Make: Online: October 2007 Archives

« September 2007 | Main | November 2007 »

Archives: October 2007

< Previous | October 2007 Home | Next >

October 30, 2007

Big Dipper

Bigdipper-1
Bigdipper06
Sarah van Gameren's "Big Dipper" -

Big Dipper is a machine that mechanically creates twenty-four candle wax chandeliers by dipping. The principle is inspired on the technique of candle making, where straight strings of wick are dipped a number of times to become candles. Suspended from the ceiling, the machine itself looks like a chandelier with two ring tiers that are counter balanced to move up and down using a pulley system. On each of the two big rings, twelve smaller rings are suspended. They are the frameworks for strings of wick, hanging down in loops. Whenever one of the big rings moves down, the wick hanging from one of the smaller rings is dipped in a drum of melted wax standing below. A layer of wax attaches to the wick and slowly grows a chandelier with eight arms and eight candles.

Big Dipper - [via] - Link.

Roll your own Yo-Yos

Yoyocutters
Chuck writes in -

One of our writers found some nice kits that let you get started making your own yo-yos regardless of your woodworking skill level. The company sells parts, blanks and cutters to make your own, and even a mandrel for turning your own blanks if you own a lathe. I think I'm gonna pick one up.

Toolmonger » Roll Your Own Yo-Yos - Link & more.

Boris Bally recycled metal collection

A0110-130L
Boris Bally recycled metal collection - [via] Link & more.

Green graffiti

Nature1 2
Inhabitat has a great write on artist Edina Tokodi's "green graffiti" Abigail writes -

Eco-minded street artist Edina Tokodi is putting a new spin on green guerilla tactics in the trendy art enclave of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Tokodi's site-specific moss installations of prancing animal figures and camouflage outgrowths are the talk of a local urban neighborhood typically accustomed to gallery hype and commercial real estate take-overs. Unlike the market-driven art featured in sterile, white box galleries, the work of Tokodi is meant to be touched, felt, and in turn touch you in the playful ways that her animated installations call to mind a more familiar, environmentally friendly state in the barren patches of urban existence.

Green graffiti - Link.

This reminds me of some of the green graffiti art from CRAFT 04...

Make Pt0002
Make Pt0003

Stainless steel spiders from stolen scissors

Scizzors0045
Check out these fantastic spider sculptures made from TSA confiscated scissors - [via] - Stainless steel spiders from stolen scissors Link.

Three wheel skates

Lrg Three Wheel Skates
This look like a lot of fun and could be a good (re)make - Link.

USB key holder adds memory to your lost keys

Here's a nice idea of how not to lose your personal data along with your keys. We just wonder if now that it's so easy to find your keys, will you remember where you put your car?

Gerry - creative findings - Link, [via]

Slow Messenger makes you care more about instant messaging

Ever feel inundated by your IM client? The "Slow Messenger" is a small 96 x 64 pixel OLED display that delivers your instant messages over a long period of time and depending on your attachment to the device, gives you more or less messages. The device is meant to teach us about how much personal messaging means to us. If you leave the device alone for instance, it would not give you any messages. Hmm... this sounds like the same way my real IM client works.

Slow Messenger Prototype (II) - Link

October 29, 2007

WikiPediaVision

Here's another fun real-time Google Maps mashup, inspired by flickrvision and twittervision. WikiPediaVision displays recent anonymous edits to WikiPedia, showing you the article being edited, and where on the globe the edit came from. It's a nice way to passively graze interesting topics that someone else just got done thinking about. Why are these simple little maps hacks so addictive?

WikiPediaVision - Link

Canon TX1 mod

1800826031 8D52D70A4D O
I have a wide angle lens that works ok when held up to the Canon TX1 - but instead of manually holding up I made a couple rings which are now a sort of makeshift adapter.

Laser cut circle.

2 rings.

Super glue.

Sfhlx
Two rings.

Done!

The Steampunk Workshop - Halloween 2007 Preview

Steampunk has put together a Halloween attraction using an old school bus. The attraction is aptly named "Field Trip to Hell." Below is a video of the bus:

See more of the bus at the link below.

The Steampunk Workshop - Halloween 2007 Preview - Link.

DIY HALLOWEEN from MAKE & CRAFT!
1229422142_532ba9cdd1
It's here!! DIY HALLOWEEN 2007 from the editors of MAKE and CRAFT brings you 40-plus DIY projects for the holiday that's made for makers. From the craftiest costumes to amazing animated props and the latest in computer-controlled haunted house effects - Link.

Another real Guitar Hero

Here's another Guitar Hero controller mod using an actual electric guitar.

Tips And Tricks To Build A Real Guitar Controller Just In Time For Guitar Hero 3 - Link

Related:

Guitar Hero/ Funde Razor - Link
Ultimate Guitar Hero mod - Link
HOW TO - Build your own custom full-sized wireless Guitar Hero controller (Funde Razor Guitar Hero mods)- Link

Motion activated silly string shooter

Matt writes -

It's Halloween again, instead of trick or treating, why not stay home and surprise the kids looking for treats with a shot of silly string at the back of their heads. Joey Rabier shows you this quick and easy mod to drive the neighborhood kids batty, just don't blame us if your house gets TP'd.

Motion activated silly string shooter - Link.

LED fan clock

An awesomely nerdy clock build from an MCU-controlled RGB LED and a computer cooling fan.

Clock using a fan and a LED - [via] Link

Halo 3 Master Chief costume

Using cardboard, fiberglass and an old bicycle helmet you too can be a Master Chief from Halo 3:

Complete instructions available at Instructables.

Halo 3 Master Chief costume - Link.

Maker Faire (photos)

3+Stars 10
Maker Faire photos from Brian. Google (YouTube & SketchUp had a great booth!) - Link.

Step-by-step pumpkin carving

Instructables has published a 9 step process to help you carve the perfect pumpkin, including cleaning it out, placing and attaching your design and even how to use baking powder to help you carve it.

Step-by-step pumpkin carving - Link.

DIY HALLOWEEN CONSTEST from MAKE, CRAFT, INSTRUCTABLES and POPULAR SCIENCE!
1229420992 0173C94Ef1-1
Makers and Crafters, it's time to enter our 2nd annual ghoulishly fun Halloween contests! Anyone, anywhere, can enter all or just some of the contests. We'll have lots of updates and posts regarding all these, but this announcement is to get you started and planning and has more information about where to enter, and our friends @ Instructables and Popular Science - Link (how to enter!). Oh, check out the prizes too! - Link.

i-SOBOT gets skunk-eyed by Chumby

Meatbot-in-chief of RobotsRule, Robert Oschler, sent us this extremely silly vid of i-SOBOT interacting with the Eyeball Widget on the Chumby. There's something very Marcel Duchamp for the 21st century about the whole thing.

i-SOBOT : World's Smallest Chumby User! - Link

The Secret Life Of Machines - The videos (more formats!)

Vacuumcleaner
Coldclimate writes -

Tim's TV programs here in the UK really inspired me aged ten (The secret life of machines). You can now download all of his brilliant series online too. He and Rex Garrod take things to pieces, explain how they work in wonderfully easy to understand chunky, and all of the animations he drew himself. He might just be the original British maker.

The Secret Life Of Machines - The videos (more formats!) - Link.

We've covered these before but the latest videos are in multiple formats including iPhone (m4v).