Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

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Full guide: digikey.com/en/maker/projects/novelty-synth-from-recycled-vape/6b32510df2c5439f8a2cbb553fda8ce6
I turned a disposable vape into a synth. In this DIY electronics build, I reuse parts from a disposable vape and combine them with a classic 555 timer oscillator circuit to make a tiny breath-controlled musical instrument.
Inspired by a project from shuang cai, David Rios, and Kari Love, this tutorial covers prototyping on a breadboard, tuning the resistor ladder with photoresistors, and packing everything back into the original case. Instructable: instructables.com/Vape-Synth-Novelty-Musical-Instrument

Thank you @digikey for sponsoring this video! Parts list:
1 - 555 timer IC
digikey.com/en/products/detail/texas-instruments/NE555P/277057
1- 1k Resistor
digikey.com/en/products/detail/stackpole-electronics-inc/CF14JT1K00/1741314
1 - 0.01 µF Capacitor
digikey.com/en/products/detail/vishay-beyschlag-draloric-bc-components/K103K10X7RF5UH5/2356751
1 - 10µF Capacitor
digikey.com/en/products/detail/w%C3%BCrth-elektronik/860020672010/5727093
6 - 10k CdS Photoresistors
digikey.com/en/products/detail/adafruit-industries-llc/161/7244927
​​1 - Thin Speaker digikey.com/en/products/detail/soberton-inc/SP-2804L/8600817
Small Perforated Circuit Board
digikey.com/en/products/detail/chip-quik-inc/SBBTH1506-1/5978222
Alternatives: digikey.com/short/hhfqvw3v
Wire (Solid Core 22 gauge & stranded soft 30 gauge)
digikey.com/en/products/detail/adafruit-industries-llc/1311/6198255
digikey.com/en/products/detail/adafruit-industries-llc/2006/6827153
Alternatives: digikey.com/short/hjp4jb00
Heat-resistant tape digikey.com/short/zz5thwm1

00:00 Intro
01:34 Thank you DigiKey
02:09 Open the vape
03:17 Build the circuit
06:55 Modify the case
09:49 Test and final assembly
10:38 Outro

Becky Stern is a maker living in NYC, publishing DIY projects about technology, and crafts from her Brooklyn studio.

youtube.com/BeckyStern

previous video: youtu.be/L7io4Mchyjk
this time last year: youtu.be/6ZTcJdSd2Rk

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🎶 Music is from epidemicsound.com

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