MikeR
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| posted on 16/8/12 at 09:38 PM |
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Help - Need winter project i can do in the house?
My second child is on its way and I need to find myself a birthday present from the misses. It occurs to me I've had about 5 hours in the garage
over the last year so garage time is out of the question. I was wondering about a project for the winter.
The project needs to be something I can do in the house, perhaps an hour in an evening every few nights. Cost wise I've got a couple of hundred
to start with and may be able to put a bit more in over the coming months.
I'd like something that when complete isn't going to sit on a shelf and be useless but if it looks nice then fair enough. It needs to be
small enough that once I've finished working on it in an evening it will be easy to put away. Also needs to be (preferably) not going to contain
anything that could harm a small child if they get their hands on it (again I appreciate this probably excludes 99% of projects so i'm happy to
wave it).
Suggestions?
I did wonder about a quad copter but couldn't think what i'd do with it once built and they don't seem that cheap.
Megasquirt is a maybe but how practical is it to build like this & how long does it take, what does it cost?
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I predict a Riot
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| posted on 16/8/12 at 09:57 PM |
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Raspberry pi?
"Honesty is a very expensive gift. Do not expect it from cheap people ". Warren Buffet on Expectation
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MikeR
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| posted on 16/8/12 at 10:08 PM |
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but do what with it? I can buy one for 20 quid - so thats one evening covered doing the ordering and then ............?
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steve m
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| posted on 16/8/12 at 10:13 PM |
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Knitting ?
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I predict a Riot
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| posted on 16/8/12 at 10:13 PM |
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There's a whole community out there.
You can expand and programme it forever.
Do a google search and find the forums.
Alternatively have you thought about cooking?
It's very addictive and also something you can get little ones involved in.
My kids all are teenagers now and all three can cook really well because it's something we always did together.
"Honesty is a very expensive gift. Do not expect it from cheap people ". Warren Buffet on Expectation
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ReMan
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| posted on 16/8/12 at 10:21 PM |
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I always fancied doing one of these, or a coffee table/bookshelf version
Chuff
www.plusnine.co.uk
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MikeR
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| posted on 16/8/12 at 10:41 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by I predict a Riot
There's a whole community out there.
You can expand and programme it forever.
Do a google search and find the forums.
Alternatively have you thought about cooking?
It's very addictive and also something you can get little ones involved in.
My kids all are teenagers now and all three can cook really well because it's something we always did together.
My Oldest is 14 months & will be 17 months when the new baby arrives. The plan is to do the 'hobby' after the babies have gone to bed.
Cooking will be something we'll do in a few years time 
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Bare
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| posted on 17/8/12 at 02:02 AM |
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Well there's always DIY Home Brewing :-)
Or try these: http://www.parkjets.com/free-plans/
These: ? http://www.zioprudenzio.it/fok-air.html
Both are addictive though.
[Edited on 17/8/12 by Bare]
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mad4x4
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| posted on 17/8/12 at 06:44 AM |
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Or Microcontrollers both of these are under £20
Ardiuno http://www.arduino.cc/
Launchpad = TI Launchpad
- Gives you access to ROBOTS
Launchpad BIPED
Scot's do it better in Kilts.
MK INDY's Don't Self Centre Regardless of MK Setting !
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pajsh
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| posted on 17/8/12 at 06:50 AM |
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Before I decided to build a kit car when my kids were small I spent my evenings building model cars.
OK they may just sit on the shelf but I really enjoyed making them and they are always admired. Very absorbing and stress relieving.
Only trouble is I've had to build 4 cabinets to put them in.
Only buy Tamiya though. I've tried others and none are as good
Moved on to other things too.
I used to be apathetic but now I just don't care.
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Slimy38
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| posted on 17/8/12 at 06:54 AM |
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I know I'm going to get really mocked, but I have to say at the ripe old age of 38 I still enjoy Lego Technics. I've got three large kits
(and a fourth arriving at Christmas), and they all give me the same satisfaction as they did when I bought them. They're not overly cheap
anymore (£100+ is typical), but for someone who wants to build a real car they're good fun. And while my wife may not agree, I think they look
really good when they're built up.
This is my favourite;
Technic Lego Set 8880 - Super Car - Complete | eBay
Obviously the small bits aren't child friendly, but they do have the advantage of being future kiddies Christmas presents... although I'm
not convinced I'll be able to let them go!
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pajsh
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| posted on 17/8/12 at 07:13 AM |
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You could always build a Lotus 7 kit car! (Tamiya 1 1/12 scale die cast)
Probably for under £250!!
I used to be apathetic but now I just don't care.
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Norfolkluegojnr
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| posted on 17/8/12 at 07:48 AM |
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Computers?
i've recently had a new addition (now nearly 6 months, time is flying) and garage time is somewhat at a premium (although i did sneak in for an
hour last night).
I started building my own PC which is similar sense of satisfaction to mechanics but simpler. It can be as cheap or expensive as you want, you can
even use second hand parts if necessary.
i'm working on a multimedia pc at the moment to be connected to the TV. Everyone benefits in the long run, and it can always be sold on to pay
for a new project.
just a thought!
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matt_gsxr
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| posted on 17/8/12 at 08:04 AM |
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Megasquirt won't take you more than about 5 hours to build.
Maybe another 10 learning about how it works.
More time to build the loom and get it all installed, but that is going to be garage time.
Either way, it won't see you through a winter.
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r1_pete
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| posted on 17/8/12 at 08:08 AM |
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How about restoring an old guitar, electric or acoustic, then learn to play it.....
[Edited on 17/8/12 by r1_pete]
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Daddylonglegs
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| posted on 17/8/12 at 08:32 AM |
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Same as pajsh, but I only build Racing cars and bikes, still Tamiya though, Hasegawa are another top brand but not much choice in cars/bikes. Not
quite got the collection like that though, only got about 16 cars and a couple of bikes.
What about a train set?
 
It looks like the Midget is winning at the moment......
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liam.mccaffrey
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| posted on 17/8/12 at 10:06 AM |
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Well I for one absolutely love playing with lego. Its one of my favourite things to do!
quote:
Originally posted by Slimy38
I know I'm going to get really mocked,
Build Blog
Build Photo Album
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liam.mccaffrey
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| posted on 17/8/12 at 10:08 AM |
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Great idea, or alternatively build one from a kit you might even get it in under £250
quote:
Originally posted by r1_pete
How about restoring an old guitar, electric or acoustic, then learn to play it.....
[Edited on 17/8/12 by r1_pete]
Build Blog
Build Photo Album
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Irony
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| posted on 17/8/12 at 10:17 AM |
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Xbox - job done
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MikeR
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| posted on 17/8/12 at 11:30 AM |
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xbox - you assume i can get infront of the TV. The remote seems to have a feature called "soaps" .... 
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Irony
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| posted on 17/8/12 at 11:38 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by MikeR
xbox - you assume i can get infront of the TV. The remote seems to have a feature called "soaps" ....
Funny - you must have the same model as me
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adrianreeve
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| posted on 17/8/12 at 11:58 AM |
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Google reprap - fun to build and useful at the end!
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AndyW
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| posted on 17/8/12 at 12:06 PM |
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how about a stirling engine, loads of diferent kits or a scratch build.
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TimC
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| posted on 17/8/12 at 12:11 PM |
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You can do my wiring loom if you like?
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mds167
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| posted on 17/8/12 at 12:34 PM |
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How about home audio?
Amps, speakers, CD players...
It can be quite locost and the benefits are great!
Take a look at www.diyaudio.com. (other fora are available)
There are plenty of basic kits or you can start from scratch.
A mate of mine has been quietly building amps, pre-amps, headphone stages and DACs over the last 10 years while his kids have been growing up.
Modding my old Marantz CD63 with a few op amps and vibration reducing mateirals was well wirth it and hardly cost anything.
"No, you can't lick the system; but you can give it a damn good fondling."
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