Volume 21: Desktop Manufacturing
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Volume 21: Desktop Manufacturing
Features how-to articles that give individuals and small groups the know-how to make three-dimensional parts using inexpensive computer-controlled manufacturing equipment. Both additive (RepRap, CandyFab) and subtractive (Lumenlab Micro CNC) systems are covered. Also in this issue: instructions for making a cigar box guitar, a magic photo cube, and a snow making machine.
View a list of all links referenced in this volume
Table of Contents
Much More to Do by Dale Dougherty
in Welcome
Five years in, MAKE is just getting started. Page 1
Mad for 3D CAD by Saul Griffith
in Making Trouble
Its the ultimate video game. Page 12
Who You Calling Unoriginal? by Cory Doctorow
in Make Free
Reinventing the wheel is not mandatory.
Page 14
Tales from Make: Online by Gareth Branwyn
Get Your DIY On(line)
Page 15
Reader Input
in Reader Input
Love of lashing, kids who solder, hope, and Scout skills. Page 16
Cranked-Up Creativity by Laura Cochrane
in Made on Earth
Mike Adair, a 44-year-old artist from Overland Park, Kan., builds brightly colored wooden crank toys in his basement workshop.
Page 18
Bright Idea by Megan Mansell Williams
in Made on Earth
Eric Lawrence, a web designer and former art student at the University of Texas, Austin, made the first Styrolight built from the molded styrofoam his new Apple computer came in.
Page 20
Emotional Aquatics by Laura Kiniry
in Made on Earth
Axolotl is a 3D audiovisual display attracting onlookers with a digitized squid-like creature that responds to facial recognition by simulating a sense of interaction and involvement.
Page 21
Camper Van Bicycle by Thomas Walker Wilson
in Made on Earth
Through the vehicular art series, the Camper Kart, Camper Bike, and paintings of vans, Kevin Cyr hopes the Kart will stimulate conversation about self-reliance, mobility, and shelter. Page 22
The Art of Fusion by Megan Mansell Williams
in Made on Earth
Jared Pankin, who makes sculptures, is innovative with his use of plywood, fake fur, sawdust, foam, model-scale trees, and other familiar goods. Page 23
Mechanimals Menagerie by Ian Dille
in Made on Earth
Andrew Chase welds together sheet metal, iron pipe, and used car parts to make mechanical animals, or "mechanimals.
Page 24
In the Zome by Bruce Stewart
in Made on Earth
Rob Bell and Patricia Algara created their own hybrid structure, a DIY greenhouse they call the Algarden Zome. Page 25
Snow Science by Forrest Mims III
in Country Scientist
Conduct winter experiments.
Page 26
Maker Shed on the March by Dan Woods
in Maker's Corner
Maker Shed kiosks on the march. Page 29
Cup Positioning System by Cy Tymony
in 123
Use a cup to put you in your place. Page 30
Cutting His Own Paths by Keith Hammond
in Maker
Eddie Paul is Hollywoods fastest maker. Page 32
Big Kid Bikes by Nik Schulz
in Maker
Bending bicycles with builder Greg Degouveia. Page 38
Locally Grown by Peter Smith
in Maker
Carving boards and waves with the maker of all-wood Grain Surfboards. Page 40
The Nonsense Factory by Lisa Katayama
in Maker
The Maywa Denki collective makes instruments of mass whimsy. Page 42
The Solar Catenary Reflector by Tho X. Bui
in Maker
21st-century tech using 17th-century math.
Page 43
The Revolution Will Be Squirted by Becky Stern
An inside look at MakerBot Industries.
Page 46
Armchair Architect by Colin Berry
A new way to create 3D models for Google Earth.
Page 52
DIY 3D Scanner by Andrew Lewis
Introducing the SplineScan computer-controlled turntable.
Page 54
Your Own CNC For Under $800 by James Floyd Kelly
An overview from the co-author of the new book Build Your Own CNC Machine.
Page 60
Direct Digital Wedding Rings by Jonathan Oxford
Page 64
Open Source Self-Replicator by Abe Connally
This plasma cutter promises tool inter-changeability, and synergy with its RepRap cousin.
Page 66
CNC Machine Kit by Steve Lodefink
Meet the mighty micRo, a tabletop CNC robot kit from Lumenlab.
Page 68
MakerBeam: Lego for Grownups by John Baichtal
An open source building system for project boxes, robots, and more.
Page 70
3D Fabbing State of the Art by Gareth Branwyn
3D printing and desktop manufacturing innovators tell us whats currently
on their radars.
Page 71
Traditional Cigar Box Guitar by Mark Frauenfelder
Build this 3-string instrument that requires a minimum of tools and parts, yet sounds great. Page 76
Geared Candleholder by Benjamin Cowden
Make an elegant, all-aluminum candleholder with a movement containing 3 handmade gears. Page 86
Reaction Timer by Charles Platt
Use 555 timer chips to test your reflexes in this experiment excerpted from Make: Electronics.
Page 96
The Drill Rod by Russ Byrer
in Build Notes
Run a mini electric bike with a cordless drill. Page 108
Safe Bamboo Swords by David Battino
in 123
Padded weapons for play-fighting fun. Page 114
ESP/PSI Testing Lamp by John Iovine
in DIY: Science
Watch the universe play dice, by detecting random radiation. Page 115
Slow Down To Speed Up by Ken Murphy
in DIY: Imaging
A smart, cheap setup for shooting long-duration time-lapse movies. Page 119
Elemental Knowledge by Wendy Tremayne
in DIY: Outdoors
Think youve mastered fire? Make and use a bow drill.
Page 123
Combo Snow Gun by Steven Lemos
in DIY: Outdoors
Make snow with a pro-style gun for about $90. Page 125
Gourd Lanterns by Diane Gilleland
in DIY: Home
Drill patterns into hard-shell gourds and let the light shine through. Page 128
Better Leather by Betz White
in DIY: Home
Embellish leather using a woodburning technique. Page 131
Intro To Scratch by Jeremy Kerfs
Make your own games and animations, free and easy. Page 133
Magic Photo Cube by Ken Wade
Make a fun, folding desktop photo display for about a buck. Page 136
"Glengarry" Brass Balls by Paul Spinrad
This totemic desk toy assembles in 2 minutes. Page 138
Automated Fan Speed Controller by Duane Wessels
in DIY: Workshop
Steady temperatures in a server room, using the MAKE Controller. Page 139
Electroluminescent (EL) Wire by Steve Boverie, Louis M. Brill
in Primer
Bring glow into your projects by learning how to work this flexible, durable material. Page 142
MakeShift: Water Landing! by Lee D. Zlotoff
in MakeShift
Legs are broken and times running short. Page 150
Toolbox by Gareth Branwyn, Marc de Vinck, Brian Kerfs, Tim Lillis, Sam Mason, Justin Morris, Arwen O'Reilly Griffith, John Edgar Park, Eric Ponvelle, Sean Michael Ragan, Donald E. Simanek, Bruce Stewart, Ed Troxell, Adam Zeloof
in Toolbox
A simply great calculator, laundry alternatives, a look at music, and the 3D camera youve been waiting for. Page 152
The Chinese South-Pointing Chariot by Donald E. Simanek
in Toys, Tricks, and Teasers
For fun or function? A Chinese south-pointing chariot. Page 160
Maker's Calendar by William Gurstelle
in Maker's Calendar
Our favorite events from around the world. Page 163
Instant Paddle by Tim Anderson
in Heirloom Technology
Heres a better, quicker, inexpensive way to make a paddle. Page 164
Wind Chimes by Tom Parker
in Make Money
Sometimes it costs more to buy it than to make it from the money itself. Page 167
Benjamin Franklins Electrical Experiments by William Gurstelle
Benjamin Franklin and electricity. Page 168
Puzzle This by Michael H. Pryor
in Aha!
Cake decorating conundrum.
Page 175
My Big Fortune Teller by Roger Hess
in Homebrew
Build your own Zoltar Speaks vintage fortune-teller machine straight from the 1988 film Big. Page 176
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