When I was 7
I had a Commodore VIC-20. It was a fantastic thing, and I spent many happy hours programming it in BASIC and playing Duck Shoot.

Unfortunately, the power supply died. It used an odd proprietary PSU, with a 4-pin DIN plug supplying 9 volts and 5 volts.

A good family friend drew me a circuit diagram using two regulators, some diodes and capacitors, and a mains transformer.

I built it inside an old lunchbox, taping the components together with electrical tape (Yep, no soldering, no circuit board, just electrical tape and hookup wire). For some reason my parents were happy with this.

Thing is, it actually worked. I held on to that computer for 7 years and the DIY power supply never failed, though once I nearly electrocuted the cat with it.

I also repaired the floppy drive in my Amstrad PCW 256 using an elastic band.

I also remember when I was around 13 there was a craze for computer modding. I saw LED fans but couldn't afford them (then £15 - that was 3 week's pocket money!). My answer? I superglued strips of tin foil to an ordinary case fan and then jury-rigged an LED to reflect off the foil.

I've always been a bit of a bodger. I started with computers, and then turned my attention to cars. I am currently trying to build a working steam engine out of tin cans.
(Flap Burger hasn't really got a burger made of flaps, Mon 24 Aug 2009, 12:33, 4 replies)

Very impressive.
Got pics, diagrams, frazzled kitteh?
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Mon 24 Aug 2009, 14:08, closed)

I await the TBJ steam car with baited breath.
Though I am dissapointed you're not trying to make a steam bike to go with the electric one.
(Me, I'm not... in any way intoxicated, Mon 24 Aug 2009, 17:55, closed)

Click
For Duck Shoot. Best game ever. I used to play it on a BBC B before it blew up...
( MatJ LOOK, Mon 24 Aug 2009, 19:57, closed)

please inform us
of steamcan developments. i have a plan that requires one and this intrigues me greatly.

stampunks need YOU!
(DreddPirateBob has watched every scifi film ever on, Tue 25 Aug 2009, 0:32, closed)