The Ben Heck Show Season 3, Episode 37: Tools for Tinkering

Teenage Driver Texting Prevention Device (1)

Ben kicks off the season 3 by starting a device which will prevent teenage drivers from texting while they drive.

Teenage Driver Texting Prevention Device (2)

Ben finishes creating a device that prevents texting while driving and demonstrates it's usage.

Surface Mount Soldering Tutorial

Ben solders a mini oscilloscope to demonstrate surface mount soldering technique.

Analog WASD Gaming Keyboard

Ben modifies a keyboard so the WASD keys provide the same analog control of an Xbox controller. Ben takes apart a standard keyboard to install magnets, Hall effect sensors, and a modified Xbox controller to create a better gaming keyboard.

Double Decker 3D Printer (1)

Ben begins building a 3D printer that can print two identical objects simultaneously. In this episode he'll build the duel extruders.

Double Decker 3D Printer (2)

Ben continues to work towards building the ultimate 3D printer that can print two objects at once! In today's episode he builds the X carriage and gets one step closer to finishing the project.

Double Decker 3D Printer (3)

Naughty or Nice Meter

In this episode, Ben gets in the holiday spirit and builds a "Naughty or Nice" Meter.

Arduino 101 Tutorial: Everything You Need to Know to Start Using Using Microcontrollers!

Want to do cool projects? Ben teaches you all the basics to get started using the Arduino from installing the Integrated Development Environment to using outputs, inputs and more.

Midi Controller Guitar (1)

Ben works with local musician Kevin to mod an Ableton APC40 into a guitar. Ben takes apart the midi controller to see what's inside and gets to work moving around the components. After he has the circuitry ready, Ben and Kevin draw out a design for the guitar.

Midi Controller Guitar (2)

Ben continues to work towards building a MIDI guitar with an Ableton APC40 he modded in the last episode. Today he builds a custom enclosure and shows off the finished build.

Glue Logic Mini Robot

Ben modifies the Squatch tracker into a robot that runs on logic gates. Ben explains what logic gates are and how to use them.

AVR Development Board

Ben shows you how to build your own AVR development board and how to use it in your projects.

AMD Computer Mod That Launches Rockets!

Ben builds a fully functioning custom computer with AMD's Trinity APUs that can also launch rockets! He goes into detail on using MOSFETs and LED displays.

Slot Loading Nintendo Game System (1)

Ben takes apart a NES and gets to work modding the circuitry and building a new cartridge connector.

Slot Loading Nintendo Game System (2)

Ben continues working on the slot loading NES by building a loading mechanism and taking another crack at a custom cartridge connector.

Slot Loading Nintendo Game System (3)

Ben takes apart a NES and gets to work modding the circuitry and building a new cartridge connector.

Autodesk 123D Tutorial

In this episode, Ben gives a tutorial on using AutoDesk 123D Design.

Ultimate Gaming System (PS3-Wii U-Xbox 360) (1)

Ultimate Gaming System (PS3-Wii U-Xbox 360) (2)

Ultimate Gaming System (PS3-Wii U-Xbox 360) (3)

In part 3 of the Ultimate Gaming System build, Ben builds a custom case to house all three consoles.

PIC32 Microcontroller Tutorial

On this episode of The Ben Heck Show, Ben runs through how to build a PIC32 microcontroller. Then tests it out and uses the low level port access to control some lights.

How Not To Fry Your Object

In this week's episode of The Ben Heck Show, ben helps you avoid frying your electronic objects. Plus, he shows off a couple of small projects he's been working on for fun and answers a viewer question about CNC couplings.

Mail Detection Device

Pinball Matrixing

Ben gives an overview of what it takes to build a pinball game and goes into detail on the electronic aspects on his Ghost Squad pinball game.

Introduction to Interfaces

Ben shows you the basics of SPI, I2C, and RS-232, some common interfaces you can use with your electronics projects.

Doggie Treat Dispenser (1)

Ben gets started on a project to build a dog treat dispenser complete with remote controls and a web cam. In part one Ben builds the mechanical dispenser itself.

Doggie Treat Dispenser (2)

Ben continues to build his remote controlled dog treat dispenser and begins work on the raspberry pi being used in it.

Doggie Treat Dispenser (3)

Ben continues a project to build a dog treat dispenser complete with remote controls and a web cam. In part three, Ben has the Pi serve up a web page to remotely control the device and to show the live video feed.

Design West

Ben takes the show on the road to the Design West Expo in San Jose where he talks to suppliers and checks out the latest innovations.

Wire We Here?

Ben talks about different types of wire and shows you how to use them in your projects.

Build Your Own Portable Raspberry Pi (1)

Ben gets to work on a Raspberry Pi gaming device you can take anywhere. In part one Ben gets the electronics working and installs MAME on the Raspberry Pi.

Principals of Schematics

Ben goes over schematics, a basic part of any electronics project. He shows what the symbols mean and how to go from schematic to working project.

Tabletop Arcade Machine

Ben builds a coin operated tabletop arcade machine. In this part of the projects, he hacks an old CRT, PC power supply, and JAMMA connector.

Ben Heck's Outdoor Console

Ben Sawyer of The Games for Health Foundation challenges Ben to build a multifunctional gaming console that kids can play with outside.

Introduction To Programming

Ben goes over everything you need to know to get started with programming.

Bionic Bike Bag

Ever want a bionic bike bag? Now you can have one! Ben and Alyson work together to create a DIY bike light and turn signal. Alyson crafts a fabric patch that attaches to a backpack and Ben writes a program, installs LEDs, and wires up the components.

Design Tips for Electronics Enthusiasts

As a graphic designer turned engineer, Ben has a treasure trove of tips and tricks for making your electronics projects look awesome. In this episode he'll provide insight on the process of designing, explain some parameters to keep in mind, as well as share his thoughts in creating an aesthetically pleasing design.

Creative Case Hacks

Ben unplugs the 3-D printer, laser cutter, and CNC machine and gets to work creating a custom case by hand. He shares tips and tricks to help you build a cool enclosure for your next project.

Let's Go Fly a Quadcopter!

With parts from a hobby store and his own mad-hacker designs, Ben aims for the sky with a quadcopter project. Today he tests the parts and begins to build a frame.

Getting Started with Texas Instrument's LaunchPad

Ben shows you the basics of working with the Texas Instrument's MSP430 microcontroller using the LaunchPad development board.

DIY Automated Motion: Motorized Camera Dolly (1)

Ben takes on a viewer challenge to build an inexpensive, do-it-yourself camera dolly for taking better digital photos and creating time lapses. In this episode, he figures out the mechanical aspects of the project and assembles the dolly.

DIY Automated Motion: Motorized Camera Dolly (2)

Ben gets back to work on his motorized camera dolly. In today's episode he adds the final electronics and captures some test footage. Plus, Ben shows off his Oculus Rift headset, which may be the next big thing in virtual reality gaming. As an extra bonus, be sure to catch Alyson trying the incredible immersive technology for herself.