Fingerless gloves are a fantastic way to keep warm in the winter, while still retaining the use of your fingers, much needed tools for delicate work, even in the cold. Why not take a favorite sweater that has out-lived its use, and give it a second chance at life in the form of a toasty pair of fing...
By: skyisblu
Post Source: Instructables: exploring

This is a Google Sketchup drawing of picture frame stock made from cove molding that I have made on my radial arm saw.  No special cutters are required. Basic setup of the saw A cove cut pushes the work piece into the side of the blade rather than the front edge and reproduces the circular profil...
By: Phil B
Post Source: Instructables: exploring

Image courtesy Jonathan Fiamor Photography.

When I was at UT Austin, a school which is famously car-unfriendly, it was rumored that one of the elder patriarchs of the College of Natural Sciences--a man who had multiple doctoral degrees and had been given countless awards for his work both as a scientific researcher and an educational administrator--had once quipped that the honor that was most valuable to him, on a daily basis, was the "O" parking permit that let him leave his car literally in the shadow of UT's iconic tower.

Well, in terms of available parking, UC Berkeley makes UT Austin look like an airport remote lot in Iowa on a Wednesday in the dead of winter. And according to this official page there are presently seven living Nobel laureates on the faculty there, so I'm guessing there must be at least seven of the prestigious NL parking spaces. Supposedly, regular mortals have to shell out $50 for presumptuous malparkage among the elite.

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Post Source: MAKE Magazine

Got one of those Toyotas with the "sticky" gas pedal? Maybe a just-recalled Prius? Don't trade in your car or panic if your dealer's booked through next week. Here's a few tips from the experts on saving money and driving safely.

First off, if you're not sure whether your Toyota might be part of the recall or not, here's the read-out. 2010-model Prius hybrids are soon to be called in for a fix to the anti-lock brake software. Toyota's own recall page has the lengthy details and model list. Otherwise, here's CNNMoney's thumbnail of the list:

Which cars are involved? The stuck-pedal recall of 2.3 million vehicles announced last week affects Toyota's 2009-2010 RAV4, Corolla and Matrix models; the 2005-2010 Avalon; 2010 Highlander; 2007-2010 Tundra and the 2008-2010 Sequoia; and some 2007-2010 Camrys (only those with gas pedal assemblies made by a specific Toyota supplier; your dealer can check). No Lexus or Scion models are involved.

Toyota's starting to send out mailers to affected car owners announcing the recall and providing fix details, but Canada's CTV notes that it may not reach if you've moved since your car purchase, and it's up to you to get in line for a fix, and update your address for future recalls and notices:

The requirement is that the manufacturer send the notice to the address in their record. If you moved or are the second owner of the car, you might not get the notice, even if you bought the car at the dealer of the same brand. They don't have to find you, and they won't look.

So how do I get in contact with the manufacturer to get my address updated?

The dealer can do it. They may have a customer service phone number that will allow you to do it.

Toyota's certainly taking a hit in the media, and the public's long-admiring eye, for having to issue these safety recalls. If you feel like you might want to trade in your recalled Toyota to try and escape a declining value, don't do it—at least, not yet. Kelley Blue Book and ALG valuations will likely drop 5 percent over the life of the recall, and the New York Times' Bucks blog notes that now is not the time to trade in. Why? An Edmunds.com consumer advice editor notes that trade-in prices are going to be at significant lows right now, but will recover:

"After the recall of Ford Explorers earlier this century because of tire failures, the resale values of the models dropped 2 to 3 percent or so initially and then gradually caught up again five to six months later, according to a preliminary Kelley Blue Book analysis."

So, the best advice for recalled Toyota owners is to call your dealer and make an appointment for a fix (how surprising, huh?). Still, what if you need to drive your car in the meantime, and you're worried about having your own "unintended acceleration" moment? CTV offers an emergency stopping maneuver you can test out:

Our recommendation is to drive on an empty stretch of road, then put your foot to the floor. You do it for a second or two and then shift into neutral.

It's going to sound very noisy because your engine will be racing. When that happens, take your foot off the gas and bring your car to a stop gently.

After you're done practicing, you should use this technique in case of sudden acceleration while you drive. Do not try to fight the car while it is in gear.

Do you own a Toyota that's been recalled, going to be recalled, or has already received its fix? Tell us about your experience, and any lessons learned, in the comments. Second image by KOMUnews.

Post Source: Lifehacker: top

i got bored of my mp5 so i decided to make an mp40
By: ballcheese2
Post Source: Instructables: exploring

Lately, I’ve been in a jewelry phase, slowly and carefully collecting a few new pieces. This fall I picked up a little, silver geometric pendant from Satomi Kawakita, and a necklace and rings by Amy Tavern, my very favorite jewelry designer of the last few years, who has just recently closed her retail business to focus on other things. Maybe it was about trying to make up for that loss, but as I browsed around the floor of the New York International Gift Fair last week, I found that I had jewelry on the brain.

Here are a few of my favorite pieces and designers from the fair:

At i Design, I stumbled across Zaya, a line of jewelry made in Israel. I loved the assertive shapes of their leather pieces: above, “African” and “short flame.” They had some great red leather jewelry that I can’t find pictures of online!

I was surprised how much I liked a line of Dr. Seuss-worthy rubber and polymer jewelry by Atara de Lange of Israel, also at the iDesign kiosk. I think either of these necklaces would look arresting with a simple black cocktail dress.

Open rings by Sara Barner, of Portland. (She also has a line of handmade leathergoods.)

Megan Auman’s short, gathered necklace in steel and silver.

I’m not usually an earrings person, but I love the hexagon shape on this pair, from AK Vintage’s “Intuition” collection (indeed, I love the whole series). Anna Korte makes jewelry out of dead-stock vintage costume jewelry and leather reclaimed from vintage gloves.

The “Ladders” necklace, by Paper Wings

There’s something about the big beads on this necklace by New York’s by boe that makes me want to pop them into my mouth. There were a lot of colorful styles at the booth that aren’t on the website yet. Maybe at the by boe store on Prince Street?

Post Source: ReadyMade Editors' Notes

my m4a1 carbine on which i finished 2 weeks ago
By: ballcheese2
Post Source: Instructables: exploring

Etching your own PCBs can be a time consuming chore to say the least. Anything that automates the process or cuts down on the time it takes is usually appreciated. Maker Rui Cabral of Oporto, Portugal pieced together this handy PCB agitator out of LEGO to help him speed things up a bit. The project initially took him only 20 minutes from start to finish.

More:

• HOW TO - Make Printed circuit boards - An illustrated guide (and round up)
• HOW TO - Use a laser to etch PCBs (printed circuit boards)
• PCB making
• PCB etching on the cheap
• Inkjet PCB kits

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Post Source: MAKE Magazine

I wanted an over-head shower in my bathroom. So I thought of converting a hand shower to an over-head shower. It was not very difficult and I think it is a good Idea if you don't want any plumbing modifications. Things you need 1. A flexible suction cup mobile holder  2. Hand shower holder 3. Glu...
By: drferozakhtar
Post Source: Instructables: exploring

Free standing mechanical kinetic sculpture featuring wooden gears and matt black wooden framework... The striker arm is powered by a tension spring, as is the trigger for the feeder arm. The balls bounce off a curved rebound board which returns them to the centre of the catcher on most occasions.

[via Hacked Gadgets]

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Post Source: MAKE Magazine