62 Projects to Make with a Dead Computer. And Other Discarded Electronics

540 Pages·2009·20.62 MB·English

by  Randy Sarafan

62 PROJECTS TO MAKE WITH A DEAD
COMPUTER
and Other Discarded Electronics
By Randy Sarafan
WORKMAN PUBLISHING >> NEW YORK
Dedication
To Danica, without whose love, support, patience, and proofreading this
book could not have happened.
NOTICE TO READERS: A BRIEF WORD ON SAFETY
This book is intended to provide you with ideas and general techniques for
projects to repurpose electronic equipment which might otherwise be discarded.
While following along with these projects should be a rewarding and productive
experience, you should always take care to use caution and sound judgment. If
you are uncertain about your ability to safely perform any of the techniques
described in this book, you should seek professional assistance.
Make sure to read the section on general safety (starting on page 40) before
proceeding with any of the projects described in this book. Don’t forget to read
all of the “Safety First” textboxes you come across while reading this book. You
also should familiarize yourself with the safety warnings and instructions for any
tools, equipment, and other materials you may use in any of your projects.
Finally, we recommend that you check with your local building and zoning
authorities for any necessary building permits, regulations, codes, or other laws
pertaining to your projects.
The publisher and the author of this book do not and cannot assume any
responsibility for property damage or bodily injury caused to you or others as a
result of any misinterpretation or misapplication of the information and
instructions provided in this book, which are not meant to serve as formal
interpretations of the National Electric Code®.
Contents
Introduction
CHAPTER 1: Tools, Techniques, and Safety
Find out what lurks in the depths of your computer, learn how to get at it, and
how to dig in safely.
“Shopping” for a Dead Computer
The Basics
Hand Tools
Power Tools
Rulers and Tape Measures
Glue, Tape, and Fasteners
Techniques
Safety
CHAPTER 2: Projects for a Postconsumer Dwelling
Get smart with 14 projects to deck out your desk and office, live large in your
living room, and geek out your kitchen with your fried electronics.
1 Scanner Table
2 Cable Cord Coaster
3 Wire Lantern
4 Gear Clock
5 Actuator Arm Magnetic Picture Display
6 Scanner Compost Bin
7 Keyboard Lamp
8 Magnetic Memo Board (& Keyboard Magnets)
9 CD-Drive Desk Organizer
10 Drive Bookends
11 Sustainable Vase
12 “Please Hold” Phone Rack
13 Phone Safe
14 Walkman Soap Dish
Drive Bookends
CHAPTER 3: Fashionable Technology
Go geek chic with 12 projects to accessorize your look—because there’s so
much more to style than a well-placed pocket protector.
15 QWER-Tie
16 Capacitor Earrings
17 Rocking Remote Cuff
18 Cascading Pendant
19 Cell Phone Assassin Necklace
20 Ribbon Cable Hair Clip
21 Keyboard Buttons
22 Hearmuffs
23 Cable Corsage
24 8-Bit Belt Buckle
25 RAM Money Clip
26 The Don’t Die-Pod
Cable Corsage
CHAPTER 4: Fun-Fun-Fun-Fun-Fun-Fun!
Robots and Aliens and Lasers—oh, my. Here are 6 clever projects you can make
for yourself or a friend—just for the fun of it.
27 PDA Doodler
28 Keyboard Pinwheel
29 Mr. Resistor Man
30 My First Squiggle Bot
31 Alien Appreciation Key Chain
32 Laser Gag Zapper
My First Squiggle Bot
CHAPTER 5: Arts and Crafts
Indulge your creative side with 9 projects that turn computer scraps into
sculpture (and notebooks and wallets and pencil sharpeners and picture frames
and . . .).
33 Floppy Disk Notepad
34 Mouse Pencil Sharpener
35 All-in-One Shadow Box
36 Polarized Wallet
37 My First Cell Phone
38 Squid-Skinned Camera Case
39 Floppy Disk Wall Frame
40 Obligatory Decorative Candleholder
41 Resistor Pillow
CHAPTER 6: Making Noise
Let’s get loud: From instruments to speakers to amps, here are 6 projects to help
you turn up the volume.
42 Earbud Speakers
43 Music Monster
44 Mouseracas
45 Acoustic Rock Revolution
46 Portable Amplifier
47 Gamer Guitar
Mouseracas
CHAPTER 7: Gadget Goodness
From the practical to the prank-worthy, here are 10 projects to unleash the
gadget god within.
48 IR Camera
49 DIY Digital Projector
50 Laptop Digital Photo Frame
51 Computer Phone Charger
52 Cell Phone Flashlight
53 USB Desktop Fan
54 Shiny Happy Hard Drive Speaker
55 Bright Idea Light Pad
56 Musical Hold Box
57 Postindustrial Night-Light
IR Camera
CHAPTER 8: Playful Pet Projects
Feed the birds, raise an ant farm, wrangle the lizards, introduce your cat to a
different sort of dead mouse and more: 5 projects for your growing menagerie.
58 Stripped-Down Bird Feeder
59 Cat (Grass) and Mouse
60 CAT Tube
61 Flat-Screen Ant Farm
62 iMac Terrarium
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Acoustic Rock Revolution; Wire Lantern; Mouseracas; Portable Amp; Resistor Pillow