Sooooo I may have gone a bit overboard designing my own personal workshop sentry robot.... Meet WALTER, my Workshop Automated Laser Tracking and Engagement Robot that's powered by a Raspberry Pi 5 and an Arduino Nano clone! Not only can WALTER notify me when someone enters my shop, but he also has lasers, high intensity LED flood lights, a speaker (that he can use to talk), a microphone to accept voice commands, and his very own Nerf blaster!
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This is WALTER. Hes in charge now.John Boss2026-04-27 | Use promo code Justway@JohnBoss-10 to save $10 on your order of $30 or more from Justway at justway.com/g/9d335G
Sooooo I may have gone a bit overboard designing my own personal workshop sentry robot.... Meet WALTER, my Workshop Automated Laser Tracking and Engagement Robot that's powered by a Raspberry Pi 5 and an Arduino Nano clone! Not only can WALTER notify me when someone enters my shop, but he also has lasers, high intensity LED flood lights, a speaker (that he can use to talk), a microphone to accept voice commands, and his very own Nerf blaster!
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If you want to get sneak peeks at builds before videos are released here, follow me on:
Let's build something amazing.The perfect beginner electronics project #engineering #electronics #diyJohn Boss2026-09-18 | In this video, we're going to assemble a DIY high powered flashlight! This is the perfect beginner electronics project for those of you who want to learn, but are tired of the electronics tutorials that have you build useless circuits.
Let's build something!Give Me 9 Minutes to Teach You How to SolderJohn Boss2026-09-17 | Learn how to solder by building your own flashlight. This beginner soldering tutorial walks you through making reliable connections, how to handle common scenarios, and turning a handful of components into a working DIY flashlight.
We’ll cover the different types of soldering irons to use, the solder itself, how to solder two wires togethers, how to solder wires and header pins to PCBs, and how to make circuits using perfboard.
Grab a coffee and pull up a seat. Let’s build something.
What would you like to learn next? Leave a comment with the skill or project you’ve been wanting to try.
Subscribe for more DIY electronics, engineering projects, and practical building skills.
CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro 0:36 Soldering Iron Options 1:50 How to Choose Solder 3:35 How to Splice Two Wires 5:14 How to Solder Wires to PCB Modules 6:09 How to Solder Header Pins to PCBs 7:27 How to Use Perfboard 9:07 Let's Build a Flashlight
In this video, I invent a brand new beach gadget, starting with a pool noodle and a food container.
My little remote controlled beverage ferry can hold four drinks, has space for a waterproof speaker, and can be controlled over WiFi using your smartphone.
Our beach days just got an upgrade 😍
#dıy #3dprinting #engineeringThis invention started as a pool noodle and a food container...John Boss2026-09-02 | Use promo code Justway@JohnBoss-10 to save $10 on your order of $30 or more from Justway at justway.com/g/9d335G
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In this build, let's turn a pool noodle and a food container into a remote controlled boat that can bring us drinks while we're hanging out in the lake. It features four cupholders, a waterproof Bluetooth speaker, and two thrusters that can be controlled with your smartphone - no app needed.
If you want to build your own, you can download part files and code here FOR FREE (with project contribution options if you enjoyed!): ollilo.com
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Let's build something amazing.I built a beach robot to haul my stuff for meJohn Boss2026-07-27 | Use promo code Justway@JohnBoss-10 to save $10 on your order of $30 or more from Justway at justway.com/g/9d335G
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It's summer time in Michigan, which means hitting the beach with our friends and family. However, hauling all of our stuff onto the beach is a major pain. That's why I built a beach robot to haul all my stuff for me!
Chapters
0:00 Intro 1:00 Building the frame 8:30 Justway.com 9:30 Painting and final frame assembly 12:00 Electronics! 19:00 First test (and a dog attack) 20:55 Second test 21:49 Beach time (and some unexpected reactions)
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Let's build something amazing.I built a beach robot ☀️ #shorts #beach #summer #diyJohn Boss2026-07-17 | Hauling your stuff onto the beach can be a total pain.
That’s why I designed a robot to do it for me 😎Let’s build an underwater robot 🤖 #shorts #engineering #diy #electronicsJohn Boss2026-05-21 | In this video, I’m going to show you how I architected my underwater robot’s electrical system!
Everything is networked using Ethernet, with an ESP32 serving as the ROV’s brain, an Ethernet camera board acting as its eyes, a depth sensor for real time telemetry, three brushless motors for control, and high powered LEDs to light up the depths. We’ll then connect to the submarine using a specialized neutrally buoyant Ethernet cable connected to an old router I found.
All control and video code is built on Node.js to enable a simple browser-based command center.
Follow along to see how I assemble this monstrosity!Can I build a submarine out of this food container?? #shorts #diy #engineering #submarine #robotJohn Boss2026-05-07 | ...My workshop robot is finally complete, and now you can build him too 😎 #3dprinting #diy #shortsJohn Boss2026-05-05 | My workshop guardian robot is finally done! And now you can go grab all the part files and code for FREE by checking out the long form build video!
This little robot has the following features:
1. HD camera for streaming and comoutrr vision 2. Two flood lights to light up any space 3. Two laser (becuase, well lasers are awesome) 4. A microphone for natural voice input 5. A speaker to allow WALTER to speak and make noises 6. And an intergrated nerf blaster just to keep things interesting 😉
Happy building 🎉Building W.A.L.T.E.R - Part 3 🤖 #shorts #engineering #3dprinting #diy #electronicsJohn Boss2026-04-12 | In this video, we give my workshop sentry robot the ability to speak, hear, and operate independently using computer vision 🤯
What could possibly go wrong??
#reels #engineering #3dprinting #diy #electronicsBuilding W.A.L.T.E.R - Part 2 #engineering #3dprinting #nerf #diyJohn Boss2026-03-30 | Let’s turn things up a notch by giving WALTER a Raspberry Pi brain, real time control, an HD video feed….. and a Nerf blaster 🤓
Follow along to see where I take this next!Building W.A.L.T.E.R - Part 1🤖 #shorts #robot #3dprinting #engineering #diyJohn Boss2026-03-25 | Join me as I build WALTER, my Workshop Automated Laser Tracking and Engagement Robot.
WALTER will guard my shop when I’m away, and he might have a few tricks up his sleeve that I’ll reveal in future videos covering this build.
This is part one of a multiple part video series covering this new design!
Follow along for more!
#3dprinting #robot #diy #engineeringCheck out my son’s transforming snow bike! #shorts #spring #diy #engineerJohn Boss2026-02-28 | Check out my son’s transforming snow bike!
This winter, I built my son a snow bike so he can ride in the yard. Now that the snow is gone, it’s time to transform it into a springtime shredder.
But I still want to know…. How much can it haul?!
#shorts #spring #diy #engineerIts like a grappling gun, but for sledding...John Boss2026-02-24 | If you like to build awesome projects like me, order your own components at pcbway.com/g/oB5GGH!
In this build, let's find out how much my custom, 3D printed personal tow rope can haul! I designed it to haul my son back up sledding hills, but I have a sneaking suspicion it can pull more.....
If you want to build your own, you can download part files here (with donation options if you enjoyed!): ollilo.com
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Let's build something amazing.You’ve never seen a personal tow rope like this 😎 #shorts #diy #3dprinting #youtubeshortsJohn Boss2026-02-19 | My personal 3D printer tow rope design lets you turn any snowy hill into your own playground without breaking a sweat!
Featuring hot-swappable Milwaukee batteries, you can keep the fun going all day long!Last chance - can you figure out what this invention is?? #shorts #youtubeshortsJohn Boss2026-02-09 | While I’m wrapping up the long form video on this, I wanted to give you one more chance to guess what my latest invention is!
A few hints:
1. It has hot swappable batteries 2. You need a sled 3. And you need a TON of rope
Any ideas?? Find out in the next one!Can you guess what my latest invention is?? #shorts #invention #diy #3dprinting #engineeringJohn Boss2026-02-02 | I don’t typically do this, but I thought it might be fun to give you guys a sneak peek at the next invention!
What you see here has taken MONTHS to get just right, so I can’t wait to share the final product with you soon!I spent a YEAR designing ridiculous inventions #shortsJohn Boss2026-01-30 | Here are my top inventions of 2025 (countdown style)!
This year was packed with creativity, late nights, and tons of excitement.
What should I build in 2026?? Comment below!👇
#shorts #inventions #engineering #maker #diy #3dprinting #robot #prototype #building #garageinventor #productdesignI bet you’ve never seen an ebike like this 🤓 #3dprinting #dadlife #diy #ebikeJohn Boss2026-01-06 | Join me as I transform my son’s $30 balance bike into a snow eating monstrosity!
With a front ski, high powered headlights, hot swappable batteries, and custom designed paddle tires, this little electric bike is ready to take on anything.
Join us for the ride!So I built my son an electric snow bike....John Boss2026-01-06 | I turned my son’s balance bike into a fully electric snow bike using 3D-printed parts, an electric motor, and a custom ski. This DIY kid's snow bike build is designed to ride through deep winter snow and backyard terrain!
I loved having the opportunity to share my love of building these sort of unnecessary inventions with my son, and see how much fun he had on the end result.
Instagram: instagram.com/john_builds_stuff TikTok: tiktok.com/@johnmbossI just reinvented my hot glue gun 😅John Boss2025-12-16 | #3dprinting #diy #inventionsTurning my $9 hot glue gun into a DIY BEASTJohn Boss2025-12-15 | Of all the tools I use, I might use my humble little hot glue gun the most for my DIY projects. Let's see if we can reinvent how these work to not only fix some little things that annoy me, but also make it look wayyyyy cooler in the process.
Instagram: instagram.com/john_builds_stuff TikTok: tiktok.com/@johnmbossI designed the first tool belt for the kitchen 👨🍳#cooking #dad #3dprintingJohn Boss2025-11-17 | ...I 3D printed a tool belt to make cooking easierJohn Boss2025-11-17 | If you're like me, you need all the help you can get when it comes to cooking for family during the holidays. Let's design the world's first kitchen tool belt to keep the essentials close!
Instagram: instagram.com/john_builds_stuff TikTok: tiktok.com/@johnmbossI think I just built the world’s smallest bulldozer (to save my back)… #dadlife #robot #3dprintingJohn Boss2025-11-04 | ...The best use of my 3D printer so far 🥹 #dadlife #halloween #3dprintingJohn Boss2025-11-02 | ...I built the world’s smallest bulldozer for ONE very specific reason...John Boss2025-11-01 | I think I just designed the smallest bulldozer in the world - because I'm lazy.
Instagram: instagram.com/john_builds_stuff TikTok: tiktok.com/@johnmbossLet’s design a translator for our plants (using AI) #ai #3dprinting #plantsJohn Boss2025-10-14 | ...My newest invention lets my plants talk to me (using AI)John Boss2025-10-08 | Have you ever wondered what your plants might say to you if they could speak? Or maybe that's just me...
Let's build a translator for our monstera, zz plant, fiddle leaf fig, and snake plant that tracks their basic needs through a web-based dashboard and allows them to communicate with us when they need more water or light - all while giving each of them their own personality with ChatGPT.
#plants #3dprinting #design #ai #chatgptLet’s build an underwater jetpack! #3dprinting #underwater #exploreJohn Boss2025-10-03 | ...If you’re an active parent, you need my latest inventionJohn Boss2025-10-02 | ...Making my iPhone 16 better than a 17John Boss2025-09-29 | I designed some upgrades to make my iPhone 16 better than an iPhone 17 to shoot video with!
#iphone #diy #3dprinting #dji #moment #videoThe final reveal of our garage renovation!John Boss2025-09-26 | Check out the final reveal of my garage renovation! I loved out this space creates an inviting, creative vibe that gets me excited to build things.
#diy #garage #makeover #renovationThe ultimate IKEA hack workbenchJohn Boss2025-09-25 | Let’s design the ultimate IKEA hack to build a workbench for our studio space.
This could probably be built in a single day, but dad duties meant this took me more like a week 🥲
#ikea #diy #garage #makeover #amazonLet’s renovate our garage into an awesome studio and workspace!John Boss2025-09-24 | #diy #garage #studio #makeoverThe smartest power wheels car on the internetJohn Boss2025-09-23 | Let’s build the smartest power wheels toy on the internet for my son!
#cars #diy #dadYou won’t believe what I built for my dog…John Boss2025-09-22 | Check out this crazy food bowl I made for my dog!I built this invention for my DOG…John Boss2025-09-20 | JLC3DP 3D printing starts at $0.30, with up to $70 in new user coupons here: jlc3dp.com/?from=JohnBoss
So I have a problem.... My cat and my son keep breaking into my dog's food bowl. In this video, let's design a way to keep them out, while ensuring our pup is the only one who can get at her food.
0:00 Intro 0:59 Components we'll use 2:39 Mechanical design 4:51 A quick word from our sponsor 6:08 Testing the pushrod assembly 6:31 Computer vision! 7:08 Final assembly 8:45 Let's test it! 10:21 Outro
#diy #pets #maker #dogs #cats #JLC3DPThis ONE gadget is helping me stay fit (as a dad)John Boss2025-08-26 | Jogging strollers are great to take your kids running with you, but they're so AWKWARD to use.
Let's come up with a system to not only allow us to run with our stroller "hands free", but also to track our runs more accurately than our smartwatch can!
Get 36% off the F2 Master Mini Cordless Rotary Tool Kit with code JOHNBOSSF2 at amzn.to/41cL7Qp
Chapters
0:00 Intro 2:05 First test of the concept 5:13 Starting the final design (with upgrades) 12:43 Making some modifications to the final design 14:35 Final assembly 17:00 Reveal and testing 18:15 Some final thoughts
#running #diy #maker #3dprinting #arduino #dad #fitnessWe need to celebrate the small wins more often....John Boss2025-08-16 | This one is a bit outside of my normal content (and honestly I feel a little uncomfortable posting), but I felt like I had to take the time to say THANK YOU to everyone who has subscribed to the channel thus far, and reflect on our journey so far now that we've officially passed the 1,000 subscriber mark!
You all don't know how much fun I've had making this content for you - more to come soon.
Onwards and upwards.
#maker #diy #lifelessons #creator
Chapters
0:00 Intro 0:48 My recent small win 1:28 The background of this little channel 3:30 A gap in the resume 4:25 Trying to address a problem 5:20 The spark to create again 7:10 Getting to the point 8:49 Let's keep celebrating the small winsBuilding an unnecessarily smart car for my two year old sonJohn Boss2025-08-11 | Ridable toy cars are SO MUCH FUN for kids, but what if you don't have a fence to keep your kid from driving into the road? Or what if your kid keeps running into stuff with it? Or it just runs out of battery too soon?
In this video, let's hack my son's toy car to address all these issues using GPS, ultrasonic sensors, and some power tool batteries!
0:00 So I have a problem... 2:20 The components we'll use 6:40 The test rig 7:28 Defining our geofence 7:46 Testing the geofence software 8:10 Planning the sensor install on the car 9:19 Design and electronics install 15:30 The struggle of installing electronics 17:28 IT'S ALIVE 18:11 Reassembly and finishing touches 18:47 Final testing and reveal to my son 20:40 Some final thoughts
#diy #powerwheels #hack #arduinoPutting the finishing touches on the garage makeover and the final reveal!John Boss2025-07-25 | Let's finish up our garage makeover and add a few more elements to the space to really make it come together. In this video we'll build a custom IKEA pegboard setup, add an area to work out, and more!
Stay until the end to see the final reveal of the finished space!
Chapters
0:00 Intro 0:23 Speaker system install 2:03 Covering that electrical panel 2:32 Massive floating shelf install 4:00 A unique pegboard idea 6:32 Building a workout area 8:40 Finishing touches 10:03 Final reveal! 11:57 Some final thoughts
#makeover #garage #diy #makerThe best IKEA cube shelf hack for makersJohn Boss2025-07-13 | We need more storage!
In this video, let's turn three Ikea-style cube shelfs into a work island for our new workspace that has tons of storage, can be easily moved around, and has a huge work surface.
0:00 Intro 1:34 Assemble shelves 3:17 Laying things out and building the frame 5:35 Attaching the casters 6:19 Plywood countertop 10:05 Attaching the bottom trim 10:43 Final product! 11:29 A few finishing touches
#ikeahack #studio #diy #workspace #ikea #makeover #garageRenovating my detached garage into my ultimate workspaceJohn Boss2025-06-26 | I'm getting booted out of the bedroom I've been working out of for the past year - time to give our detached garage a serious makeover and turn it into the studio space I've always wanted.
0:00 Intro 1:09 Demo 2:52 Drywall over the OSB 3:46 A weird trim situation 6:16 Installing light fixtures 6:56 Prepping a pouring a small concrete pad 10:42 The boys install a mini split! 15:56 Deep cleaning the floors 17:28 Installing a WiFi repeater 19:02 Framing in the garage door 22:09 Filling the seams in the concrete floor 23:19 New garage door reveal 23:49 Assembling some work surfaces 25:37 Before and after! 26:13 Looking back, get ready for Part 23D print this iPhone rig to capture everythingJohn Boss2025-05-26 | The best camera is the one you have with you.
Let's maximize the capabilities of our iPhone 16 Pro with a 3D printed rig that houses 1TB of external storage, a receiver for external mics, and a USB-C hub for additional inputs.
Rig STL files: thingiverse.com/thing:7048613The micro recording setup for creators on a budgetJohn Boss2025-04-22 | Look, I love the idea of getting a dedicated desk-mounted mic to record super clean voiceover content, but those can get expensive.
What if we maximized the audio quality of the mics we already own?
Let's design a mic stand for our DJI Mic 2's to boost the quality of these as much as possible to avoid needing to buy more gear, and also save us from extensive audio editing later.
Let me know what you think, or if you'd want to print this yourself!
Chapters
0:00 Intro 1:25 Designing the mic stand 3:59 Assembly 5:15 Receiver clip design 5:37 Audio test (clipped on shirt) 6:18 Audio test (with mic stand)Designing the ultimate gadget for parentsJohn Boss2025-04-07 | Taking kids out to eat is SO HARD. What if you had a little sidekick to help you keep them entertained?
In this video we talk about the design of a table-mounted entertainment system for parents of toddlers to keep them from throwing their stuff all over the place, while keep that diaper bag off the nasty restaurant floor.
Chapters
0:00 Intro 1:15 Design brainstorming 3:13 First design 6:25 Why print in white filament? 7:19 Second design 9:50 Why brand the prototype? 11:29 Designing a book attachment 15:08 Universal attachment 17:14 Last resort attachment 19:29 Assembling the final design 21:56 Testing the final design 24:43 OutroPantry makeover on a budgetJohn Boss2025-03-25 | We decided it was time to replace our old, tired wire shelving in our pantry with something a little bit easier on the eyes, while trying not to break the bank in the process.
Because I've never built shelving or furniture of any kind before, I also wanted to keep the custom woodworking to a minimum.
Check out this full pantry build and let us know what you think!
Chapters
0:00 Intro 0:20 Measure and plan 1:30 Removing the old shelves 2:33 Cleaning up the walls 3:21 Measure twice, cut once 4:44 A quick 3D printing hack 6:43 Installing the shelf sides 8:10 Bottom shelf install and trim 10:17 Paint 11:06 Replacing the old light with an outlet 13:51 Designing an outlet cover 14:42 Shelf lighting installation 17:76 Mount the pegboard 19:25 Before and afterSo I wanted to fly underwater....John Boss2024-07-30 | Okay, so calling it a jetpack might be a bit of an exaggeration... But I gotta say, effortlessly gliding underwater around the speed of an Olympic swimmer is a pretty cool feeling. Took it down about 25 feet in this first test in Lake Charlevoix, Michigan, and found that it ran for about 30-45 minutes on a single charge.
Where should I explore next with it? Any ideas how we can make it go faster with a different prop design?
Credit for the prop design used in this video goes to @rctestflight
Shot on a cracked iPhone 12 and an old GoPro.
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Chapters
00:00 Sneak peek 00:13 The build 10:38 Quick thruster and leak test 12:50 Full testing around underwater ruins