Hot Construction Toys How-Tos
How To: Make a really good paper airplane
This video shows you how to make a very good paper airplane, that will fly in the air for about 10 seconds before it falls. Start by folding your paper in half length-wise, and then at one end fold triangles from the corners into the middle. Then flip your paper over, and fold the same corners in again, so that your paper looks like a taller point. Take the last 3 inches of the point and bend it into the middle of the paper, creating an X out of the folds. Then fold it all in half so that you...
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: Read a micrometer in mechanical engineering
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to read a micrometer. This tool allows the user to accurately measure components. They have the ability to measure dimensions accurately to within one hundredth of a millimeter. Micrometers are designed with a wide variety of styles and sizes for normal or specialized applications. Micrometers are able to measure the internal or external dimensions of a component. They are the most important basic measuring instrument used in the metal industry. There...
How To: Build a LEGO snow plow
This video shows you how to build a LEGO snowplow. For this project you will need the following LEGO pieces: 1-1x4 plate, 3-1x2 plates, 1-1x2 plate with claws, 1-1x2 plate with handle, 2-1x1 smooth plates, 2-1x1 cylinders, 2-1x4 smooth plates, 1-1x6 smooth plates, 1-2x6 plates, 2 nozzle bricks, 2-1x1 claw bricks, and 2-1x1 slight slope bricks.
How To: Make popsicle stick fences
If you've got a tiny farm, you're going to need some tiny fences. Don't shell out your whole allowance for a fancy store bought fence set. Instead make your own fences out of popsicle sticks. This video tutorial demonstrates how to create stalls and stables so your miniature farm animals won't escape.
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 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 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 weapons with Legos (human and covenant), like the sniper rifle, SMG, beam rifle, energy sword, and shotgun.
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...
How To: Build your K'NEX Shark Run Roller Coaster
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: 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: Build a K'NEX semi-automatic gun
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 sling shot with a stick and soccer ball
This video demonstrates how to construct a sling shot out of a soccer ball. You will need an old soccer ball or tire tube, a "Y" shaped stick, and a pair of scissors. Slice the soccer ball open to remove the rubber lining. Next, cut two thin strips of the rubber lining. Cut out one hexagon shaped piece of leather from the deflated soccer ball. You can use this for the sling shot pouch. These visual guidelines depict how to use these materials to construct a sturdy slingshot in a matter of min...
How To: Make a water gun for under two dollars
In this video tutorial you will learn how to make a water gun, and a watering can for under 2 dollars! You will need a water bottle and a pin. It's that easy. Watch this instructional tutorial and learn how to build a simple water gun or watering can.
How To: Make an automatic Lego crossbow
This video tutorial shows how to assemble an automatic Lego crossbow. Learn how to build and operate an automatic toy crossbow made out of Lego bricks.
How To: Build a Lego car
Watch this how to tutorial to learn to make a Lego car. This Lego car is very simple and doesn't use many bricks, but it is used as a base for more advanced models.
How To: Build a spy periscope
This video is to show you how to construct a super cool spy gadget! You'll need some toilet paper tubes, tape, scissors, glue and an old CD. Then, just like that you'll be able to make home made spy gear in no time.
How To: Make a motor from a plastic cup
This is an amazing experiment! Make a motor from a plastic cup. What is needed? Use two empty cola cans, a plastic (paper) cup, a ball-point pen, and more!
How To: Make a peg gun with a clothespin
Check out this how to video that shows you how to make a peg gun. You need a clothes-pin to make this peg gun (funny, huh?)
How To: Make Jacob's ladder with instructions
This is how to make Jacob's Ladder. It should make sense.
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: Paint the base of a diorama
In this part of the tutorial, I show how to apply some basic cast rock structures to the diorama and give you a basic idea of how to apply the base coat of colored paints.
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: Make a high-powered Nerf Rifle
This is a pretty brief tutorial on how to make your own Nerf Gun. This gun is air-powered and can shoot almost 200 feet. So, why buy manufactured Nerf Guns when you can build your own?
How To: Build spinning airplane propellers with K'NEX
Trying to build an airplane out of K'NEX? Mike can show you how to make both propellers spin at the same time on the plane.
How To: Build a Lego goomba
If you've already built a Lego Mario you'll need some accessories to go with it. Learn how to build a goomba from Nintendo's Super Mario Bros. out of legos.
How To: Make your own slingshot from easy to find materials
Can you feel your inner Dennis the Menace trying to get out? Trying to recreate the early 90s bad boy Bart Simpson look? Watch these videos to learn how to make yourself a slingshot. This slingshot is made from materials that are probably laying around your house, but you will need some power tools.
How To: Make a homemade stirling engine
Are you looking to build a cool home science experiement? Why not try out a Stirling engine? Wait, what IS a stirling engine? Well... a Stirling engine is a heat engine operating by cyclic compression and expansion of air or other gas, the working fluid, at different temperature levels such that there is a net conversion of heat energy to mechanical work. This project was made from parts around the house and you should be able to do the same. This is a great project to explain how gears work,...
How To: Make a Fun, Kid-Friendly Toy Gun from a Hot Glue Gun
Here's a fun little hack you can try at home with your kids. The purpose of this tutorial is to teach you how to make this fun toy gun. It's a very simple and economical project. Tools and Materials:
How To: Turn 2 Disposable Lighters into a Lightercycle (English Instructions)
Here's the English language How-To for constructing a Lightercycle using 2 cigarette lighters. Original article courtesy of WonderHowTo user rmansur.
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: Make a basic hotwire cutter for cutting foam
Hobbyists from many different hobbies, from model aircraft to tabletop wargaming, all need to cut foam, and that means a hotwire cutter. If you have the DIY bent that goes along with most of these hobbies anyway, check out this video for a guide to making your own simple hotwire cutter for basic foam cutting.
How To: Make a replica Yukki Cross Artemis scythe from Vampire Knight for cosplay
Watch this video for instructions on making the Yukki Cross Artemis scythe from the anime / manga Vampire Knight.
How To: Make a Soul Eater scythe out of cardboard for cosplay
Soul eater is one of the most popular manga and anime series in the world, and the scythe that protagonist Maka uses against the souls of the damned is one of teh cooler weapons in modern anime. This video will teach you how to make an excellent cardboard replica of it for cosplay.
How To: Create a working paper magazine for a Colt pistol
This tutorial shows you how to make a working magazine out of paper for use with a Colt M1911 .45 pistol. You will need many sheets of plain white paper, glue them together and then add some aluminim for reinforcements.
How To: Build a motorized gyrocar with a gyroscope and everyday household objects
Build your own miniature gryocar from a toy gyroscope in this fun little project with Kipkay and make it ride on skinny tracks! All you need is a toy gyroscope, a spraypaint canister top to fit the gyroscope assembly, and some assorted parts that you could probably find around the house (or at your local hardware store). Ask your parents for permission first!
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: Make a small, easy, functional telescope
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a small, easy, functional telescope. First, glue a lens in place with glue underneath a piece of cardboard with a circle cut in it. Then, cut this into a circle and tape it to a paper towel holder. Then, you can wrap this in some paper mache around the cardboard. Then, wait for this to dry and spray paint it with gold and black paint. When finished, you will have a functional telescope ready to go and use! This is cheap and a fun project to make with chi...
How To: Construct a mousetrap car
In this tutorial, we learn how to construct a mouse trap car. You will need: wood, string, wood glue, duct tape, scissors, markers, a mousetrap, wheels, and a drill to do this. To start, you will lift the mousetrap up and tape duct tape around it along with a long stick. Then, tape this to a piece of wood. From here, you will glue together two sticks and then put wheels on the top and bottom of it. Next, you will lay the mousetrap on top of this and then push it. Then it will roll away! You c...