Latest build: Raspberry Pi NAS v2 /// Commits this week: 12 /// Solder iron: hot /// Status: tinkering /// Bricks this year: 3 /// Coffee consumed: uncountable ///  Latest build: Raspberry Pi NAS v2 /// Commits this week: 12 /// Solder iron: hot /// Status: tinkering /// Bricks this year: 3 /// Coffee consumed: uncountable ///

Franklin's personal build log — hardware & DIY

BROJECTS

"Hardware hacks, DIY experiments, and stuff built with bare hands. No fluff — just builds, breakdowns, and lessons learned the hard way."

4 builds published 2025 since 3 things bricked
4 entries logged
Building a Headless NAS with a Raspberry Pi 5
4TB of storage, Samba shares, and automatic backups — all running on a $35 board. Here's how I wired it, configured it, and what I'd do differently next time.
Reviving a Dead Laptop with a $4 Capacitor
Everyone said throw it out. I said hold my multimeter. A blown cap on the power rail was all it was.
DIY Smart Home Dashboard on an Old iPad
Instead of a $200 smart display, I wall-mounted a 2013 iPad with a Node-RED dashboard. Cost me an afternoon and some double-sided tape.
Custom Mechanical Keyboard: The Full Build
Tray-mount 65%, Gateron yellows, hand-wired with QMK firmware. Built the case out of walnut because why not go overboard.