This site has tons of how-tos and information on making water rockets (up to 6 feet tall!) Materials required tends to be limited to one or two pop bottles, some putty or Blu-Tack, a bicycle pump and an adaptor and making use of a sharp knife. Parachutes can be as simple as a bin-liner and still work well despite their low cost. Thanks Rick! Link.
These tumblers are made from old beer bottles – I think it’s a really neat idea, but the price is a little steep ($25). What you could do is collect old / weird bottles and use a glass cutter to make your own tumblers, cups and classes for super cheap. Link.
Rick writes “Always wanted to experience the thrill of real flying but can’t afford it? Always wanted that ultimate accessory for you MS Flight Simulator 2000? This may just be the thing. Build your own motion system with 4 axis motion and a simple non direct connection to the simulator software. Fly that dream :)” There are 4 chapters for free and the PDF is $15, not too bad. Link.
Mark writes “Having some issues with my G3-keyboard in my 12″ ibook, I was lucky to find a G4-keyboard cheap, only it was an Azerty-model and meant for a 14″… After trying all kinds of solutions, I decided in the end to make it a ‘Das iBook Keyboard'” Link.
The holidays are coming up – Presents to get – or better, make! Not everything has to have a microprocessor in it! Lots of ideas and free plans here. I think I might try and make a harmonograph is a pendulum-based drawing board that produces really neat “curvaceous” drawings. Thanks Rick! Link.
Jim writes “Plans for a quarter-scale sized hot air balloon. Radio controlled propane burner quickly lifts the balloon into the air – and it is big enough to haul up a digital camera. Video of the balloon in action is downloadable from the site.” The plans cost money, but the freebie section has some good stuff too. Link.
This site has a ton of free stencils to down, exacto out and use as you please. There are stencils for just about anything out there – Animals to Vegand & Vegetarian. [