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What can you build?

Start with the hardware on your bench. Find a guide from the people who made it.

19 external guides

Matches cover core hardware only. Check accessories and exact revisions below.

By Siczkoriz

Make a pocket audio signal generator

Generate audio waveforms and noise through the Cardputer ADV's built-in headphone output.

Core hardware
Parts, software & revision notes

Also required

  • USB-C data cable and programming computer
  • 3.5 mm audio cable

Software

  • Arduino IDE 2.x
  • M5Stack board package and the author's listed M5 libraries
  • Author's v1.03 sketch

Exact hardware

The author explicitly requires Cardputer ADV and its audio output. The base Cardputer is not substituted.

Before you start

  • Output is not calibrated; true DC offset is not guaranteed. Measure levels before connecting a circuit.

Source reviewed . We have not reproduced this build.

Use these core parts Open original guide

By Matthew Smith / Micro Center

Read your local weather in a browser

Serve temperature, humidity and pressure readings from a Pico 2 W over your local Wi-Fi network.

Core hardware
Parts, software & revision notes

Also required

  • Adafruit BME280 breakout
  • Headers and jumper wires, or soldered connections
  • USB cable, power and programming computer
  • Wi-Fi network and a browser

Software

  • Pico 2 W MicroPython firmware
  • Thonny and micropython-bme280

Exact hardware

The build and pin mapping explicitly use Pico 2 W with the Adafruit BME280 breakout.

Before you start

  • Other BME280 boards may use different addresses or wiring. Outdoor housing and historical logging require the guide's additional work.

Source reviewed . We have not reproduced this build.

Use these core parts Open original guide

By Brian Corteil / Raspberry Pi

Build a computer inside a carry case

Assemble a Pi 5, touchscreen, keyboard and audio system into a custom portable workstation.

Core hardware
Parts, software & revision notes

Also required

  • Touch Display 2 (7-inch) and display cable
  • 128 GB Raspberry Pi Flash Drive
  • Rii RK302 Bluetooth keyboard
  • Picade Max USB Audio, encoder and speakers
  • Case, mounting panels, wiring and fasteners
  • Power system and RTC battery described in the guide

Software

  • Raspberry Pi Imager and a selected operating system
  • CAD tools for custom mounting parts

Exact hardware

The selected parts list names Raspberry Pi 5; it does not prescribe one RAM capacity.

Before you start

  • This is a fabrication guide, not a complete drop-in enclosure kit. Power design and custom mounting remain build-specific.

Source reviewed . We have not reproduced this build.

Use these core parts Open original guide

By Ian Webster

Build a mirrored home file server

Use a Pi 5 and SATA expansion board for mirrored storage managed through OpenMediaVault.

Core hardware
Parts, software & revision notes

Also required

  • Radxa Penta SATA HAT and connection hardware
  • Two SATA SSDs for the documented mirror
  • Pi 5 cooler and 32 GB microSD card
  • Network connection and a power supply suited to the actual drive load

Software

  • Raspberry Pi OS Lite
  • OpenMediaVault and ZFS
  • Optional Docker applications documented by the author

Exact hardware

The guide names Pi 5 and recommends 8 GB RAM for ZFS; the catalog contains multiple memory options.

Before you start

  • The author's power arrangement is specific to his SSD build. Recheck requirements for different drives and current software releases.

Source reviewed . We have not reproduced this build.

Use these core parts Open original guide

By Visual Micro

Put the weather on your board's LED display

Scroll remotely fetched weather conditions across UNO R4 WiFi's built-in LED matrix.

Core hardware
Parts, software & revision notes

Also required

  • USB data cable and programming computer
  • Wi-Fi internet access
  • WeatherAPI account and API key

Software

  • Visual Studio with Visual Micro as documented
  • Renesas UNO R4 board package
  • ArduinoGraphics and ArduinoJson versions listed in the source sketch

Exact hardware

The author uses UNO R4 WiFi's integrated matrix; UNO R4 Minima and older UNO boards are not substitutes.

Before you start

  • The example requests weather over HTTP. Review credential handling and current service/tool terms before use.

Source reviewed . We have not reproduced this build.

Use these core parts Open original guide

By Seeed Studio / Carla

Make a light change color with temperature

Use an external temperature sensor to control a color-changing light through an ESPHome setup.

Core hardware
Parts, software & revision notes

Also required

  • LED Driver Board for XIAO
  • Grove DHT11 temperature/humidity sensor
  • Addressable LED strip, wiring and matched power supply
  • Home Assistant host and Wi-Fi network
  • USB data cable and programming computer

Software

  • Home Assistant
  • ESPHome

Exact hardware

The temperature-color section explicitly lists the base XIAO ESP32S3. Other sections use different XIAO boards.

Before you start

  • The parts table says WS2812 while sample YAML selects ws2813; match the LED type, count and power to your hardware. Current ESPHome compilation is untested.

Source reviewed . We have not reproduced this build.

Use these core parts Open original guide

By Seeed Studio / Citric

Send light readings to a wireless display

Link a light sensor and a separate OLED display using two XIAO boards communicating over Bluetooth LE.

Core hardware
Parts, software & revision notes

Also required

  • Two XIAO Expansion Bases with Grove OLED
  • Grove TSL2561 digital light sensor and Grove cable
  • XIAO antennas, USB data/power cables and programming computer

Software

  • Arduino IDE with XIAO ESP32S3 support
  • u8g2 and TSL2561 libraries linked by the guide

Exact hardware

The guide explicitly names two XIAO ESP32S3 boards and includes both base and Sense options; this record selects two base boards.

Before you start

  • One owned board is insufficient for the two-board display build. The older sample is not compiled against today's dependencies.

Source reviewed . We have not reproduced this build.

Use these core parts Open original guide

By Seeed Studio / Michelle Huang

Turn your tracker into a MeshCore companion

Install the documented companion firmware and pair a compatible T1000-E with the MeshCore phone app.

Core hardware

Check the version. Only the catalog's Meshtastic/MeshCore-capable T1000-E. Excludes T1000 A/B and the separate T1000-E for LoRaWAN version.

Parts, software & revision notes

Also required

  • T1000-E USB charging/data cable and computer
  • Phone with the MeshCore app
  • Another compatible configured node or reachable mesh for communication

Software

  • MeshCore Bluetooth companion firmware for the correct T1000-E
  • MeshCore app

Exact hardware

Only the catalog's Meshtastic/MeshCore-capable T1000-E. Excludes T1000 A/B and the separate T1000-E for LoRaWAN version.

Before you start

  • Seeed warns not to flash MeshCore or Meshtastic onto the LoRaWAN version. Confirm the variant before following this guide.

Source reviewed . We have not reproduced this build.

Use these core parts Open original guide

By Seeed Studio / Advent Jiang

Add environmental readings to your mesh node

Connect a Grove environmental sensor and enable telemetry and readings on the Wio Tracker L1's display.

Core hardware
Parts, software & revision notes

Also required

  • Grove BME280 environmental sensor and Grove cable
  • Suitable power and the node's band-matched antenna
  • USB data cable/computer and a phone for configuration
  • Another matching configured node if receiving telemetry remotely

Software

  • Meshtastic firmware for Seeed Wio Tracker L1
  • Meshtastic app with environment telemetry enabled

Exact hardware

The guide explicitly includes base L1 and names its firmware target. This record selects its listed BME280 sensor option.

Before you start

  • Sensor matching is Seeed's documented claim, not our bench test. Use the correct device target and region; do not generalize to unlisted sensors.

Source reviewed . We have not reproduced this build.

Use these core parts Open original guide

By Michael Ossmann / Great Scott Gadgets

Build an FM receiver in GNU Radio

Assemble a receive-only flowgraph to listen to broadcast FM, then add channel controls or a second station.

Core hardware
Parts, software & revision notes

Also required

  • FM-band antenna such as ANT500
  • Micro-USB data cable and host computer
  • Speakers or headphones

Software

  • GNU Radio with HackRF support
  • Lesson flowgraph matching your GNU Radio version

Exact hardware

The lesson directly lists HackRF One. HackRF Pro and third-party clones are not substituted.

Before you start

  • The original video uses an older GNU Radio interface. Updated flowgraphs and interface errata are linked on the lesson page.

Source reviewed . We have not reproduced this build.

Use these core parts Open original guide

By Flipper Devices

Keep your remote's buttons on your Flipper

Learn your own infrared remote's buttons, save them as a virtual remote and send them from Flipper Zero.

Core hardware
Parts, software & revision notes

Also required

  • Your original compatible infrared remote
  • The appliance you want to control
  • microSD card for saved remote files

Software

  • Flipper Zero firmware with the Infrared app

Exact hardware

The guide describes Flipper Zero's built-in IR receiver and transmitter. No Wi-Fi board or Flipper One is substituted.

Before you start

  • This applies to compatible infrared remotes, not every RF or Bluetooth remote.

Source reviewed . We have not reproduced this build.

Use these core parts Open original guide

By Airspy

Listen to an Airspy receiver across your local network

Run SPY Server beside the radio and receive its spectrum in SDR# elsewhere on your LAN.

Core hardware
Parts, software & revision notes

Also required

  • SMA receive antenna for the chosen band and USB data cable
  • Windows x86-64 server computer and an SDR# client computer on the same LAN

Software

  • Current Windows SPY Server package and SDR#; Airspy USB driver

Exact hardware

Airspy explicitly lists R2 support. This entry follows the Windows server path; no HF converter is assumed.

Before you start

  • The quickstart's older Linux commands differ from current downloads; Linux x86-64 now requires AVX2 and FMA.
  • Multiple clients share center frequency and RF gain. Network capacity limits full-spectrum streaming.

Source reviewed . We have not reproduced this build.

Use these core parts Open original guide

By Bus Pirate documentation team / Dangerous Prototypes

Read temperature and humidity from an I2C sensor

Query a sensor directly from the bench and convert its returned bytes into temperature and humidity.

Core hardware

Check the version. The maker's shared guide covers Bus Pirate 5; use the Rev. 10 firmware target. No Bus Pirate 6-only logic-analyzer feature is required.

Parts, software & revision notes

Also required

  • One SHT40 breakout, four probe connections, USB-C data cable and host computer

Software

  • Bus Pirate 5 Rev. 10 firmware and a serial terminal; the guide also demonstrates the sht4x helper

Exact hardware

The maker's shared guide covers Bus Pirate 5; use the Rev. 10 firmware target. No Bus Pirate 6-only logic-analyzer feature is required.

Before you start

  • Use the guide's 3.3 V supply and pull-ups: SHT4x is not 5 V tolerant.
  • A prose step says 0x81, while the demonstrated read uses 0x89. Check the sensor datasheet; no minimum helper-firmware version is given.

Source reviewed . We have not reproduced this build.

Use these core parts Open original guide

By AJ Quick

Build an enclosed MeshCore handheld with an 18650

Assemble the author's screw-fastened case around a V4 OLED board and removable battery.

Core hardware

Check the version. The build names V4 with OLED but omits its PCB subrevision. R8, display-free and touchscreen-expansion variants are not established by this guide.

Parts, software & revision notes

Also required

  • One 18650 cell, 16 × 16 mm spring-contact pair, matching battery connector, wire and heat-shrink
  • Author's printed case and faceplate, four M2 × 8–10 mm screws, SMA bulkhead/pigtail and band-matched antenna
  • 3D printer, soldering tools, USB-C data cable, flashing computer and MeshCore phone app

Software

  • Revision-matched MeshCore BLE companion firmware; author's separate firmware article describes EasySkyMesh builds

Exact hardware

The build names V4 with OLED but omits its PCB subrevision. R8, display-free and touchscreen-expansion variants are not established by this guide.

Before you start

  • Check case fit, battery-contact polarity and the firmware target before assembly. Optional GNSS is omitted here.
  • No runtime or RF-range guarantee; a companion needs reachable MeshCore peers for messaging.

Source reviewed . We have not reproduced this build.

Use these core parts Open original guide

By Great Scott Gadgets

Control a clocked LED strip from Python

Exercise SPI wiring by switching an LED and running the maker's Python color pattern.

Core hardware
Parts, software & revision notes

Also required

  • APA102 RGB strip, jumper wires, USB data cable and host computer

Software

  • GreatFET Python host package, matching device firmware, interactive shell and bitstring library

Exact hardware

The tutorial explicitly uses GreatFET One. APA102 is clocked SPI hardware; generic single-wire LED strips are not established substitutes.

Before you start

  • The example powers its strip from the 3.3 V header but gives no strip-current budget; check your exact strip before connecting power.
  • Match host software and firmware; Linux USB permissions need setup.

Source reviewed . We have not reproduced this build.

Use these core parts Open original guide

By elcalzado / Webcam Pi

Turn a Pi camera into a USB webcam

Install the maintainer's camera image so a USB host can select the Pi as a webcam.

Core hardware

Check the version. The maintainer names Zero 2 W and Camera Module 2 in v1.1.1 release notes. Original Zero W and arbitrary cameras are not established alternatives.

Parts, software & revision notes

Also required

  • Raspberry Pi Camera Module 2 (IMX219) and Standard–Mini 15-to-22-pin camera cable
  • microSD card, card writer, micro-USB data cable and USB host computer

Software

  • Webcam Pi v1.1.1 image, image-writing software and a UVC webcam application

Exact hardware

The maintainer names Zero 2 W and Camera Module 2 in v1.1.1 release notes. Original Zero W and arbitrary cameras are not established alternatives.

Before you start

  • The README still labels IMX219 untested; the later v1.1.1 notes report a maintainer test. That is not testing by gadgets.sh.
  • Connect through the USB data/OTG port, not only PWR IN. Flashing replaces the chosen card's contents; preserve existing data.

Source reviewed . We have not reproduced this build.

Use these core parts Open original guide

By OwOTech and cho45 / NanoRFE

Record an antenna's SWR sweep

Measure a passive antenna on port 1 and save its reflection data as a reference for later changes.

Core hardware

Check the version. The manual explicitly includes Plus4 Pro. This record does not establish compatibility for unrelated NanoVNA-labelled hardware.

Parts, software & revision notes

Also required

  • Disconnected passive antenna, suitable SMA test cable/adapters and open/short/50-ohm-load calibration standards
  • USB data cable, suitable USB power and computer for saving measurements

Software

  • NanoVNA-QT from NanoRFE's download page; firmware matching the genuine Plus4 Pro

Exact hardware

The manual explicitly includes Plus4 Pro. This record does not establish compatibility for unrelated NanoVNA-labelled hardware.

Before you start

  • Calibrate the chosen sweep at the antenna connection plane. Keep transmitters/powered RF outputs disconnected and follow the guide's static precautions.
  • Maker pages disagree on the upper frequency limit; no operation beyond the store's 4 GHz limit is assumed. SWR alone does not measure radio range.
  • Manual revision label is UG1101 2022/02; installed firmware/menu behavior and host compatibility remain to check.

Source reviewed . We have not reproduced this build.

Use these core parts Open original guide

By Seeed Studio Wiki

Put workshop weather on an e-paper display

Display Home Assistant weather conditions, temperature and wind bearing on the E1001's e-paper screen.

Core hardware

Check the version. Use the cookbook's E1001 weather-display tab and monochrome driver. E1002/E1003/E1004 configurations are different.

Parts, software & revision notes

Also required

  • Home Assistant host with Supervisor, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and working Open-Meteo weather integration
  • USB-C data cable, power and computer for the initial firmware setup

Software

  • ESPHome E1001 configuration, Home Assistant ESPHome integration and the example's Inter font

Exact hardware

Use the cookbook's E1001 weather-display tab and monochrome driver. E1002/E1003/E1004 configurations are different.

Before you start

  • Replace sample entity IDs, network credentials and API settings; the device must be added to Home Assistant before values arrive.
  • The E1001 example updates every five minutes; no live-monitor or battery-runtime claim. The guide does not pin an E1001 minimum ESPHome release.

Source reviewed . We have not reproduced this build.

Use these core parts Open original guide

By DFRobot Wiki

Teach a bench camera your own objects

Learn and name objects on the touchscreen, inspect recognition results and back up the learned setup over USB.

Core hardware

Check the version. This SEN0638 guide uses the device standalone. Original HUSKYLENS and external-controller compatibility are not assumed.

Parts, software & revision notes

Also required

  • Sample objects, suitable USB-C power/data cable and a computer to copy the exported model files

Software

  • HUSKYLENS 2's built-in Self-Learning Classifier; computer file manager for backup

Exact hardware

This SEN0638 guide uses the device standalone. Original HUSKYLENS and external-controller compatibility are not assumed.

Before you start

  • Check recognition with your actual objects, lighting and viewpoints; displayed confidence is not measured accuracy.
  • Keep both exported .json and .bin files. Copying the setup to a second HUSKYLENS 2 needs another unit; this one-unit record covers learning and backup.
  • The guide does not state a minimum firmware version for this function.

Source reviewed . We have not reproduced this build.

Use these core parts Open original guide

Guides belong to their credited authors and open on their original websites. Source review is separate from hands-on testing.

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