You’ve bought a 3D printer, a spare Raspberry Pi, and a weekend to burn. It’s time to mix these three components and get began on some enjoyable tasks, or not less than take inspiration from them to start out one thing of your individual.
This week, it’s all in regards to the full-fat Raspberry Pi, not the Pico or Pi Zero.
TVArgenta retro tv expertise
Nostalgia on demand
TVArgenta is a nostalgia-fueled retro tv expertise from Ricardo Sappia, a maker from Argentina who wrote at size about his undertaking on Hackster.io. Having left his native nation, Ricardo was pining for a style of residence to remind him of his childhood, and what higher solution to scratch this itch than with a undertaking that performs outdated Argentine commercials from the 90s?
Fortunately, you don’t must be from South America to understand this. The bones of the undertaking encompass a Raspberry Pi, offline-friendly software program that streams video, and a 3D-printed shell that appears like an outdated CRT tv. The TV even contains an on-screen show and static buzz as you flip via the channels utilizing a rotary dial.
You may obtain the 3MF recordsdata from MakerWorld and seize the undertaking supply code from GitHub. You’ll want to produce some further elements, together with the show, after which you’ll refill your SD card along with your favourite adverts (or TV reveals, or no matter you want). The undertaking jogs my memory plenty of FieldStation42, an outdated cable TV simulator (and there’s no motive you couldn’t run this on it, both).
A Cyberdeck
1337 hacking abilities not included
Credit score: Tom Mladenov / Hackaday
The cyberdeck originated in cyberpunk fiction as a transportable, rugged, and versatile terminal that’s carried by hackers and used to work together with (and disrupt) the digital world round them. They historically used CRT shows, small keyboards, and sometimes folded up (typically right into a self-contained briefcase).
The idea of constructing your individual cyberdeck isn’t new, notably since small and energy-efficient computer systems just like the Raspberry Pi at the moment are commonplace. Cyberdeck constructing is simply one other pastime that many tech fanatics take pleasure in, and it’s extra accessible than ever, given what’s potential with spare elements and battery energy.
Not all cyberdecks are powered by the Raspberry Pi, however an important many are. Not all are totally 3D printed both, however a printer is usually wanted for mounting (and can be utilized to create the shell completely from scratch). Check out the r/cyberDeck subreddit in addition to Hackaday’s featured cyberdeck tasks for inspiration. The instance above is the Raspberry Pi SDR Cyberdeck by Tom Mladenov.
Ntron arcade cupboard and chiptune synth
Create and play
The Ntron is a component retro sport console and half chiptune synth from MakerWorld consumer Artifextron, able to switching between each on the click on of a button. Powered by a Raspberry Pi 3B+, the unit runs on retro gaming Linux distro RetroPie and makes use of a 7-inch OLED show. It’s even appropriate with an authentic NES controller, if you would like it to be.
That is undoubtedly an in-depth and concerned construct, and it’ll train you numerous about 3D printing, ending fashions with sanding and priming, and repurposing outdated electronics (like a keyboard) in new tasks. Although the selection of end and shade is in the end as much as you, it seems notably putting in two-tone gray and black with crimson accents.
In case you just like the look of this undertaking, you may also need to try the Ntron Sort 2 from the identical creator. It’s described as “the darker, weirder, lilac-toned sibling to the unique Ntron” and incorporates a KORG Monotron synth and PO-20 sequencer.
Astro Pi Mark II flight case
Pi within the sky
Credit score: Astro Pi
3D-printed Raspberry Pi instances are cool, however often nothing to put in writing residence about. The Astro Pi Mark II flight case is completely different. It is a reproduction of the Astro Pi used aboard the Worldwide House Station to observe circumstances and carry out assessments. It’s a collaboration between the Raspberry Pi Basis, the European House Company (ESA), and the European House Schooling Useful resource Workplaces (ESEROs).
To construct your individual case, you’ll want a Raspberry Pi 4, a high-quality digicam module, the Sense HAT add-on board, and extra elements like buttons, infrared sensors, screws, jumper wires, heat-shrink tubing, and so forth. A full invoice of supplies is included within the information, alongside meeting directions.
In fact, you’ll additionally want a 3D printer to manufacture the housing, with the ultimate shade and materials alternative as much as you (PLA is okay).
A retro desktop PC mini case
The height of 90s computing within the palm of your hand
Credit score: fantasticmrdavid / Printables
In case you keep in mind the full-sized desktop PCs of the 90s, it’s dizzying to assume how far we’ve come. A small single-board pc just like the Raspberry Pi can do greater than the beige monoliths of the previous, and even emulate the software program they relied upon with out breaking a sweat.
What higher solution to pay homage to the previous than with retro desktop PC construct that incorporates a Raspberry Pi 4B, 3.5-inch LCD, and a functioning “floppy” port for the SD card? The undertaking is the work of Printables consumer fantasticmrdavid, and it has seen a number of updates and revisions since its launch in early 2024.
The undertaking depends upon one other software program information with a purpose to get DOSBox up and working. From there, you may set up any DOS-compatible type of Home windows like 3.1, 95, and 98SE. I’d be tempted to leap straight to DOSBian should you’re pondering of constructing this one.
Love combining your 3D printer with computer systems and microcontrollers? Try these ESP32-powered tasks too!

