Tuesday 28 October 2014

Now twice as useless! The new SOLDERLESS Useless Machine is here.

 
New in the Shed!
The Solderless Useless Machine
Equally useless, now with no soldering
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The Useless Machine lives to turn itself off. You turn it on, and it turns itself off, you turn it on again, and it turns itself off again. Why on earth would you want one? Because it's so darn entertaining!

And now we can offer an even-more-useless machine, the Solderless Useless Machine. While you might actually improve your soldering skills with the Classic Useless Machine, the new Solderless Useless Machine requires almost no skill at all!

This kit is fun to have around and makes a perfectly useless gift for anyone with a sense of humor.

Soldering Useless Machine

Oh did you actually want to use a skill like soldering? Well fine, take this slightly less useless machine.

Solderless Useless Machine

If you would like to show no skill whatsoever, this completely useless machine is for you.

Halloween Project PDFs

Saturday 25 October 2014

Weekend Workshop: Lockpicking Tools

 
Weekend Workbench
Lockpicking
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The term “lockpicking” probably conjures up images of international spies, cat burglars, or perhaps your affable local locksmith. But lockpicking is also known among makers as a fun hobby and a convenient skill to have (for when you lock yourself out of the house). With a little practice and the proper tools, you can easily gain a maker superpower – one that you will obviously only use for good.



Over the years, we've marveled at the popularity of the lockpicking workshops at Maker Faires and the enthusiasm people have for this fascinating form of analog security hacking. To meet the demand for great lockpicking learning sets and tools, Maker Shed now stocks some of the best picking tools and trainers on the market.

Lock Pick School In a Box

Our Lock Pick School in a Box provides the beginning pick set and trainer door lock needed to easily and enjoyably learn the art of lockpicking. The set includes five lock cylinders, the first of which has a single pin set in place. With each lock cylinder becoming progressively more difficult, the last lock contains a full number of pin sets. The kit also comes with an easy-to-follow instruction booklet.

Visible Cutaway Practice Lock w/Spool Pins

If seeing is believing, this Visible Cutaway Practice Lock w/Spool Pins will show you exactly what you're doing inside the lock and how you're defeating the lock mechanism. This type of lock has spool-shaped pins which makes it more challenging to defeat, so the see-through acrylic housing is a great aid to learning.

Practice Cuff

Anyone who's seen an action movie where a set of handcuffs gets picked (usually with a paper clip or bobby pin) has wondered if that's actually doable. With the Practice Cuff, you'll discover for yourself. Like the Visual Cutaway Lock, this real handcuff features a clear insert over the lock mechanism so you can see what you're doing. Harry Houdini will have little on you after mastering this cuff.

Beginners 12-Piece Lockpicking Blend Set

This sweet Beginners 12-Piece Lockpicking Blend Set by TOOOL (The Open Organization Of Lock-pickers) contains a carefully curated collection of indispensable picking tools. You get 2 hooks, 2 diamond picks, 2 rakes, 3 long-headed torsion tools, and 3 small-headed tools, in different thicknesses. Also comes in a plastic carrying case. Let no pin tumbler stand in thy way!

5-Piece Lockpicking Set

Our 5-Piece Lockpicking Set is a great way to get started in lockpicking and to acquire a starter set of picking tools for your toolbox. You get the Easy Pickings instruction booklet, hook, ball, and diamond picks, rake, and tension tools. The set also comes with a high-quality leather snap-over case to store your set in.

Jackknife Pocket Lockpick Set

If you want real carrying convenience for your picking tools, check out our Southord Jackknife Pocket Lockpick Set. This multi-tool-like set, housed in a jacknife design, includes 6 commonly-needed picks, all made of tempered stainless steel. The jacknife case includes a knurled locking screw on the hard alloy handle.

TOOOL Emergency Lock Pick Card

The TOOOL Emergency Lock Pick Card is a fully-functional lockpicking set housed on a punch-out metal card. Keep this set in your wallet, alongside your credit cards, and you're always ready for a lock-out emergency. The card is cleverly laid out with a short hook, gonzo hook, half snowman, half diamond, a snake rake, a long rimple, and 5 different torsion wrenches. That's 10 tools in all!

Remember to check your local laws regarding the possession of lockpicks.

Almost Gone

Thursday 23 October 2014

There's nothing quite like Circuit Stickers. See what they're all about in the Maker Shed.

 
Faves in the Shed
Circuit Stickers
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This crazy-cool activity kit is a Maker Shed favorite that drew crowds at Maker Faires in New York and California.

Here's why:

Circuit Stickers are an ingenious, creative and versatile way to learn beginner electronics.  With vibrant, reusable LED stickers, you can create a circuit with nearly any conductive material—from copper tape to pencil graphite to conductive thread.

The Circuit Stickers Starter Kit supplies LED stickers, copper tape, batteries, and a detailed guidebook that will walk you through making basic LED circuits and DIY paper switches.

You can also grab extra standard LEDs in white, or snatch up some cool effects LEDs that fade, blink, or twinkle!

Ready to hack this kit? Add on the Circuit Stickers Sensors Pack and add interactivity based on touch, sound, light, or a trigger. We can't wait to see what you do with Circuit Stickers, and we've never seen anything like them before!

Ready to light up your Circuit Stickers project with even more shine? Throw in a White LED Pack and you'll be ready to dim the lights.

Twinkling, blinking LED projects are at your fingertips with the help of this cool Effects Pack. Add this to your Circuit Stickers Starter Kit for some flashy EFX!

The Circuit Stickers Starter Kit includes a guidebook, LED stickers, copper tape, batteries, and the inspiration you need to get going. This kit is all-inclusive and makes a great surprise gift!

Add interactivity to your Circuit Stickers project with this Sensors Pack. Activate your project with these sensors:, trigger, light, and sound. 

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