Awesome Miniatures

JohnnyQ90 shows off a sweet miniature gas-powered stirling engine. It’s powerful enough to spin a propellor to nearly 2,000 RPM, so keep your fingers away. While Johnny made the turbine fan, he’s quick to point out that you can buy the engine itself from Banggood.

Sculptor and builder of things Bobby Duke decided to do something that serves no purpose but to prove that it could be done, as he bought a pack of pencils, then carved a tiny pencil from it’s wood, and then an even tinier pencil from the lead of the tiny pencil.

Sergio Jauregui makes detailed miniatures of buildings and other urban objects out of particle board and discarded electronics. Amazingly, he’s been doing this only for a few months, picking up the basics by studying theatrical set design. He’s also open to commissions.

Miniature model maker HMS2 shows us how even a complex real-world object like a see-through Perrier bottle can be put through the shrinker ray. The process requires painstaking detail work to create a teeny mold for casting clear resin bottles. Amazing.

Miniature maker HMS2 shows us how to use plastic sheets and rods, and mad X-Acto knife skills to build a teensy toaster which looks absolutely perfect. Of course, you’ll need to make some tiny bread too, and be sure to wash it down with a tiny espresso.

For her series Micro Matter, graphic designer and artist Rosa je Jong creates intricate models of buildings and trees using an X-Acto and tweezers, then sets them gingerly into test tubes and vials. More on Instagram and Dribble. Sculptures start at €120 (~$130 USD).

Danny Yourd’s short documentary about Michael Paul Smith, creator of the highly detailed 1:24 scale 20th century dioramas collectively known as Elgin Park. Michael started making models as therapy, then ended up changing people’s lives.

The flat platform that toy soldiers stand on makes sense on these tiny skateboarders. Each 24-pack offers 8 different poses. Goes great with these guys. Snowboard and surfboard packs to come.

Takanori Aiba’s collection of miniature structures were inspired by his earlier experiences in making bonsai and illustrating mazes. The detailed beauty of each work is mind-boggling.

While anyone can play tiny drums with a mobile app these days, there’s something that just seems inherently more impressive about a person who can play tiny physical drums with mini drumsticks.

A new promo video for Miniatur Wunderland, the miniature theme park in Hamburg, Germany which includes the newly opened Knuffingen model airport, railroads, cruise ships and much more.

It took Alan Wolfson 18 months to finish this 27 x 23.5 x 19.5 inch 5-piece cross-section model. It’s not an exact representation, but Wolfson’s attention to detail more than makes up for it.

This like an old photograph from the 1950s, but it’s actually a detailed model from artist Michael Paul Smith, who’s compiled his scenes into Elgin Park, a book about a fictitious retro-style town.

We’re immersing ourselves in David DiMichele’s impressive and disquieting dioramas. He creates the fantastic 3D installations in his studio, using everything from glass and ice to tree bark and coil.

Is there an age limit for playing with toys? Nope – that’s why we like these cool hot wheels remote control cars (video above), with rc control right on the case, which fits in a pocket. (Thanks Peter!)