Awesome Flat Pack

Armpal is a unique tabletop game that asks players to move and stack blocks by manipulating a robot arm. Each machine comes as a laser-cut wood kit, with gears, springs, and simple hydraulics to make them move. The arms work with interchangeable heads, including a claw, excavator, and magnetic crane.

Drop by The Awesomer Shop and save 10% on these flat-pack wood models from UGears. Choose from a working safe, a steam locomotive, treasure box, vintage grand prix car, butterfly, or monowheel, each offering a challenging glue-free build and working mechanisms.

This laser-cut wood kit forms a locking puzzle box. Along the way, you’ll use its 123 pieces to assemble a combination lock that can be set to a three-digit password, along with a rotating geometric pattern to play with on its top, and a key mechanism to unlock whatever goodies you hid inside its 1.2″ storage compartment.

Flat pack model maker Ugears 48-piece kit is one of their easier builds, yet it’s simply fascinating to watch. The mechanical contraption converts air pressure to movement, which in turn spins a pointer which acts as a sort of decision maker for the next task for you to work on.

Induku’s miniature chess sets are laser cut from baltic birch plywood, and make a great stocking stuffer of bonus gift. Once you pop the pieces out, they hold in place in the cutouts on the board. The set can also be personalized with an engraving up to 40 characters.

This mini pagoda from 1Man1Garage was inspired by classic Japanese architecture. It’s made from laser-cut birch, and comes flat-packed for you to assemble yourself. Load it with a tea light, and it’ll cast nifty shadows on your wall and tabletop. Measures 7″(h) x 6″(w) x 6″(d).

Flat-pack model makers Ugears offers this very cool kit that lets you build a mechanical monowheel that actually drives. It has retractable training wheels, but can roll without them on smooth surfaces. With 300 parts, it looks like a challenging 3-hour build. No glue required.

Ukraine model designer Denis Ohrimenko of TimeForMachine makes a variety of cool laser-cut wood kits, including a series of awesome robot monsters. Each one has movable legs which can be swapped out with other models. Choose from Scorpio MN 3.1, Scarabeus MN 9.1, Arachnoid MN 2.1, and Prometeus MN 1.1 designs.

Etsy seller 1Man1Garage’s unique, wooden tabletop lamp was inspired by the ornate and imposing style of gothic churches. It comes as a flat-packed kit with 120 pieces, making it both a puzzle you can build, and a permanent work of art for your home.

These books are the perfect gift for any Star Wars fan. Each one comes with a laser-cut and engraved 3D wood model of an iconic vehicle, spaceship, or droid. Display them as-is, or paint them to your liking. The accompanying books provide background details.

ROKR’s bass wood replica of a classic film projector is one of the coolest flat-pack model kits we’ve ever seen. Not only does it look awesome, it actually can project a short loop of film that’s included with the kit. The hand-cranked projector isn’t bright, but it requires no batteries to operate.

Flat-pack wooden model maker UGEARS presents 11 awesome new creations, each of which features gear and rubber band mechanisms. The new models include a wind-up horse, windmill, stagecoach, flying aircraft contraption, big rig, steam train, and more.

Obilab’s portable rhythm section folds down flat and fits inside a cardboard backpack, letting drummers set up impromptu jam and practice sessions pretty much anywhere – as long as it’s not raining. Listen to sample sounds at the bottom of their Kickstarter page.