In this week’s episode, Hackaday Editors Elliot Williams and Tom Nardi start things off by getting excited about the recently announced 2026 Retrocomputing Challenge. From there the conversation will cover efforts to improve desktop 3D printing with lasers, an expensive grill with an ESP32 controller and an open source firmware, open source tools underground, and some impressive techniques to squeeze a bit more utility out of the common QR code.

You’ll also hear about turning PVC pipes into flat stock, old school Radio Shack electronic kits, and VR soldering demos. Stick around to the end of the episode learn about the latest developments in over-the-counter hearing aids and the 1-bit CPU that’s enjoying an unexpected fandom nearly 50 years after its release.

Check out the links if you want to follow along, and as always, tell us what you think about this episode in the comments!

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Episode 383 Show Notes:

Mailbag:

  • Alexander wrote in praise of buying ultrasonic knife guts. Donald Papp wrote up his experience with a hacked dental tool a few years back. Now you can get it over the counter.
  • Joey wrote in asking if we can add video/visuals to the Podcast. We complain about how difficult that would be.  :)
  • Mailbag still needs intro/outro music. Anyone want to whip something up? Send it to mailbag@hackaday.com.

News:

  • Announcing The 2026 Hackaday Retrocomputing Challenge
  • Using The Famicom Network System In 2026

Interesting Hacks of the Week:

  • Laser Layers For (Almost) Isotropicly Strong Prints
    • 3D Print Smoothing, With Lasers
    • More On Wave Overhangs For 3D Printing
  • Reverse Engineered Grill Controller Gets Open Firmware
  • Hackaday Europe 2026: Open Source Hardware Goes Underground, Literally
    • GitHub – furbrain/STIC · GitHub
  • Building Custom Backyard Solar Lights
    • PVC Pipe Transformed Into Handy Tool Box
  • Compress Links For Optimal QR Codes
    • http://ha.mr#2)22
    • Store Tunes On Paper And Stream Them Over LoRA
  • Radio Shack Toy Returns To Life

Quick Hacks:

  • Elliot’s Picks:
    • Joy-Cons Plus WiiMotes Make For Switch 2 Wii-Cons
    • So, You Want To Fix An Old Camera
    • Watch Soldering Up Close And From Any Angle, In VR
    • May This Balloon Banjo Resonate With You
  • Tom’s Picks:
    • Snooping Flume Water Monitor Data On The Wire
    • Smarting Up A Doorbell With Zigbee
    • Scanning For Lifesigns With ESP32 And Raspberry Pi

Can’t-Miss Articles:

  • Smartphones And The Next Generation Of Hearing Aids
  • Hackaday Europe 2026: The 1-Bit CPU That Ran Factories
    • Building An Industrial Control Unit With An Industrial Control Unit
    • A one-bit processor explained: reverse-engineering the vintage MC14500B
    • WDR-1-Bit-Computer
    • Too Cool For 8-bit Retro? Try 1-bit Gaming