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Welcome to the Weekend Projects newsletter. Each week over the coming months, we'll be building clever, fun, mostly beginner-friendly electronics projects. Regardless of the complexity level, they will all be projects you can complete in a weekend. Build times will range from 30 minutes to several hours. We're excited to get things rolling with this weekend's project, a webcam-enabled microscope hack
. We'd like to feature your builds of these projects in future issues of the newsletters, so please share your experiences and pics with us on Facebook or via email!
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Our star: RadioShack Illuminated Microscope |
A few simple mods go a long way |
From microscope to computer monitor |
What can you see? Detail of a feather |
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USB Webcam Microscope
For our first Weekend Project, we'll be converting a RadioShack pocket microscope into a USB webcam microscope. This will allow you the freedom to move the 'scope anywhere within reach of your USB cable to examine objects on your monitor. Click here for our project instructions, including links to many of the parts available from The Shack. The RS scope we use is reasonably powerful at 60-100x, has great optics, and fits into your pocket.
Fun With Your Microscope
Suddenly everything within reach begs to be examined more closely. Ever wondered what your fingerprints look like close up? Or perhaps the trichome (hairs) from plants in your garden? We've always found microfibers and printing techniques used in currency interesting. This microscope mod is ideal for examining such details without straining your eyes. Send us pictures of your 'scope mods, as well as screenshots of the things you explore with it.
The Super-Simple Microscope Mod
Our conversion swaps out the battery-powered bulb for a USB-powered LED, but you could easily just hot glue a webcam directly to the microscope lens, bypassing the need to solder any connections. (Although the LED light is pretty cool!) This mod takes 30 minutes max and produces instant results.
Project Tips: Sourcing Your Parts
RadioShack has a nifty feature that allows you to find which stores have your desired parts in stock. Under any item's purchase button on their site, click "Find It In Store" to see which stores near you have the item available. For example, we found four stores within five miles with the Illuminated Microscope in stock.
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