Contest idea - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: cwalex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2012, 12:06:47 pm
content: Sorry if this is already been done but i just thought I an idea for a contest. (I'm not offering the contest)What about a contest that is like a mcguyver style contest where the idea is that you have to make a project that is made using the parts salvaged from something else like a broken appliance (PC motherboard?) and the coolest entry wins. Could possibly include the option to use some gardern variety components say a maximum of 2 from a list of parts.What do you think?

author: TorqueRanger
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2012, 12:40:57 pm
content: lolGood idea but I think you would see some crazy stuff ... I use a couple AA batteries ,electrical tape ,and a cell phone jack in order to make a charger for my phone because we had no power for over a week...

author: cwalex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2012, 01:03:43 pm
content: Quote from: TorqueRanger on December 11, 2012, 12:40:57 pmhaha, crazy stuff would be the most interesting entries I would think

author: CyberWalker
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 10:55:25 am
content: Making sth useful out of an old broken device would be amazingly useful to all the community! I am in for sth like that! Who knows what we all can come up with if we put our minds and time onto it! :-D

author: Orpheus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 04:38:35 pm
content: This is SO in my bailiwick. I've been doing it so much since I was a kid that I don't even realize it's unusual unless someone comments on it.

author: mjkuwp
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 06:52:21 pm
content: edit - posted in the wrong forum originally.I like the re-purpose contest idea.

author: Greyersting
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2013, 12:19:30 am
content: This actually sounds really cool. A budget limit should be set, though.

author: silent
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2013, 04:32:45 pm
content: How about a category for the best misuse of things?It's always more fun when you use some things for something that was not a destination of this item (like my old video -). The most funny thing is when it actually works and it's useful (like this -).

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2013, 04:36:08 pm
content: I like the "etching machine", but I suspect that could end badly if it started oscillating at the resonant frequency of the sloshing motion... if I were to make something like that I think I'd have to come up with a way to sense that.

author: TMM
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2013, 07:52:57 am
content: As much as i like a good hack, i think i prefer contests like the 555 one because the entries are generally more useful/replicable rather than just entertaining.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2013, 10:58:11 am
content: 5 words..Tesla Coil Home Security System....They would make a good proximity alarm

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 25, 2013, 11:42:14 am
content: I've had an idea for a long time of turning a bit office equipment like a photocopier into a something useful or fun, just using the parts obtained from the device. The only thing extra allowed would be fresh solder...

author: ThunderSqueak
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 27, 2013, 04:30:12 am
content: I built a CO2 laser out of old plumbing parts, washers, some nuts and bolts and other things I found around the house. First surface mirror reflectors with an icecream salt output lens.Or does it have to be even more Macguyver then this? :>BTW, watching macguyver over the last few weeks, when I was a kid, it was amazing... now it is almost a comedy

author: MITTS
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2013, 11:13:14 am
content: Like the contest idea and it is made for TV like Iron ChefCan see it nowHI...... Welcome to Iron _______ I'm your host Dave Jones

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2013, 03:03:54 am
content: Quote from: MITTS on October 29, 2013, 11:13:14 amAnd it would look like this:Live audience<-Dave<- ContestantsSorry, I was a little bored and felt creative today.

author: schwarz-brot
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2014, 03:04:19 pm
content: Quote from: ThunderSqueak on October 27, 2013, 04:30:12 amHaha, same happened to me just a week ago. My lady and I got the original movies and we decided to watch them for some good fun. Seems like the movies were even crappier than the series. But well, we had our fun anyways. Pure gold.For the contest idea: I am not so much for contests as I am a non-competitive guy. But this is one that would fit my mindset. So why not? Not for winning or being better then anyone else but for the cool stuff that might be done!

author: CaptnYellowShirt
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2014, 07:38:15 am
content: Quote from: MITTS on October 29, 2013, 11:13:14 amIron Solder

author: Rerouter
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2014, 07:41:24 am
content: Solderer*

author: CaptnYellowShirt
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2014, 07:51:52 am
content: For the budget restriction: dumpster diving. The part sources must come from a dumpster or other serendipitous event.

author: firehopper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2014, 12:43:05 pm
content: the electronic version of junkyard wars...I miss that show..

author: CaptnYellowShirt
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2014, 03:55:53 pm
content: Now you're thinking.For an online version we could have people search for a week or two, collect what they're going to use, and take a picture to document their loot pile before the objective of the contest is announced.

author: schwarz-brot
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2014, 04:30:53 pm
content: Please make it happen!

author: PointyOintment
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2014, 10:30:29 am
content: I would be interested in such a contest, though I wouldn't be able to participate until September probably.I suggest the following rules:A large majority (~80–90%?) of the electronic parts you use must have been salvaged from equipment that was already discarded/decommissioned. (Though as how many parts should we count e.g. an Arduino (new) or a keyboard (salvaged) for the purpose of determining majority?)You may use other common things that you find around the house (bits of wood, screws, etc.).You may use as much solder and flux as necessary.I further suggest having a "low-end tools" category: for an entry to be eligible for the low-end tools category prize, all tools used must be documented, and the project that accomplishes the most with the least expensive/impressive tools wins. (I suppose a project could still compete in that category if the entrant used higher-end tools as long as they showed that it would be possible to accomplish the same with less.)

author: CaptnYellowShirt
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2014, 05:10:16 pm
content: Quote from: PointyOintment on March 29, 2014, 10:30:29 amI'm not sure how one would judge such a thing (e.g. enumerate rules), but certainly the apex of the contest should be one of accomplishment divided by resources.Maybe we can get Ben Krasnow to sit as a celerity judge:('cause he's certainly not allowed to enter as a contestant)

author: han
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2014, 11:55:32 am
content: How about the World most ridiculous/absurd test equipment.Bad example: Tongue-o meter. measure your tongue electrosensitivity...

author: ResR
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2014, 09:37:36 am
content: It's a good idea. I have a few dumpster dive salvaged boards, 20+ electronic "ballasts" from cfl's, old soviet pocket knife and a soldering iron to make 3 flickering lights and a water level "sensor" for my flowerpot, that had a corrosion problem (the wire corroded off the brass bolt too fast). Just for inspiration, this is my dumpster parts made transistor tester using two led's from old soviet color-tv, a dip-socket and resistors from another old crt tv, wires from old soviet industrial washing machine, connector from the empty battery and box from the broken yard lamp.

author: mengfei
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2014, 10:20:11 am
content: ...and for those not familiar with the guy & programhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacGyver

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 15, 2014, 10:39:29 am
content: Quote from: TMM on October 25, 2013, 07:52:57 amYes, a contest like this would likely be 100% pure non-reproducible entertainment, not that there is anything wrong with thatI've actually had this idea before for a video. I was going to be more strict though, you had to use strictly only parts salvaged. That includes wiring, solder (used!) etc.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 15, 2014, 11:15:49 am
content: Quote from: mengfei on October 15, 2014, 10:20:11 amI did a Macgyver Geocache once:http://alternatezone.com/ecoteam/macgyverhttp://alternatezone.com/ecoteam/macgyver-angus

author: bookaboo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2014, 11:31:06 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on October 15, 2014, 10:39:29 amIf entries used parts from common but obsolete items (old PCs, consoles, phones, tvs) or hacked such items in some way then it may be quite reproducible. Of course if something is based on some weird old testgear then it's less reproducible but still interesting.

author: deephaven
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2014, 11:35:20 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on October 15, 2014, 11:15:49 amThat looks like a great cache!