Hasta La Gadget!

To celebrate the 10th birthday of Arduino, the folks at laser cutter shop Just Add Sharks decided to make a laser cutter run by an Arduino Pro Mini. To make things more fun, they made it so their laser cutter is controlled using two knobs just like an Etch A Sketch. They even made the controller look just like the toy.

As with the Etch A Sketch, one of the knobs moves the laser vertically while the other makes it move horizontally. The laser cutter can not only etch, it also has a high powered mode that actually cuts through an object. That sounds awesome, but on the other hand you can’t erase or undo the process – no matter how hard you shake it.

Turn the knobs on your browser and head to Just Add Sharks’ blog for more on the hack.

[via Hacked Gadgets]

If you want to play the old “head in a jar” prank for April Fools’ Day this year, Instructables editor Mikeasaurus has you covered. Best of all, you don’t need an actual severed head to scare your friends. In fact, the gag is a lot simpler than it looks.

Basically you will be blending two pictures together in a photo editor to create flat image of a head, which is then laminated and submerged in a jar. When the flattened image in inserted into the curved jar, the distortion from the water gives the illusion of a decapitated head in a jar of preserving fluid. See. It’s simple.

See, no decapitation required. And it looks super freaky. So go scare some friends.

[Make: via Nerd Approved]

When posting online, how much personal information is too much? A lot of people post statuses, pictures, and videos on social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram that often reveal more than they intend to.

For example, someone could simply be posting a selfie shot in their garden, but other people (like would-be stalkers, for example) might be able to identify where they live from that photo alone.

This is the premise that Jack Vale worked with in his social media experiment. Jack began by searching Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter profiles of people within his current location. He noted down personal information that these users have posted and then approached them in real-life. He then proceeded to reveal the personal (and often, private) information that he was able to gather, which lead to more than a few shocked reactions.

While Jack’s video is mildly humorous, it’s worth noting that internet privacy and security isn’t something that should be ignored these days. According to Trend Micro, many people have already had their identities, bank information, and money stolen through social media scams and phishing emails, so remember to be vigilant so you won’t become a victim.

If you haven’t already, then maybe it’s time to tweak your accounts’ privacy settings before it’s too late.

[via Laughing Squid]

Keep your alcoholism to yourself with these nifty beer can covers that make your beer look like a soda. These reusable covers wrap around your beer can so that you can keep drinking without anyone suspecting a thing – unless you are obviously drunk, of course.

They’re made by cutting open actual aluminum soda cans, then carefully cutting off the tops and sanding all the sharp edges so you don’t slice your fingers off. They have several styles available. The important thing is that none of them look like a beer.

People don’t appreciate you drinking your booze everywhere, so just go undercover. Now you can really have a Coke and a smile. That guy sure looks happy drinking that soda. So happy he can’t walk. And he keeps running to the bathroom too.

You can find the Hide-a-Beer Soda Can Covers over on eBay.

[via This is why I’m broke]

We’re fans of toy modder Chris Hooton aka Sabretooth and have featured a couple of his unique creations. This time he modified a Monster High doll, turning an unholy teenage girl into a female version of Iron Man. She’s still articulated and even has a removable face plate.

Sabretooth is auctioning the Iron Girl doll on eBay until March 30. As of this writing you have to bid at least $30 (USD) for a chance to take this heroine home.

[via Super Punch]