All too often I'll get in the garage, set up the work bench, and then just stand there. I've got a decent size parts bin going, plenty of scrap for enclosures, and not a single ounce of drive to slap any of it together.

Sometimes I get myself locked into tunnel vision on how I want to complete a project and don't realize what I have around me to at least create a proof of concept. Other times it's a matter of "I don't want to try this only to have massive groups of people laugh at me for not approaching it in a more efficient manner" kind of thing.

Follow along with me as I take a slightly philosophical look into the world of hacking things together. There are some implications to think about, stigmas to get around, and moments of stupidity that we all need to avoid.

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There's an expression that I picked up once from Make Magazine, "If you can't open it, you don't own it." or something along those lines. I'm sure there's a Make fan out there that will be more than willing to correct me on this issue, but for the rest of us, you get the idea.

There's a certain amount of truth in that statement. Once you know the inner workings of your stuff; once you know how it works; once you know what it's made of and how it truly works; then you can say that you own it. With truly "owning" your stuff comes a little bit of a risk. Warranties are out the window.

You as a maker, hacker, hobbyist, or whatever title you choose to go by need to not only hack safely, but with a sense of accountability. Once you cut/tear through that sticker that says "Warranty Void if Removed." you are on your own. In today's society though, I don't know how much that matters.

We live in a world designed around consumerism, so most people don't care about voiding warranties. In fact most people don't care about a warranty at all. They'll just buy a new one. Well, why buy a new one when you can build your own in a much better and more robust way.

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So by now, we've moved on from the fear of breaking our newly purchased device, and we're ready to dive in. Or are we? Every hack should involve a certain amount of research before going into it. If anything a little bit of planning is nice to have at the start... before something comes along that causes you to throw it all out the window.

With every hack there are going to be snags and pitfalls. Things are guaranteed to never go right the first time, and your first cut will be about as straight a line as the Alaskan coastline. It's alright, that leads to a good rule of hacking and prototyping: "Whatever you think you're going to need to finish this project, double it."

Nothing will have me tossing my hands up in the air faster than multiple hardware store trips on the same day. By the third time I'm reaching for the keys my wife keenly observes the rising temperature of my temper and advises that I take a break and not worry about it for a while. Sometimes I'm smart enough to take her advice, and other times I rush onward. But sometimes pressing on is really what it takes.

Spending an eternity to plan out a build or a hack will only have you second guessing everything. Sometimes you just need to get out there and start cutting some wood. Draw a sketch on the back of some plywood and get to it. Adapt as you go, that's half the fun of the creation process. It may look ugly, but who cares. It's yours. Build it first and pretty it up later.

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With your project at a state of near completion it's time to determine if you are done yet, or you have more to do. Does it need to be polished clean? If it's just something simple for you, and entirely utilitarian, it may be done in a pretty raw looking state. Other times if you want the wifely unit's permission to keep this completed project in the house it may be time to invest time into really refining that idea.

Don't get me wrong. Sometimes duct tape is a suitable repair medium, if not encouraged, but for the most part a little paint and sanding can go a long way.

I'm totally a staining kind of guy. I prefer to stain wood projects if I can, and if it's applicable. Paint is nice, but a stain job is really what separates good from awesome.

So get out there, get hacking, and I look forward to seeing your hacks!

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