Monthly Archives: April 2011

The 1/2 watt LM386 Audio Amplifier

Posted on April 30, 2011 by Dino

I love the LM386. It’s a complete amplifier in an 8 pin DIP chip! All that is needed to build an audio amp are a few external components most of which are decoupling capacitors. It is well suited to low … Continue reading →

Posted in Weekly Hacks | 42 Comments

The Chicken Tractor

Posted on April 22, 2011 by Dino

Happy Earth Day! Perfect timing for my latest project, the Chicken Tractor. A Chicken Tractor is a movable chicken coop without a floor. It allows the free ranging of chickens where ever the tractor is moved too. They have access … Continue reading →

Posted in Weekly Hacks | 13 Comments

Hack #3, The Talk Box.. for bass

Posted on April 14, 2011 by Dino

Anybody over 35 remembers Peter Frampton and his talk box on the “Frampton Comes Alive” album. It sounded awesome! He wasn’t the first one to use this device however. Pete Drake had and album in 1964 that featured a “talking” … Continue reading →

Posted in Weekly Hacks | 6 Comments

Work Bench Build for the Hack A Week Shop!

Posted on April 9, 2011 by Dino

Here it is, hack #2! It’s a work bench I’ve made for my new shop. I used 2″ x 2″ lumber for the frame with one 2″ x 4″ under the work surface to help stiffen it over the 8′ … Continue reading →

Posted in Weekly Hacks | 5 Comments

Dead trees and ink…

Posted on April 6, 2011 by Dino

I’m a pen and paper sort of guy. I like to draw up my plans in isometric view on paper. It takes only minutes and I have an idea of what materials I need. Yes, I could use a drawing … Continue reading →

Posted in Website Discussion | 3 Comments