Fixing, building, and having fun.https://rubenfixit.com/enCopyright © 2026 Ruben FixitRuben FixitRuben FixitSat, 22 Aug 2026 16:19:03 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, including cosplay, props, and the growing world of lightsaber collecting.Tue, 14 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/exploring-the-galaxy-of-lightsaber-props/star_wars_day_20230504.webpStar 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.Mon, 25 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/binocular-lens-holder-with-openscad/pxl_20230925_2158211902-scaled.webp3D PrintingCADAstronomyRuben 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.webpStar WarsHumorRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/star-trek-away-mission-escape-box/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/star-trek-away-mission-escape-box/I'd been wanting to build this for a long time, and I finally did it! As a bonus, it was one of the 2022 Hackaday Sci-Fi Contest winners.Fri, 29 Apr 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/star-trek-away-mission-escape-box/star-trek-shuttle-control-escape-room.webp3D PrintingCircuit DesignEmbedded SystemsLaser CuttingSpaceshipsStar TrekSW DevelopmentCADRuben 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 came up with this method using an RC airplane transmitter and receiver.Sat, 03 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/remote-firework-rocket-igniter/signal-2020-07-03-130154.webpCircuit DesignRadio ControlRocketryRuben 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.webpUniversal RemotesWireless ChargingWoodworkingRuben 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 PrintingCADPneumaticsRocketryRuben 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.webpEngineering EducationSTEM Education3D PrintingCADSW DevelopmentRuben 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.webpComputer HardwareRuben 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.webpSpaceshipsSTEM EducationCADWoodworkingRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/adaptive-universal-remote/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/adaptive-universal-remote/I was finally able to make another revision of the Universal Megabutton Remote after my brother-in-law Jacob asked me to upgrade his current box.Tue, 22 Sep 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/adaptive-universal-remote/20200930_200444_512px.webp3D PrintingAccessibility DesignArduinoCircuit DesignEmbedded SystemsSW DevelopmentCADRuben 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.webpEmbedded SystemsIoTSW DevelopmentUpcyclingRuben 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.Sat, 05 Oct 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/finishing-my-basement/img_20191006_002805-e1571070065417-scaled.webpHome ImprovementRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/growing-up-with-a-space-ship/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/growing-up-with-a-space-ship/I was looking through my photos and came across a spaceship console my dad built for us kids. I remember it being one of the coolest things ever.Wed, 18 Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/growing-up-with-a-space-ship/661160-r1-12-7a_013.webpSpaceshipsRuben 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.webpBatteriesPower WheelsRGBUpcyclingRuben 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 set up at theFri, 19 Oct 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/sparkfun-grocery-scanner/20181019_142754-scaled.webpArduinoSparkFunRuben 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.webpHome ImprovementElectronics RepairRuben 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.webpElectronics RepairStar WarsRuben 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.webpVideo GamesOrbital MechanicsRocketrySpaceshipsRuben 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.webpCircuit DesignEmbedded SystemsHome AutomationIoTSW DevelopmentRuben 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 systems 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.webpHumorWindowsRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/megabutton-universal-remote-mk-ii/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/megabutton-universal-remote-mk-ii/My brother-in-law Jake was born with cerebral palsy and has trouble using most everyday things, so I built him a durable, accessible universal remote.Sat, 20 Aug 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/megabutton-universal-remote-mk-ii/2016-08-14-00.52.11-scaled.webpAccessibility DesignCircuit DesignUniversal RemotesCADWoodworkingElectronics RepairRuben 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 Leap Motion demo for an upcoming elementary school 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.webpHCIPythonRGBSW DevelopmentCADArduinoRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/led-rgb-stars/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/led-rgb-stars/It is nearing Christmas time again. Last year, I lived in an apartment complex that held a Christmas light decoration competition.Wed, 09 Dec 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/led-rgb-stars/2014-12-12-2b22.02.28.webpChristmas LightsLED LightingRGBRuben 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.webp3D PrintingCostume MakingLED LightingCADRuben 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's wings, then used a sewing machine to sew the ridges.Wed, 28 Oct 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/toothless-wings/2015-10-28-23.45.25-scaled.webpCostume MakingLED LightingRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/floodlight-on-tripod/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/floodlight-on-tripod/I recently acquired an LED floodlight to help shed some light on my projects. I found that it works best when mounted up high.Sun, 01 Feb 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/floodlight-on-tripod/tripod_quick_release_800.webp3D PrintingCADRuben 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.webpArduinoEmbedded SystemsHCIMotion ControlRaspberry PiRoboticsSW DevelopmentVideo GamesRuben 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.webpVideo GamesXboxRuben 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.webpCircuit DesignLED LightingUpcyclingElectronics RepairRuben Fixithttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/functional-circuit-board-art/https://rubenfixit.com/posts/functional-circuit-board-art/Sun, 20 Jul 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/functional-circuit-board-art/2014-07-19-20.16.51.webpElectronics ArtUpcyclingComputer HardwareRuben 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, but running an extension from the end of its cable to my controller was cumbersome.Sun, 08 Jun 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://rubenfixit.com/posts/creative-fatal1ty-gaming-headset-hack/2014-08-13-2b10.09.54_mod.webpAudioXboxUpcyclingElectronics RepairRuben 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.webpBatteriesCircuit DesignTest EquipmentRuben 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.webpCADPinewood DerbySTEM EducationWoodworkingCircuit DesignRuben 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.webpHumorRuben 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 drive space up to the amount of memory your system has. To disable hibernation and recover that drive space, type the following command.Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMTWindowsRuben 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.webpAutomotive RepairUpcyclingRuben 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.webpComputer RepairElectronics RepairUpcyclingComputer HardwareRuben Fixit