Weekend Project: Make a Vacuum Former
Here’s a cheap and easy way to make 3D plastic forms like Stormtrooper costumes and tons of other things. Cost: around $20.
Workshop
The latest DIY ideas, techniques and tools for the industrial arts from metal and woodworking to CNC machining and 3D printing.
How-to Tuesday: Maker’s Notebook contest
This week I have 3 modifications of the Maker’s Notebook. I started out by adding a small pocket inside the book to keep a pen. Next, I added a snap closure to keep everything secure. Finally, I added a pocket to the back of the book for keeping acetate film to use as overlays for my sketches.
Checkout makezine for more information, including a contest for the 3 best mods! [Contest ends 1.19.09]
http://www.makezine.com
Full Body Suits from Scratch: Shawn Thorsson’s Props and Costumes
Shawn Thorsson explains the build process for his props and costumes at Maker Faire Bay Area 2011. First he starts with a digital 3D model, then cuts the pieces out with a CNC machine, assembles them and fine tunes with wood shaping techniques, then casts molds so he can reproduce them. The result are authentic looking reproductions of popular costumes.
http://protagonist4hire.blogspot.com/
http://makerfaire.com/pub/e/5049
Machinist Opens his Locks with Style and Ease: Rebuilt Keys
Jimmy DiResta shares his unique one-of-a-kind keys at Maker Faire New York.
Metalheads at Maker Faire Detroit
Joe Sandor and the crew from Chicago Crucible demonstrate an iron pour at Maker Faire Detroit 2011. These metalheads collected metal from old radiators and coke from a Detroit power plant and then fired up the furnace. They poured the molten steel into a watermelon and other decorative molds, which were created at the Faire.
Theme Park Crafted with Abandon: Theatre Bizarre
On an incredibly hot Michigan July day, we stopped by the grounds of Theater Bizarre to talk to it’s visionary, John Dunivant. John spoke to us about his inspirations for the carnival / masquerade / party / theme park he created, and gave us a tour of the grounds which formerly hosted this unique event.
Shopbot, Automation. and Imagination: Context Furniture
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Bryce Moore talks to us about furniture, commodification, and democratic design from his shop in the nearly abandoned basement of Northland Mall in Detroit. We also learn about how his ShopBot and automation make custom, high-end design possible, even in a fluctuating economy.
http://contextfurniture.com/