CNC & Machining

The latest DIY ideas, techniques and tools for the manufacture of metal, wood, plastic, ceramic and composites. We talk about machining, using a lathe to machine metals like steel, brass, and aluminium. We make chips fly!

Chocolate guns and ammo

Chocolate guns and ammo

Your one-stop shop for chocolate guns, chocolate bullets, and chocolate grenades is ChocolateWeapons.com. I’m holding out for the chocolate suitcase nuke. [via Boing Boing]

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MIT machine shop vids

I can’t believe we haven’t posted about these in the past (unless I missed them) — it’s a series of instructional MIT videos on “Machining Skills for Prototype Development.” Quite a nice little introduction to basic machine shop skills. [Thanks to Riley Porter, who posted this on the HacDC e-list] MIT TechTV — Machine Shop […]

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Jaw-dropping fully articulated machined figurines

Jaw-dropping fully articulated machined figurines

In brass and stainless steel. From Mark Ho of Zoho International Artforms. Thank you, Mark, for inspiring us all. [via The Automata / Automaton Blog]

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Fully automatic electric crossbow

I normally try to steer clear of weapons-related posts, but this “full auto” crossbow from YouTuber TheDuckman666 was too cool to pass up. There’s lots more crossbow-y goodness on his personal site. [via The Automata / Automaton Blog]

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Theo Gray on electrochemical machining

Theo Gray on electrochemical machining

In this Boing Boing Video, PopSci columnist and author of the splendid and high-recommend Theo Gray’s Mad Science, explains how electrochemical machining (ECM) works and shows off a rig he put together to do ECM in his shop. The entire how-to can be found at popsci.com. Carve Steel with Saltwater, Electricity and a Tin Earring […]

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“Earth Tremor Detector” objet d’art

“Earth Tremor Detector” objet d’art

Jim Seller’s made this amazing box full of gorgeously-machined art-widgets as a gift for a friend. It doesn’t actually do anything, except make people feel really good looking at the craftsmanship and love involved. Jim wanted to make something in the style of a 19th century scientific instrument. He calls it the ETD (Earth Tremor […]

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