Awesome Hobbies

This all-in-one machine can print full-color images on sticker stock and automatically cut them into whatever shape you want. It outputs high-quality, 300 dpi dye-sublimation images and uses a companion mobile app to upload designs. The app can even extract photos from backgrounds and generate a cutting outline, and includes a large template library.

Oregon’s Train Mountain is home to the longest model railroad in the world. It has a 1/8th-scale electric-powered train that rolls on 37 miles of track, including multiple pathways controlled by switches, tiny towns, railyards, bridges, and a turntable. DownieLive managed to score a ride on the miniature train to experience its many wonders.

This pen-sized screwdriver is ideal for working on electronics and hobby projects. The electric driver loosens and tightens screws with ease, and has a shadow-free LED light. It comes with 64 interchangeable bits including Phillips, slotted, hex, Torx, Tri-wing, star, and square, along with useful tools for opening devices and a case.

When somebody says they’re going to build a cardboard model of a Star Wars ship, we assume it would be something you could fit on a bookshelf. But cardboard artist Bodoc likes to make things at a slightly larger scale. This time-lapse video shows how he created a 1/2-scale version of a crashed TIE advanced X1 fighter out of shipping boxes.

Modelmaking has always fascinated us. Cath from The Square to Spare shows us the steps to make a miniature fridge that looks just like those fancy French door models. Its cabinet can be 3D printed or cut from balsa wood, with acrylic or resin shelves, wrapped in stainless steel contact paper, and lit with LED fairy lights.

This unique metal bird feeder offers a wonderful spot to observe birds, squirrels, and other wildlife as they enjoy a little fruit. It features a perch behind the house and a sharp point that can be hammered into a tree trunk for stability. Each is made in the USA from 1/8″ Corten steel, which will weather to a rich patina over the years.

An Ohio man built this incredible replica of Bruce Wayne’s original 1966 Batmobile. The car is accurate down to the buttons and switches inside the cockpit, which trigger various crimefighting gadgets. And when there’s nobody behind it, its “engine” can even shoot flames. Be sure to watch him take on The Joker in his Clown Vic.

The Braun S9 shaver is pretty slick looking as electric razors go. But even if you squint really hard, it’s hard to envision this thing turning into a mech. But model maker RAY Studio used his imagination and crafting skills to transform this $300 groomer into a detailed figure inspired by War Machine from the Iron Man series.

Unlike other 3D printing pens, Polaroid’s CandyPlay pen outputs designs using candy instead of plastic. It heats up to melt and extrude candy to make freeform sculpted edible artworks. Its sugar-free candy refills come in in strawberry, orange, lemon, apple, grape, and cola, and assorted flavors.

Zach Peterson is a plumber by day, but he loves to build things in his spare time. His greatest creation to date is a steam-powered backyard railway. The train is big enough to carry people along the world’s longest ride-on train trestle – at over 680 feet long. Coolest Thing introduces us to Zach and his amazing railway.

This Humble Bundle is packed with over $1000 worth of reading material from Morgan & Claypool to help you learn about electronic circuits, microcontrollers, and engineering principles. Pay what you want, and if you spend more than $15, you’ll get all 17 e-Books, while supporting the National Coalition Against Censorship.

This impressive model of Tony Stark’s office tower from The Avengers series was built by FoBIRD using skinny wooden sticks and glue as its primary building materials. Watch as he painstakingly builds up the facades section-by-section, using architectural elevations he initially drafted onto paper.

Xyron’s unique machine turns any piece of paper up to 2.5″ wide into a sticker. Cut a design, load it in, and turn the knob, and it’ll apply an edge-to-edge adhesive and a backing sheet. Refills are available with permanent or repositionable adhesive. Their pricier Creative Station can also do lamination or add magnetic backs.

MoonArc Light’s unique arch-shaped LED lamp offers up smooth and even illumination for your project workbench. The 3D printed lamp measures 41.3″ wide and 31.7″ high, yet has a very small footprint to keep your workspace open. It comes in a variety of colors, and its diffusers can be easily removed.

The Broquet company offers a variety of cool experience-based gift packages; the Woodsman collection encourages your favorite guy to swing that axe with a 16” hatchet, pigskin gloves, log carrier and rope. We like their MacGyver kit too.

Made by Mike Doyle, this fictional alien city measures 5′ high and 6′ wide. It’s made of over 200,000 LEGO pieces and took him over 600 hours to complete. You can buy plans, prints and DIY kits of parts of the city on Kickstarter.