Hot Construction Toys Posts
How To: Make a 300-style Spartan chest piece with paper mache
This is Sparta! If you find yourself yelling that line from the film and graphic novel 300 before doing all sorts of intense tasks, than this two-part video is for you. It will teach you how to make your own wearable replica of a Spartan chest piece out of cardboard and paper mache at home. Never be harmed by Persian arrow again!
News: 16-Year-Old Builds Wicked LEGO Star Wars Diorama
Paul Yperman, you've got some competition (see previous entry, Star Wars LEGO Droid Ship). 15-year old Sven Junga's LEGO Stargate diorama (including a Daedalus from Stargate Atlantis) is nothing to shrug about. Incredibly impressive.
How To: Create a simple mold to cast a toy duplication
If you have a toy you love SO much, this video will show you how to create a simple mold so you can duplicate it! This simple how-to tells you what you'll need to get cloning today. This video will also tell you what can and can't be cloned.
How To: Build a stabbing tip for your boffer LARP sword
Most boffer LARPs insist that you add a safe 'stabbing tip' at the end of your foam sword or dagger. This tutorial shows you how you can make a safe stabbing tip using kevlar and foam, which you add to the core of your sword.
How To: Make a rubber band powered car with CD wheels
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make a toy car with CD wheels. The materials required for this task are: 2 thread spools, long piece of thing wood, 4 CD's, 2 screws, 2 washers and 2 bolts. Begin by drilling a hole in the spools and 2 holes in the wood. Then place a washer on the screw. Now place the CD on the washer. Then add another washer and secure it by screwing on a bolt. Now put the wheel through the first board of wood. Then put it through the spool and other wood board. N...
How To: Make a gas burner from a lighter
Check out this video to learn how to make a gas burner from a purple lighter. It's only 9 cents to make.
How To: Make a homemade airgun or "airzooka"
This video shows you how to make your own airzooka with supplies found around the house. By no means is this the definitive model you can build, it just a start. Things can always be improved.
How To: Build a coreless punch shield for boffer combat
Construct your own shield for use in boffer combat! This tutorial shows you how to construct your own large punch shield out of several layers of blue camp foam, a length of PVC for the handle, a measuring tape and some DAP adhesive.
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.
How To: Modify a Nerf Longshot CS-6 gun
Nerf guns are a great way to battle without inflicting serious injury. This video tutorial shows you how to modify a Nerf Longshot CS-6 by adding an angel breech and altering the clip to accept stefan bullets. This instructional also shows how to add gun spring reinforcements to insure the weapon operates well under the increased force. Finally, you'll learn how to integrate the front gun and link the trigger to the main Longshot spring mechanism for added fire power.
How To: Make a safe and effective awesome boffer weapon
You will need a pin, a pair of pipe cutters, a razor or X-acto knife, 3/4 inch PVC pipe, 3/8 inch closed cell insulation foam, open cell foam (like AC insulation) and silver duct tape. Once you have everything, follow along to make a safe and awesome boffer sword!
News: Man Spends 2 Years & 30,000 LEGOs Building Star Wars Ship
Paul Yperman’s Droid Control Ship has been two years in the making, and required a whopping 30,000 LEGO bricks to build. Says Brothers Brick, "Paul’s build differs in the surface textures of the model. He uses tiles and greebling elements in shades of gray to add realistic-looking details, which really enhances the appearance of this amazing creation."
How To: Make an animatronic hand
Ever feel like you don't have enough hands? Build a third one! You will need a 3 foot aluminum rod, a piece of 2 inch by 4 inch wood, a 25 pack of 1/8 in by 2 inch toggle bolts, #6 by 1/2 inch metal screws, an electric drill, drill bits, 14 inch cable ties, and a hacksaw or chop saw. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to build an animatronic robot hand.
How To: Make a bottle blast off with a simple rocket launcher
This tutorial video will teach you how to make a bottle blast off toy, which will fly into the sky with the aid of a very simple rocket launcher. This activity is great for children, and can help them learn about flight and flying. Make a bottle blast off with a simple rocket launcher - Part 1 of 4.
How To: Make a moving jitterbuig toy
This tutorial video will show you how to make your very own jitterbug moving toy. This toy moves around and is quite colorful. Make a moving jitterbuig toy - Part 1 of 3.
How To: Build Lego Elites from Halo
Watch this video to learn how to build Halo Elites out of Lego bricks. This easy to follow tutorial will show you which bricks to use then how to put it together.
How To: Build Lego guns
Watch this how to video to learn to build 5 Lego guns. This tutorial will show you all of the bricks you need then how to put them together.
News: Haunted House in Rotting LEGO
Mike Doyle's latest LEGO house (perhaps even more hauntingly beautiful than the last) is a Victorian mansion that transcends the material so effectively, the plastic reads like real rotting bricks and mortar. Beautiful house-devouring trees, created with LEGO hinge cylinders to mimic the texture of tree bark, and ridged 3 mm hose, droid arms and other technic connectors for the creepy, spindly branches.
How To: Make a fast and easy tennis ball trebuchet
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a fast and easy tennis ball trebuchet. This tool will throw tennis balls easily so you can hit them without having a partner around. This only needs a few pieces of wood and 2x4's along with dumbbells. There isn't a whole lot to this, it's very simple to build. Use two 10 lb dumbbells clamped with a hose clamp onto the top of a 2x4. Use a dowel to go through this, so it will help it rotate. Down at the bottom is the release mechanism and on the sides wil...
How To: Construct your own replica of a keyblade out of craft foam
If you're looking for how to make the perfect cosplay prop, this tutorial is for you! You can construct your own replica keyblade! You'll need some heavy craft foam to sketch out the keyblade design, and then a sharp craft knife to cut it out. Then cover it and paint!
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: 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: 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.
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.
News: Ca-Ching. LEGO Brick Bank Dispenses Real Cash
100% functional LEGO ATM by Ronald McCrae. This bonafide brick bank performs the following functions:
How To: Build a K'NEX shooting target system
K'NEX is the world's most famous constructive toy, which means you can build just about anything. You can take the K'NEX plastic pieces and build all kinds of contraptions, everything from boats to airplanes to robots to weapons.
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 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.
News: Wicked LEGO War Vehicle Crosses Chasms With Built-In Bridge
LEGO Technic builder Peer (Mahjqa) Kreuger has constructed the incredible Stilzkin Bridge Launcher, a vehicle modeled after real life ALVBs (Armoured vehicle-launched bridge).
How To: Make a duct tape backpack
Are you a regular backpack user? Do you tire of that generic Jansport look that seems to be all your low backpack-budget will buy you? Do you want to rock something a bit more distinctive without breaking the bank? Do you like duct tape? Then look no further! This 2-part video provides wonderfully detailed instructions for making a full-sized backpack out of only 45 yards of duct tape! A must for the DIY-happy student-about-town.
News: LEGO 1858 Remington .45
Meticulously crafted LEGO replica of a Remington .45, circa the Wild Wild West, 1858. Created by Flickr user Arkov.
How To: Convert 2D Photos Into 3D Models
The video below demonstrates how you can convert you 2D Photos into 3D Models using 3Defy. You will need to follow these steps:
How To: NASA Engineer Shows You How to Build a Mini Curiosity Mars Rover Out of LEGOs
You might have seen our post on this last week: It's a working reproduction of the Mars Curiosity Rover made with LEGOs, but it's a bit complicated for anyone without a decent amount of robotics knowledge. Plus, you need to have some Mindstorms NXT and TECHNIC parts lying around. If you want something a little simpler than programming a working LEGO rover, you could always build a scaled model of the MSL out of regular LEGOs. Not only is this easy to build and looks great, but the step-by-ste...
How To: Make a condom gun
Make a condom gun that shoots hard enough to leave bruises if you actually decide to shoot someone.
How To: Make a basic rubber band car
To make a rubber band car you will need one sheet of card stock, four paper clips, two binder clips, one plastic straw, 8 inches of dowel that fits into the straw, two pencils and one rubber band. You will also need four CDs or round pies of cardboard, tape, a ruler and a marking pen. First, unfold the paper clips. Then fold the card stock and attach the paper clips. Cut squares out of the card stock. Then, cut the straw. Attach it to the card stock. Affix the pencils to the card stock with h...
How To: Make a Tesla vortex
Take a journey to the center of a vortex. A beautiful whirlpool is created by the magnetic coupler inside a tall CD cover, driven by the Tesla CD Turbine on faucet water pressure.
How To: Make a Lego balisong butterfly knife
Balisong knives, or butterfly knives, are folding pocket knifes with two handles that can counter rotate. People love performing tricks with them because of the balisong butterfly knife's flipping ability. Since knives aren't toys, make your balisong butterfly knife out of Legos. You still might hurt yourself, but not as badly as with the real thing. Learn how to build a Lego balisong butterfly knife by watching this video tutorial.
How To: Disassemble a can for its parts
Aluminum cans are useful for various DIY projects, but they can be tricky to take apart. In this video you'll learn how to easily disassemble cans.
How To: Make Nerf foam darts fly
Want more firepower for your Nerf guns? Here's an instructional video that shows a simple mod to make your foam darts fly! Increase their range by 25%. Watch this video tutorial and improve your game playing, but please, use caution!
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!