Crafting wood can be a complex and rewarding task, but often times beginners may find themselves frustrated with their results. But no matter where you are in your woodworking journey, there are always tips and tricks that can help you create something beautiful – without breaking the bank. We’re going to look at woodworking tips and tricks for makers of all skill levels so even if you feel like it’s too overwhelming to attempt your own project, we’ll provide some guidance so don’t give up just yet!
According to Instructables user nsnip, they’re made from Baltic birch! To make this board, he cut the rounded ends off stacks of sticks with a table saw, laminated them stick-by-stick in five layers with alternating grain directions, and glued the whole thing together in an improvised vacuum press made from a clothes storage bag. Impressive, meticulous craftsmanship.
This XBox 360 controller was built by a certain Minister Morbid, who even included a brass lock and key for the highest in Steampunk gamer exclusivity. The piece is finished with antique burl wood, and even has leather grips for that authentic Victorian feel while you mash those buttons. [via Geeky Gadgets]
Drew Parrish operates a Barnes Velocipede Walking Arm Saw with foot pedals at theSplinters Fine Woodworking Show in downtown Eugene, Oregon.
A pentomino is like a domino, but with five connected squares instead of two. A set of all twelve can easily be cut from scraps of plywood.
Hobbyist electronics projects need robust, reliable power supplies for prototyping and testing. I learned how to build this circuit from the Basic Analog Circuits class at ITP taught by Eric Rosenthal, but took it several steps further in building a solid enclosure and integrating a voltage meter. Now it lives on my desk, ready to power most small projects I’m working on, ranging from 0 – 24 volts and up to two amps. You can learn all about how to make one yourself using this Make: Projects tutorial.
I love the wooden spoon-carving instructions on this bushcraft knife-maker’s website. Makes me want to make one. Our magazine editor-in-chief Mark Frauenfelder is a spoon carver, but I’ve never tried my hand at it. Looks like fun.
Invented by Swiss media artist Michael Egger in collaboration with Maïté Colin, the VideoBass is an instrument that plays moving images instead of sound. The performer uses their left hand on the neck of the instrument to select or scrub through video clips and triggers them in rhythm with their right hand on PlayStation controller knobs. The result is a mix of visuals that stand on their own or compliment music made by traditional instruments. Originally developed in 2003, the first incarnation of the VideoBass has undergone many revisions since.
