DIY: Classic 555 Timer Kit

Follow along as we build and test one of our favorite kits of all time, the Discrete 555 Timer! Build a huge version of one of the most iconic and surprisingly versatile integrated circuits of all time from transistor and resistors. The 555 chip has been used at one time or another by nearly every E.E. alive, and you can use it to detect pulses, make lights blink, debounce inputs, trigger alarms, and even make music (terrible music, but music nonetheless!). We first wrote up the kit in our Hands On column in Spectrum (link below), and this is second version, which features some improvements over the original. Read more about it here: https://spectrum.ieee.org/build-your-own-giant-555-timer-chip Subscribe to our FREE Tech Alert newsletter: https://engage.ieee.org/Tech-Alert-Sign-Up.html 00:00 Introduction and hello! 00:39 The 555 integrated circuit 01:05 Inside the 555 02:24 Oscillator mode applications 03:06 Origin of the 555 03:28 Unboxing the Discrete 555 timer kit 04:28 Comparing the 555 kit to the 555 chip 05:21 Soldering 05:54 Kit creator Eric Schlaepfer and his book "Open Circuits" 07:00 Problems with my jig! 07:33 The voltage divider 10:06 Inside Tea 13:05 Transistors 13:44 Cleaning up the leads 14:44 Silkscreen details 20:43 Radio Shack soldering iron magic goo 22:54 Getting the decorative legs on 24:36 555 chip test circuit 25:15 Wiring in the 555 kit #555 #555timer #chips #chip #chipdesign #engineering #engineer #computer #ieee #ieeespectrum #diy #diyproject #diykit #diykits #build #handson