The latest DIY ideas, techniques and tools for bikes, rockets, R/C vehicles, toys and other diversions.
I’ve been trying to figure out the name of the modeler at TANKS & Trolls, and it’s been tough enough going to persuade me that he would rather remain anonymous. “Bulldog UK” seems to be a favored forum handle, and whatever his real name is, there’s no denying his talent. Shown here is a scratch-built “Warlord Titan” for WH40K gaming. The detail page has tons of great in-process shots.
David Shuff reports on the 2011 New York Comic Con: While superheroes, video games, toys, and all things anime abounded on the show floor, a few stalwart crafters were sprinkled in the mix, proudly displaying their handmade creations.
First Chess, then Jeopardy, now the Rubic’s Cube. Mike Dobson and David Gilday’s CubeStormer II Rubic’s Cube solving robot successfully beat Australian Feliks Zemdegs’ 5.66 second record by solving a cube in a mere 5.352 seconds. The feat was accomplished using four LEGO Mindstorm NXT kits controlled by a Samsung Galaxy S II smartphone. The Singularity is near, I tell ya.
Florida maker Daniel Fleischman designs and builds pedal-powered vehicles using PVC tubing for his company American Speedster. On his site you’ll find plans and component kits available for a small fee. Pedal-powered vehicles are becoming increasingly popular. Some folks are even hot-rodding them with electric conversions.
A look back at the man, the Estes designer, who invented the Cineroc rocketry movie camera.
More solid-gold scratch-building from The Internet Craftsmanship Museum. Shown here, the original M.A.S.H. helicopter in magnificent brass by modeler Ken Foran. The work is a commission for Fine Art Models, for use as a master to cast molds for a production run.
MAKE Volume 28 hits makers’ passion for play head-on with a 28-page special section devoted to Toys and Games, including a toy “pop-pop” steamboat made from a mint tin, an R/C helicopter eye-in-the-sky, and a classic video game console. You’ll also build a gravity-powered catapult, a plush toy that interacts with objects around it, and a machine that blows giant soap bubbles. Play time is a hallmark of more intelligent species– so go have some fun!
