Top 5 Gifts for Makers
In case you need to take care of a little last-minute shopping for the maker or creative technologist in your life, we have compiled our top 5 list of gifts! And, all of these gift ideas are under $100!
Soldering Mat
Image: Sparkfun
Price: $10.95
This is an absolute essential for anyone who is building a prototype that requires soldering. This insulated silicone soldering mat keeps your desktop or workbench clean and pristine. This one is also equipped with areas to organize components, soldering tips, or anything else you may need while you are hard at work. Additionally, this mat can withstand temperatures of up to 500 degrees Celsius (930 degrees Fahrenheit)!
2. Soldering Station
Image: Sparkfun
Price: $74.95
In case the maker in your life needs a new soldering iron to use with their mat, we highly recommend the Weller WLSK3012A Soldering Station. This is a very versatile and compact soldering station and operates at 120V. It includes a continuous dial for power control, as well as a safety guard and sponge tip cleaning pad. The soldering iron itself features an ergonomic design, making it easy to move about a project with comfort and precision. This is the perfect station for beginners.
3. Robotics Kit
Image: Sparkfun
For the robotics lover in your life, the Experiential Robotics Platform is the ideal gift. This is a hands-on, comprehensive robotics kit and includes everything needed to build and program a robot to perform simple and advanced tasks. Some tasks include driving and line following. The wonderful thing about this kit is that it is easy to assemble and does not require sophisticated tools or a soldering iron. Additionally, the robot can be customized and there are detailed online activities and modules that can help you do just that.
4. Breadboard and Jumper Wire Bundle
Image: Adafruit
Price: $9.95
There are two essential components to prototyping: breadboards and jumper wires. This half-size breadboard and jumper wire bundle from Adafruit is the perfect kit for beginner or advanced makers. The breadboard is 2.2” x 3.4,” and the jumper wires are pre-cut and bent, making it easy to choose the optimal length for your project without making a mess. At $9.95, this bundle is an absolute steal!
5. Loomia Prototyping Parts
The perfect gift for those who want to experiment more with e-textile technology, is of course our prototyping parts! Each of our parts offers a unique set of features for a wide range of applications and can be easily adhered to most surface materials. They can also be soldered together easily thanks to our custom interconnect and work well with microcontrollers like the Arduino Nano and Teensy. Your prototypes will look professional, clean, and polished with these parts—you will be proud to show off the finished product!
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