A rainy day means staying warm inside, unless you feel like catching a cold! However, it seems we all have the same hobbies these days when stuck inside.You'll probably end up watching TV, playing video games, or reading a book.These are some of my favorite pastimes too, but now and then it's good to try something new, and these are great hobbies that can give you a sense of accomplishment over a single weekend.
Learn basic soldering You're going to need it eventually Close I'll be the first to admit that I am not very good with a soldering iron, but in a pinch if a project calls for it I can fake my way through it and hopefully have a functional device at the end of the day.I only taught myself the very basics of soldering, but it turns out the need to put down some tin comes up more often than you'd think.In my case, it's mostly related to small repairs, or replacing single components, but if you intend to eventually move from breadboard prototypes to soldered PCBs, then taking a weekend to learn and practice the basics is a great idea.
Set up a Raspberry Pi project They really can do anything By now I have a few Raspberry Pi and similar computers knocking about, but only the one I use as a retro media computer connected to my Sony CRT is permanently used just for one purpose.My Pi 5 and Raspberry Pi 5 rotate through various fun things I happen to read or hear about.In fact, we regularly post Raspberry Pi weekend projects, which is a great reason to subscribe to our newsletter! Design something for 3D printing Don't just be a proxy for other people's prints This is something I've been getting into recently, although I'm miles away from designing anything for my 3D printer that I'd consider useful or attractive.
I'm still largely stuck printing stuff other people have modeled, or painting it to print using one of my AMS-type printers, but anyone can learn to make basic models over the course of a weekend.You don't even have to jump straight into a 3D modeling program.You can get started with your very own slicer software, which probably has the ability to create primitive shapes, mesh them, cut them, rotate them, and generally allow you to put something together.
Really, your own imagination and creativity are the only limiting factors.You can also try printing lithophanes, which are a type of custom 3D print where you can take any photo or image you like and reproduce it as a sort of relief as you see here.Then, when you shine a light through it, you get this cool dimensional image.
You can even use those soldering skills you've picked up and some basic 3D modeling in your slicer to make an LED lamp with lithophane sides.Build and paint a model kit An oldie but a goodie In case you haven't been keeping close tabs on the world of tabletop gaming or model painting (and who could blame you?), there's a good chance you didn't know that this is one hobby that's still going strong.There's a huge variety of models to choose from these days.
I still like the traditional model kits, where you cut pieces from a sprue, glue them together, paint them, and attach decals.I am rather rubbish at miniature painting (e.g.Warhammer) and, since they don't sell Battletech where I live, I've recently taken to 3D printing community models with the intention of painting them.
If you don't fancy glue and paint, Gunpla (Gundam model kits) are also super satisfying to build, and snap together.The most you have to do is snip parts off a sprue, clean the, with a craft knife, and push them together.Smaller model kits are absolutely something you can finish over a weekend, and then have something to put on a shelf or your desk.
Try lock picking It's just for fun, officer My wife recently bought herself a set of transparent practice locks as part of a lock picking tutorial kit.Combined with some tools, a tutorial book, and lots of YouTube guidance, she seems to be having a blast.If she keeps a set in the car, we might not need to call a locksmith the next time we're locked out of our house.
Just make sure that it's legal to own lock picking tools and these tutorial kits where you live.Usually it's not illegal to learn how to pick locks, or to pick your own locks.It shouldn't have to be said that picking someone else's locks will get you in trouble, but I bet if you can manage to learn just one lock over a weekend, it would be super-satisfying.
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