Hot Construction Toys How-Tos
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: 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: Build a LEGO house frame
This tinkerer's tutorial will walk you through the process of assembling a house frame from plastic toy LEGO blocks, a necessary component of any LEGO house. For detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this free video how-to.
How To: Make an air vortex cannon
You've seen what a vortex cannon can do, so now it's time to build your own! Okay, this air vortex cannon is not huge, but it's definitely a fun thing to construct if you have some junk plastic laying around, and it works really well for its size. Grab a cheap plastic container and follow along to the video instructions and build yourself a homemade vortex cannon!
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: Make a rose from maple leaves
Check out this video to learn how to make a rose from maple leaves. It's pretty awesome looking.
How To: Build a Lego bionicle matoran-sized cordak blaster
See how to build a custom matoran-sized cordak blaster from various Lego bionicle parts.
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: 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: 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: Make a rubber band gun with legos
Need a new rubber band weapon? This video will teach you how to make a lego rapidfire rubber band gun! With this rapid fire gun you can fight crime as well as cats. Make a rubber band gun with legos.
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: 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: 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: Use the DAP adhesive to construct foam boffer weapons
This video shows you everything you need to know when constructing foam boffer weapons with Weldwood brand DAP contact cement adhesive. Always make sure you buy the red can, and don't get the gel formula. Also make sure you buy a timer for extra precision.
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: Make a simple Knex gun with trigger
These are assembly instructions for a simple Knex gun with trigger
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: 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: 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: 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 mini parachute
Watch this instructional video to form the structure of a mini parachute using a loop of string. Pay close attention to the hand motions, and weave the string into a knot. Do no be shocked when this string formation looks very similar to a mini parachute. You can then attach a plastic bag or thin piece of fabric to give your mini parachute a more permanent structure.
How To: Repeat five shots with a rubber band gun
Repeat 5 shots with a semi automatic rubber band gun.
How To: Make boffer weapons using the latex methods
Want to go beyond the basics of larp weapon making? This tutorial shows you how to use latex and foam to make any sort of larp weapon you can imagine, from a sword to a spear to even a mace or halberd.
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: 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 motor car
You can build almost everything out of LEGOS. They are versatile and fun toys and great learning tools. In this video, learn how to build a motor car out of LEGOS.
How To: Build a Hovercraft with Plywood and a Leaf Blower
This tutorial video will show you how to build a hovercraft using plywood, a leaf blower, and various other materials. This hovercraft works best on a smooth, flat surface.
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: Do a Jacob's ladder string trick
Learn how to do Jacob's ladder with string. You will be able to amaze your friends!
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 and build mousetrap powered car
Vroom! Power a balsa wood vehicle from the energy of a mousetrap! Fun and easy project brought to you by Make Magazine!
How To: Make a medium Knex gun
Assembly instructions for a medium sized knex gun
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 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 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: 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: 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: Make LARP-safe werewolf claws or monster claws
This tutorial shows you how you create a boffer larp safe pair of werewolf claws. Start with some basic heavy gloves, like gardening gloves, then cut out your claws from foam (at least three inches long!), and then follow along with the tutorial to end up with your own awesome monster claws!
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.