Speak n’ Spell Rock Band guitar

Posted in Musical Instruments by Conner Flynn on April 15th, 2009

Speak n' Spell Rock Band guitarThis guitar caught my eye right away. As far as guitar mods go, it’s pretty darn crazy. Crazier then the Atari-Hero. What kind of mind combines a Speak n’ Spell with a Rock Band guitar? This guy in the video below, that’s who.

It’s called the Speak n’ Spellbinder. The sounds from the Speak ‘n Spell are all mapped to the frets, strum button and even the whammy bar. In the video below, modder Aj Gannon never really loses his cool and starts rocking hardcore, much to our disappointment. If you can even rock out to such noise.

Truth wristband keeps you honest

Posted in DIY by Conner Flynn on April 12th, 2009

Truth wristband keeps you honestIf you have trouble telling the truth and everyone around you knows it, you may find yourself wearing this wristband one day soon. The Truth Wristband Kit costs $45 and is a wearable lie detector type device.

It measures your galvanic skin response, which is a marker used in lie detector tests to determine truthfulness. The lights turn from blue to red depending on the users truthfulness. It’s a pretty easy project should you have a worthy subject to test it on.

Steam powered iPod charger

Posted in DIY by Conner Flynn on April 12th, 2009

Steam powered iPod chargerOne day after the robots have had their way with us and the zombies have attacked, you’ll be glad you have your trusty steam powered iPod charger. How else are you going to listen to your tunes, with civilization as you know it destroyed?

The creator attached a Lego Technic Motor to a Jensen #75 steam engine to make this crude generator. Then he built a 5V regulator circuit and soldered in a female USB connection to power any USB device. The end result is a steam powered iPod charger. What does this mean? This guy will be chilling with tunes while you are fending off zombies who want some brain food.

LEGO Ghostbuster’s Ecto 1 car

Posted in lego by Conner Flynn on April 8th, 2009

LEGO Ghostbuster’s Ecto 1 carWe’re hoping that this Ghostbuster’s Ecto 1 car will inspire LEGO to issue some official Ghostbusters sets. This beautiful replica comes from LEGO brickmaster Rocko and it’s awesome.

It’s all ready to lay the smack down on some ghosts while violating every traffic law in the state of New York.(Well, the lego New York that you build.) Rocko does great work. Come on LEGO, show some Ghostbusters love.

USB rubber chicken drive = USB comedy

Posted in USB by Conner Flynn on April 6th, 2009

USB rubber chicken drive = USB comedyIf you’re one of those people who find the mere sight of a rubber chicken hilarious, you’ll want to check out this rubber chicken drive. I’ve never understood rubber chicken comedy myself, but hey if I saw some guy getting beat with one, I might feel different.

You guessed it. Some guy took a USB flash drive and lovingly rammed it up this chicken’s henhouse. And so a DIY USB Rubber Chicken Flash Drive was born. And the thing is huge, lending to the comedy aspect. Why not park yourself in some cafe and connect this thing to your computer?

Pip-Boy 3000 iTouch

Posted in DIY by Conner Flynn on April 6th, 2009


This is the coolest thing we’ve seen all day around here. Someone gutted one of those plastic Pip-Boy 3000 watches and installed an iPod Touch in it. It’s a super clever mod for wandering the wasrelands of the apocalypse.

An actual Pip-Boy 3000 program for the iPod Touch can’t be far behind. Looks like the program he’s showing off is a bunch of stills in the iPod’s photo program. Someone needs to take this idea and make a real honest to god Pip-Boy 3000.

USB-Powered fan made from CDs

Posted in DIY by Conner Flynn on March 31st, 2009

USB-Powered fan made from CDsThis is pretty awesome in a Macguyver sort of way. Using a motor, USB cable, two compact discs and a paper or plastic tube, Instructables user msolek creates a sweet little USB powered fan. This is a pretty simple project and the parts are all inexpensive, so don’t be afraid to make one yourself.

To build your very own USB-powered fan, you’ll need: a motor, USB port (max. 2.5W), two compact discs, a USB cable, paper or a plastic tube. Then, just cut up the disc, prep the USB cable, and put everything together.

LEGO movie theater with working projector

Posted in Home Theater by Conner Flynn on March 31st, 2009

LEGO movie theater with working projectorThis tiny LEGO movie theater is awesome. It actually features a working, very tiny movie projector. The projector works at 24 fps, so it may not be good picture quality, but Lego minifigs have a different eyesight than you have. It’s nicely detailed. Even the seats are numbered. Make sure you check out the video below.

The builder, Ricardo M. Oliv, did an awesome job. Now all he needs is full length movies and he can sell tickets to other geeks who can sit their minifigs in the seats with a miniature popcorn and soda.

The Shoebox Fightstick: Al Bundy’s mod of choice

Posted in Controllers by Conner Flynn on March 30th, 2009

The Shoebox Fightstick: Al Bundy's mod of choiceThings are getting really really bad in these economically tough times. The modders seem to be hit the hardest. Need evidence? How about the Tupperware arcade stick? Need more? Check out these Shoebox Fightsticks.

They were created using Xbox 360 controllers, Happ joysticks and 14 buttons…in a pair of shoeboxes for cases. On the up side, Al Bundy has moved from women’s to men’s shoes. Sadly business is slow and this is the result. It beats spending time with the wife.

Arduinocaster MIDI keytar

Posted in Musical Instruments by Conner Flynn on March 25th, 2009

Future guitarInstrument-mods are nothing new around here. We got your Steampunk, your equipment that measures how hard you rock, even a guitar that plays Atari games. All pretty cool.

But the Arduinocaster has a unique look that separates it from the pack. It’s an Arduino-based MIDI instrument that uses switches and LEDs to control the “strings,” and an opto reflective switch for strumming. Check it out in the video below.

Ghetto mod: Tupperware Arcade Stick

Posted in Controllers by Conner Flynn on March 23rd, 2009

Ghetto mod: Tupperware Arcade Stick This is either pure genius, or pure “I’m broke as &%#&, but that ain’t gonna stop me from making an arcade stick.” I can’t decide which. Though I can sympathize. Sometimes you just don’t have a cool case for your mod.

In that situation I usually just wait to do my mod, until I’ve found a good case rather then assault my mom’s fake tupperware. But hey, that’s just me. The controller is compatible with the PS2 as well as picnics everywhere.

Baby-Carrying Roomba

Posted in Vacuum by Conner Flynn on March 23rd, 2009


Ron Tajima must be the laziest dad ever. His newest Roomba project involved his son. Specifically putting his son on the contraption to be carried away like a robot sacrifice offered up to our metal masters.

He calls it the Cradloomba. Child Services calls it the “This requires a visit to your residence right now” bot. While I call it genius. Is there anything the Roomba can’t do? It’ll help you recognize that abusive relationship, gives free pet rides, now it will clean your floor and let junior floor surf at the same time.

7 foot long LEGO Star Wars Mon Calamari cruiser

Posted in Star Wars by Conner Flynn on March 22nd, 2009

7 foot long LEGO Star Wars Mon Calamari cruiserYou can buy anything and everything Star Wars if you are an extreme geek, but this here ship is so awesome, it beats all of them. This seven foot long model of the Calamari Cruiser from Return of The Jedi was built by Thomas Benedikt who used 30,500 Lego pieces. It took about 11 months to get it complete with all that detail. That’s 52 pounds of Lego.

The end cost was $5500. And it does more than just look awesome too. It also has an integrated lighting system for cool effects. Thomas Benedikt is obviously a huge fan as well as super talented.

Super Nintoaster

Posted in Nintendo by Conner Flynn on March 22nd, 2009

Super NintoasterThis toaster rejects bread in favor of NES titles, which are far more delicious. Created by the same modder behind the Nintoaster, this mod is just as heart healthy.

This followup is part toaster, part Super Nintendo, and is perfect for any geek kitchen. We’re hoping that the toaster/console trend keeps on keeping on, because there are still a whole bunch that need to be assimilated. Video below.

Sting Scorpion PC casemod

Posted in Cases by Conner Flynn on March 15th, 2009

Sting Scorpion PC casemodThe last time we saw this much circuit board on the outside of a mod, it was my very own Atari-Hero guitar mod. So right away this caught my attention.

Modder Frenkie designed this glow-in-the-dark case mod that features strips of circuit board to give it the scorpion-inspired look. Dubbed Sting, the case features a custom cut PCB boards pattern all over the body. It looks deadly. If you’re going to build something, make it stand out and have a life of its own. Make it look like it can sting the hell out of you.





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