Transfer power from an internal pedal-powered flywheel housed inside the R2B2 to slice, dice, and julian with this all-in-one kitchen appliance designed by Christoph Thetard. In addition to a built-in hand mixer, the unit has internal storage for accessories not in use.
On this video from the vault (Weekend Projects, 2007), Bre Pettis and his friend Dave Neff bodge together a bike for Bre from several trashed bikes. Build a Single Speed Bike – Make: Video Podcast More: See all of our bike coverage on MAKE Follow the Bike Shop Skill Builder series
Brian Liloia documented his build of this round self-supporting roof structure in 2008, while living in Missouri. This type of self-supporting structure, in which each beam bears the weight of another, and has its weight born by yet another, and all arranged such the load is thus distributed ’round in a continuous cycle, is called a reciprocal frame. It requires at least three members, and you can build a simple working model with matchsticks. [via No Tech Magazine]
Though we see lots of furniture built from old computer parts, electronics, and other scrap, I especially like this one because I think it provides an object lesson in how to do this sort of thing and make it look good: Greeble it up! When you’re basically just glomming bits together to achieve a utilitarian form, the more visual complexity you can achieve in the surface texture, the better.
The Lower East Side Ecology Center in NYC is sponsoring e-waste recycling events throughout all five boroughs for the month of April (aka “Earth Month”). You can find a list of their drop-off sites here, and their FAQ about acceptable items and procedures here. I actually almost never throw away my own e-waste. I still […]
Actually these HEX chairs from designer Hugh Hayden made the rounds back in 2009, but they’re just now coming across my radar via this round-up of tennis ball furniture that recently tripped one of my Google auto-alerts. There are plenty of unusual chairs in the world, and though I like these better than many, I’m more interested in Hayden’s process for joining the tennis balls together.
How cool is that? From Blurgh! The ThinkGeek Blog:
We have a problem. And it’s growing at a rate proportional to our return pile. We can’t, in good conscience, resell damaged electronics. And we can’t donate them to charity–the saddest kid in the world is one with a handheld video game that won’t turn on. Garbage, then? Not good for the environment. Luckily for us, there’s an entire class of scavengers out there ready to pick the bones of our helicopters, keyboards, and interactive t-shirts: hackers, makers, and crafty techy types.
They’re even polling interest in a possible subscription service. [Thanks, John!]
