Lego iPod Dock with Stormtrooper Security
March 10, 2008
Lego rates as one of the coolest toys ever. The ability to quickly connect little bricks together based on anything you imagine is possible. The creator of this iPod dock clearly had some cool ideas while putting it together. Built from standard Lego bricks, it holds your iPod. Around the back of the device is a USB cable attached to an iPod dock connector which is fastened by glue in to a 4×2 Lego brick. Around the front of the dock a Stormtrooper and another Lego character guard the iPod to keep it save. On the side there appears to be a handle you wind which seems the guys are standing on something that moves although it’s not too clear.
Overall a cool little project which is made all from standard Lego.
Via: Flickr
View Master Clock
March 6, 2008
The View Master is an old image viewing gadget which allowed you to look through 2 eye pieces and view slides which rotated round on a disc. To get to the next image you pulled down a lever and the disc reel rotated to the next image.
This View Master is one of the originals which originally were around in the 1950’s, and has been modified and made in to a clock. The hands are pivoted in the centre of the image reel. The clock takes just 1 AA battery which should provide several months, if not more, of power to the clock.
The View Master Clock costs $145 which I assume is a tad more expensive then the original when it first came out 
Product Page Via: TheMensGiftGuide
Use the Force to Shut your Curtains
March 4, 2008
Not exactly the force as the post title may suggest. Rather, a Wii remote from the Nintendo Wii. I have seen a number of wii remote hacks over the last year or so, but this latest has to be the most handy of them all. The Wii remote has now been hacked and hooked up to some motorized curtains. If you want the curtains to shut, you rotate the controller left, and to close them, you rotate it right. It’s a very simple concept and truly made for the lazy in life.
The curtain control system is built by Goelst and is a G-Rail 6200. This is “normally” controlled with infrared or wall switches. Another interface compatible is the CAN bus and by connecting this up to your PC as well as your wiimote, you have the perfect lazy mans way of shutting your curtains.
Mooftronic Mini Electric Organ
February 21, 2008
The Mooftronic Electric Organ measures just 3cm by 1cm and it built around a 24 pin integrated circuit holder. A small stylus is used to play 8 notes in just one octave in the key of C. As well as creating those 8 notes, it has a small antenna which makes crazy noises too when picking up interference from the speaker. To generate noises the miniature organ uses an 08M micro controller built by Picaxe.
One funny thing to note in the pictures below is that the power source to keep this thing running is actually a lot bigger then the miniature organ it’s self. It will probably work with a smaller button cell type battery, but for ease of use I can see why the creator used a 9V battery due to the ability to just clip the connector on the battery. It’s not a bad idea although potentially it could be difficult to play due to the small size.
More images and a video of the Mooftronic can be found below.
Via: Etsy
Pyramid Car
February 20, 2008
A pyramid is not something you see often, other then when in Egypt. However, this pyramid does not stand still for a few thousand years. The Pyramid car can actually drive around by battery power. 80 batteries keep this thing powered and running at speeds of up to 45 MPH and it can run for 80 miles. It also has built in solar panels to help with the charging process. It weighs 8000 pounds too which makes it no light weight (3.5 tons).
Costing $60000 in supplies to make, it’s not one of the cheapest cars to build although it was done as a labour of love. This version is Mk1 and they are looking for backers to fund a second prototype which they hope will reach 500 miles on a single charge.
I have to admit that it’s not the most normal of shapes to choose when building a car, but for laughs this would be cool to cruise around in with a nice sound system. Maybe the prototype 3 model can work on acceleration. Wouldn’t it be cool beating some kid off the mark on a road.
Via: SlipperyBrick
Hot or Not - Steampunk Arm
February 19, 2008
We have written about a couple of Steampunk gadgets before. These were the Steampunk Nerf Maverick Gun and a Steampunk Furnace Mouse. Both look cool and this next one is no exception. I have to admit that it’s not something I would ever wear to a party, but it is still quite cool to see.
For those who are not familiar with what Steampunk is, it is the process of building a modern day gadget type object with a Victorian look and normally made or brass, wood and other materials commonly used in that era.
Via: Flickr
Ghostbusters Voice Changer
February 19, 2008
Ghostbusters is a film that most people will remember from the 1980’s. One of the popular items the ghostbusters used was the ghost trap which captured ghosts such as slimer so they could take them back to HQ and store them safely. This item above lacks a bit of information, but from what I understand it’s connected to a long cord and works as a speaker housing. It must rank as one of the most bizarre looking speakers I have ever seen.
Via: Flickr
