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  • Author Author: makerkaren
  • Date Created: 17 Nov 2017 8:12 PM Date Created
  • Last Updated Last Updated: 6 Oct 2021 9:25 PM
  • Views 2897 views
  • Likes 6 likes
  • Comments 12 comments
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Dollar Store Project Parts

I always love building things as inexpensively as possible. That could tell you something about how often I shop at the dollar store. We've been looking at simple builds that could be done over the holiday break, so last night I visited my local Dollar Tree to see what parts I could find for projects.

Here's what I came up with:

  • Empty plastic ornaments that can be filled with electronic goodness.
  • a bobbly headband and two wands that light up when struck (Guess what my plan is for those.)
  • An electric toothbrush out of which I can salvage a vibrating motor
  • A set of lights that give me a good 2AA enclosed battery pack with switch.
  • A bubble wand that I want to put into a gun with a fan to make an automated bubble blower with trigger.

and

  • a stylus/pen/laser pointer/flashlight.

 

image

Also not pictured is metal flashlight that has a pretty hefty button switch in the end. I should be able to repurpose the switch and the barrel.

Overall a pretty good haul. I'm always excited at what new exciting things that can be found for cheap at the dollar store. It's one of my favorite sources for project parts and supplies. They have cheap batteries too!

 

I have some very specific plans for some of these supplies, but others, I just thought would be good parts to have on hand.

What would you make with these dollar store finds?

 

I'll leave you with my favorite item I found last night. A Justin Bieber musical toothbrush. Complete with 2 two minute songs, one for morning, one for night, so you know exactly how long to brush your teeth! Oh please, please, please help me come up with a good idea of how to repurpose this one. I can't get past how silly it is long enough to come up with something good.

image

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Top Comments

  • gam3t3ch
    gam3t3ch over 7 years ago +4
    Maybe this should be a project14 selection for next time Dollar-store-builds 20 dollar max limit. lol
  • dougw
    dougw over 7 years ago +4
    The Dollar Store is a fundamental resource for me (and many other makers). I have used or re-purposed parts from the Dollar Store countless times. I just created a blog to show some of them rather than…
  • jw0752
    jw0752 over 7 years ago +4
    The dollar store plastic parts containers line my walls. I have also run tests on their Panasonic Alkaline batteries and found that they are just as good as the Duracel and Eveready brands. If you watch…
  • beacon_dave
    beacon_dave over 7 years ago

    A review of some $1 microcontrollers to perhaps control some of those dollar store project parts.

     

    'The Amazing $1 Microcontroller'

    https://jaycarlson.net/microcontrollers/

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  • DAB
    DAB over 7 years ago

    The dollar store is always a neat place to find unusual, but useful items.

     

    DAB

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  • jw0752
    jw0752 over 7 years ago

    The dollar store plastic parts containers line my walls. I have also run tests on their Panasonic Alkaline batteries and found that they are just as good as the Duracel and Eveready brands. If you watch carefully you can get the bonus three packs which brings the cost down to $0.33 per battery. I like to chop up their USB power cords to use the small gauge 2 conductor wire for special applications. I have also had some fun with their solar lights where one can get a small solar cell a AAA rechargeable battery and a small circuit to play with. It is great fun to try to make something from the dollar store merchandise as there is nothing to loose if it doesn't work out. I am waiting in wild anticipation to see what you are going to do with Justin Bieber.

    John

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  • fmilburn
    fmilburn over 7 years ago

    Hi Karen,

     

    See this post for what I did with a dollar store tiara:  LadyBug Girl and Rocket Boy

     

    They have inexpensive wrapping paper that I have used to cover various creations like the rocket backpack and airplane in the link.  I like that bubble maker you found.  It would have been great for the rocket backpack.  I am going to have to go down and see if my dollar store has those.

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  • dougw
    dougw over 7 years ago

    The Dollar Store is a fundamental resource for me (and many other makers). I have used or re-purposed parts from the Dollar Store countless times.

    I just created a blog to show some of them rather than squeeze a bunch of videos into a comment.

    image

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  • beacon_dave
    beacon_dave over 7 years ago in reply to makerkaren

    Tom Igoe (author of 'Making Things Talk') has a habit of inserting resistive flexible strip sensors into the arms of toy monkeys.

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  • gam3t3ch
    gam3t3ch over 7 years ago

    Maybe this should be a project14 selection for next time Dollar-store-builds  20 dollar max limit. lol

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  • makerkaren
    makerkaren over 7 years ago in reply to rsc

    I had the same thought. The sad thing is, most of the electronics I find at the dollar store that have a more than basic on/off function use a glop top. I don't know of any way to modify those easily if at all. :/

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  • gam3t3ch
    gam3t3ch over 7 years ago

    I recently went into my local dollar store with 10 dollars and bought as much as I could just to see what I could make out of it lets just say its awesome just to try new thing with low cost parts. did you know thumb tack cases make great project boxes?  all sorts of things that can be re-purposed for projects.  I'd need all that on my bench tho to ponder it more lol but looks like a few things jump out right away but would have to ponder something to incorporate them all.

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  • makerkaren
    makerkaren over 7 years ago in reply to beacon_dave

    I literally LOLed at the sloth idea. Maybe I can mod one of those flying monkey toys to look like a sloth and stick the electronics in there. Add a motion sensor and it activates the song when flung or thrown.

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