Tindie
Makersbox Reviews
For unknown reasons, Maker's Box only ships on Saturdays. Could be some temporal hiccup in space-time, or some weird religion requiring six days of rest. Maybe both?
Store Owner
- Makersbox
- 466 orders / 35 reviews
- Since Apr 05, 2014
- Usually ships within 1 day
- Adair Village, OR, United States
- Custom Work
Really enjoyed this little project
Sept. 18, 2017 - Easy Joule Thief Soldering Kit
Wanted a little kit to demonstrate the joule thief circuit and this is perfect! Easy to assemble and compact; it makes the perfect little desk widget.
Great way to break into Surface Mount Soldering!
Aug. 27, 2017 - I Can Surface Mount Solder
The kit was complete and the instructions were clear. With my through-hole experience all these years, it became a great excuse to finally try surface mount soldering. Recommended. The video is helpful, but refer to the URL provided on the packaging for the true instructions. I watched the video first, soldered up the board... and then read the instructions. Oops. But in the end, the circuit worked as expected.
Great Soldering Skills Test
Aug. 27, 2017 - SMD Challenge
The SMD Challenge, though very frustrating, was fun. I basically proved my hand-soldering skills are only as good as I knew they were already. I knew I wouldn't have any issues down through 0603, as I've designed personal circuits that used parts down to that size. I was so hoping my 0402 skills would have been decent and that maybe by some miracle I could do 0201. The resistor on the 0402 I got soldered OK and while at first glance the 0402 LED looks OK, the LED didn't work. I thought perhaps I just installed it backwards, since the markings are so different on each LED and that particular one was marked on the bottom of the part, meaning you can easily flip it backwards when placing it and there's no way to easily verify it from the top (apart from trying to see the die itself). But after probing the test-points and looking at it closer under the microscope, it seems that I actually damaged the LED with too much heat while soldering it.
And the 0201, well, I got really really close to having it soldered. I thought it was actually in place, but it wasn't and popped loose and... well, I lost it. Those are so tiny you can hardly distinguish the part from a rogue solder splatter speck on your workbench. Thank goodness the kit didn't include a 01005!
Very fun kit and very useful to see if you are able to hand-solder those small parts or see what it would be like to try, without having to make your own board. Great job Ken on assembling and delivering such a fun kit!
And the 0201, well, I got really really close to having it soldered. I thought it was actually in place, but it wasn't and popped loose and... well, I lost it. Those are so tiny you can hardly distinguish the part from a rogue solder splatter speck on your workbench. Thank goodness the kit didn't include a 01005!
Very fun kit and very useful to see if you are able to hand-solder those small parts or see what it would be like to try, without having to make your own board. Great job Ken on assembling and delivering such a fun kit!
Excellent Arduino hat
Aug. 20, 2017 - Yet Another Programming Shield
The device arrived took some time to arrive - had a New Zealand Post sticker, which is strange for something coming from the US. I'd like to imagine that some post error made it go to meet the Kiwis before arriving in Europe. In the end I was not expecting it with urgency, so it was OK.
The build is simple and straightforward. The excellent OSHPark board is a pleasure to work and look at.
My initial test started with a Arduino Leonardo - I couldn't program several ATMega328P - always got inconsistent signatures and failures. When I changed to a UNO it worked immediately and I could easily program a bootloader into one of my ATMegas328P. Changing the Blink example to use pin 3 allows the "Prog" yellow LED to blink - all good and as it should!
The standard ArduinoISP code does not have buzzer support. I soldered a buzzer and was dismayed to see that it did not work. I checked the documentation again (always read the documentation!!) and the buzzer was implemented for Adafruit's take on ArduinoISP. I flashed my Uno with it - the buzzer works, but programming not really. Checking the versions, Adafruit's code is for IDE version 1.6 and I'm running Arduino IDE 1.8, so I'm sure that with time I can discover why it doesn't work.
I recommend this board and it's a nice addin to your Arduino development.
The build is simple and straightforward. The excellent OSHPark board is a pleasure to work and look at.
My initial test started with a Arduino Leonardo - I couldn't program several ATMega328P - always got inconsistent signatures and failures. When I changed to a UNO it worked immediately and I could easily program a bootloader into one of my ATMegas328P. Changing the Blink example to use pin 3 allows the "Prog" yellow LED to blink - all good and as it should!
The standard ArduinoISP code does not have buzzer support. I soldered a buzzer and was dismayed to see that it did not work. I checked the documentation again (always read the documentation!!) and the buzzer was implemented for Adafruit's take on ArduinoISP. I flashed my Uno with it - the buzzer works, but programming not really. Checking the versions, Adafruit's code is for IDE version 1.6 and I'm running Arduino IDE 1.8, so I'm sure that with time I can discover why it doesn't work.
I recommend this board and it's a nice addin to your Arduino development.
Response from the Seller
Aug. 20, 2017
Thanks for the thorough review. The Adafruit project is pretty dated and hasn't got much support. The buzzer is really for the stand-alone version, which is also not very well supported. I have been using a fork from https://github.com/sowbug/adaStandalone that will nearly instantly program either a 328P-PU or 328-PU (which normally causes device signature havoc when people try and skimp and buy the cheaper version), but I have to use an Arduino 1.0 IDE to get it to compile and load. It is super fast and uses the buzzer to signal success or error, but is only really worth the effort if you have to program a number of chips.
I've never had my hands on Leonardo. Adafruit has a disclaimer on their Leonardo page that says "It is probably not going to work with shields designed for the UNO only", but the don't elaborate on the details. In the Instructable https://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Leonardo-as-Isp/ there are a couple of hints. Can you try and change the ArudinoISP sketch line "#define RESET SS" to " #define RESET 10" and tell me if that works?
I don't think it would be too hard to add the buzzer code to the standard Arduino as ISP. I might look into that.
Ken
I've never had my hands on Leonardo. Adafruit has a disclaimer on their Leonardo page that says "It is probably not going to work with shields designed for the UNO only", but the don't elaborate on the details. In the Instructable https://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Leonardo-as-Isp/ there are a couple of hints. Can you try and change the ArudinoISP sketch line "#define RESET SS" to " #define RESET 10" and tell me if that works?
I don't think it would be too hard to add the buzzer code to the standard Arduino as ISP. I might look into that.
Ken
Great
Aug. 19, 2017 - I Can Surface Mount Solder
Was the first order from Czech Republic and product is just great! Soldering tutorial was nice and helpful.
Response from the Seller
Aug. 19, 2017
Hey Jan,
Thanks for the first review of this product! Glad it made it and you liked it. You could post a picture in the comment section of the Instructable. Maybe with it in front of some landmark to show us what it is like in the Czech Republic?
Happy Making!
Ken
Thanks for the first review of this product! Glad it made it and you liked it. You could post a picture in the comment section of the Instructable. Maybe with it in front of some landmark to show us what it is like in the Czech Republic?
Happy Making!
Ken
A wonderfully frustrating kit
July 31, 2017 - SMD Challenge
I had been watching this project on Hackaday.io since it was first posted, and when I saw the kit had been listed on Tindie I ordered one immediately. It arrived quicker than I expected, and I started trying to assemble it as soon as I could. The 1206 and 0805 parts went smoothly, the 0603s weren't too bad, and the 0402s were easier than I expected. The 0201s proved to be too much for me, with quite a bit of swearing while soldering the resistor and so many attempts to solder the LED that it ended up falling apart. I'll be ordering a few more LEDs on my next parts order to see if I can succeed on the second or third try, but I'm honestly not too hopeful. All in all, I had a delightfully frustrating time, and it was a lot of fun to see how far I got before I failed.
The only documentation problem is that most of the datasheet links on the Tindie and Hackaday.io pages don't work for me, either loading forever or giving an error message. The part numbers are all there though, and pasting them into Octopart works fine of course, so it's not really a big deal.
The only documentation problem is that most of the datasheet links on the Tindie and Hackaday.io pages don't work for me, either loading forever or giving an error message. The part numbers are all there though, and pasting them into Octopart works fine of course, so it's not really a big deal.
Great kit
May 14, 2017 - Easy Joule Thief Soldering Kit
I bought this kit as a beginning solderer, and it was very easy to understand and put together. The PCB is excellently made, and the 10mm LED is a good size and shape for making an LED lamp.
Makes chip writing a breeze
Dec. 3, 2016 - Yet Another Programming Shield
This board was 30 minutes of work and works like a charm. Already have programmed my first chip. Really simple kit with great advantages.
Good easy shield
Nov. 7, 2016 - Yet Another Programming Shield
I wanted a shield with a ZIP socket, instead of 3 or 4 standard sockets... This was a fast easy build, operates nicely. Blazing fast shipping Arrived well packaged & complete. My new standard for doing chip burns... Great documentation available.
I really liked the kit!
Oct. 12, 2016 - SnapNsew Kit: A Soft-Circuit / Embedded Platform
The kit was simple to use. I didn't have any issues with the string that came with the kit either. I used it to animate a teddy bear. Whenever I pressed the button, it would make a sound. Then when the lights go down, the bear deactivates.
Really nice product.
Really nice product.
Great First Kit for Beginners
Oct. 11, 2016 - Easy Joule Thief Soldering Kit
Used it as a first soldering kit for middle school students. They enjoyed the construction and the fact that it worked upon completion. They are now asking what the next project will be!
Nice gadget to have.
Aug. 27, 2016 - Easy Joule Thief Soldering Kit
I do love this little thing and i do use it at night to help my girlfriend to see leaving the bedroom.its nice to have a little light to see with.thanks albert.ps i may make coppies of this.
Great little kit
Aug. 2, 2016 - Easy Joule Thief Soldering Kit
The Joule Thief is an excellent little project. I chose the older, more compact version, and it was easy and fun to build. The instructions were thorough and easy to understand. I assembled my Joule Thief in about 45 minutes, and I was taking my time. Highly recommended as an introduction to soldering and electronic principles!
These are amazing!
May 28, 2016 - Easy Joule Thief Soldering Kit
We go thru so many batteries! Now go thru them a second time. I'm going to buy some for AAA when they are in stock. I'd like one for 9v too. The reasonable price sealed the deal.
I love these Geek Hearts
May 21, 2016 - GeekHeart
I am a Geek at heart so this was perfect. I bought one for each student. They all wrote a poem for mother's day and programed them onto the heart. We made little cards up that stated what we did and how we did it, as well as what was on the heart. We put it all in a handmade mother's day card. It went over great. Have done this 2 years in a row now.
Cool little kit, easy to assemble, feels like good quality
April 13, 2016 - Easy Joule Thief Soldering Kit
Great little Joule Thief kit; easy to assemble, the components look like they're good quality, the finished product looks good.
love these kits! easy to assemble, clever design
April 7, 2016 - Easy Joule Thief Soldering Kit
I'm using these kits as part of a DIY basic electronics class I'm teaching at the Artisan's Asylum makerspace here in the Boston area.
They fit together well, the instructions are clear, I like the design. Great stuff!
Mike
They fit together well, the instructions are clear, I like the design. Great stuff!
Mike
Fun to Make
Feb. 18, 2016 - Easy Joule Thief Soldering Kit
It was enjoyable to put together for a beginner. Nice feeling of accomplishment seeing the LED light up, powered by an (almost) dead battery. Great kit!
Easy Joule Thief kit
Nov. 23, 2015 - Easy Joule Thief Soldering Kit
Purchased a few of these kits. The assembly was easy and pretty straightforward. They work as expected. The only thing I noticed was that if you use the jumbo LED, the battery clip can be in the way a little bit. Not a big deal really, but the LED just does not sit flush as expected. It could become crooked if you don't allow for the leads to extend out a bit.
Again, easy to assemble, and I really like the on/off switch that so many of the thief kits do not have. Would buy again and recommend.
Happy soldering folks.
Again, easy to assemble, and I really like the on/off switch that so many of the thief kits do not have. Would buy again and recommend.
Happy soldering folks.
Fun kit to build and learn
Oct. 19, 2015 - Easy Joule Thief Soldering Kit
Just put one of these kits together and it was fun and easy! Good documentation with large, easy to see photos. Step-by-step explanation and links to materials to learn more about the circuit you just built. I'd recommend this kit to anyone, beginner to experienced, just for the fun of it!
Great kit and seller
Aug. 25, 2015 - SnapNsew Kit: A Soft-Circuit / Embedded Platform
Great, solid built kit which is easy to use in sewable circuits. Holds solder well, snaps apart easy, and conducts great!
Excellent product
Aug. 18, 2015 - Yet Another Programming Shield
The documentation is very good. works beautifully with the Adafruit library ... I really recommend this programmer that works really and easily. Congratulations!
Worked Perfectly
Aug. 13, 2015 - Yet Another Programming Shield
The YAPS worked great. It was simple to put together. I actually just put it together based on the silkscreen on PCB and then thought I might should look at the actual instructions they have online, just in case. Turns out everything was put together correctly. I use it to program Attiny85 with my Arduino and it's worked exactly as it's suppose to.
Great product!
July 1, 2015 - Yet Another Programming Shield
I received it quickly. Communication with the vendor is excellent. I have received great support after receiving the item. I highly recommend this product and Kenneth.
Quite handy
June 1, 2015 - Easy Joule Thief Soldering Kit
Create package
It was easy to put together, there's an instructables.com post on how to put everything together.
Very handy, I've been able to since make a reverse joule thief to charge my lipo batteries
It was easy to put together, there's an instructables.com post on how to put everything together.
Very handy, I've been able to since make a reverse joule thief to charge my lipo batteries
great programmer
May 25, 2015 - Yet Another Programming Shield
Great product....easy to use...just starting to learn about programming attiny chips...doing a little work with visual displays (leds )...
Awesome product!
April 18, 2015 - Yet Another Programming Shield
The "Yet Another Programming Shield" was very easy to assemble and had great directions available. I have only programmed ATMEGA328P-PU chips so far but I'm sure it will work just as well for the ATTINY chips.
awesome
March 29, 2015 - Easy Joule Thief Soldering Kit
It was really fun to build and it made a great physics demo
Great little project and quick delivery.
March 17, 2015 - Easy Joule Thief Soldering Kit
This is a great little project. We have made joule thieves before (see image) but had to source all the materials and build them ourselves. It is hard to beat the price of the Easy Joule Thief Soldering Kit even sourcing and building them ourselves.
Nice, easy kit
Feb. 10, 2015 - Easy Joule Thief Soldering Kit
The URL on the package didn't work. I googled "Easy Joule Thief Soldering Kit" and found the instructable for documentation. The kit was easy to put together after that. I couldn't get ten turns on the torrid using the included wire, however the 8 turns worked OK. I used about 20 turns of 28 gauge different color enameled wire on second one and it works well too. Having a switch is nice. It is almost too darned bright!
Response from the Seller
Feb. 10, 2015
Thanks for taking the time to give a review! I'll take a look at the URL problem.
Great intro for kids
Feb. 5, 2015 - SnapNsew Kit: A Soft-Circuit / Embedded Platform
I had a really great time building this w/ my 6yo daughter.
It was a fun intro to circuits, soldering, etc for her.
Highly recommend as a parent+child project.
It was a fun intro to circuits, soldering, etc for her.
Highly recommend as a parent+child project.
Yet Another Programming Shield
Jan. 20, 2015 - Yet Another Programming Shield
I bought Yet Another Programming Shield can program ATTINY, shield It fills my needs perfectly. Using the sketch I find the site of a piezo Adafruit is added at the location provided on the circuit. Delivery side I totally Satisfied. thank you
funShield
Jan. 15, 2015 - FunShield Arduino Shield Kit
Im a little new at soldering such small things but im sure its easier than it looks
Good Product, Good Documentation, Good Everything
Jan. 12, 2015 - Easy Joule Thief Soldering Kit
I bought one of these, and they were such a hit with our family that we ended up buying more than a dozen. They're simple, easy to put together, great for learning how to solder, and are quite enjoyable after the assembly. I highly recommend them, especially as a little glowing trinket or something to use up those "dead" batteries.
Response from the Seller
Jan. 12, 2015
Thanks for the review! I'm glad your family enjoyed it.
Great product and service
June 27, 2014 - Yet Another Programming Shield
Received this kit, a valuable tool for working with DIP Atmel AVRs. Looking forward to see more products in the future. Great service.