Getting Hammered on Kickstarter: 4 Interesting Campaigns Going on Now

Kickstarter gambling:

You might get your pledge, or not.

Too nice to pass up.

So, I’m in the midst of being hired for a new job...

Not to worry, I’m not leaving EndeavorB2B, just a fun little part-time diversion that gives back to the community and profession. Of equal importance, it gets me a bit of extra spending money for tools and toys.

With that in mind, you’ve probably heard of “forward pricing,” but I’ve been practicing “forward buying” after a little diversion got me onto Kickstarter a couple of days ago. I noticed some items that were interesting enough for me to pledge my future post-tax booty (you don’t “buy” on Kickstarter, nor do some sellers “deliver” what you “bought”) [yeah, that was kinda pun-intended].

So, in the spirit of America avoiding an inevitable recession (some U.S. states are already in one, including mine), I’m sharing the projects I pledged so that our readers can spend their money on some interesting, and useful, stuff. No kickbacks, protection money, bribes, or bitcoin transfers were involved in my picks.

ATX Power Breakout Board with Boost Converter

This breakout board (Fig. 1) converts an ATX power supply, used in PCs, into a lab benchtop power supply. While it’s pretty straightforward to do, this one’s done and less than about 40 bucks. The project hasn’t yet funded and will only cash out your money if it reaches its goal by Wed., September 24, 2025, 8:04 AM PDT. I grabbed one for 19 “quid” plus shipping and whatever the Trump Tariff Lottery is, on the day it arrives.

Features include:

Multiple high-current rails

• +12 V up to 10 A
• +5 V up to 10 A
• +3.3 V up to 10 A

Built-in 12- to 35-V boost converter

• Includes a powerful boost converter that steps your 12-V rail up to anywhere from 12 to 35 V at 3 A. Perfect for:
  • Stepper-motor drivers requiring 24 V
  • High-brightness LED strips
  • Ham radio amplifiers
  • Servo controllers

Control features

• External 10-kΩ potentiometer connection for precise voltage adjustment
• Remote power-switch connection
• Dual USB ports with 5-V/standby selector jumper
• All connections via secure pluggable terminal blocks

Hybrid Battery Module Internal Resistance Meter

This one looks great when trying to match up battery modules when building up a an EV traction, or BESS, pack, or to determine weak or defective modules in an existing battery pack (Fig. 2). The project creator claims to measure internal resistance of a wide variety of battery modules up to 24 V. Supported types are Li-ion, LiPo, lead acid, NiMH, and NiCd.

Fairly inexpensive if it does what it says it can do, in my opinion, so I threw the dice on one at $39 plus shipping. This campaign ends on Sun., October 5, 2025, 2:53 PM PDT. I think it should be doing a lot better than it is, though.

From the campaign page (grammar corrected):

“This is the tool that can tell you battery voltage and internal resistance that you can carry in your pocket without breaking your bank.

Use it for isolating bad modules. Use it while shopping for a replacement module for your vehicle.  

You can also use it to estimate CCA of your lead acid battery.

Among the many parameters that determine battery health and performance, internal resistance stands out as one of the most critical. Measuring the internal resistance of hybrid batteries provides valuable insights into their condition, longevity, and safety.

Our low cost and compact design, which is based on powerful micro-controller and high-performance ADC offers accurate results down to fraction of milliohms. Operating on a single 9V battery, the use of auto power off and Bright OLED display results in long battery life.”

H.I.R.O.—A Modular Robotics Kit for Real Engineering Skills

This one falls into the educational toy area—likely will pass it on to my 9-year-old minion because the last thing I need is another project. It uses a Raspberry Pi Pico that hosts the ability to code a walking quadruped robot (Fig. 3). I’m in for $60 plus shipping and maybe a Trump tariff...don’t care, the parts alone are worth the money, assuming it ships, of course. This campaign ends on Thurs., October 2, 2025, 12:00 AM PDT.

Who does the H.I.R.O. target?

• Students learning robotics at school STEM programs.
• Makers and engineers using robotics platforms for rapid prototyping.
• Educators looking for hands-on tools.
• Anyone who wants to learn real embedded systems skills.

What’s included?

• 1pc Raspberry Pi Pico
• 1x set of robotic leg components
• 1pc robot control board
• 1pc ultrasonic distance aensor 
• 1pc 3.7-V, 2000-mAh LiPo battery 
• 10pcs 9-mg servos 
• 10pcs assorted LEDs, 3 sets assorted resistors 
• 1 set jumper cables

Thom: A Handmade Damascus Hammer

Yup, a hammer. I did say “tools” in the opening paragraphs here. I’m a sucker for fine tools and one-of-a-kind art.

A couple of years ago, I designed and 3D-printed a couple of sledgehammer heads, which I then cast in bronze (Fig. 4a) in Portland Community College’s metal sculpture class. I’m planning to take the class again this coming semester, by the way.

It started out with learning how to cast bespoke aluminum brackets, fittings, etc., for my project prototypes. But then the atrophied side of my engineer’s head started coming out of its lifelong coma after steeping in the essence of the truly creative minds of my instructor and young classmates. One of the finished hammers with handle (Fig. 4b) was given to my craft master, my instructor, for both putting up with me and as a prop for future metal-casting classes because it started out as a 3D print.

One hammer is an art piece, two hammers is a collection, so what nicer addition to my “collection” of hammers than an allegedly hand-forged, Damascus hammer (Fig. 5). Each one has character, since it’s impossible to produce identical patterns. Its ash wood handle is wrapped with top-grain leather at the midsection, which is a great strategy for keeping vegans from borrowing your tools.

Knowing my buddy is going to rust it up with all the drooling, I’m in for two at $150 apiece — one for me and one as a birthday, or glad you survived cancer, gift for him. This one likely ran out by the time you read this on Wed., September 10, 2025, 11:51 AM PDT.

More on the new job, once it’s official. I hope it becomes so — this Kickstarter stuff is presently hammering my credit card.

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