Think Geek Retro Bluetooth Handset quick weight mod. (Increasing percieved build quality.)

Bluetooth Retro Handset from ThinkGeek

I recently purchased a retro bluetooth

Tshirt purchased along with phone.

headset from www.thinkgeek.com, and while it looked absolutely authentic, it didn’t have the heft that you would expect from a classic phone handset. Back in the good old days, before japanese cars made the words small and light synonamous with the word cool, heavy meant good build quality.

So I decided to rectify the situation, and added that classic retro heft to my classic retro handset.  (And void my warranty.) This is a fun mod and a pair of quick hands can probably get it done in 15 minutes or less. (Minus the trip to the fishing store.)

Materials:
1 Think Geet Retro Bluetooth Handset
5 Fishing Egg Sinkers (I used 3/4 size)
1 hot glue gun/ glue

Instructions

Open phone

Open the bottom (microphone) end of the phone by twisting it firmly counter clockwise. It should rotate and then stop. Gently pull and detach the microphone assembly from the phone, being careful not to put tension on the wires.

I could not get the top of the phone open by doing the same thing, so I removed the handle cover by pulling on the bottom and shimmying it out.

Drop the fishing weights in the handle, one between each pair of the structural ribs. Make sure that the wire traveling up to the speaker does not get pinched against a rib (Just run it below everything).

The weights, hot glued in place.

Apply a healthy amount of hot glue. Don’t over do it, and keep in mind that the handle cover is going to be replaced.

Almost there..  Slide the handle cover tooth underneath the speaker assembly and press it back in. It should slide in much like it was removed. Snap it in place.

Screw the mic assembly back on. You’re done! Show it off to your fellow geek friends and have them marvel at the incredible (percieved) build quality of your new toy.

Tags: mod, Retro Bluetooth Handset, Think Geek

Waterproof synth: Music from Outerspace Wierd Sound Generator kit

A while back, I wired up f a snazzy little synth from a DIY kit I got from http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/  called the Wierd Sound Generator. Then built it into a SKB mil-spec waterproof case. The result is a small black case which opens up to a control panel that looks like it could launch several intercontinental ballistic missles. Over the next couple of weeks, I hope to improve it by adding plastic shield to where the foam is exposed. Hopefully I’ll get some sounds up too. For those of you who know me, this is the thing which is making the alarm sounds on in the background of my voicemail1314 message. 

Wierd Sound Generator circuit board and faceplate

Wires! All the controls on the faceplate are hooked up to the PCB

Almost done - Faceplate is mounted on 4 wooden pegs and ready to be mounted.

Still need to add a plastic ring around the ege of the metal to tidy things up.

This is a great starter kit for anyone who wants to get into electronics. All the pieces are available and the result is good for hours upon hours of knob fiddling.  Just don’t try to walk my version through an airport.

Tags: MFOS, Music From OUterspace, Synth, Waterproof, Wierd Sound Generator