Make a Kryptonite pendant.

It's a dedicated integrated circuit built specifically for the flickering LEDs. The first ones used melody chips from greetings cards with the LED connected in place of the speaker.

Big Clive

What kind of circuit do those flickering LEDs use to get the flicker? I've been looking a while for something I could build as a retrofit for some little LED Halloween decorations I've made - I felt like something based on a 556 or similar should work, but no luck so far.

Ah. Guess I have been spoiled by all the extra-cheap (compared to 20 years ago) LEDs available. Looks like you can find a possible match on the crystals using variations of "Clear Green Faux Crystal Stones Ornament for Aquarium" (for anyone else looking). Also a mixed bag of sellers using "green acrylic ice rocks table vase". Thank you.

09Klr650

I don't think I've found them cheaper than about $7 for 100. (About 7 cents each). Only plastic crystals I've found in a short search were "fake ice chunks".

Big Clive

Suggestion: How about using a syringe with a very large gauge blunt needle to place the resin?

09Klr650

My ebay search-fu is failing me. Anyone have some decent keywords for searching for these plastic pieces? Same with the flickering LEDs as I am finding them at over $7/100pcs.

09Klr650

The reason they are going out of business is two-fold:- (1) Their prices are extortionate. (2) They have too many staff in each store. I don't know how they have lasted so long. I was upset about Tandy (Radio Shack in USA) when they closed in the UK many years ago.

Gadgetman

what crimpers do you use for small connectors like DuPont or any other 14-18g wire

Zach Allin

But it's only the once, not like it's a habit..

Gordo

I'm just back from Maplin in Coleraine, Northern Ireland - I've never seen a Maplin store so busy! A lot of the decent (big-name brand) stuff is already gone. The Peak analysers (eg. LRC45/DCA75) are worth getting if there are any left. I bought the last few locking component boxes the other day.

Gordo

I think the reason they're going out of business is exactly that. Nothing really jumps out as being unique since there's so much competition now.

Big Clive

Since Maplin are going the way of the dodo, do you have any recommendations for some worthwhile purchases one could make while their death throw sale is going on? Looking through the catalogue nothing really seems to jump out.

This is also the first video in quite a while where we get a full frontal of the big, hunky guy himself. Isle of MAN indeed! Hubba hubba!

Daddy Bearcat

First it's Magic Markers, then Sharpies, and before you know it you come home and find your husband sniffing flux... Tragic.

Daddy Bearcat

I can almost smell that flux pen.... hmmmmmm

Gordo

This reminds me of an old movie Dragon slayer, And the amulet used in the film.

Charles Bruckner

Who can forget? LOL that's another classic! Good one!

Michael Thompson

"Bicycle Repair Man! How can we ever repay you?" You forgot the part where you _remember_ to put the shrink tube on, but then let it get too close to the joint while you were soldering it, so it shrinks enough that it will no longer slide over the joint... <.>

Daddy Bearcat

What a cool little project! Thanks, Clive! While it may discourage pesky supermen, what about...Bicycle Repair Man? <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U01xasUtlvw" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U01xasUtlvw</a> I use the soldering iron drill hole starting method in plastic. A spring loaded punch is also handy when an iron isn't. I was so ready for you to solder one wire on without the shrink going on first (we've all been there, and truly the only way to get a perfect solder joint) but no, the man caught it. A year or two ago I got sick of how unstable my helping hands are in use. What I did was I found a nice piece of heavy round flat scrap steel and stuck the base onto one side of it using 3M double-sided tape. Mine has the stuff attached to a vertical rod, so everything can be rotated to whatever position suits the moment and it never ever tips. Thanks again for a great video, Clive!

Michael Thompson

Oh hell yeah new Big Clive video 1st like! lol. I need it. I just laid a gaming PC to rest that I built years ago. It was the twin of my own rig only belonging to my bro in law. RIP "Thing 2" you and "Thing 1" could do anything anything anything under the sun...right up until you both snuffed it 9 years later. Raises glass...

Michael Thompson