The Complete Charles Platt Make: Series Guide
Charles Platt's Make: series revolutionized how people learn electronics. His hands-on approach teaches circuit design through actual building, not abstract theory. This guide covers all books in the series, recommended component kits for each, and optimal learning sequences.
This guide includes:
- Complete Charles Platt book series overview
- Which kit matches each book
- Learning progression from beginner to advanced
- How to combine books for maximum learning
- Where to buy components for each project
Why Charles Platt's Books Are Different
Traditional electronics books teach theory first. Charles Platt flips the script: learn by doing. You'll solder real components, build functioning circuits, and understand principles through hands-on experience.
The Platt Advantage:
- Project-based: Every chapter produces a working circuit
- Error correction: Learn how to fix mistakes and troubleshoot
- Real-world components: Work with parts you'll use in actual electronics
- Accessible writing: No unnecessary jargon; explanations are clear and concise
- Proven pedagogy: Over 1 million copies sold worldwide since 2007
Charles Platt Books: Complete Series
1. Make: Easy Electronics (Entry Level)
Best for: Absolute beginners, high school students, anyone nervous about electronics
What you'll learn:
- Basic breadboarding techniques
- How LEDs work and how to use them safely
- Resistors, capacitors, and their practical applications
- Building simple circuits with batteries
- Introduction to transistors
Projects in this book:
- LED brightness flasher
- Capacitor charging circuit
- Transistor-based LED controller
- Time-delay circuit
Book price: $9.99 | Component Kit: Make: Easy Electronics Component Pack ($57.99)
2. Make: Electronics (2nd Edition - Comprehensive)
Best for: Intermediate learners, hobbyists ready to solder, project builders
What you'll learn:
- Everything from Easy Electronics, plus:
- AC and DC power supplies
- Integrated circuits and logic gates
- Oscillators and frequency generation
- Amplifiers and audio circuits
- Radio transmission basics
- Introduction to microcontrollers
Projects include:
- Audio amplifier (build your own speaker driver)
- Alarm circuit with relay
- Light-sensing circuits
- Power supply design
- Basic radio receiver
Book price: $30.99 | Component Kits:
- Make: Electronics 2nd Edition Ultimate Kit ($199)
- Make: Electronics Mini Component Pack ($54.99)
3. Make: Electronics (3rd Edition - Latest & Greatest)
Best for: Current learners, latest component specifications, most updated content
What's different in 3rd Edition:
- Revised explanations based on reader feedback
- Updated component recommendations (modern parts availability)
- Expanded microcontroller section
- Better integration with Arduino projects
- Additional troubleshooting guidance
Projects similar to 2nd edition but with modern components
Book price: $34.99 | Component Kits:
- Make: Electronics 3rd Ed Ultimate Bundle ($254.99)
- Make: Electronics Component Kit 3rd Ed ($89.99)
4. Make: Radio Electronics (Advanced Topic)
Best for: Advanced learners, radio enthusiasts, those wanting to build transmitters/receivers
Specialized topics:
- RF (radio frequency) circuits
- Antenna design
- Modulation techniques
- Crystal radios to modern receivers
- Build functional radios from basic components
Component Kit: Make: Radio Electronics Component Kit ($179.99)
Recommended Learning Paths
Path 1: Absolute Beginner (0 to Intermediate)
Timeline: 3-4 months
- Start: Make: Easy Electronics + Component Pack ($9.99 + $57.99)
- Month 1: Breadboarding basics, LEDs, resistors
- Complete all 20+ projects in the book
- Time investment: 2-4 hours per week
- Graduate: Make: Electronics 3rd Edition + Component Kit ($34.99 + $89.99)
- Month 2-4: More complex circuits, introduction to soldering
- Build amplifiers, power supplies, oscillators
- Advanced troubleshooting techniques
- Optional upgrade: Beginner's Soldering Kit ($39.99)
- Month 3+: Move from breadboards to soldering
- Build permanent prototypes
- Learn professional techniques
Total investment for 4-month mastery: ~$240
Path 2: Fast Track for Experienced Builders
Timeline: 6-8 weeks
- Jump straight to Make: Electronics 3rd Edition
- Purchase the Ultimate Bundle ($254.99 includes all components)
- Skip Easy Electronics; go project-by-project
- Parallel track: Add Arduino projects after Week 3
Path 3: Complete Mastery (All Books + Specialization)
Timeline: 6-8 months
- Make: Easy Electronics (Month 1)
- Make: Electronics 3rd Edition (Months 2-4)
- Make: Radio Electronics (Months 5-6)
- Arduino projects parallel to 3rd Edition (Months 4-8)
- Combine skills: wireless Arduino projects, RF sensing, etc.
Total investment: ~$500-600
Component Kit Selection Guide
Which Kit for Each Book?
| Book | Official Kit | Price | Components Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Make: Easy Electronics | Easy Component Pack | $57.99 | LEDs, resistors, capacitors, transistors, breadboard |
| Make: Electronics 2nd Ed | 2nd Ed Ultimate Kit | $199.00 | All 2nd Ed components + soldering tools + advanced ICs |
| Make: Electronics 3rd Ed | 3rd Ed Ultimate Kit | $254.99 | All 3rd Ed components (updated parts) + tools + accessories |
| Make: Radio Electronics | Radio Component Kit | $179.99 | RF components, coils, capacitors, crystals |
Money-Saving Tips:
- Buy individual component packs instead of Ultimate Kits if you're doing only basic projects (~$60-90 vs ~$200-250)
- Reuse components between books (resistors, capacitors, transistors are shared)
- Buy soldering equipment once ($39.99 beginner kit works for all books)
- Start with Easy Electronics book only to test if hands-on learning fits your style before investing in full 3rd Ed kit
Combining Charles Platt Books With Arduino
The ultimate learning path combines Platt's circuit design with Arduino programming:
The Integration Strategy:
- Months 1-2: Make: Easy Electronics (pure circuit design, no programming)
- Month 3: Arduino Uno basics (blinking LEDs, reading sensors)
- Months 4-6: Make: Electronics 3rd Ed + Arduino integration
- Use Arduino to control circuits from the book
- Example: Build light sensor from Make: Electronics, read it with Arduino
- Example: Design audio amplifier circuit, control gain with Arduino potentiometer input
- Months 6+: Advanced projects combining both skills
- Wireless sensor network (Make: Radio + Arduino)
- IoT weather station (circuit design + programming + networking)
- Custom robotics (motor control from Platt books + Arduino programming)
What You'll Be Able To Build
After completing Charles Platt's books, you'll have skills to:
After Make: Easy Electronics
- Simple LED projects and indicators
- Battery-powered circuits
- Flashers and timing circuits
- Basic switches and controls
After Make: Electronics (2nd or 3rd Ed)
- Audio amplifiers and speakers
- Power supplies and voltage regulation
- Alarm systems and sensors
- Basic RF and wireless projects
- Interfacing with microcontrollers
After Make: Radio Electronics (Plus earlier books)
- Build functioning AM/FM radios
- Design antenna systems
- Advanced RF circuits
- Professional-grade electronics projects
Reader Reviews: What People Say
"I had zero electronics experience. Made: Easy Electronics made it actually fun. By week 3 I'd built 5 working circuits. This book is magic." - Sarah M., Teacher
"After this series, I feel confident designing and troubleshooting circuits. Better than my college course." - James T., Career Switcher
"The 3rd edition updates are perfect - modern component sources, clearer explanations. Worth the upgrade from 2nd edition." - Michael R., Hobbyist
Start Your Electronics Journey Today
Beginner Package (Recommended):
- Make: Easy Electronics Book - $9.99
- Make: Easy Electronics Component Pack - $57.99
- Total: $67.98
Intermediate Package:
- Make: Electronics 3rd Edition Book - $34.99
- Make: Electronics 3rd Edition Component Kit - $89.99
- Beginner's Soldering Kit - $39.99
- Total: $164.97
Complete Mastery Package:
- All books in series (Easy + 2nd or 3rd Ed + Radio) - ~$75
- Make: Electronics 3rd Ed Ultimate Bundle - $254.99
- Make: Radio Electronics Kit - $179.99
- Professional Soldering Station (optional) - $94.95
- Total: ~$505-600
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should I buy 2nd Edition or 3rd Edition?
A: If you're starting fresh, buy 3rd Edition. It has the latest component specifications and better Arduino integration. 2nd Edition is mainly for people who already own it and want to compare, or if you find it significantly cheaper used.
Q: Can I use components from past kits with new books?
A: Yes! Most components (resistors, capacitors, LEDs, transistors) are standard. The main new components in 3rd Edition are the IC chips (integrated circuits). You might save $20-30 by reusing resistor packs from Easy Electronics.
Q: Do I need soldering experience before starting?
A: No. Make: Easy Electronics uses breadboards (no soldering required). Graduate to the soldering kit when you start Make: Electronics.
Q: How many hours should I expect to invest?
A: Make: Easy Electronics: 40-60 hours | Make: Electronics: 80-120 hours total | Make: Radio Electronics: 60-80 hours. Spread over 3-4 months at 4-6 hours/week.
Charles Platt's Make: series has transformed how a generation learns electronics. The combination of clear writing, practical projects, and official component kits removes the barriers between curiosity and expertise. Whether you're starting as a complete beginner or seeking advanced radio design skills, these books remain the gold standard in hands-on electronics education.
