Awesome Making

We’ve played around with those 3D drawing pens, and generally just end up with a blobby mess. But 3D Pen Lab is an expert at this creative tool, cranking out some pretty amazing sculptures with the device, like this smooth image of Rick and Morty. It’s creepy as hell during the build process, but the finished result is amazing.

Today’s computers and gadgets are built from molded plastics and precision-cut metals, while vintage objects had so much character because of their use materials that can be imperfect. DIY Perks decided to build himself a unique PC that looks amazing because of its use of more traditional materials.

There are lots of NERF blasters out there that can fire in rapid succession, but the majority can still only fire one dart at a time. James Bruton shows off an enormous custom NERF weapon he built that can fire 10 foam projectiles simultaneously. Each bank of darts is loaded into a magazine that rotates into place to be fired by rollers.

The Creative Construction Channel walks us through a truly impressive build – a pint-sized version of a concrete bridge that was built using similar construction techniques to the real deal, with steel bars serving as the support structure for the cement, as well as a paved surface for tiny cars and trucks to ride on.

Normally, basketballs are made from rubber. But DIYer Cammie’s Garage works in wood, so he decided to see if he could make one by turning layers of maple into a sphere instead. It didn’t take the stain perfectly, but it’s still pretty cool. He previously made a sweet wooden football.

The Big Green Egg is one of the most desired objects for backyard cooks, with its ability to turn out delicious charcoal grilled foods year round. Now, take a trip inside the factory where they’re made, and see how their ceramic construction has more in common with making pottery than making conventional grills.

Maker James Bruton is a big fan of 3D printing. In this video, he uses his Lulzbot HS+1.2 heavy duty print head to output carbon fiber reinforced plastic filament to create a skateboard with a unique structure. He then takes it for a spin to see just how strong it is.

Miniature model maker HMS2 shows us how to make some ridiculously tiny and accurate replicas of fast food and their packaging from McDonald’s. We love the individual french fries, and how the Coke even has microscopic ice cubes.

Woodworker Paul Jackman of Jackman Works acknowledges that pencils aren’t necessarily a popular way to communicate these days, but that didn’t stop him from making 1000 handmade pencils out of recycled pallet wood. It’s a time-consuming and repetitive task, but both the process and the end result are pretty nifty.

Mad inventor Colin Furze was asked by game maker Blizzard to replicate the Rip-Tire, a spinning weapon featured in Overwatch. His first version was entertaining, but not nearly as deadly as the one in the game. So with the help of a 600cc motorcycle engine, he built another version that is far more dangerous.

Jawbreaker candies are known for their toughness, so Burls Art decided to work with them much like any other building material, sawing and sanding them, then coating them in resin to create a truly sweet “flying V” guitar like no other.

After a earlier and not very successful attempt, maker Peter Sripol and his friends managed to build a lightweight, remote-controlled airplane that gets its propulsion entirely from an off-the-shelf leaf blower. By improving upon the materials and aerodynamics, this version fared better in the air… eventually.

It may not be Christmas quite yet, but it’s always a good time for candy. Sit back, relax and enjoy the fascinating process behind the creation of these colorful holiday treats, from machines that pull hot sugar, to ones that transform a 100 lb. block of candy into a thin and twisty rope.

You can pick up a cheap paper shredder for about 20 bucks, but what fun is that when you can build your own? The Q shows off a homebrew shredder that does the trick using sharpened metal discs. It’s missing the safety mechanisms that production shredders offer, so DIY at your own risk.

In the mood for some ice cream cake? Check out this footage that Michael Wilson-Roberts captured inside UK ice cream maker Wall’s factory back in 2002, as machines churn out delicately rippled layers of ice cream and chocolate for those fancy looking Viennetta frozen desserts.

For this project, metalsmith Shurap created a gigantic chisel using numerous layers of steel. The oversized tool is designed for woodworking, but is so beautiful that it could just be a work of art on a stand. Watch how the intricately-carved handle was made here.

It’s pretty clear from bitluni’s use of a chainsaw to cut his wood that he’s no carpentry expert, but he does know a thing or two about electronics. Check out the slick Arduino-controlled LED video wall he built in less than 24 hours. The parts list is in the video description on YouTube.

If you’ve ever wondered how trees are turned into plywood sheets, this video will answer your question. Paulownia shows us how a log is shaved into a ribbon of flat, pliable veneer, which is dried, layered, glued, pressed, then trimmed to form strong, flat boards.

Ceramicist Jono Pandolfi’s studio creates exquisite dinnerware that has made its way into some of the most exclusive restaurants in the world. In this clip from Eater’s series Handmade, go inside his workshop to see how they transform clay into modern and minimal stoneware that we’d love to have on our dining table.

We’re gonna just go ahead and say it now… maker Tim Sway really nailed it with this build. While he wasn’t able to craft this electric guitar entirely out of nails, he still managed to keep its wooden core nice and small, and it looks particularly gnarly with all of those bent and rusty nails sticking out of its body.

HomeMadeModern shows us how to use 3D modeling software and a 3D printer to create a set of silicone molds for casting a concrete firepit. Despite the complex look, the entire design you see was created from just three different mold shapes.

Metalsmith Freerk Wieringa walks us through the lengthy process of transforming a steel blank into an incredible weapon – an oversized bowie knife that would make Crocodile Dundee proud. The grinding and sanding sequences are especially satisfying.

Master woodworker Paul Sellers posted this brief, but hypnotic clip of him carefully using his razor-sharp chisel to create perfect spirals of wood. We wonder how far he could go if he had a really long piece of wood.