Active Construction Toys Posts
How To: Make a sword for use when fighting in the Society for Creative Anachronism
This tutorial shows you how to make a sword according to the rules of the Society for Creative Anachronism. You'll need to choose the right kind of stick, two different colors of duct tape, camp foam for the thrusting tip and some leather to accessorize.
How To: Build your own Japanese katana out of foam
If you're looking to play a samurai or other Japanese inspired character at your next boffer larp, this tutorial is for you. You're shown how to build a foam katana using duct tape, a razor blade, measuring tape, cloth athletic tape, DAP contact cement, liquid craft latex, fabric to cover your blade, rope, fiberglass core, and of course, foam!
How To: Make a homemade spin toy with a button and string
If you've ever found yourself bored and not knowing what to do, this video tutorial might help you out. See how to make a homemade spin toy with a button. Just get out a pair of scissors, a large button, a glue stick, string and a small piece of paper and you can begin building this time consuming button spinner toy, time consuming as in not hard to make, but fun to play with.
How To: Make a prop sword out of an aluminum bar
This will still hurt if you swing too hard! If you need a realistic looking prop sword, you can follow along with this tutorial to make the prop out of an aluminum bar. You'll need a couple power tools as well, so be careful around them!
How To: Make a quiver full of larp safe foam tipped arrows
This tutorial is a great guide on how you can make a set of safe, foam-tipped arrows. You'll need to start with some hobby arrows, metal washers, wall anchors, a small NERF football, a hot glue gun, glue sticks, measuring tape and a foam golf ball or blue camping foam.
How To: Make or repair larp safe boffer arrows
This tutorial shows you how you can take arrows which may be damaged, or just not up to spec, and repair or recondition them. The tutorial takes apart an arrow, which can give you some good ideas on how to construct them as well.
How To: Make an easy and eco-friendly spell packet for a larp mage
This tutorial shows you how to make spell packets. It's designed for NERO, but many larps use the same rules. All you need is a square of natural fiber cloth (like cotton), some birdseed (or rice or crushed walnut shells or any biodegradable matter) and a rubber band.
How To: Make a mold for a Cthulhu cameo out of silicone
Make a charm that will show off your Mythos Lore! This tutorial shows you how to make a silicone mold for a Cthulhu cameo. All you need is some silicone putty and a good idea for the charm or cameo you want to make.
How To: Make sanity reducing creepy Cthulhu tentacles
Now you too can build your own prop of eldritch horror! Guaranteed to induce a SAN check in anyone who sees it, this tutorial shows you how to build a set of flexible Cthulhu tentacles out of one inch furniture foam, half inch furniture foam, steel wire, pantyhose, one inch PVC tubing, epoxy and a jar of latex.
How To: Make your own Brown Jenkin from H.P. Lovecraft's stories
This tutorial shows you how you can make a stop motion puppet modeled after Brown Jenkin, the eldritch horror that features in in the Cthulhu Mythos of H.P. Lovecraft. Brown Jenkin is a rat familiar with a human face, and this video shows you how to pull off this incredily creepy character.
How To: Make a Spartan war helmet out of cardboard and papier mache
Whether you were inspired by the movie "300" or just want to add to your costume or prop collection, you can make a replica of a Spartan helmet out of papier-mache. This won't stand up to heavy abuse, but it will still look awesome!
How To: Make armor out or Sintra and Rub'n'Buff
Make your own armor with a weathered look out of Sintra (or expanded PVC foam). You'll need a heat gun, a padded cushion, paper towels, rub'n'buff in silver leaf, a knife, a marking pencil, water and a can of spray primer. Trace your piece onto the Sintra, then use the heat gun to shape it. Useful for costumes, Halloween or larps.
How To: Turn a Cobra Crossbow into a larp safe crossbow
If you're only fighting with foam, you don't want a professional hunting weapon. But you can refit a commercial crossobw and make it larp safe. Starting with the Cobra crossbow, you can modify it to safely shoot foam tipped arrows at a boffer larp.
How To: Construct a basic boffer longsword using a foam noodle
This tutorial shows you a very basic method to create an effective boffer sword using PVC pipe, a foam noodle, duct tape and some open-cell foam for a stabbing-safe tip. You're also shown a good method for constructing the hilt. This is a great tutorial for anyone looking to make a foam sword for their favorite boffer larp!
How To: Make a Chinese-style boffer jian sword
Playing an Asian-style character for your next boffer larp? If you're looking for a good way to make a jian, or Chinese boffer sword, this is the right tutorial for you! It lays out all the steps, including preplanning, to get precisely the jian you want.
How To: Make a spear out of foam for boffer larping
Build a spear for boffer larping! This video is aimed at Dagorhir, but you can use it for any boffer larp. You'll need foam, duct tape, a sharp bread knife or saw knife, a Sharpie, a Nerf football, cloth tape and fabric to cover it.
How To: Make a boffer mace out of foam, PVC pipe and latex
This tutorial shows you how to make a boffer larp safe mace. Get some PVC pipe, a foam noodle you can get at a drug store, and some soft foam for the head. Then cover your pipe with pipe insulation and sheath the weapon in latex.
How To: Paint your airsoft gun using Krylon paint
Airsoft is a fun and exciting tactical game that really gets you off your feet! And what really sets it apart from paintball is the guns! They look much closer to the real thing and add that extra depth to the game! But the paint jobs and wood finishes are never the best, but that's ok, because you can paint it yourself! In this video you will get a tutorial on how to paint your airsoft rifle using Krylon paint.
News: Can Your LEGOs Fold T-Shirts?
You can learn how to fold a t-shirt perfectly with your own human hands. OR you can be like changyunhsu and teach your LEGO mindstorms robot to do it. Seriously impressive.
How To: Accurately read a tape measurement
In this tutorial, we learn how to accurately read a tape measurement. First, roll out the tape measure, then find the inch marks. These will be in red. From here, you will find the half inch marks between each of the red inches. Half of the half inches will be right in the middle of that, and exactly half of the half! In between this, you will find 3/4 of an inch and 1/8 of an inch. Make sure you have a good view of the lines on the tape measure so you can identify these correctly. The last m...
News: Economic Depression (LEGO-Style)
Imagine you wanted to make LEGO art, and you chose to make a spooky, abandoned house, like something out of economically depressed Detroit.
How To: Build a Tech Deck quarterpipe
This is a video tutorial in the Hobbies & Toys category where you are going to learn how to build a Tech Deck quarter-pipe. For this you will need hot glue gun, hot glue sticks, coat hanger, cardboard, card and scissors. First cut out the three pieces of the frame out of the cardboard. Then glue a support to the bottom of the 3 pieces. Now glue the card on top of the frame. To make the coping, cut off a length of the coat hanger that is equal to the width of the quarter -pipe and glue on the ...
How To: Make a boomerang-like comeback can kids toys
Boomerangs can be dangerous. Oatmeal containers aren't. That's what makes this kids toy the perfect build for school or play. After constructing this "comeback can" toy, you'll have a can or container that you'll roll on the ground or table, and it will always come back to you. You'll need an oatmeal container (or similar can), rubber band, nut, a couple paper clips and a pen.
How To: Turn a paper clip into a jumping toy
Forget school boredom again… a mere paper clip will keep you entertained in study hall, all the time! This video will show you how to make a cool little jumping toy with a paperclip of any size. It's shaped like a triangle and jumps pretty far!
How To: Build an accurate bed from Legos
If you're building a great, accurate house model, and are looking to add some furniture to the home, the master bedroom is going to need a bed. Where will your minifigs sleep if they don't have a bed? In this great video you will get a brief glimpse at the bricks that you will need to complete the build along with a tutorial on the build order that you will need to use to construct the bed!
How To: Build a Lego vending machine for any urban model setting
If you're building an office model, or are looking to add a little something extra to a street model, you might give this great vending machine model a try! In this detailed video from brickboys518 you will get brief over view of the bricks that you will need for the model and then a great tutorial on the building process and build order.
How To: Build a couch with Legos
What's a house model if you don't have a couch in the living room, right? Where would the minifigures sit to watch TV? Can't be on the floor! In this video you will get a quick glimpse of the different bricks that you will need to complete the model as well as a detailed tutorial on the construction process all the way into a finished couch!
How To: Build a bench out of Legos
For a more outdoorsy model, such as a park, one key ingredient that you will need is a bench! But if you're not quite sure what bricks you will need, or how to construct one, this video is your solution! In this video you will get a quick glimpse of the different bricks used for the model as well as a detailed tutorial on constructing the bench itself.
How To: Build a fridge out of Legos
If you're building a house model, or if you're just looking for a quick and fun model to make, give the refrigerator a try! With a full swinging door, it's made to size so any minifigure will have access to it with a believable scale. In this video you will get a glimpse of each piece that you will need for the model with a great construction tutorial!
How To: Build a sturdy Lego table with an added table cloth
When you're making a restaurant, or a house, or any other somewhat modern Lego model, one way to make the interior (or exterior for that matter) come to life is by making furniture, and what better way to start than with a table with a striped table cloth on it? In this great video you will find out what parts he uses and then go through the assembly process all the way to the final project! Pay close attention though as the placing of some of the bricks are absolutely crucial to the model co...
How To: Build a warthog from Halo using Legos
If you're a die hard Halo fanboy and you have some Legos laying around from your childhood, don't think you're dating yourself! Many other people still play with their Legos, and what better way than to recreate the warthog from your favorite game!? In this great video you will learn which pieces you will need as well as the steps that you will need to take to make a great warthog!
How To: Make the Terran barracks from StarCraft with Legos
When you're building with Lego, you want to try to mix it up a little bit every once in a while. And if you're a big fan of StarCraft wouldn't it be awesome if you could make your own base out of Legos!? Well, let's start with the basics, you're gonna need a barracks if you're even gonna consider making marines! In this great video you will learn how to make a micro-scale Terran barracks with Legos.
How To: Make a Protoss carrier from StarCraft 2 with Legos
"Carrier has arrived", the sweetest sound you'll hear before the echoing blasts and inherent cries of death that you'll bring to your enemy. Protoss are a race in the games StarCraft 1 & 2 for the PC, and for you Protoss players who also enjoy playing with Legos, then start harvesting that vespine gas and get ready for this great video! In this video you will learn which pieces you will need as well as the steps you will need to take to finish your carriers for the final push!
How To: Make a Terran factory with machine shop upgrade from StarCraft 2 out of Legos
StarCraft, quite possibly one of the most influential RTS' of all time, has its supporters for each individual race on all sides of the battle field. For those of you who are Terran players who also love Legos, this video is going to be right up your alley! In this video you will learn what parts you'll need as well as the steps you will take to building your very own Terran factory with machine shop upgrade in a matter of minutes!
How To: Build a bionicle switchblade
In this video, we learn how to build a bionicle switchblade. Start with the piece of the blade that has holes inside of it. Then, start to connect the edges and the other pieces that go inside of it. Grab the piece for the blade, then lock it into place by attaching the elbow pieces that connect around it. Once you have connected these together, you will have one entire piece with the blade on the very edge of it. The end of it should be bendy, so grab a rubber band that is thick and wrap it ...
News: Star Wars + LEGOs + McDonalds = Corellian Cheeseburger
There's a lot going on with this Star Wars LEGO fast food snack. Angus MacLane turned the Millennium Falcon into a Corellian Cheeseburger for the FBTB MOC Madness 2010 Building Tournament.
How To: Build a sturdy flatbed truck out of Legos
Looking for a new Lego project? Look no further! In this two-part series you'll learn how to build a great flat bed truck out of lego bricks! Each video starts showing you each brick that you'll need, the first video being the truck cab, and the second being the actual flat bed, and then goes into a great, step-by-step tutorial, showing you where each piece goes and before you know it you'll have a flatbed truck!
News: The Most Dangerous Game of Operation (Ever?)
I suppose it depends how you define dangerous. It must have taken Flippy Cat a good amount of effort and planning to design and construct this giant Operation game made from Dominos. And then he lets a cat loose? Impressive work. Click on the second video in the gallery above for behind-the-scenes takes.
How To: Build miniature LEGO instruments (guitar, bass, cello and microphone)
If your LEGO men are raring to get a rock band going, then who are you to stop them? With a few LEGO blocks, you can easily create some nifty instruments for them to start jamming with. In this video, watch and learn the steps to creating a guitar, bass and cello out of LEGOs. Also, after the credits, check out the cool LEGO microphone!
How To: Construct a working LEGO miniature soda machine
Even LEGO people get thirsty, and what better to quench the thirst than a nice cool can of soda pop? And what's the perfect way to get that cola to your LEGO men quickly? A LEGO soda machine! And believe it or not, this soda dispenser actually dispenses miniature soda cans! Watch and learn how to build this working LEGO soda machine, inspired by otlego's version.