Hot Construction Toys How-Tos

How To: Turn a 5MW laser into a 100MW laser

Tired of that dinky little 5MW laser? Turn the power up and convert your 5MW laser into a 100MW laser? A small amount of modification can produce a significantly stronger light coming out of your laser. You will need a small screwdriver (such as a jeweler's screwdriver), needle nose pliers, a soldering iron and some bonding glue to do this properly. This video tutorial will show you exactly how to turn your 5MW laser into a 100MW laser.

How To: Build a looping rolling marble machine with magnetic elevator

Wow! No longer do you have to buy those huge marble machine roller coaster toys — you can DIY one! This video covers the materials, tools and techniques used to make a homemade rolling ball marble machine. If you haven't seen this rolling ball marble machine toy in action yet, WATCH IT. It's a looping rolling marble machine made with wood, rebar tie wire and polyurethane tubing, featuring a magnetic elevator.

How To: Build a cd/dvd case mod

Check out this video to learn how to hack a cd/dvd case to hold valuables like flashlights, knives, and lasers.

How To: Make a Lego sword

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make a LEGO sword. LEGO consists of colorful interlocking plastic bricks and an accompanying array of gears, minifigures and various other parts. This video is very short and only lasts for 35 seconds. It is very basic and easy to follow. This LEGO construction is very simple, fast and easy to do. There are only 3 pieces required to make the LEGO sword. It does not matter what color the pieces are. This video will benefit those viewers who enjoy pl...

How To: Build hot air balloon out of a garbage bag

This is a simple and easy tutorial, and anybody can build a hot air balloon out of a garbage bag by following the instructions in it. All one needs is a garbage bag, some stiff industrial wire and fire starter bars. The important thing, according to the author, is to judge how many fire starter bars will be required to make the balloon rise without melting its plastic body. First, two long wires are twisted together in the middle to make an 'X'. A smaller wire is twisted onto the middle of th...

How To: Use basic building techniques

Papa Tom teaches viewers the basics for building realistic miniature buildings using Scene-A-Rama Building and Structures Kit. This is great for school or art projects.

How To: Make a paperclip bow

Want to make bows and arrows with paperclips, tape, a rubber band, and some Q-Tips?

How To: Build a lego Link from Zelda with a master sword

Make a lego Link from Zelda with a master sword, just use the lego pieces in this video.

How To: Make a simple Knex gun with trigger

These are assembly instructions for a simple Knex gun with trigger

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: 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 mini hovercraft

Want to send a cd floating across the floor? This tutorial will teach you how to make a mini hovercraft using a cd, superglue, balloon, water bottle top. Make a mini hovercraft.

How To: Make your own mylar balloon

Mylar balloons are the best party favors. They are big and shiny and last longer than normal latex balloons. In this tutorial, learn how to make a mylar balloon at home, from scratch. Stop spending so much money at the party store, and next time you have a big event, make your own! Not only will you save money, but it will give your party a cool personal touch.

How To: The Dark Knight's Bat and Tumbler Vehicles Come to Life with LEGOs

If you've finished building your Curiosity rover and are wondering, now what? Perhaps it's time to move onto something a bit more... mobile?

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: Make a larp safe throwing weapon out of foam

All you need is some 3/4 inch pipe insulation foam, 1 inch pipe insulation foam, rice filler, electrical tape and some blue camping foam. Layer the insulation foam, add some blue camping foam and then tape everything up and apply paint or Plasti-dip as desired.

How To: Build Halo 3 standard weapons 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 standard weapons with Legos (human and covenant), like the rocket launcher, beam rifle, battle rifle, and SMG.

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: Use a semi automatic Lego gun (S-22)

This video tutorial shows how to use a semi automatic Lego gun (S-22). Learn how to operate and shoot Lego bricks with this semi automatic Lego toy weapon.

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: 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: 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: Take apart a laser pointer

Have you ever had a combination of extreme boredom and an unrelenting curiosity? If so one thing you may have attempted to do is to take apart or "de-engineer" a common office laser pointer. In this online video we are shown how to take apart a cheap laser pointer. It should be noted if you are going to attempt to do this you should only try it on a laser pointer that is inexpensive so your loss will not be great if you should make an error.

How To: Build Halo 3 alien weapons 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 alien weapons with Legos, like the plasma pistol, the plasma rifle, the gravity hammer, and the brute shot.

How To: Use the S-31 Lego gun

Learn how to use the S-31 Lego gun from this video tutorial. This video shows how to make the Lego brick bullets, grease the S-31 Lego gun, load the toy weapon as well as how to fire it.

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.

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 catapult out of office supplies

Looking for something fun to do with all those office supplies you've been stealing from work? Or maybe you just want to goof around in your cubicle? It's possible that you are an honest, dedicated, hard worker, but whatever the case may be- no judgement, just a video guide to making an office supply catapult.

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 professional looking boffer weapon with latex inexpensively

Looking for a weapon making tutorial that goes beyond the foam noodle and PVC method? This tutorial shows you how to make a professional-grade sword using an ultralight core and latex. You'll also need a utility knife, a foam cutter and a dremel drill.

How To: Use spray glue to make foam boffer weapons

For any aspiring weaponsmith (or, rather, foamsmith), this video shows you the thre most common brands of spray glue or spray adhesive that you can use when constructing boffer weapons out of foam and PVC. Learn the benefits and drawbacks of each brand.

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 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: 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: 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: Build a LEGO pick up truck

In this video, we learn how to build a LEGO pickup truck. First, you will need to lay out all the parts that you need to build the truck. This includes small and large parts that are in gray and white colors, as well as wheels. Start off by building the middle of the car, making room for the wheels to fit in. After this, start to add on the blocks that go on the back and the front to make the headlights and different features on the truck. Add on the block for the windshield, then add on the ...

How To: Build spinning tops with everyday objects

In this tutorial, we learn how to build spinning tops with everyday objects. You will need: round recyclable plastic lids, skewers, hot glue gun, and washers or pennies. First, take your plastic lid and weight it with a penny, then poke a skewer through the middle of it. After this, you will have a top made out of homemade products! You can use anything that is laying around your home to make a top, no matter what it is. Just make sure you have something to place int he middle and the weight ...

How To: Refill your Zippo with lighter fluid

In this video, learn what to do when your Zippo runs out of fluid. You won't be able to get a good flame or perform any tricks without a totally full Zippo and in this clip, you will get a step by step on refueling. Follow along and stay safe and strong with your flame.

How To: Modify a Nerf Firefly toy gun

In this Hobbies & Toys video tutorial you will learn how to modify a Nerf Firefly toy gun by replacing the barrels with CPVC and adding a new spring. You start with the power blaster and open it up. Remove the turret by removing other parts as shown in the video. Remove the screws from the turret and pull it apart. Cut off one side of the front end of the turret. Now cut 8 x 3” CPVC barrels, wrap black tape around one end and ram them into the back of the turret. Then pull out the plunger, ...

How To: Make a boomerang out of styrofoam cups

Crazy Chris shows us how to make a cool boomerang out of two Styrofoam cups - useful as a party trick. Plastic and paper cups can also be used. The bottoms of the cups are taped together. The key to making the boomerang work is the positioning of the fingers on the cups. The middle finger should be placed in the middle joint of the two cups - the fingernail in contact with the tape. The pointer and ring fingers should support the top of the cups and the thumb gives the bottom support. Chris t...