DIYs AND TIP ARTICLES FOR TAG: SOLDERhttp://2pointhome.com/2Point Home RSS Feeden-us2008 VerizonThu, 20 Nov 2008 3:20:07 CST5<![CDATA[How 2.0: Fiber Optic Fashion]]>http://2pointhome.com/diys/steps/46370When we did a tech makeover for the Jaeger Family (episode coming soon to the tv show page!) we found out that Nancy Jaeger is a member of a fun and fabulous social group called the Red Hat Ladies. Well, as a certified techno-fashionista, I couldn’t pass up the chance to infuse their hats with some electronic style.


For this hat, I used 5 LEDs, 5 tubes, and 5 fiber-optic bundles.

MATERIALS:

* 5mm LEDs
* 5mm Heat Shrink Tubing
* Heating Gun (or a Hair Dryer)
* 2 Fiber Optic light-up toys
* 9-Volt Battery and Snap
* Soldering Gun (at least 30 watts)
* Lead-free Solder
* 20-Gauge Electrical Wire
* Slide Switch
* Hot Glue
* Electrical Tape

]]> Guru AlisonSep 17, 2008<![CDATA[How 2.0: Light-up Book Cover]]>http://2pointhome.com/diys/steps/45498

No more icky, gadgety nightlights -- hold this one in your hands. It only lights up when you're holding and reading... so it's never left on. Curve or arch the light around, it's made from fabric, buttons and a few LEDs.

Make the cover to match your room or personal style -- all it takes is a little stitching, soldering, and TLC...

MATERIALS:

* 1/4 yard exterior material
* 1/4 yard interior material
* 2 Foamies sticky-back foam sheets (can be found at Michael's and other craft stores)
* 2 Pieces of conductive fabric, each the same size as the cover of your book (can be found at LessEMF.com)
NOTE: You can use aluminum foil instead of conductive fabric but I don’t recommend it.
* Fabric scissors
* Ruler
* Thread to match exterior fabric
* Thread to match the bias tape
* 3 120-degree LEDs (can be found at superbrightLEDs.com)
* 1 270-ohm resistor (red, violet, brown)
* 16-20 gauge wire
* Solder
* Soldering Gun
* 24-26-gauge electronic wire
* 9V battery
* 9V battery holder
* 1 large 4-hole button
* Needle, thread and sewing machine (if you're doing a fabric cover)
* Book cover pattern (download here)
* Wiring diagram (download here)

]]> Guru AlisonJun 02, 2008<![CDATA[Basic Soldering]]>http://2pointhome.com/diys/steps/45031Soldering is similar to welding, but on a scale that's much smaller, safer and less likely to make you cry (like when Guru Brian was building the light bar for the Kaczors' Rock-'n'-Roll Playroom -- see episode.)

It's really not that hard when you get the hang of it, and once you can fuse two wires together, there are all kinds of cool do-it-yourself projects you can do...like Brian's Solar Cell Phone Charger, for instance.

Check out this how-to video from Ruralgeek and take your first step on the path to DIY enlightenment!

]]>Jim 2.0Apr 16, 2008<![CDATA[How 2.0: Make a Solar Cell Phone Charger]]>http://2pointhome.com/diys/steps/44638A little soldering is all it takes to make this cool little emergency cell phone charger. Keep it in the glove box of your car, in case you ever get stranded in the woods and start to hear banjo music!

You might be able to find the mini solar panels at a store that sells science or electronics equipment; otherwise you can order them online. Please note, you'll also be cutting the wire on the cell phone charger, so make sure it's not the only one you have! You can often find cheap chargers at discount stores like Big Lots -- it doesn't matter if it's AC or car compatible, since you'll only be using the end that plugs in your phone.

MATERIALS:

  • 1 Altoids Tin case
  • 2 Mini Solar Panels (3V 20mA each)
  • 1 Solder (3")
  • 1 Small Heat Shrink Tubing (4")
  • 1 Large Heat Shrink Tubing (4")
  • 1 Double Sided Tape (3")
  • 1oz Flux
  • 1 Solder Iron
  • 1 Heat Gun
  • 1 Wire Stripper
  • 1 cell phone charger

]]>Guru BrianMar 22, 2008http://2pointhome.com/articles/tip/holdDec 31, 1969