Fixing, building, and having fun.https://rubenfixit.com/enCopyright © 2026 Ruben FixitRuben FixitRuben FixitWed, 19 Aug 2026 09:53:28 GMTAstro RSShttps://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification60https://rubenfixit.com/posts/exploring-the-galaxy-of-lightsaber-props/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/exploring-the-galaxy-of-lightsaber-props/Exploring the galaxy has taken many forms for fans of the iconic "Star Wars" franchise. There are countless efforts to bring that universe to life, many in theTue, 14 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/exploring-the-galaxy-of-lightsaber-props/star_wars_day_20230504.webplightsaberrgb-ledsstar-warsRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/binocular-lens-holder-with-openscad/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/binocular-lens-holder-with-openscad/In preparation for the October 14, 2023 Annular Eclipse, I wanted to use my binoculars to get a close look at the sun during the eclipse. I could buy premadeMon, 25 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/binocular-lens-holder-with-openscad/pxl_20230925_2158211902-scaled.webp3d-printastronomybuildshacksRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/millennium-falcon-waffle-maker/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/millennium-falcon-waffle-maker/My kids got me this for Father's Day!Sun, 18 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/millennium-falcon-waffle-maker/pxl_20230618_011527826-scaled.webpfunbuildsRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/star-trek-away-mission-escape-box/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/star-trek-away-mission-escape-box/I've been wanting to build this for a log time, and I finally did it! And as a bonus, I won the 2022 Hackaday Sci-Fi Contest Winner! You can read all about itFri, 29 Apr 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/star-trek-away-mission-escape-box/star-trek-shuttle-control-escape-room.webp3d-printbatteriesbuttonscircuitlaser-cutledsparkfunbuildshacksfunRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/remote-firework-rocket-igniter/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/remote-firework-rocket-igniter/Have you ever wanted to remotely launch a model rocket, or some fireworks safely? I know I sure have. So I came up with this method using an RC airplaneSat, 03 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/remote-firework-rocket-igniter/signal-2020-07-03-130154.webpbatterieshackbuildshacksRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/mega-button-remote-wireless-charger/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/mega-button-remote-wireless-charger/As a simple upgrade to the Megabutton Universal Remote Mk II+ / Adaptive Universal Remote, here is a simple way to add wireless charging to almost any project.Fri, 18 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/mega-button-remote-wireless-charger/pxl_20210618_213000305-scaled.webpbatteriescharginghackwirelessbuildshacksRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/pump-sprayer-upgrade/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/pump-sprayer-upgrade/I use this pump sprayer only for water, as it is my water supply for a water bottle rocket launcher. I got tired of constantly having to manually pump theWed, 05 May 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/pump-sprayer-upgrade/pxl_20210505_234226537-scaled.webp3d-printpneumaticsbuildshacksRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/mark-robers-creative-engineering-course/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/mark-robers-creative-engineering-course/Taking Mark Rober's Creative Engineering Course on studio.com, and what it revealed about the gap between engineering and content creation.Tue, 27 Apr 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/mark-robers-creative-engineering-course/creative-engineering-course.webplearnfunRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/diy-usb-c-hub/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/diy-usb-c-hub/A practical workaround for connecting several USB-C devices through a conventional USB hub.Wed, 14 Apr 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/diy-usb-c-hub/usb-c-hub.webphackusbbuildshacksRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/stem-capsule-first-step/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/stem-capsule-first-step/For the longest time I've been wanting to build an interactive spaceship console for my kids. My father had built one for me and my brother when we were kids.Mon, 16 Nov 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/stem-capsule-first-step/stem-consol-section-design.webpconstructionkidsspaceshipstembuildshacksRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/adaptive-universal-remote/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/adaptive-universal-remote/I finally was able to make another revision of the Universal Megabutton Remote. My brother-in-law Jacob has been insisting for some time for me to upgrade hisTue, 22 Sep 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/adaptive-universal-remote/20200930_200444_512px.webp3d-printaccessibilityarduinobatteriesbuttonscircuit-boardcontesthackadaypcbbuildshacksRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/office-busy-signal-stoplight/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/office-busy-signal-stoplight/Rebuilding my Dad's old office stoplight with LEDs and an ESP8266, so the kids can tell when I'm busy working from home.Thu, 26 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/office-busy-signal-stoplight/stoplight-lights.webphackiotledrecyclerepairsparkfunbuildshacksrepairsRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/finishing-my-basement/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/finishing-my-basement/In case anyone has been wondering why I haven't been posting as much, I've been finishing my own basement for the past year and a half and counting. JustSat, 05 Oct 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/finishing-my-basement/img_20191006_002805-e1571070065417-scaled.webpconstructionbuildsRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/growing-up-with-a-space-ship/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/growing-up-with-a-space-ship/I was looking though my photos today, and I came across this one of a spaceship console my dad built for us kids. I remember it being one of the coolest thingsWed, 18 Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/growing-up-with-a-space-ship/661160-r1-12-7a_013.webpbuttonscircuitspaceshipbuildsRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/power-wheel-hacks/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/power-wheel-hacks/Everything I've done to an inherited Power Wheels ATV - an 18V drill battery, a PVC trailer hitch, bike tire treads, and a parade float.Fri, 12 Jul 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/power-wheel-hacks/painted-metallic-blue.webpbatteriesbikebike-trailerhackpaintparadepowerwheelsrgb-ledshacksRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/sparkfun-grocery-scanner/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/sparkfun-grocery-scanner/This one isn't one of my projects, but it was cool enough to share. My wife sent me this picture of the inside of a Grocery Scanner that was setup at theFri, 19 Oct 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/sparkfun-grocery-scanner/20181019_142754-scaled.webparduinocircuitsparkfunbuildsfunhacksRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/repairing-the-ac/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/repairing-the-ac/Oh fun, the AC died on us in the middle of the hot season. It seems to want to run, but doesn't kick on properly.Sat, 16 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/repairing-the-ac/img_20180609_022326_dro-scaled.webpaccapacitorfuserelayrepairbuildsRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/star-wars-thermal-detonator/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/star-wars-thermal-detonator/This is a repair job my brother came across. Apparently there were a few of these replica Star Wars Thermal Detonators made with lights and sound.Wed, 15 Nov 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/star-wars-thermal-detonator/img_20171115_235135.webpbatteriescircuitstar-warsbuildsRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/lets-play-kerbal/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/lets-play-kerbal/My brother and I love to play video and computer games together. Usually it's Halo, Sins of a Solar Empire, or more recently Kerbal Space Program. Tonight weSun, 21 May 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/lets-play-kerbal/2017-05-20-23.23.46-e1570898014107-scaled.webpkerbalvideo-gamefunRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/smart-chicken-coop-light/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/smart-chicken-coop-light/When we first got chickens, we were trying all kinds of things we read online to get the most out of our laying hens. This project was one of those silly ideasSun, 11 Dec 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/smart-chicken-coop-light/img_20191011_180955-scaled.webpblynkcircuitiotledlightsparkfuntemperaturebuildsRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/blue-screen-of-death-at-the-pump/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/blue-screen-of-death-at-the-pump/This was just too funny. Apparently these additive fuel system are running windows. I don't know of any other OS that has the Blue Screen of Death.Sat, 10 Dec 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/blue-screen-of-death-at-the-pump/2016-12-10-19.47.33-scaled.webpbsodfunnywindowsfunRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/megabutton-universal-remote-mk-ii/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/megabutton-universal-remote-mk-ii/My brother-in-law, Jake, who happens to be the same age as me, was born with Cerebral palsy, and so has trouble using most everyday things. Even though heSat, 20 Aug 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/megabutton-universal-remote-mk-ii/2016-08-14-00.52.11-scaled.webpaccessibilitybatteriesbuttonscircuitmoviesplexremotetvbuildsRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/control-rgb-leds-with-the-wave-of-your-hand/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/control-rgb-leds-with-the-wave-of-your-hand/This was a fun project I worked on for Tensegrity Labs. A LeapMotion demo for an up coming Elementary Schools STEM night.Sat, 11 Jun 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/control-rgb-leds-with-the-wave-of-your-hand/leapmotion_rgb_controller-scaled.webpleapmotionpythonrgb-ledsbuildsRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/led-rgb-stars/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/led-rgb-stars/It is nearing Christmas time again. Last year, I was in an apartment that was doing a Christmas Light Decoration Competition. The first three winner received aWed, 09 Dec 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/led-rgb-stars/2014-12-12-2b22.02.28.webpdecorationsledrgb-ledsbuildshacksRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/mini-iron-man-arc-reactor/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/mini-iron-man-arc-reactor/This was a costume prop my brother and I made for our nephew Carter.Sat, 31 Oct 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/mini-iron-man-arc-reactor/2015-10-31-20.03.42.webpcostumeledbuildsRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/toothless-wings/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/toothless-wings/Nothing much to this costume. I just cut up a black fleece blanket into the general shape of toothless wings. Then used a sowing machine to sow the ridges.Wed, 28 Oct 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/toothless-wings/2015-10-28-23.45.25-scaled.webpcostumeledtoothlessbuildshacksRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/floodlight-on-tripod/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/floodlight-on-tripod/I recently acquired an LED flood light to help shed some light on my projects. I found that it works best if it is mounted up high. To do this, without puttingSun, 01 Feb 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/floodlight-on-tripod/tripod_quick_release_800.webp3d-printhackhacksRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/controlling-a-robotic-arm-with-an-xbox-360-wireless-controller/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/controlling-a-robotic-arm-with-an-xbox-360-wireless-controller/Using a Raspberry Pi, Arduino, and familiar game controller to explore robotic arm control.Thu, 11 Dec 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/controlling-a-robotic-arm-with-an-xbox-360-wireless-controller/robotic-arm.webparduinoraspberry-pirobotbuildslearnRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/3d-printed-custom-name-plate/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/3d-printed-custom-name-plate/Sat, 22 Nov 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/3d-printed-custom-name-plate/nameplate.webp3d-printdesignbuildsRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/free-xbox-games-with-gold-workaround/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/free-xbox-games-with-gold-workaround/EDIT: Now you can start building your Xbox One games library from your Xbox 360. Just go to "Games with Gold" from the Gold tile on Home. For a while nowSat, 02 Aug 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/free-xbox-games-with-gold-workaround/793c9e56-7cbe-4791-a6d1-137464d0cd76.webpgamesgold-membershipmicrosoftxboxxbox-livexbox-onefunRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/led-desk-lamp-hack/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/led-desk-lamp-hack/Converting a 40W incandescent desk lamp to run on a grid of eight bright white LEDs, using a salvaged transformer.Fri, 01 Aug 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/led-desk-lamp-hack/power-supply-circuit.webpledhacksRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/circuit-board-art-functional-clock/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/circuit-board-art-functional-clock/Sun, 20 Jul 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/circuit-board-art-functional-clock/2014-07-19-20.16.51.webpbuildsRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/circuirt-board-art/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/circuirt-board-art/Wed, 16 Jul 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/circuirt-board-art/2014-07-16-15.53.08.webpartcircuit-boardhackrecyclebuildshacksRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/creative-fatal1ty-gaming-headset-hack/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/creative-fatal1ty-gaming-headset-hack/I've been using this headset with my Xbox 360 for a while now. But I always found it so cumbersome to use by running an extension from the end of the cable upSun, 08 Jun 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/creative-fatal1ty-gaming-headset-hack/2014-08-13-2b10.09.54_mod.webpaudiohackxboxbuildsfunhacksRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/cell-phone-li-ion-battery-tester/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/cell-phone-li-ion-battery-tester/A two-LED tester built at Macalegin Electronics to read the charge on a cell phone battery at a glance, without reaching for a multimeter.Thu, 15 May 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/cell-phone-li-ion-battery-tester/internal-circuit.webpbatteriescell-phoneli-iontestingbuildsRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/pinewood-derby-propeller-powered/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/pinewood-derby-propeller-powered/A week ago my brother invited me to join him for an Anything Goes pinewood derby race. I have great memories of building these cars with my Dad and wouldn'tSun, 16 Mar 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/pinewood-derby-propeller-powered/2014-07-17-23.03.02.webpbatteriescardesignpinewood-derbyscouts-bsabuildsfunhacksRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/no-place-like-localhost/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/no-place-like-localhost/This just made me laugh. And I thought it was worth sharing.Sun, 23 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/no-place-like-localhost/2013-06-23-16.32.48-1-scaled.webpfunnyip-addressfunRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/3-ways-to-free-up-unnecessary-used-hdd-space-on-windows-7/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/3-ways-to-free-up-unnecessary-used-hdd-space-on-windows-7/Hibernation reserves HD space up to the amount of memory your system has. To disable hibernation and recover that drive space then type the following commandThu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMTdiskhackrepairhackslearnRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/ruben-fixes-everything/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/ruben-fixes-everything/Let's see... I had an old dell which came to me used and with a few problems. It was at its deathbed several times. Ruben fixed the cd/dvd drive several times.Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMTrepairrepairsRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/my-first-car/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/my-first-car/Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/my-first-car/car0003.webpcarengineflywheelrepairrepairshacksRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/dell-laptop-puzzle/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/dell-laptop-puzzle/Images from an archived laptop repair guide.Fri, 18 Jun 2004 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/dell-laptop-puzzle/6.webpfunlearnrepairsRuben Fixit