“DIY” is everywhere these days—from 3D printing to programming to Arduino. And as you might expect, DIY-centric Kickstarter projects are all over the place. Here are three that are worth your attention.
And because I couldn’t finish this Friday, here it is on Saturday. :P
M-One: Desktop 3D Printer
The 3D printer is the main piece of DIY equipment, and while MakerBot is the biggest name out there, it isn’t the only choice. MakeX’s M-One is an open-source 3D printer that promises high-quality 3D prints. Since the M-One will be open-source, anyone can build modifications—or build their own version of the M-One.
Pledges raised: $135,578 | Goal: $100,000 | Days left: 26
Cake Board Solderless, Lego-friendly Breadboard
If you want to get started with DIY electronics, you’ll need a breadboard. If you need a breadboard, why not get one that works with Lego bricks? The Cake Board is a solderless, Arduino Mini-compatible breadboard that you can use to build all sorts of electronics projects. And since the Cake Board can connect to Lego bricks, you can integrate it into just about any Lego project—or stacked on top of each other. The Cake Board should ship around September of this year, assuming it meets its $47,000 Kickstarter funding goal.
Pledges raised: $7686 | Goal: $47,000 | Days left: 28
Laser Cube Laser Engraver and Cutter
You’ve got your breadboard, you’ve got your 3D printer…how about a laser cutter? Enter the Laser Cube, a compact laser cutter for small-scale projects. This pint-sized laser cutter measures 6 inches wide, 6 inches deep, and 7.25 inches tall, making it a laser cutter you can actually fit on your desk. The tradeoff, of course, is that the Laser Cube’s small size limits what you can do with it, but if you want to get started with a laser-cutting machine, the Laser Cube looks like it may fit the bill.
Pledges raised: $19,442 | Goal: $10,000 | Days left: 31
