USB Standards Explained. USB (Universal Serial Bus) is everywhere, powering our phones, charging our laptops, and moving massive amounts of data. But with a chaotic naming scheme, ever-changing ports (A, B, C, Micro), and confusing standards (USB 2.0, 3.2, Gen 2×2!), it’s nearly impossible to know if you’re buying the right cable. This guide will…
Straighten Cables. If you’re like most people, you have a collection of charging and data cables that are perpetually tangled, bent, and deformed. PVC-coated cables, like the common USB types, develop a “memory” of their kinked state, making them frustrating to use and impossible to pack neatly. Fortunately, there’s a simple, scientific trick that can…
UK Domestic Wiring. If you live in the UK, your home’s electrical system is likely governed by standards and circuit types you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Understanding the basics of UK domestic wiring is essential, whether you’re planning a full renovation or just adding a new socket. Disclaimer: Electricity is dangerous. This guide…
How to wire a ceiling rose! Have you ever looked up at your light fitting and wondered what complex wiring is hiding in that unassuming plastic base? That component is the ceiling rose, an essential, yet often misunderstood, part of your home’s lighting circuit. Whether you’re planning on installing a new ceiling rose or removing an old one…
Have you ever wondered why your phone charges lightning-fast one day and takes an absolute age the next? The truth is, not all chargers and cables are created equal. Fortunately, there’s a ridiculously cheap, tiny tool that can help you diagnose and fix all your charging mysteries: the USB power meter. Often available for just a…
When you’re working on network projects, DIY smart home builds, or just trying to troubleshoot a slow connection, getting an accurate internet speed test is critical. Unfortunately, many popular tools rely on outdated tech like Flash or Java, or they favor your specific Internet Service Provider (ISP), leading to potentially skewed results. I’ve been on…
Introduction Create your own DIY Network Monitor. Tired of manually guessing whether a website or server is down? This project is an essential, beginner-friendly network troubleshooting tool you can build in minutes! We’re going to walk through creating a simple, colour-coded PING status monitor using nothing but a basic Windows Batch File script. This lightweight…
Youtubelists Built By Pete are the fastest way to master DIY & Tech. While the Built By Pete blog is your blueprint for success, the YouTube channel is where you see the action, troubleshooting, and final results come to life. To make sure you can find the exact tutorial you need, we’ve put together a…
Hey there! I’m Pete, and if you’ve ever found yourself deep down a rabbit hole of frustrating, confusing, or overly expensive tech guides, you’re in exactly the right place. Welcome to Built By Pete, the official companion blog to the YouTube channel. My mission is simple: To bridge the gap between complex tech and hands-on…