Welcome
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Make 41: Tinkering Toys
To a maker, a toy can be many things. It can refer to an entertaining product that delights while educating, like Lego sets and electronics kits. It can be an apparatus like a plastic injection-molding machine that helps us produce figurines and widgets. Or it can be a new creation that we produce either for ourselves or as a part of a larger business for others to enjoy. In the latest issue of Make: we’ll help you find the best maker toys, show you how to build toy-making tools, and learn from the pros on how to take your toy and game ideas to market.
Plus, build a messenger bag that charges your electronic devices without the hassle of wires, 3D-print a fully functional pinhole camera, and inject powerful flavors into your favorite foods with nitrogen cavitation. Then, read about how 3D printing is being used in schools, ways to hack your brain waves to control your stuff, how one maker took his giant giraffe robot to visit the White House, and much more.
Ready for fun? Then pick up your copy of Make: Volume 41 today!
Table of Contents
COLUMNS
Reader Input
Page 10
Experience Over Entertainment
Wayne Losey
The toy industry is growing in the right direction.Page 12
What is a “Girl Toy”?
Anne Mayoral
Hint: It doesn’t need to be pink.Page 14
Maker Faires Around the World
Find a faire near you!Page 16
Made on Earth
Explore the amazing world of backyard technology.Page 18
FEATURES
The Lab in the Classroom
3D printers are coming to schools. How do we make the most of them?Page 24
The Electric Giraffe Goes to Washington
Lindsay Lawlor
When the President invites you to his house, you move heaven, earth, and an 18-foot-tall robot to get there.Page 26
Out of Your Mind
Conor Russomanno
Rise of the Brain-Computer Interface.Page 30
Games, Gadgets, and Gizmos
Hands-on learning and fun with Make: magazine’s STEAM-based toy guide.Page 34
Doing a Lot with LittleBits
Mike Senese
The snap-together electronics kits get serious with advanced new modules.Page 46
How to Get Your Toy Made
Bob Knetzger
Five toy makers share their stories to help you make your idea a reality.Page 48
Beyond Barbie
Anne Mayoral
Empowering girls through play is easy if you start them down the right track.Page 54
Soda Bottle Rocket LED Fireworks
Ooooh! Launch lots of little lights and watch them parachute back down.Page 55
Mad Monster Candy Snatch Game
Put the fun in “fun-sized” candy.Page 56
DIY Rotocaster
Pros use rotocasting to make hollow plastic parts and it’s easy to do at home.Page 60
DIY Injection Molding Machine
Tried, true, and totally doable. Start cranking out solid thermoplastic parts.Page 64
SKILL BUILDERS
Beyond the Arduino IDE: AVR USART Serial
Use a $4 microcontroller to launch web pages with the push of a button over serial I/O.Page 66
Induction Instruction
Generate enough power to light an LED through the magic of inductive charging.Page 70
PROJECTS
Inductive Charging Bag
Sean Michael Ragan
Make a totally wireless bag to charge your mobile devices, and kiss connectors goodbye. Page 74
3D-Printed Pinhole Camera
Todd Schlemmer
The fully functional P6*6 camera is printable even on the tiniest of print beds.Page 80
LED Concrete Patio Table
DIY PETE
Cast the tabletop and built-in cooler, then make it shine.Page 84
How to Print a One-Page Book by Hand
Andrew Salomone
Try your hand at relief printing, one of the earliest forms of mechanical reproduction.Page 85
Universal CNC Vacuum Table
Build a vacuum-hold-down system with serious suction. Page 86
Whip It Good: Nitrogen Cavitation
Paloma Fautley
Infuse foods and drinks with powerful flavor in minutes with an ordinary cream whipper.Page 90
Water Bath Thermostat
Sean Michael Ragan
For sous-vide and more — it controls both heating and cooling! Page 91
Remaking History
Use the fascinating “twisted cylinder” to make a spill-proof coffee cup carrier. Page 92
The Archivist: DIY Book Scanner
Danielreetz
Simple cameras, skate bearings, and a Raspberry Pi will digitize your bookshelf. Page 94
123: Mini Spin Art Machine
Riley Mullen
Make interesting art using electronic "junk." Page 95
Thomas Jefferson: Maker-in-Chief
Forrest M. Mims III
A peek in the president’s home shows his penchant for making.Page 96
Solder a “Draailampje”
David Bakker
Flip the jar lamps over to turn them off and on. Page 98
123: Glowing Dancing Oobleck
Make: Editors
Get more out of your non-neutonian fluids.Page 99
Sure-Fire Projects for Young Makers
Create silvery, shimmery cosmic couture with MylarPage 100
Toy Inventor's Notebook
Make a mini projector with an image of a spooky disappearing Cheshire cat.Page 102
TOOLBOX
Tool Reviews
Recommendations for unique and useful maker tools, toys, and materials. Page 104
New Maker Tech
On the horizon for electronic accessories. Page 106
Books
Text tools for your bench or bedside table.Page 108
OVER THE TOP
La Princesse
James Burke
Arachnophobes beware this building-sized spider.Page 112
