15 People Share Their Questionable DIY Tech Hacks

You don’t have to spend much time on Reddit to realize that people will fix almost anything with whatever happens to be lying around. Sometimes it’s because replacement parts are expensive. Sometimes it’s because waiting isn’t an option. And sometimes… it’s just because they can. The results aren’t always pretty, and they definitely wouldn’t pass inspection, but you have to admire the confidence behind some of these improvised solutions.

Here are 15 people sharing their questionable DIY tech hacks.

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Comcast’s “redneck engineering”

Power goes out? No problem. Someone suspended a portable generator from the utility lines to keep things running. It’s the kind of solution that raises about a hundred safety questions, but you can’t say it isn’t creative.

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The plastic spoon fix

A broken part on an X-ray machine was apparently replaced with a cut-up plastic spoon. It’s hard to imagine this appearing in the manufacturer’s repair manual, but somehow it got the job done.

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That’ll do

This rooftop setup pairs a solar panel with what looks like a reflective panel mounted beside it. Whether it actually boosts efficiency or not, it definitely gets points for originality.

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DIY display controller

Without access to a purpose-built media controller, someone built a protective box around a Samsung TV remote and turned it into a public display control panel. It’s simple, functional, and surprisingly effective.

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High-tech car security

Forget modern alarm systems. This car owner secured the vehicle with a heavy chain and padlock wrapped around the door, creating a theft deterrent that probably isn’t covered in any owner’s manual.

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High-tech cable lock

No lock? No problem. Someone secured this gate by wrapping a power cord around the latch, turning an ordinary cable into a very low-budget security system.

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What to do with your old phone

Instead of throwing away a broken smartphone, this owner carefully disassembled it and framed every component like a museum exhibit. It’s a surprisingly stylish second life for old tech.

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Engineering at its finest

Someone came up with a homemade extension for a recessed volume knob using a rolled piece of metal or plastic. It may not win any design awards, but it’s a simple fix for a surprisingly annoying problem.

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The ultimate DIWhy

When a graphics card doesn’t fit inside the case, some people buy a larger one. Others cut a hole in the computer and cover everything with cardboard. It’s crude, but apparently functional.

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Homemade air compressor

Built by the owner’s great-grandfather, this homemade air compressor combines salvaged parts into a machine that still gets the job done. It’s a reminder that DIY engineering has been around for generations.

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Zombie-proof transportation

If The Walking Dead had featured this homemade armored vehicle, the survivors might have had a much easier time. It looks rough around the edges, but it certainly appears built to take a beating.

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Never leave your headlights on again

This driver tied a piece of string between the headlight switch and the door. Open the door with the lights still on, and the cord immediately reminds you to switch them off.

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Locking the lock

A padlock usually does the job on its own. This setup adds an adjustable wrench into the mix, creating one of the most unnecessarily complicated locking systems imaginable.

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Pharmacy bottle wreath

One pharmacy technician found a creative use for empty prescription bottles by turning them into a holiday wreath. It’s an unusual recycling project that somehow ends up looking festive.

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The upgraded megaphone

After the original built-in microphone stopped working, the owner replaced it with an XLR input and an external microphone. The repair actually made the old megaphone more versatile than before.

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