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make_tips

  1. Pull an insulated wire btw a table and a razor blade (facing away from you) to strip long lengths of wire quickly. (v @PaulSymansky)
  2. For great, cheap waterproof connections:hot glue/household goop wires after you solder. Immediately follow with heatshrink. (v @JHSrobo)
  3. An equation: plastic ruler + xacto knives = 3/4 finger tips. (v @fontophilic)
  4. Use Google Reader to keep track of project ideas. Tag them"to-make", "to-craft", etc. {v @_mosier_)
  5. Sort obj like Lego by size not color. Easier to pick a red 2x4 brick out of a bin of 2x4s than a bin of red bricks. (v @mightywombat)
  6. Put an old magnetic knife holder underneath an old ice cube tray to keep your screws and washers organized. (v @flincshop)
  7. "Using a permanent marker to color code rows on a breadboard makes wiring common chips easy." http://bit.ly/2i9hMC
  8. If your all-purpose scissors are gummed up and gross, try running them through the dishwasher!
  9. Out of coincell battery clips? Make your own! http://bit.ly/4va7Sw
  10. Want an extra cool BT earpiece? Build one into a Star Trek Communicator! http://bit.ly/1Y13qP
  11. When rolling up power cords, start at the power source; unplug first and don't get shocked if the cord is frayed. (v @chrisspurgeon)
  12. Got tips for makers? Reply @make_tips
  13. Very thin photo-mounting tape is great for holding PCBs on cross-slide table during drilling. http://bit.ly/3pOca (v @unixbigot)
  14. Keep a coin cell battery on hand to quickly check polarity on leds. (via @3leftturns)
  15. PCs in craft/workshops suck in lots of dust (and pet hair). Clean them every 6 mo. to avoid overheating and fan noise. (v @monkeysailor)
  16. Tips for repairing your shoes: http://bit.ly/3AOPDU
  17. Patio cleaner is really just hydrochloric acid. Mix with hydrogen peroxide from the chemist to make PCB etching solution. (v @monkeysailor)
  18. If you don't have a small drill bit handy, a headless nail or even a piece of stiff wire will do the trick! (via @monkeysailor)
  19. Looking for an unorthodox piece of furniture? Try craigslist, both in the "for sale" and "free" sections.
  20. Just nominated @make_tips for Best Brand Use of Twitter http://mashable.com/owa #openwebawards