Want to build your own life-sized, working replica of WALL-E? Be prepared to take on a second job! Mike Senna spent two years perfecting his own version, working 25 hours a week and totaling somewhere around 3,800 hours for the whole project. He had no blueprints to go by, so he spent a lot of time watching the movie over and over to get everything just right. The video below shows some of the construction; skip to about the one minute mark to see WALL-E in action.
Gerridae—you've probably seen these weird bugs gliding across the surface of the water when you're out swimming or fishing. These insects are commonly referred to as water striders, or more cleverly, Jesus bugs, for their ability to "walk on water". It's a pretty cool trick, but what could it do for science, right? Turns out, quite a bit. Photo by felixtsao
Hello! I would like to share some data about the nests that rabbits and dwarf rabbits build. They represent good shelters for them and their babies.
Stop me if you've heard this one before. A man walks into a bicycle shop, hears about a canoe made of cardboard and is inspired to make an awesome, fully-functional cardboard bicycle. Sound far-fetched? Wait until you hear how his guy actually did it. Israeli entrepreneur Izhar Gafni says that the idea for his method came from Japanese origami. Folding the cardboard increases its strength by 2-3 times, making the material much more durable. Essentially, he made the basic shape for each part w...
Magnetic ink is generally used by the banking industry to allow computers to read information off of a check, but that doesn't mean you can't have some fun with it. The guys over at openMaterials have figured out a great recipe for a DIY magnetic ink that you can use for an interesting art project—or just to mess around.
Nothing to do this summer? Then spark things up with a little baking soda and some vinegar and make a tiny, working rocket. Best of all—you probably already have most of the materials and ingredients lying around the house. What You'll Need
Making cookies is one of the best things in life, especially around the holidays. There is nothing better than getting together with friends and family and bonding by baking cookies.
Redecorating your home can seem like an overwhelming task but it doesn’t have to be. You don’t need a professional as long as take into consideration the key elements such as your budget, the style you want and a color pattern.
JB skating combines roller-skating with a variety of dance styles. If you’re board of your normal Friday nights or looking for a fun and funky way to exercise, grab a pair of skates, watch a few videos and then try it for yourself.
Kruder, from The Pathfinder's school, teaches you how to make a spring spear trap with almost all natural materials. This is a very dangerous trap so be warned and be very careful if you practice this. By using any springy tree (he uses a Maple), and a toggle tied to another tree, you can make a trip wire for any sized animal. Add a spear to make it more effective. You'll learn everything from the materials to construction in this video.
Since the days of Archytas, rocket propulsion has been the Holy Grail of aeronautics. Thanks to Galileo's inertia, Newton's laws of motion, and the "father of modern rocketry," Goddard, space is not a complete mystery anymore. Rocket-powered aircrafts have evolved from the first liquid fuel rocket in 1926, to the Soviet R-7 which launched Sputnik, to NASA's Saturn V that propelled Apollo 11 to the moon. Today, even billionaire tourists can enjoy space, like Microsoft's Charles Simonyi and Cir...
Keeping time and playing a flam, roll and accents are a few essential elements to playing the tambourine. Learn more about this instrument in this free video series.
In this online backpacking video series, learn from expert hiker and backpacker Kate Carcio with Zoar Outdoor. She will teach you the multi day hiking essentials, before you hit the trail.
In this video series, you will learn the basics of amp distortion, differences between kinds of amplifiers, various types of effects that can be produced as well as the essentials of amp maintenance.
In this video clip, our expert Tim Eaton, will explain the essentials of base molding, helping you understand the uses for it, as well as how to cut the wood, measure it, and install with nail guns. Learn how to cut the corner pieces, how to use a compressor and nail gun, and tips for applying inside and outside corner molding pieces correctly.
In this series of videos, you will learn one of the essential building blocks of gymnastics: the cartwheel. Expert gymnast Heather Tocquigny teaches you how to do the basic cartwheel, including planning your moves, and tips for gaining momentum. She also demonstrates how to do a dive cartwheel and the more advanced aerial cartwheel, where your hands never even touch the ground. You'll also get warm-up exercises and stretches, as well as advice on what body types are best for gymnastics and wh...
In this video series learn from Kirk Watt, Fitness Director for VISION FIT with 12 years experience in personal training and nutritional guidance, as he demonstrates essential beginning weight lifting exercises and their proper form. Each video clip will show you different exercises that will help you to build your own weight lifting program.
While there's an art to surviving the all-nighter, there's also an art to staying awake throughout the day when you're operating on little to no sleep. In 1964, the record for sleep deprivation was set by 17-year-old Randy Gardner, who stayed awake for an incredible 264 hours and 12 minutes. Now while we're not out to challenge Randy for his title, we can certainly look to him for inspiration in beating back our own fatigue.
This tutorial by the Floral Design Institute demonstrates how to create a hand-tied Calla bridal bouquet. The key to creating this bouquet is to make sure your flowers are properly prepared. The flowers should be fully hydrated (in water for at least two hours). Take each flower and mold each stem to to reflect the natural curve of the flower. Lay them side by side so they are lined up in a parallel fashion. Give even pressure on the stem to prevent bends or kinks. Some stems may be straight ...
A rocket stove is a "rocket" combustion approach to preparing meals, which provides high combustion efficiency and efficient heat transfer to the cooking pot. Research suggests (through practical experience) that by using a rocket stove, you could save at least 50% of fuelwood, which is a significant savings for anyone's financial situation.
Make your underwater dreams come true by turning yourself into a bona fide swimming mermaid. If mermaids did exist, you would be the perfect candidate to transform into the mythical creature. So check out this video tutorial form Little Orca to learn how to make your own mermaid tail costume.
How to make TCPO or bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl) oxalate, used in glow stick reactions. WARNING: This procedure should only be performed by, or under the direct supervision of, an experienced chemist. Please refer to the material safety data sheets of all chemicals for their hazards. Synthesis must be performed in a fumehood.
Watch this video tutorial from the Polish Guy to see how to polish church appointments, like a chalice and candle. In this demonstration we use a Church Polish & Cleaning Kit that includes Simichrome and Flitz to polish a brass chalice and candle stick. The tutorial includes detailed work instructions and best practices.
Watch this video tutorial from the Polish Guy to see how to clean and polish Ford Ranger alloy rims using Autosol Polish. In this polishing tip, we polish an alloy wheel on a 2004 Ford Ranger 4X4 pickup truck. The tutorial includes detailed work instructions and best practices.
Watch this video tutorial from the Polish Guy to see how to polish a chrome faucet fixture. In this demonstration we use a Faucet & Fixture Care Kit that includes Simichrome and Flitz Faucet & Fixture Wax to polish a chrome bath tub faucet spout.
By using LEDs that only put out a little light the eyes can be lit in dim room light but still appear white, the moment the eyes are in shadow they glow bright red. Watch this video tutorial to see how to make glowing LED creature costume eyes for your film or costume project.
This is a complex process, but the guys at Graffiti Research Lab have armed you with detailed written instructions and this video on how to create a night writer. This is a more complicated version of their LED throwies that allows you to catch a tag in lights. You'll never need an airpline skywriter again!
In this photoshop tutorial you will see how to create a crumbled stain cloth look from scratch. This is a very simple and easy concept. Watch and learn how to make your own satin material effects in Photoshop.
Ever needed to know the the basics of metal inert gas welding? This beginner's guide displays the necessary safety gear, such as the all-important welding mask and deer skin gloves. You'll also learn of some basic equipment options for gas cylinders, welding wires, feeders, and the essential parts of a welding gun. Follow these safety guidelines before getting started with MIG welding.
Creative gifts are the way to go, and personalizing them is even better. That's where monograms come in. They're perfect for things like napkins and coasters, and that's exactly what you'll learn in this video— how to make monogrammed coasters and napkins with stamps and ink.
The stuffed pepper is one of the most many-splendoured dishes that southwestern cooking has given the world. No matter what pepper or what stuffing material you use, they are almost always delicious as long as you avoid overcooking them and allowing them to become soggy. Guy Fieri would never let something like that happen, and here teaches us how to make a chorizo and shrimp version that is hearty, complex, and delicious.
Plastic has a lot going for it, but it's not known for looking great in the long-term. It scratches and smudges easily, and ages a lot faster than glass and other materials. But in this video from Tap Plastics, you'll learn how to polish your plastic and keep it looking good for a long time to come.
Always smudge when using Copics? This tutorial takes you through how to use Copics, alcohol-based markers, by applying the specific pigment-ink evenly throughout so to not smudge when coloring.
This tutorial is set-up for the novice or beginning body painter or face painter, giving step by step instructions on how to body paint a dragon on someone's leg. Paint colors needed include blue, white, black, red, yellow, gold sparkles and green. Materials are a must and include: A plastic plate or pallet, brushes, make-up or body paint, rubbing alcohol, paper towels, and a model over 18 (with at least one leg).
This tutorial shows you how to use 3D Studio Max to create a 4D camera move from a 2D still photograph. You create the illusion of movement with a few simple computer tricks.
Learn how to create custom fiberglass Single Sub enclosures and get professional results. Easy to follow step by step methods for your car audio install. Creating subwoofer boxes from fiberglass is a stronger and lighter alternative to using wood and just as easy if you get the right materials and watch this tutorial.
Keeping the hands protected from burns or rough equipment is the main requirement of welding gloves. There are a few things to look out for: quality material (all leather), reinforcements, good stitching, softness, toughness, comfort, and length. Watch this video welding tutorial and learn how to choose an appropriate pair of welding gloves.
This origami how-to video demonstrates how to fold an origami rose to embellish a scrapbook, greeting card or other paper craft projects. Folding your own origami roses is super easy and a great way to use left over scrapbooking materials. Watch this how to video and learn to origami small flowers.
Learn how to make a rocket using simple materials. Use sugar and KNO3.
How far would you go to save your life? For James Franco, who plays real-life hiker Aron Ralston in Danny Boyle's "127 Hours", staying alive means cutting off your own arm with a dull pocketknife. If you've seen the movie (or even heard about all the people who fainted and threw up after watching it), you know that it presents one of the most grueling self-amputation and bone breaking scenes in movie history.
