

Painted Wood Serving Tray

Here's a cool way to strike up a conversation with your guests: a handmade serving tray. After you buy paint colors that pair with your home style, start by painting a wood board (use tape to ensure straight lines). Screw on your handles, and you're ready to serve!

Get the tutorial from Inspired by Charm »

Paper Flowers

Make these flowers now, so you can enjoy 'em all season long. To make, fold dyed cupcake liners in half and cut out petal and fringe shapes. Then fold a piece of floral wire in half and twist around the faux flower stamen. Poke the wire through the center of three to four paper liners. Finish it off by wrapping floral tape around the base of the liners and bringing it all the way down the stem.

Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping , where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor , Chairish , BobVila.com , Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine , in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.

Mariah Thomas (she/her) is an assistant editor for Good Housekeeping , where she covers home and lifestyle content. Mariah has more than four years of editorial experience, having written for TLC, Apartment Therapy, Women's Health and Avocado Magazine . She received her master's degree in journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and published her first book, Heart and Soul: Poems of Thoughts and Emotions , in 2019. She's also the founder of RTF Community , a platform for creatives of color to connect, learn and showcase their work. 

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10 Awesome DIY Gadget Projects to Beat the Weekend Boredom

Instead of watching movies or playing games, spend your free time creatively on these cool DIY projects.

Stuck at home on the weekend with nothing interesting to do? If you enjoy tinkering around with microcomputers and have basic soldering and circuitry knowledge, the ten awesome DIY gadget projects below are an excellent way to pass the time.

From a make-shift penny battery powerful enough to power your kid's calculator to a laptop screen-turned monitor, these DIY gadgets are easy to make, functional, and sure to beat the weekend boredom.

1. Make a 3-Penny Battery

Did you know you can make a battery out of almost anything? Batteries are energy-holding devices, meaning as long as you know how to achieve the proper chemical reaction, you can create one from anything, including pocket change or the bunch of pennies in your garage. You'll need three for this project, and it's so straightforward you can even get the kids involved.

Once complete, this 3-penny battery can power your watch, calculator, Christmas LEDs, kids' toys, or any other low-current gadgets in your household. So, go ahead and watch the video above if you're interested.

2. Junior Wind Turbine

Junior wind turbines have come a pretty long way. We used to twist a wire around several nails to create one back in the day, but now you can even make an LED powering one like this one for as low as $2.

This junior wind turbine is pretty easy to make despite being more functional than the basic wire and nail turbines. It requires easy-to-find items like a solar-powered toy car motor, bamboo, and superglue. Check out the step-by-step guide on Instructables to work on this project.

3. Flashlight With No Batteries

Ever heard of a flashlight that works with no batteries? If not, now you not only do but can also make one to beat the weekend boredom by following this guide on Instructables . It generates energy from stepper motors and stores it in capacitors. The best part? Most materials in this project are recyclable, so you get to save Mother Nature from additional waste and a flashlight that can run forever without a recharge.

4. DIY Solar Phone Charger

If you're always off the grid for activities like camping and hiking, festivals held in the middle of nowhere like Coachella, or for reasons best known to you, a solar phone charger will be a complete game-changer. It harnesses solar power to recharge devices meaning no more worrying about power outages or your phone running out of charge.

You can easily make one to beat the weekend boredom and save the money you'd spend on a new one by following this detailed guide on Instructables .

5. Emergency Light Powered by Fire & Water

If you're looking to make an emergency power kit or live in an area where inclement weather is the order of the day, an emergency light will make all the difference when power is out. While you can always buy one, a DIY emergency light will save some bucks and fritter the boring weekend away.

And note, this isn't just an ordinary emergency light. It harnesses electrical power from heat energy generated from fire and water. Also, besides lighting, this emergency light can double up as a battery charger. Follow this guide on Instructables to hack this project.

6. Make a 35-Watt Solar Panel Out of Broken Solar Cells

Although broken solar cells can still produce a current, they're often not as effective. So, if you recently broke a few cells on your solar panel or had a damaged one and don't want to throw it away, check out this guide on Instructables for pointers on how to repurpose it into a 35-watt solar panel.

You'll have a powerful solar panel for chump change while cutting utility costs. If you're looking for more DIY projects using old or broken gadgets ideas, check out our guide on fantastic DIY projects made with old phones .

7. Smartphone Charger Powered by Fire

We've heard of a solar-powered phone charger, but what of a fire-powered one? Well, that's a new one and, admittedly, pretty innovative too. You can use any heat source for this project, including the gas burner you always bring to your camping adventures. It leverages the temperature difference between the hot and cold sides of a Peltier element to generate electricity.

This charger is surprisingly easy to make because, besides the Peltier element, you'll only need a source of heat (which could be anything from a gas burner to a campfire), a temperature monitor, regulators, and a cooling fan. Check out this guide by Evoluzion on Instructables to work on this project.

8. Bark Activated Door Opener With Raspberry Pi

Imagine not having to ditch your comfort whenever your dogs need to go out because the door automatically opens when they bark? That's exactly what this DIY gadget project lets you achieve. It uses Raspberry Pi wired to a noise detector unit to detect the noise, a circuit-driven actuator to unlock the door, and a pulley system to swing the door open.

While it's a bit more technical than the other DIY gadget projects on our list, the instruction guide on DavidHunt.ie is pretty detailed and easy to follow. If you like this project, you will fall in love with these best DIY automatic pet feeders , too.

9. Make a Water Battery

Looking to make a more functional battery than the 3-penny powered one? Make a water battery and thank us later. It uses a liquid saltwater solution to generate, store and discharge energy, so it's safer to handle and eco-friendly than commercial, lithium-filled battery cells.

This battery can go for days without charge and will seamlessly run again when you finally recharge it, meaning a longer lifespan and less maintenance. Simply follow this guide on Instructables to make this amazing water battery.

10. Turn Old Laptop Screen Into Monitor

If you have a laptop that's either too old, or damaged to be functional, salvage its components, and make something useful. For instance, instead of throwing it away, repurpose the laptop's screen into a monitor.

You'll save money you'd have spent on a new monitor, recycle a non-functional item into something functional, and most importantly, prevent extra e-waste from making its way into our environment. Check out this detailed guide on Instructables to easily complete this project.

Spend Your Free Time Creatively With These DIY Projects

Watching your favorite TV shows or playing games on your PlayStation is fun, but it can get monotonous fast, especially when you have an entire weekend indoors ahead of you.

Luckily you don't have to bear the monotony as there are plenty of fun, easy DIY projects you could try to kill time.

We've listed ten awesome DIY gadget projects above to help you beat the weekend boredom. Try them out as they are, or use them as inspiration for your next innovative DIY gadget.

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18 DIY Pallet Projects

Get inspiration from 18+ DIY pallet projects that turn random wood into beautiful things for your home!

Lately I’ve been trying to think of some new ways to use the pallets I have in my garage. I’ve made several DIY projects with them over the past two years and I love having the free wood available out there whenever I need some. But the stuff in our garage seems to be growing by the minute.

(We currently have a lawn mower situation, as in there are three out there – two riding and one push – and it’s getting kind of claustrophobic.) I know I need to just disassemble my pallets and use that space more efficiently, but hopefully not fill it with more lawn mowers. So I’ve had pallets on the brain lately. 🙂

Oh, and kind of funny story. I was picking up Miss A from preschool a couple of weeks ago and my friend stopped me in the hall and asked where she could get some free pallets to make a crate. And then as I was leaving the school, I saw one on the side of the road. So I flagged her down.

Now, we’re both preggo and she’s due next week. So here we are, two pregnant girls out there trying to get the largest pallet I’ve ever seen into her SUV. I’m sure it was pretty funny to watch!

Unfortunately we couldn’t get it to fit. But her husband went back later and got it for her. And he made her a crate that afternoon. So fun! Such a nice hubby.

And while I know that pallet projects have been done over and over and over again, I’m not sure that free wood will ever go out of style? Nothing beats free, rustic wood. Am I right?

Everything from pallet art to table tops, clocks and gardening stations, here are some of my favorite pallet projects today!

Upcycled Pallet Barn Door from AKA Design

Pallet Wood Letter Project from Thistlewood Farms

10 Minute DIY Pallet Frame from Cupcakes and Crinoline

DIY Eat Sign From Pallets from The Turquoise Home

Pallet Spoon Hook Rack from The Wood Grain Cottage

DIY Pallet Patio Furniture from Place of My Taste

Framed Pallet Backdrop from The Golden Sycamore

DIY Pallet Headboard from The Thinking Closet

 DIY Pallet Crate from The Turquoise Home

Pallet Gardening Table from SAS Interiors

Pallet Arrow Art from Live Laugh Rowe

DIY Pallet Trays from Our Pinteresting Family

DIY Wood Pallet Arrow from Love Grows Wild

Pallet Wood Clock Project from Thistlewood Farms

Wood Pallet Recycle Bin from Saved by Love Creations

Moss Pallet Sign from Design, Dining + Diapers

DIY Pallet Wine Box from One Project Closer

Beach Pallet Coffee Table from Upcycled Treasures

Oh, so fun. Now let’s get to building!!

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12 comments.

Love love love pallets! I’m just getting into the swing of them. We just made a DIY pallet island for our daughter’s deck. These are good ideas. I’ll have to try some of them, thanks!

That door is the coolest! I have a few pallets chillin’ out in my garage, too. Every day my boyfriend asks me when I’m going to get rid of them and make something out of them! This just kicked my inspiration into overdrive, thanks!

Great ideas!!

Thanks so much for sharing at my Show and Share Party…gotta love free wood:) Got some great old beadboard from a dumpster last month 🙂

Blessings, Linda

We’ve had the same lawnmower problem at our house too. More working than non is not ideal, is it? It’s amazing all the different things you can make from a pallet! Great collection of ideas, Laura!

Thank you so much for including our pallet trays in your round up. Lots of inspiring ideas you have but together. 🙂

I can never get enough pallet project inspiration, and this roundup is awesome! Thanks so much for including our pallet coffee tables! Have a great weekend 🙂

These are all such great projects and great inspiration! I love that gardening table, so clever! Pinning! Visiting from Link Party Palooza 🙂

Awesome roundup! What great projects. Someday I’d like to come across some nice, clean pallets to do some of my own projects:) Have a great weekend!

Thanks so much for including my frame in your awesome pallet project roundup, Laura. Have a wonderful weekend!

Wow! What a SWEET round-up; my hubby and I are drooling over here with all the pallet love (and thanks for including our headboard project in the mix). Off to pin pin pin!

These are FABULOUS!!! Love them all!

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Backyard Geniuses: 10 Incredibly Cool DIY Projects

Car-crushing mechanical claw.

Our top prizewinner spent years dreaming of the perfect way to crush cars by hand. In 2007 Christian Ristow, an artist and former animatronics designer for the movie industry, demonstrated his first working incarnation of the Hand of Man at a robotics festival in Amsterdam. Much of his time since then has been spent re-engineering and refining the design of the 27-foot-long hydraulically actuated appendage, exhibiting more and more capable crushers at a series of public venues­. Ristow's latest mechanical steel limb has 90-degree wrist rotation and improved mobility in the finger joints. It is powered by a 90-hp Perkins 1104C-44T four-cylinder diesel engine and is controlled through a glove worn by the operator. At demonstrations, that operator is usually a random member of the audience. "I've built other large-scale radio-control robots for shows over the years, but I always felt like I was the one having the most fun," Ristow says. "This democratizes the crushing power."

Man Behind the Machine

I-Wei Huang animates video games for a living, but he spends his free time animating metal and plastic. His first creations were a series of steam-powered remote-control machines, including mini tanks, a rowboat and a version of Star Wars' R2-D2 that Huang named R2-S2 (the S is for steam). But after more than 20 steambots, Huang changed direction to create mechanical creatures of a totally different character. "Coming from the animation background, I wanted something with personality that I could bring to life," he says. Huang's more recent creations, called SwashBots, are built around parts that control the pitch of R/C helicopter blades. The minimalist robots run on AA batteries and have three servomotors to control the legs and a fourth to move the head. The stutter-stepping little bots squeeze maximum charm out of minimum complexity.

Solar Quadricycle David Dixon worked for a year on his eighth-grade project, the Solar Human Hybrid quadricycle. The junior-high-schooler and his father, also named David, drew on their background in alternative energy--the family had previously lived on a sailboat with solar panels and a wind turbine--to create a vehicle that runs on sunshine and sneaker power. Starting with an obscure four-seat Swiss bike called a ZEM, they figured out how to add solar panels and an electric motor. "Dad taught me about amp-hours, volts, watts, batteries and all the electronics we were using," the son says. The SOHH qualifies as a motorized bicycle; following federal and state guidelines, the Dixons equipped it with a 1-hp motor and geared the bike not to exceed 18 mph at full throttle. The project earned the creative teen national publicity and invitations to multiple tech festivals. But his teacher only gave him a B. We're not grade grubbers, but c'mon!

Kid Behind the Machine

Homemade Batman Tumbler Batman begins, but Bob Dullam continues. The 57-year-old sculptor was so inspired by the Tumbler Batmobile from the fifth movie in the modern franchise that he built a full working replica in his garage in Kalamazoo, Mich. "Other people build sports cars," Dullam says, "but I wasn't that interested in a Corvette. I like Batman--and the only way to get this car was to build it myself." Basing his work on hundreds of fan photos found online and the extra features from the Batman Begins DVD, Dullam fabricated a steel chassis and created body plates from epoxy reinforced with fiberglass matte. Dullam's Tumbler is 15 feet long, 5 feet high and 9.5 feet wide at the rear. The 5000-pound vehicle uses a 350 Chevy V8 HO Deluxe to spin its 44-inch Super Swamper tires. Dullam estimates he's spent $50,000 to $70,000 on the car--and happily says it's not for sale.

Mississippi Skimmer Inspired by a hydrofoil he saw on the cover of Popular Mechanics more than 40 years ago, Gary Sloat built one of his own: an 8-foot-long foam-and-plywood boat he calls the Dragonfly. The pine foils, which hold riders 2 feet off the water, are joined with biscuits and reinforced with epoxy and fiberglass cloth. With its original motor, the Dragonfly topped out at 25 mph. But it turns out 25 mph was plenty fast considering that the throttle on the antique 1947 10-hp outboard Mercury Hurricane had a habit of sticking whenever Sloat had the boat pointed toward shore. A new 9.5-hp motor is proving to be far more controllable--still, Sloat's family prefers to let him ride atop the waters of the Mississippi alone. "I've got daughters who are 10 and 5," he says, "and my wife's not interested in submitting them to dad's deathtraps."

Off-Road Rover Roger Fontaine lives with his parents north of Houston. Muscular dystrophy has left him with only limited movement in his feet, right hand and neck. He devours science TV programs and technical magazines, and was eager to develop a way to be more mobile outdoors. He and his father, Roger senior, who repairs heavy equipment for a construction firm, designed and built the joystick-controlled "Gecko" articulating ATV. The four-wheel-drive vehicle is built around a pair of beefy transaxles the younger Fontaine found on the Internet, and a 22-hp Briggs & Stratton V-twin engine. Then they added a hinge in the middle that affords the Gecko a 26-inch turning radius, a third as big as many other ATVs. "We wanted him to be able to go around trees," Roger says, "but sometimes the ground is uneven, and we needed all four wheels on the ground all the time." They also added a hitch to hook up small yard equipment to the Gecko--because, unlike many guys, the younger Fontaine actually likes mowing the lawn.

Men Behind the Machine

Saturn V Rocket Replica Just before 1 pm on Saturday, April 25, 2009, a Saturn V rocket carried one more man into history. Steve Eves broke a slew of world records when his 1:10 scale model of the historic rockets that launched the Apollo missions lifted off from a field on Maryland's Eastern Shore. The 36-foot-tall rocket that Eves built in his garage near Akron, Ohio, was the largest model rocket ever launched. At 1648 pounds, it was also the heaviest privately funded hobby rocket ever launched and the heaviest ever to be successfully recovered. It drew a crowd estimated at 5000--the largest ever to witness a hobby rocket launch. Eves's single-stage behemoth was constructed of aircraft-grade plywood and lauan plywood coated in fiberglass and powered by nine motors--eight 13,000 newton-second N-Class motors and a 77,000 newton-second P-Class motor. All told, the array generated 7 g's at liftoff and sent Eves's Saturn V 4441 feet into the air. "I didn't start out to break records," the 51-year-old autobody repair specialist says. "I had just been working away--and then one day I realized no one's ever pulled this off before."

Uphill Racer A lifelong downhill skier and industrial mechanic/­millwright, Jim Maidment was frustrated by the fact that he could pursue his favorite pastime only near a chair lift. "When you're on a slope, all that energy is free--as long as you're going in that one direction," he says. So Maidment hacked together a 6.5-hp generator engine (bought from Costco for $125) with a small, off-the-shelf snowmobile track from Bombardier, inventing a machine he calls the Skizee. He then headed for the mountains to refine his creation, moving from Ontario to Kimberley, British Columbia, Canada's second-loftiest city. So far, he's decreased the size and added a variable torque converter to change the power ratio and climb hills. His latest Skizee can go 12 mph uphill and can reach 25 mph in flat powder. Maidment continues to test his invention in the snowy woods around his home, and he's making final tweaks to the design now. One day he hopes to see the Skizee in pro shops everywhere.

Walking Robot Router Matt Denton's company, Micromagic Systems, has built six-legged, insectlike bots for the movies (his creations have appeared in multiple Harry Potter films). But in his spare time he experiments with ... more six-legged robots. In a flash of ingenuity, the London-based robotics engineer recently turned a small hexapod robot into a walking, computer-controlled milling machine. When fed instructions over a wireless Blue-tooth connection, the dinner-plate-size bot with a drill bit for a head saunters over to a block of polystyrene and begins to methodically carve 3D shapes into the material. So far, the little robot specializes in sculpting human faces. Currently the router takes 1/8-inch bits, but Denton is working on a 3-mm version; he's also hoping to beef up the bit's vertical travel, which is currently limited by the servo to somewhere between 40 and 50 mm. "I've had some companies approach me for practical applications of the robot," he says, "but I never made it with a practical application in mind. It was just a case of `why the hell not?'"

DIY Fuel Mill Ben Peterson wants to sell the world on turning its garbage into fuel. The 31-year-old former welder recently tore down a farmhouse on his 20-acre farm in Washington state. "We were left with piles of wood," he says. "And I realized that with a gasifier, I could turn that wood into fuel." He found Federal Emergency Management Agency plans for a stratified downdraft gasifier, which uses a controlled combustion process to turn biomass into fuel for first responders. But the FEMA device was enormous, so Peterson spent two months redesigning filters and streamlining the airflow to get it down to a more family-friendly size. "I was making these things out of garbage cans and spare pipe, and I got addicted to the design process," he says. The result is a DIY home gasifier that can power a portable generator. Now Peterson hopes to sell his design to the masses--and his work won't be done until we're all filling up our gas tanks with gasified garbage.

Name: Ben Peterson Age: 31

Location: Toledo, Wash.

Expansion plan: Peterson has also created an industrial-size gasifier with help from the University of Florida.

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