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About Chris Garrett

Marketing Director by day, maker, retro gaming, tabletop war/roleplaying nerd by night. Co-author of the Problogger Book with Darren Rowse. Husband, Dad, ?? Canadian.

Check out Retro Game Coders for retro gaming/computing.

☕️ Support Maker Hacks on Ko-Fi and get exclusive content and rewards!

You are here: Home / Archives for Chris Garrett

Neo6502 GPIO Input and Output

Neo6502 GPIO Input and Output for electronics programming in BASIC. How to light up and fade an LED, plus read a button as input.

Read moreNeo6502 GPIO Input and Output
Arduino SID player

Arduino SID Player: Play C64 Music on Your Uno

Play C64 music using an Arduino Uno - without a SID chip! This project emulates the MOS 6581/8580 and can load the tunes from SD card.

Read moreArduino SID Player: Play C64 Music on Your Uno

DIY Z80 Output to LCD: Homebrew Retro Computer Part 3

Our home made Z80 DIY computer finally gets to communicate with the outside world!

Or in this case, a 16x2 LCD screen.

Read moreDIY Z80 Output to LCD: Homebrew Retro Computer Part 3
Z80 using Pico as ROM/RAM

Pico as Z80 RAM & RAM: Homebrew Retro Computer Part 2

Your DIY Z80 computer needs memory to do actual computing so in this project we create an emulated ROM and RAM using a Raspberry Pi Pico

Read morePico as Z80 RAM & RAM: Homebrew Retro Computer Part 2
zilog z80 microprocessor

Z80 on a Breadboard: Homebrew Retro Computer Part 1

How to make a homebrew z80 microprocessor computer on a breadboard - the best way to understand how things work at a fundamental level.

Read moreZ80 on a Breadboard: Homebrew Retro Computer Part 1

Makeblock mBot Ranger Robotics Kit Review

mBot Ranger is a STEM robotics kit from Makeblock, in their large line of excellent educational electronics.

They sent me this kit to review as around 6 years ago I enjoyed their "Ultimate Robot …

Read moreMakeblock mBot Ranger Robotics Kit Review
IKIER K1 Pro Max

IKIER K1 Pro MAX Review: 48/24W Diode Laser Cutter

IKIER K1 Pro MAX Review. We look at the powerful 48W or 24W Diode Laser Cutter, how it performs, what it can cut, and ease of use.

Read moreIKIER K1 Pro MAX Review: 48/24W Diode Laser Cutter

FLUX Ador: Diode Laser Cutter with Color Printing

FLUX Ador is the first laser cutter with color printing capability. This is such an obvious idea it makes me wonder why nobody has done it before!

Read moreFLUX Ador: Diode Laser Cutter with Color Printing
engraving metal on the xtool s1

Engraving Metal on the xTool S1 2W 1064nm IR Laser

xTool S1 2W 1064nm Infrared tool head is perfect for engraving metal. In this article we attempt to engrave a photo on a metal mousepad

Read moreEngraving Metal on the xTool S1 2W 1064nm IR Laser
xtool-s1-makerhacks

xTool S1 Review: Amazing Fully Enclosed 40w Diode Laser Cutter

xTool S1 Review: A fully enclosed 40W diode laser cutter.

Discover why I love it, but also some things to be aware of vs other options.

Read morexTool S1 Review: Amazing Fully Enclosed 40w Diode Laser Cutter

xTool P2 Compared to the Gweike Cloud & Glowforge

Comparing the xTool p2, the Gweike Cloud and the venerable Glowforge is not as simple as looking at the prices or the specifications so we need to really drill down into each and find the advantages …

Read morexTool P2 Compared to the Gweike Cloud & Glowforge
xtool-p2-55w-laser

xTool P2 Review: Advanced 55w CO2 Desktop Laser Cutter

The phrase "Glowforge Killer" has become a bit of a cliche in the laser cutter space but perhaps we finally have a real candidate for that crown.

Read morexTool P2 Review: Advanced 55w CO2 Desktop Laser Cutter
2023 best laser cutters

Which Laser Cutter to buy in 2023?

Which laser cutter is best to buy in 2023? Glowforge has been my favorite but what would suggest you look at if I was going to purchase today?

Read moreWhich Laser Cutter to buy in 2023?
xtool d1 pro review featured image

xTool D1 Pro Review

The XTool D1 Pro diode laser engraver has prompted many questions lately. What is it like in real day-to-day lasering use?

Read morexTool D1 Pro Review

The Joys and Dangers of Laser Cutting

It has been lovely to see the tabletop role-playing and war gaming communities embrace all the nerdy stuff that I love to play with. The problem is some folks are not taking safety precautions.

Read moreThe Joys and Dangers of Laser Cutting
Gweike Cloud

Gweike Cloud CO2 Laser Cutter Review

Gweike Cloud review comparing the Gweike to other competitor laser engravers, and advice for who should buy

Read moreGweike Cloud CO2 Laser Cutter Review

xTool D1 Pro Upgrades – Taking a Good Laser Engraver to Great Laser Cutter

The XTool D1 Pro came out well in my recent comparison of laser cutters. In this article, I am going to share two upgrades that take it from being a good laser engraver to being a great laser cutter …

Read morexTool D1 Pro Upgrades – Taking a Good Laser Engraver to Great Laser Cutter

Comparing the xTool D1 Pro, Gweike Cloud and Glowforge Laser Engravers

Which Laser Cutter is Best: XTool, Gweike and reigning champ, Glowforge

Read moreComparing the xTool D1 Pro, Gweike Cloud and Glowforge Laser Engravers

Prusa Mini+ Review

Prusa Mini+ is the little buddy to the much-loved Prusa i3 Mk3S, which I already own (along with a MK2), so why would I buy this little guy and who is it good for?

Read morePrusa Mini+ Review

Anycubic Vyper 3D Printer Review

Anycubic Vyper is the latest in a long line of i3-style printers targeting a budget and user-level previously dominated by the Creality Ender range. Can this new entrant unseat the current king of the …

Read moreAnycubic Vyper 3D Printer Review
thunder-laser-nova-51-review

Thunder Laser Nova 51 Review

Review of the Thunder Laser Nova 51 Laser Cutter currently getting heavy use at Fuse33 Maker Space.

Read moreThunder Laser Nova 51 Review
Beginners guide to Blender for 3D printed tabletop

Beginner’s Guide to Blender for 3D Printed Props and Tabletop Gaming (Part 1)

Blender is a fully featured 3D design tool with abilities ranging from regular CAD and sculpting all the way through to fully rendered movie-quality CGI animation. Now, obviously, Z-Brush is highly …

Read moreBeginner’s Guide to Blender for 3D Printed Props and Tabletop Gaming (Part 1)

Blender Part 2

Previously we looked at the Blender UI, now we need to start creating! A cool aspect for beginners is you can start with primitives (objects like cubes and spheres). For more info about that …

Read moreBlender Part 2
Sienci Mill One

Sienci Mill One CNC Review

Sienci Mill One desktop CNC router is a compact, open-source, partially enclosed CNC machine for hobbyists and learners. Let's check it out!

Read moreSienci Mill One CNC Review

Blender Part 3

While in part 2 of this tutorial we touched on how to create objects in Blender, now we want to make them look exactly how we imagine in our minds eye, which means editing, sculpting, and smoothing …

Read moreBlender Part 3

Elegoo Saturn Review – Elegoo’s Budget-Friendly Mid-Size Resin Printer

Review of the ELEGOO Saturn resin 3D printer - ELEGOO mid-size MSLA printer with 4k mono screen and larger build area than the ELEGOO Mars

Read moreElegoo Saturn Review – Elegoo’s Budget-Friendly Mid-Size Resin Printer

New Blog for Retro Gaming Fans

Retro gamers, I have a new retro blog just for you!

Read moreNew Blog for Retro Gaming Fans

Quit Zoom Call Macro Key – How to Make a Custom Cherry MX USB Macro Keyboard/Keypad with Arduino

Ever wondered how to create your own custom keyboard or keypad? Do you want a fast way to quit out of Zoom calls? Today we’re going to be making our own custom Arduino macro USB keyboard. Well, …

Read moreQuit Zoom Call Macro Key – How to Make a Custom Cherry MX USB Macro Keyboard/Keypad with Arduino

Automating Twitter Using Python 3 and Tweepy

So far I have covered more Arduino/C and even AMOS Basic than anything else, but my main language on the daily is Python, and my main use of Python is for making my day job life easier! Python is an …

Read moreAutomating Twitter Using Python 3 and Tweepy

Easiest. Hackintosh. Ever. – How to Install MacOS Virtual Machine on Your PC Using Sosumi & Ubuntu

Today, we’re going to create the world’s easiest Hackintosh using the virtual MacOS package, Sosumi.

Read moreEasiest. Hackintosh. Ever. – How to Install MacOS Virtual Machine on Your PC Using Sosumi & Ubuntu
Grove Ultrasonic Rangefinder Sensor

Ultrasonic Rangefinding with the Wio Terminal and Grove Ultrasonic Sensor

Seeed sent me a Wio Terminal to play with, and I have to say I am impressed. Rather than do a straight review, I thought I would show how easy it is to make a quick project with it.

Read moreUltrasonic Rangefinding with the Wio Terminal and Grove Ultrasonic Sensor
Full Spectrum Muse Review

FS Muse Review – Full Spectrum Muse 2D Review and Versus Glowforge

Full Spectrum Muse review? Isn’t the Glowforge your favourite laser cutter, Chris? Yes, yes it is! But there are reasons we have a Full Spectrum Muse, and I will get into those in the following …

Read moreFS Muse Review – Full Spectrum Muse 2D Review and Versus Glowforge
Glowforge Laser Cutters

Glowforge Long-Term Review

In my Glowforge Review I have been keeping some information up to date but it is time to give our long-term thoughts. Our first Glowforge laser engraver arrived October 2018. A few months later we …

Read moreGlowforge Long-Term Review
Prusa SL1 Review

Prusa SL1 Review – Review of the Josef Prusa SL1 MSLA Resin 3D Printer (First Look)

Prusa SL1 & Prusa CW1 Review / First Impressions. The Prusa SL1 is a masked SLA resin printer, the first from Prusa

Read morePrusa SL1 Review – Review of the Josef Prusa SL1 MSLA Resin 3D Printer (First Look)
Flux Beamo

Flux Beamo Review

Flux Beamo is a small, enclosed 30w CO2 laser engraver, that launched on Kickstarter.

Read moreFlux Beamo Review

Resin Versus FDM 3D Printing for TTRPG/Miniature Wargaming

3D Printing in Resin or FDM/Filament - Which is better for D&D/TTRPG/Miniature Wargaming?

Read moreResin Versus FDM 3D Printing for TTRPG/Miniature Wargaming

Prusa Mk3s Review

Prusa Mk3s 3D Printer review - the original i3 3D printer kit from Prusa Labs. Does it live up to the hype?

Read morePrusa Mk3s Review

Elegoo Mars Review – Review of the Elegoo Mars MSLA Resin 3D Printer

Review of Elegoo Mars, a $250 resin 3D printer - check out this review to see how well it works in practice

Read moreElegoo Mars Review – Review of the Elegoo Mars MSLA Resin 3D Printer
Monoprice Ultimate 2

Monoprice Ultimate 2 Review

Monoprice Ultimate 2 is a fully-enclosed 3D printer, with auto-level compensation, and filament runout sensor. It has a removable, glass, heated bed, and easily switchable nozzles. Let’s see how …

Read moreMonoprice Ultimate 2 Review

Monoprice MP Mini SLA 3D Printer Review

I don’t usually post negative reviews. My approach is to first let the company know of any issues I find, and if they can not be resolved, I move on, unless something is particularly dangerous …

Read moreMonoprice MP Mini SLA 3D Printer Review
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