Hot Construction Toys Posts
News: Motoman, the LEGO Loving Bot
Motoman the Robot uses a 3D vision system to assemble LEGOs. "Motoman’s high resolution color cameras and object recognition make picking out and connecting LEGO pieces easy...he’s able to get the pieces with one hand while assembling the LEGOs with the other. "
How To: Build a howitzer out of Legos
Howitzers are a type of artillery first employed in World War 1. In this video you will learn how to make a toy howitzer out of Legos. It's easy to assemble, and it fires rubber bands!
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: Build Rocket Racer's car out of Legos
Rocket Racer was the lead bad guy in "Lego Racers", a 1999 video game where players could race Lego go-karts. You faced off against him in the game's final race, and he was surprisingly tough to beat. But no matter how many times he beat you, you had to admire his cool car. This short video uses stop-motion to teach you how you can use Lego bricks to make Rocket Racer's go-kart.
How To: Build King Kahuka's car out of Legos
King Kahuka was a popular character in the 1999 game "Lego Racers", and he has appeared in several games since then. With his strange mask and fast moves on the track, the chief of Kahuka island is hard to forget. This short video uses stop-motion animation to show you how you can use Lego to make a toy go-kart for King Kahuka.
How To: Build Johnny Thunder's car out of Legos
"Lego Racers" was a 1999 video game where players could assemble their own go-karts using virtual Lego pieces and then race them. This short video employs stop-motion animation to show you how you can use Legos to make a toy go-kart for Johnny Thunder, one of the game's characters.
How To: Build Gypsy Moth's car out of Legos
If you grew up playing the video game "Lego Racers" you probably wished you had some of those Lego go-karts for real. This short video uses stop-motion animation to show you how you can use some of those old Lego pieces under your bed to make a toy go-kart for Gypsy Moth, one of the game's characters.
How To: Build a rubber band powered mini car launcher
What is it about boys and toy cars? Speed, motors, and lots of fun! In this video, Kipkay shows us how to make a mini toy car launcher that is powered by rubber bands. Make sure an adult supervises this project, as power drills are required. Once it's completed, your kid will have a blast with his or her Hot Wheels and some rubber bands. Don't forget to download the PDF of the project before you start.
News: Repair the World One (LEGO) Brick at a Time
Jan Vorman has installed quick LEGO-fixes all over the world - from Italy to Germany to Israel to Holland.
On EBAY: Mario Mania + LEGOs = Ultimate Fanboy Idol
To Mario enthusiasts everywhere: Mario mania has been lovingly expressed all over the web for some time now (including How-To). The most recent accomplishment brings together two classic favorites: Mario plus LEGOs.
News: Play Foosball With LEGOs
Stretta considered investing in a foosball table for his son, and ultimately decided to go the (much more fun) DIY route: a LEGO foosball table. Very nice work: Previously, Obsessively Authentic LEGO V-8.
News: DIY Gear Clock
Alan Parekh's latest creation is a clock made from wooden gears. Parekh says on Hacked Gadgets:
News: Obsessively Authentic LEGO V-8
Crazy! Real working v8 32 valve engine, made completely from LEGOs. Not made from a set, and apparently took about 300 hours to construct. Click through to YouTube description for link to parts list (PDF). 4500 Brick LEGO Pop-Up.
News: 4500 Brick LEGO Pop-Up
YouTube user Talapz has built a LEGO Pop-up Buddhist temple. Jaw dropping construction. Made from 4500 bricks, the structure is a representation of actual temple Kinkaku-ji (video below): Previously, Lego Mindstorms Puts the Fun Back Into Number Two.
News: Transform Dirty Dumpster Into a Swimming Pool
Skip Conversions = guerilla art + recycling + creative urban upcycling. My three favorites below (particularly the pool, which literally interprets the term "dumpster diving").
News: Pee Wee Hermanesque Breakfast Machine
First thing's first. Remember Pee Wee's amazing breakfast machine? For those who missed out, watch (best YouTube version dubbed in Italian): Who dares compete with Pee Wee?
News: Alpha-not-Numeric
Make your own version of the $1500 Qlocktwo, a clock that literally spells out the time for you. Instructables member drj113 shares instructions for making a much cheaper alternative. Click through to do-it-yourself.
News: 3 Million Brick Lego House - Demolished
With many internet/Lego nerds anxiously awaiting the completion of the world's first full size Lego House, Barnaby Gunning Architects and British TV personality, James May, finally unveiled the finished product this past Friday. The house (was) 100% Lego, "including a working toilet, hot shower and a very uncomfortable bed".
News: Make electricity with plastic cups, tin cans and a TV
Michael Faraday knows how to harness static electricity. The television sends enough static electricity to the aluminum to spin the cup between the polar charged cans.
News: Hack a Nerf gun for superior fire power
Store bought Nerf guns don't always achieve the velocity necessary for an effective assault. Zach Scott's solution: mod the toy. Known for his fantastic cat videos, Zach claims this hack increases trajectory by at least 25%! Every bit counts when you're in an all out foam war.
News: Float across the floor on a personal hover board
Hovercrafts! Make your own magic carpet ride! Find your inner George Jetson! The World's Hovercraft Speed Record was set on September 18, 1995 by American Bob Windt. He got his air cushion vehicle up to a speed of 85.87 mph!
How To: Make a clock with a recylced watch and old CDs
Recycle old CDs into a cool clock. This needs a recycled watch as well. You can salvage the parts to create a working and quite interesting looking clock.
How To: Build a Lego rocket launcher from Halo
What could be better than combing your favorite video game and your favorite construction toys, Halo and Legos? Check out this video tutorial to learn how to build a Lego rocket launcher from Halo, also referred to as M41 SSR MAV/AW Rocket Launcher.
How To: Build Halo 3 grenades with Legos
If you're into Halo 3 and you're into Legos, why not combine the two? Watch this video tutorial to learn how to build Halo 3 grenades with Legos (human and covenant), like the frag grenade, the plasma grenade, the firebomb grenade, and the spike grenade.
How To: Create a ship in a bottle
The ship in a bottle is an age old puzzle. The key to its mystery is pre-assembly, attention to detail and patience. Learn from a master craftsman and bottle ship builder the ins & outs of this art. Follow these step by step instructions on how to put a ship inside of a bottle.
How To: Make a Go Kart
What's more fun than a Go Kart? Here is a complete tutorial on how to make a nice Go Kart. Easy and fun. Its a good, solid Go Kart & it should take you 2 to 4 hours to make it. Go to Storm The Castle for a list of all the parts, more instructions and plans.
How To: Build a simple K'Nex quad
This is a video tutorial on how to assemble K'Nex quad or ATV vehicle. He gives you the list of different Knex parts you need with quantities. This is a simple assembly, with a time lapse of how to put each piece together.
How To: Load the net gun
Net gun loading demonstration shows you how to handle the net loading stage of using a net gun. He shows you how to pull the tractors and what order you should procede to load the gun for a fun discharge!
How To: Build a starship enterprise out of a floppy disk
If you’ve got an old floppy disk, you can create a tiny replica of the Starship Enterprise. You will need an old floppy disk, sturdy scissors or a wire cutter, and invisible thread.
How To: Make a nut and bolt keychain
Project 4 of the Popular Science 5 Minute Projects with Craftsmen Tools is a Nut-and-Bolt Keychain. Downsize your pocket cargo with a custom-fit keychain. Editor Sean Captain ditches the ring and uses more tool than necessary to trim a small bolt to just the right size for his set of keys. (For a slightly different take on the project, see the site that inspired us: carlitoscontraptions.blogspot.com).
How To: Make a paper crossbow
Learn how to make a paper crossbow with this instructional video. All you need is a couple sheets of paper, tape, large paper clip, scissors and a rubber band. Follow this simple visual demonstration to learn how to make your own. Basically you start off with paper tubes and construct them into your crossbow.
How To: Make a paper bullet that explodes cotton buds
Title says it all you have to make the cotton buds more loose on the paper to make it explode. This is a how-to on making ammo for your paper launchers and projectile guns. This ammo explodes into cotton buds when it hits its target. Very cool effect.
How To: Make an easy switch blade knife
This is an easy to follow step by step video explaining how to make a switch blade out of easy to find objects. This is not a real knife but still has the function of a switchblade.
How To: Replace the blade of a utility knife
This is an instructional video featuring Doug Prime, founder of the Future Engineers Center at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. This is an instructional on utility knives that are used to cut foam board and cardboard. The blade replacement is integral to this craft or hobby tool's maintenance.
How To: Hold your part with pliers
This is an instructional video featuring Doug Prime, founder of the Future Engineers Center at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. This is a craft or hobby video that shows the technique of using pliers as a tool to stabilize a part or project while you work on it.
How To: Use a hot glue gun
This is an instructional video featuring Doug Prime, founder of the Future Engineers Center at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Learn the basics of using this craft tool. A glue gun is a great tool to have in a hobby or arts and crafts workshop.
How To: Cut with a utility knife safely
This is an instructional video featuring Doug Prime, founder of the Future Engineers Center at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. A utility or razor blade knife is good to cut soft and thin material like cardboard or styrofoam. Cover work surface with scrap. Stand when cutting to be safe. Don't cut like an exacto knife. Be gentle and don't go through the first time.
How To: Make a motorcycle from old wrist watches
Learn how to make a motorcycle from old watches. Recycle those old watches that you no longer want into a cool motorcycle. This is a creative hack video. Impress your friends with a recycled mini motorcycle.
How To: Build your K'NEX Starburst Spinner Thrill Ride
K'NEX is one of the most popular construction toys on the market, right next to Lincoln Logs and LEGOs, but what makes K'NEX stand out is the fact that children can build mechanically derived toys. Instead of blocks or little logs, kids use interconnecting plastic rods and connectors, which give them tons of contraptions to build and play with. Today, K NEX has even more possibilities with wheels, pulleys, panels and flexi-rods to make amusement park roller coasters, airplanes, animals, bikes...
How To: Build your K'NEX Pirate Ship Park
K'NEX is one of the most popular construction toys on the market, right next to Lincoln Logs and LEGOs, but what makes K'NEX stand out is the fact that children can build mechanically derived toys. Instead of blocks or little logs, kids use interconnecting plastic rods and connectors, which give them tons of contraptions to build and play with. Today, K NEX has even more possibilities with wheels, pulleys, panels and flexi-rods to make amusement park roller coasters, airplanes, animals, bikes...