What is Diy: Definition and 225 Discussions

"Do it yourself" ("DIY") is the method of building, modifying, or repairing things by themself without the direct aid of experts or professionals. Academic research has described DIY as behaviors where "individuals engage raw and semi-raw materials and parts to produce, transform, or reconstruct material possessions, including those drawn from the natural environment (e.g., landscaping)". DIY behavior can be triggered by various motivations previously categorized as marketplace motivations (economic benefits, lack of product availability, lack of product quality, need for customization), and identity enhancement (craftsmanship, empowerment, community seeking, uniqueness).The term "do-it-yourself" has been associated with consumers since at least 1912 primarily in the domain of home improvement and maintenance activities. The phrase "do it yourself" had come into common usage (in standard English) by the 1950s, in reference to the emergence of a trend of people undertaking home improvement and various other small craft and construction projects as both a creative-recreational and cost-saving activity.
Subsequently, the term DIY has taken on a broader meaning that covers a wide range of skill sets. DIY has been described as a "self-made-culture"; one of designing, creating, customizing and repairing items or things without any special training. DIY has grown to become a social concept with people sharing ideas, designs, techniques, methods and finished projects with one another either online or in person.
DIY can be seen as a cultural reaction in modern technological society to increasing academic specialization and economic specialization which brings people into contact with only a tiny focus area within the larger context, positioning DIY as a venue for holistic engagement. DIY ethic is the ethic of self-sufficiency through completing tasks without the aid of a paid expert. The DIY ethic promotes the idea that anyone is capable of performing a variety of tasks rather than relying on paid specialists.

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  1. john101

    Computer Build Your Own PC: DIY Tips & Tricks

    I build my own computers. I've built and serviced many for others. There are some things I think are useful. - Always research. Don't automatically do something that someone says. Always research it thoroughly. There are almost always others who have had the same questions and often there are...
  2. Greg Bernhardt

    Construction DIY bathroom glassblock window caulk vs grout

    I have a glass block window in my shower. It's about 25 years old. Because it's in the shower the water directly hits it. Over time the sanded grout is starting to erode. It's not super bad, but it's to the point where I think I should patch it. The question is whether to fill in and cover with...
  3. Sanzmatic

    Misc. What kind of projects can I do at home?

    Hello, i am a high school student who is interested in physics. Me and my friends want to build something cool. Can be anything related to science. Nothing too complicated but nothing too easy. Something interesting and safe. No dangerous suggestions please. I do not have any qualifications as i...
  4. B

    Electrical Choosing a DC motor for a DIY Centrifugal Blower

    I burned out my scavenged motor today and now I think I want to apply a little more thought to moving the project forward. I'm working on a centrifugal blower that can suck air through a charcoal filter so I can keep the air clean around my soldering area. I chose a tuna can for the housing...
  5. V

    Electronics Power Electronics Book with DIY Projects

    I am a recent Electrical Engineering grad specializing in Power Systems. Are there any books with DIY projects relating to Power Electronics? I would like to do some projects that I will be able to put on my resume so employers will see that I have hands-on experience.
  6. CasVS

    Electrical Maximizing DIY Battery Pack Capacity: Understanding Amp-hours vs. Watt-hours

    Hi, I am a university student in the Netherlands and I just got the assignment of building a robot on a budget. Because of this budget I would like to make the battery pack that powers the 2 servo motors and 2 electric motors myself. I did some research and found out it would be best to...
  7. M

    Electrical DIY Central Vacuum: Build Your Own Unit & Reduce Cost

    So, I know this isn't entirely an Engineering question, but I am an EE and I wanted to get a few opinions on my planned project. I have had a central vacuum in the past three homes I have owned. I have always installed the unit and all plumbing myself, but the units are still $500-$1000 just...
  8. D

    DIY Vacuum Sealer: Building for Maximum Efficiency on a Budget

    Hey all, I'm a bit of a food geek and a DIY nut and I'm looking to build my own vacuum sealer for as cheap as possible. My question to you guys, is what is the cheapest material I can use that will still withstand the pressure as well as maintain the airtight seal needed? I am looking to get a...
  9. AndyWeb

    Electronics DIY BFO Metal Detector project

    Hello, I'm looking to build a metal detector. I shant get into all aspects of it, just the first for now. I have a BSc Physics so you can get mathematical if you want but not much electrical experience. I need an LC circuit to build a beat frequency oscillator metal detector. It should...
  10. Edwina Lee

    Misc. Create Molecular Models with Balls & Links - Pros & Cons

    I want to make my own set of molecular models with balls representing atoms and links representing bonds. Anyone knows of a good software to do this? As for the physical model, what bond angles, bond lengths and ball sizes should I create? I could for example leave atoms as round balls and...
  11. H

    Auto/Motor Front suspension for DIY scooter

    Hi I am new to this forum and I was referred to it by a friend. I am building an electric scooter and want to know how to add suspension/shock absorbers to it. I know the terrain I want to go over. Bumps of about 1-2 inch. My wheel size will be pretty small about 7-8 inches. I was looking to...
  12. TheCapacitor

    Optical DIY Telescope theory and questions

    I'm confused about the theory of the telescope I am making. My questions are: 1. Magnification - according to my image we should see magnification because the image we see is the image formed by the continuation of the dotted lines. Is that true? 2. Why do we need lenses with different size? If...
  13. Newtonfalls

    B Detecting Smartphone Waves Using Toy - VIDEO

    Hi, i came across this video on BBC yesterday: <link to video deleted> Now I wonder how this stuff works in detail? Is it the carrier wave or the multiplexer signal of the phone? best regards
  14. M

    Electrical Power required to drive a DIY electromagnetic air compressor

    I'm trying to calculate the battery requirements for an experimental home built air compressor. I understand that electromagnetic air compressors operate using attraction and repulsion forces created by electromagnets using the basic magnetic principle that like poles of two magnets repel and...
  15. PhysicoRaj

    Audio/Video Troubleshooting a DIY Music System: Amplifier Issues

    Hello there.. I had previously worked with the TDA2030A amplifier and made an 8 W sound-box which was nice. So I thought I should upgrade my plan and decided to make a 2 channel music system on my own. I have it all rigged up and mounted inside an old cassette player (with my own speakers) but...
  16. K

    Optical Is my DIY refractor telescope out of focus with the eyepiece?

    So, I recently finished my refractor telescope. I have a objective lens of 80mm and focal length of 900mm, 70mm focuser, tube length is 99.8 cm. I have a 25mm and 9mm eyepiece. I have been testing it out during the day time, on objects I can easily spot. First I use no eyepiece to focus on an...
  17. S

    Determining Adsorption of CO2 with Microporous Polymer

    Hello, I am trying to come up with a easy method of determining amount of gas, in this case CO2 adsorbed onto a solid adsorbent. The adsorbent i am going to use is microporous polymer (MP). So, if it has to be as simple as it can be, I think I should measure change in weight. At this point I am...
  18. pompom15

    Make a Eddy Current to Hover - A DIY Project

    Homework Statement There is 4 neodynium magnets. It is 0.7 inch magnet. A 15,000 RPM motor. It does not hover. I am trying to make a eddy current to make it hover1. The attempt at a solution Getting a copper plate, having a better magnet.
  19. Shadow-Shocker

    Electrical Build DIY Mini Water Pump: Solve Problems Now

    I am building a mini water pump out of a 3L plastic container, a 6V mini motor, 12 inch straws, a cut up CD for a cover (in the pic it is what is between the fan and straw), and bits of a soda can to make up a fan for the motor. Problem is when I tested the product, not enough water/air is...
  20. J

    Electrical DIY Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Detector?

    I thought it would be an interesting project to build a detector that will measure and log the outdoor atmospheric CO2 levels. These (global average) levels are currently about 400ppm and these (global average) levels vary by a few ppm every year. Looking for a sensor though, I can't seem to...
  21. A

    Electrical What are some DIY electronics gift ideas for the holiday season?

    Hello all I'm looking for some cool Christmas gift ideas that I can build for friends and family at a fairly cheap price (~50-70$ assuming I've already got basic components/hardware) using electronics/microcontrollers. Most DIY sites I see after a quick Google are non-electronics oriented, so I...
  22. B

    Electrical DIY supercapacitor fabrication

    Greetings. I started a new project, I am trying to establish a basic fabrication method so I can test different common household electrolytes when placed between two activated carbon electrode. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwO5zSDThdxFazQyeHM5ZFVEdDg/view?usp=sharing The main problem I am...
  23. B

    Construction DIY Aquarium Tank Rack Shelving Stand

    G'day Forum Members, I'm new to the forum I hope to get some great advice here for my projects! I have a slow progress DIY tank rack project going on: short story I bought a cheap steel shelving system which won't cut it for the project, so I'm going to build a timber setup which will be a...
  24. E

    Auto/Motor Coilover Installation: A DIY Guide for the Mechanically Inclined?

    Does anyone have a step by step diy install for the coilovers? I am looking into getting some coilovers but I am the type of person that like to work on their own car. I am just wondering if there's any diy instructions out there ?
  25. K

    Chemical/Paint DIY Permanent Marker Ink: Create Your Own Color!

    Dear All, New here. I am an artist and am researching to make my own DIY Permanent marker ink that I can make to fill on an empty marker pen. That way I am free to create the color that I can conjure myself. I've researched on the internet (eHow.com) that using household paint with...
  26. J

    Chemical/Paint Can retroviruses be used for gene therapy?

    Hey, I am a second year university student in BioMedical-Engineering and I've been looking to try something new. DIY is something I have been into for a while, I own and operate a 3d printer and I'm building other projects. So complexity is not really an issue as long as there is information...
  27. D

    How do I build a powerful DC motor for a go-kart?

    Hello, I would like to start building a simple DC motor Go-kart, but I would like to build my own DC motor for it. A simple one that can make the car move. I know how DC motors work and I understand the physics of it, but I'm not sure about some things: - Are all DC motors (large or small) the...
  28. A

    Misc. Is this a valid DIY quantum eraser?

    Hi, I found this video and there is some argument about the experiment being legit, can anyone with enough understanding of quantum mechanics comment on that? Thank you!
  29. S

    Electrical Can I Use JB Weld to Build DIY High Voltage Vacuum Feedthroughs?

    I want to build high voltage feedthroughs (vacuum) from epoxying pieces of alumina together, and then epoxying alumina strips on the outside to cover the spaces between. Can I use JB weld, as far as things go electrically? People have reported that JB weld is unexpectedly wonderful for vacuum...
  30. L

    Build electric washing machine from saw motor

    Hi everybody, I've been trying to find instructions on how to build an electric washing machine but am not having any luck! I found non-electric manual operated makeshift washers, but I need something with a little more oomph! The closest thing I've found is someone made a power saw from a...
  31. D

    Chemical/Paint Can You Make DIY Windshield Washer Fluid with 2-Butoxyethanol?

    I've been thinking of making DIY Windshield washer fluid. I was planning to source some 2-Butoxyethanol and mix it in with a 1% dilution with distilled or demineralised water (whichever I can get my hands on). Do you think that should make a good summer windshield washing fluid or am I missing...
  32. G

    Cut Mini Solar Cell? | Physics Forums

    Hey physics forums Do you know if you can cut this mono crystalline solar cell in half: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ISVLPN4/?tag=pfamazon01-20
  33. Z

    Finding a Low-Cost Way to Step-Down Voltage for DIY Power Supply

    Hi. I have made a 12Vdc 3A unregulated power supply for my projects. I want to do some electrodeposition, and the 12V are a bit too high (It starts to electrolyze water and the deposited copper breaks very easily). I'm looking for a way to step-down the voltage without using too much money...
  34. Ibrahim Hany

    Stargazing Problem in making a small refracting Telescope

    It sounds silly to ask such question or stumble in such problem, indeed! But I was willing to make some small telescopes for young friends of mine, to encourage them to delve in the skies. So, I bought: 1. Double concave, spherical glass lens, with a focal length of approx. -75mm and diameter...
  35. Shreyas Shree

    Optical Making a Dobsonian Telescope DIY

    I am going to make a Dobsonian telescope. Primarily a 6" f/8. I have no idea what the secondary mirror size would be an its distance from the centre of the primary. I have been told that if the secondary is too small then the effective aperture would be reduced. And i do not understancd these...
  36. 655piano

    Electrical Fixing Warped Hemispheres for a DIY Van De Graaff Generator

    Ok, so I'm building a Van De Graaff generator from parts I've been collecting for some time now. I have 2 hemispherical bowls that were supposed to line up perfectly to make the ball at the top. shipping has warped them just the slightest bit. I'm wondering if this will produce coronal leakage...
  37. S

    Can I Use Aluminum for DIY Diffusion Pumps?

    Can I make diffusion pumps from aluminum? I am going to create parallel connected diffusion pumps for many UHV purposes. I see that aluminum that is treated to prevent outgassing is used for UHV valves, chambers, and reactors. I'd like to know what temperature diffusion pumps boil their...
  38. K

    Optical DIY inverted microscope out of a webcam

    Not sure if this is the right place for this thread but, have you guys ever made anything cool at home? I was planning on making an inverted microscope out of a webcam by just taking the lens out and flipping it over and setting it up like a microscope.
  39. I_am_learning

    Misc. Explain this trending science DIY video

    My take is: The magnets are conductive and complete an electric circuit composed of the battery and a section of the coil (toroid) thereby forming a solenoid. The battery-magnet assembly is in the center of the solenoid. The magnetic field of the solenoid is maximum at the center and decreases...
  40. J

    Chemical/Paint DIY ion exchange? Purifying glycerol, removing salt/lye/h2o

    My challenge is to provide a low-tech (DIY) way to purify the glycerol produced from soapmaking or biodiesel production. Simple distillation is out because the boiling point for glycerol is above its smoke point. Vacuum distillation and electrolysis do not count as low-tech. :) The input...
  41. Greg Bernhardt

    Optical DIY Exoplanet Detector with a DSLR

    Great project to do! DIY Exoplanet Detector with a DSLR
  42. Warpspeed13

    Misc. What do you need to do DIY genetic engineering?

    I was reading an article about some guys developing a strain of oil eating bacteria on their own. What kind of equipment would someone need to do that? It sounds really cool.
  43. mishima

    Electrical DIY Force Sensor: Craft or Buy for High School Physics Labs?

    I am looking for a way to make my own "force sensor" similar to this Vernier dual-range force sensor for high school physics labs.(Vernier) How is this different from a digital spring scale, like for fish? Can digital spring scales also measure pushes? Can the components be purchased from...
  44. Blackhawk4560

    Misc. DIY Electron Smasher: Questions & Answers

    Hello, Myself, along with some colleagues are planning, designing, and going to be constructing a particle accelerator. For now, we will be using electrons. Eventually we may look into using ionized hydrogen atoms (I.e. Protons), and switching the polarity of the magnets from + to -, but...
  45. H

    Misc. DIY Moon Probe: Is It Possible with a Small Budget?

    With a small budget would it be possible to make a rocket capable of delivering a small probe to the moon? A rocket that puts the probe into Earth orbit and them Hoffman transfer to the moon and guides itself to the surface? I am talking very small, maybe the size of a baseball, that...
  46. J

    Misc. DIY Quantum Eraser: Exploring the Interference of Orthogonal Light Waves

    Click here for the publication. Having performed this experiment, I have gotten clean results. Essentially, a double slit is made by putting an electron beam in the way of a wire with orthogonal polarizers on either side. This destroys the expected interference pattern since the polarized...
  47. J

    Electrical A DIY Electronic Speed Control ? is that viable?

    A "DIY" Electronic Speed Control ? is that viable? The concept of 3-stage brushless motors does seem very simple to me. Simply power the 3 different stages at different times, use 2 at the same time and the 3rd as a magnetic sensor. When the sensor goes on you flip the stages, one goes off and...
  48. mishima

    Chemical/Paint Can I Make My Own Nitrate Test Strips with Common Household Items?

    Hi, I was wondering how I might make my own nitrate test strips. I am not really sure how/if they are any different from normal red/blue pH strips. I am looking for a way to compare nitrogen content in different soils. I know they make cheap kits, but I was hoping there was a way to do it...
  49. H

    Electrical DIY electromagnet vs rare earth magnet?

    Hi my name is HopelesslyFaithful (HF) (forum didn't allow all chars). I am from Notebookreview and while googling for my project. I came across this site a thread that was helpful but also made more questions. I posted this on NBR so i did a direct copy paste hoping i could get some expert help...
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