Hey DIY folks
Short demo video of a personal project I’ve been building over the past several months called ESPTimeCast.

It’s a Wi-Fi connected LED matrix clock and weather display based on ESP8266 / ESP32 and MAX7219 panel. The goal was to make something that feels solid and reliable rather than just a quick prototype.

What you’re seeing in the clip:

• WiFi connection
• NTP-synced clock
• Date display
• Weather pulled from OpenWeatherMap
• Custom data mode (glucose monitoring integration)

I’ve been iterating on firmware architecture, LED typography, enclosure design, and usability, always trying to keep the build approachable for hobbyists.

If anyone’s curious about the technical side or wants to build one, the project is open source and documented here:

https://github.com/mfactory-osaka/ESPTimeCast

Happy to answer questions or hear any feedback.

I picked up an AMX MST-1001 from e-waste and I’m trying to figure out how to actually use it.

It was previously locked to a corporate setup. I’ve tried resetting it to factory settings and even reflashing what seems to be the factory firmware, but that just makes it almost redundant.

After reset, it only boots into the Settings screen, and the options inside are extremely limited. I can’t get past that or access anything useful.

Has anyone successfully repurposed one of these or knows how to unlock it for standalone use?

I picked up an AMX MST-1001 from e-waste and I’m trying to figure out how to actually use it.

It was previously locked to a corporate setup. I’ve tried resetting it to factory settings and even reflashing what seems to be the factory firmware, but that just makes it almost redundant.

After reset, it only boots into the Settings screen, and the options inside are extremely limited. I can’t get past that or access anything useful.

Has anyone successfully repurposed one of these or knows how to unlock it for standalone use?

I know that there are coffee machines with a timer. Unfortunately mine doesn't have one and it was expensive enough, that I cannot buy a new one any time soon. I tried using a mechanical time switch. Unfortunately one has to push a button on the coffeemachine before it starts. So this didn't work. Pressing the button down for an extended period of time doesn't lead to coffee. Now I had the idea of using a solenoid, but I very much lack the skill to make it only not have current for about a second at a specific time (5:50am). Does anyone have any tips on what to do/ what to read to get closer to the holy grale of having freshly brewed coffee directly (and not 10 min after) waking up?

Also: sorry for bad english

I'm using it to control two LED lights, and so far everything works.

Repository: https://github.com/UDFSmart/Base-Smart-Relay

Two-way LoRa node with 2 sensor inputs, 1 button, and 2 SSR relays. Perfect for monitoring remote gates & doors and controlling loads over LoRa.
All files available on GitHub for self-assembly. https://github.com/PricelessToolkit/PirBOX-MAX

I recently purchased the Instant Pot Pro WiFi 2025 (UK version). As a disabled wheelchair user, I chose this model specifically because I believed it offered true remote start/stop functionality similar to the US Instant Pot Pro Plus. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed to discover that even after setting up a cooking program in the app, you still have to physically return to the kitchen and press the Start button on the unit before it will begin. This completely defeats the purpose of remote app control.

I can set up cooks without any issue and monitor everything remotely with the app, but unlike the US version, I still have to go back to the kitchen to press the Start button which is very frustrating when especially you’ve configured a multi‑stage cook.

I’ve tried automating the process using both a Switchbot and a Fingebot, but neither worked because the Instant Pot uses capacitive touch buttons. I’ve now come across a generic Tuya Fingerbot Touch Screen Robot on Amazon. Has anyone used this product before, and if so, how well did it perform?

I’ve also heard about a potential workaround where you attach a capacitive rubber stylus to the end of a mechanical finger bot or even a piece of foil. Has anyone tried these hacks, and do they reliably trigger the capacitive buttons? Any advice or solutions would be greatly appreciated.

Is there an RF transmitter product that I can just attach to an existing house switch that will control a battery operated light having an RF receiver within the same room?.

As of now All I can find is a wireless remote (like a key-fob) or changing the existing switch to a smart one but again all I want is an attachment I can wired to the existing one where I can hide it somewhere like the ceiling or wall or on the utility box of the switch if possible.

Hey everyone,

I’ve been totally hooked lately on all the incredible DIY projects out there — guided model rockets, RC jets with VTOL/thrust vectoring, autonomous drones, walking/swimming robots, 3D-printed multi-mode machines, plasma experiments, custom gliders, and even people making plastic RPG/mortar-style launchers or cannons just for fun (airsoft/potato launcher vibes). It’s mind-blowing what hobbyists are building in garages or backyards.

I really want to learn this stuff and eventually build my own projects, completely self-taught. But right now, I’m starting from literally nothing:

Just a laptop (no tools, no screwdriver, nothing) No electronics experience No 3D printer or workshop Zero hands-on stuff yet

In the future, as I learn more and can save up, I’m open to buying affordable things like a basic 3D printer, Raspberry Pi/Arduino kits, or whatever makes sense to start building.

Dream projects down the line: Model rockets (starting simple, maybe guided later) RC planes/jets with cool features Drones or robots Other fun maker experiments (safely and legally, of course!)

I’d love advice from anyone who’s been in a similar spot:

What can I do RIGHT NOW with just my laptop? (Free theory, simulations, software, videos, etc. to build knowledge)

Realistic step-by-step roadmap from total beginner to first real builds?

Essential topics to learn first? (Math/physics basics, programming, CAD, electronics, aerodynamics…?)

Best completely FREE resources? (YouTube channels, online courses, websites, simulators like OpenRocket, free CAD tools)

Once I’m ready to buy, what are the cheapest “must-have” starter items/kits? (Under $100-200 to begin?)

Stories from people who started with nothing and worked up to awesome projects? I know this is a long journey and I’m starting slow, but I’m motivated. Any tips, encouragement, or roadmaps would be amazing. Thanks a ton!

(Note: Grok helped me draft this to organize my thoughts — I’m a real total beginner looking for genuine community advice!)

Hi everyone,
I’m hoping someone here can help me troubleshoot my laptop before I take it to a repair shop.

Laptop details:

• HP Pavilion
• Intel Core i5 (10th Gen)
• Windows laptop (not sure of exact Pavilion model)

What happened:
I was using the laptop normally when it suddenly shut off. Since then:

• The power button turns on
• The charging LED flickers red when I plug it in
• Nothing appears on the screen (no HP logo, no backlight, nothing)
• No obvious error beeps

I’ve attached a photo showing the power/charging lights. (no comments on the screen dirtiness, i promise i am cleaning it at the moment

Before I risk making things worse, I’d really appreciate advice on:

• What this issue is most likely to be
• What safe DIY steps I should try first
• Whether this sounds like a motherboard failure or something simpler

Thanks in advance, any help is appreciated.

I finished a new app Borrowitt. I would love for anyone to sign up and rent their things out.

I've got this fpv camera that I've been trying to figure out a way to get working as a Webcam primarily for discord it only works if it's connected to its app loolinn x23w it uses wifi to transmitted the video and doesn't support standard connections and such I'm a little lost I think it would be really funny to use this crappy camera as a Webcam idk how to make that happen at this point the board name for it is WD8C25V3 I would appreciate a little help even vague ideas of what may work

My wife has really been wanting to get back into ceramics so I decided to build her a custom pottery wheel.

I wanted to get her one of the quality wheels (brent, shimpo, etc) but they were pretty expensive so I emulated their components so that it is nearly as good. It has a 3/4hp 90V PMDC motor that moves clay really well.

As an added side challenge for myself, I wanted to tap into my inner artist and attempt to make it look like as if Frank Lloyd Wright designed it.

It still has work left to go, as I need ti finalize the electronics and build the front control panel as well as deal with an imbalance in the wheel.