As we started making a store online, it was a hard choice deciding what items in our store would be in the initial product line. Everything here is just so random, we were concerned that we wouldn’t be able to show off the true nature of our store to our friends abroad…. yeah whatever, don’t listen to this. We can do that in a heartbeat.  The first product we created was sort of a ‘Hi, how are ya, this is what we are.’ and it came in the form of our Mystery Boxes.  There are three different sizes to choose from ( Small $14.99, Medium $34.99 & Large $54.99) and we basically pack them full of some of the funnest, oddest items we have in the store. Some who have been in the store have asked us to pack Mystery Boxes as gifts for friends, which is always fun. Every time we pack one of these, we sort of go on a treasure hunt of the store and fill it with as many project ideas and curiosities as we can.  The only thing that you can expect to be the same each time we pack one of these fine assemblies is pure randomness, and surprise.

Being the people that are constantly trying to make use and value out of seemingly obsolete things, having a box full of pagers isn’t a situation far removed from normal daily operations. In this case I believe that we’ve done pretty well. In the world, the idea of a small robot that simply “goes” is widely popular and many versions have been made.  From retail DIY kits to injection molded “no assembly required” robots there are many examples to choose from. Ours is unique in many ways. First, where all of these kits include a small vibrating motor “like in a pager” ours is actually from a pager. This way we include a lesson on recycling, plus one for sustainability and education right? Next, this is the best part, *the pager is 80% of the kit* and its cheaper than literally every kit or robot like it anywhere.  All you need to do is take apart the robot, saving the pieces, solder leads onto the motor, and use your imagination. In less than an hour you have your very own tiny robot bug that is unlike any other that has been made.

Tom Servo's larger & more productive cousin.

Rorze, the Wafer Transfer Robot

We’ve just made an interesting new section on our online catalog of surplus that might raise some eyebrows. While it may not be for everyone, there are a couple new items on our Robotics category that are certainly fun to look at.  Between the Performer MK2 and the Wafer Transfer robot, I myself was left weighing the ramifications of dropping eating regularly or living indoors, *just to have this robot* so please, please, tell that person who can use either of these great items to remove it from our warehouse, sooner rather than later so I can maintain some level of sanity.

Due to the plethora of great activities that routinely happen at the Discovery Center of Idaho, you may not know the full extent of their daily schedule.  YesterdayI got the great opportunity to bring the Reprap 3d printer down and show the kids its abilities during a program called Make It.  Every Tuesday and Thursday from 2:30pm to 4:30, the Discovery Center hosts this free “by kids for kids” program that concentrates on letting kids not only take apart electronics and other technology, but also provides hands on crafts and building projects, so that children can see both sides of the creative process.  It was great to see that many were very familiar with the activity and how to use tools.  In a few weeks I’ll show up again, Reprap in tow, and hopefully we’ll be ready with a cool print that we can use in the constructive process that DCI has been earnestly providing. If you would like more information, you can visit the Discovery Center’s website,  www.scidaho.org

Look at those fancy drawers!

Large two level worktable w/ snap on replaceable surfacing

We’ve secured several worktables that would fit well in any space as the perfect station for your productive needs.  Their conditions vary from good to great and we are hoping to blow them out the door for a killer price. Depending on their condition, these tables are listed from $124.99 to $198.99 and if you can find a better deal on the same table elsewhere, we’ll be sure to earn your business and beat that price too.

Every now and then we see some great panels from large equipment come through here and we like to keep them as full of buttons, knobs and circuitry that might be repurposable again. This week we received quite an interesting stock and would like to give you peek.  While these are some pretty compelling specimens, we have aisles of other cool inventory that might just be what you need for your latest project or invention whether its for your homebrewing system, or sci-fi stage set, we think you might agree that anything we have might fit the bill.

Ultimate Process Panel

Do you need:

-A new addition to your pimped-out Geo Metro?

-A more exciting method for making popcorn?

-A tool to prevent your neighbor’s schnauzer from ever doing its business in your yard again?

Well, today is your lucky day, because you can take home your very own Spectra-Physics 15W argon/krypton Laser. This beastly machine is capable of taking the eyelashes off a gnat at 300 yards, and could make a splendid addition to your collection of toys, whether you’re a laser enthusiast, an average joe, or someone in need of a new conversation piece. The possibilities are endless.

At this point you might say, “But don’t I have to re-wire my garage for this mammoth of a device’s 3-phase power needs?”. Well, the answer is yes!  However, it is worth every second of time spent on the project. Despite the fact that the FBI will be watching you (day and night) to ensure that you don’t use your new toy to point out your favorite constellations, this laser will provide endless entertainment for you and your friends. So if you’ve decided that this laser is the light of your life, please don’t hesitate to let us know!

-Joe

Super 8, 8mm equipment

Vintage flash and light meters

Motherboards, memory and more

iMac G3 and G4's

Our recycle bins have been preemptively filled with relics that must make room for new things at the Reuseum, and next week they will meet their collective demise as we recycle them for raw materials whether or not they were still functional or repurposable in some regard. We can give you one last chance to save these vintage collectibles before they meet their end, and we will let you do it for pennies.  Among these items of note are more vintage film equipment, various Apple computers with cool nostalgia software on them, and laminators, motors, pumps, and other industrial goods we deemed destroyable.  Better come down before they are no more!