Wood glue

iPhone Flies on a Rocket: Collect and Analyze Data!

iPhone Flies on a Rocket: Collect and Analyze Data!

It was a beautiful fall morning as I carefully packed the parachute, slid in the engine, and installed the igniter in my model rocket. I started the data collection program and slid the payload with a TI Bluetooth low energy SensorTag and an iPhone 4s into the payload bay. Yes, an iPhone. My wife’s iPhone. […]

Continue Reading
Fast Toy Wood Car

Fast Toy Wood Car

Lots of my friends have kids, and that means lots of birthdays. I wanted to have a custom present that’s easy to make and has lots of room to play, in terms of design. A toy car fits perfectly. So I can build cars and make kids happy? Win-win! Download the templates.

Continue Reading
Fetch-O-Matic: Automatic Ball Launcher

Fetch-O-Matic: Automatic Ball Launcher

Several years ago I watched a viral YouTube video that starred Jerry the Dachshund, whose engineer owner had built him his very own automated ball launcher. I had two dogs at the time, and was also unemployed with some time on my hands, so I decided to try my hand at building one. After a […]

Continue Reading
Thor’s Hammer

Thor’s Hammer

I’m not usually one to build film props, but my wife and I were waiting on line for the new Avengers movie and she said, “You know, it would be great to have Thor’s hammer.” She wasn’t the least bit serious, but her remark got the old maker gears spinning. As soon as we got […]

Continue Reading
Action Movie Effects

Action Movie Effects

The perfect action scene needs combat, gore, and at least one actor going through a window. Here’s how I shot a scene with all these ingredients, from making the special effects to shooting and editing the footage.

Continue Reading