An electrophorus is a type of capacitor that generates electrostatic energy. Most of you probably know this force as static electricity, the domain of door handles and polyester shirts. It can be used for all sorts of other fun science experiments though, and this video will show you how an old hard drive, some plastic, Styrofoam, foil, a cat, and other simple materials can be used to make a a simple functioning electrophorus.
Make sure your winter wardrobe survives the summer by putting it away properly. Learn how to store your winter clothes.
There are plenty of tricks for escaping from traditional police cuffs out there, but what about those plastic zip tie type ones? The plastic they use to make these cuffs is so thick that you can't possible cut it.
Ravi Carlson teaches you how to make potato plastic in this video tutorial with glycerin, a potato (or pre-made potato starch), baking soda, and white vinegar.
Mark Donovan of Home Addition Plus goes over the key features and benefits of the Rockwell reciprocating saw with active vibration canceling technology. A reciprocating saw is a type of saw in which the cutting action is achieved with a push and pull reciprocating motion on the blade. A positive feature of the Rockwell is that there are no tools needed to replace the blade and it acts great with all materials including wood, metal, plastic, and/or aluminum.
In this video, we learn how to shrink plastic with household materials. You will need: tin foil, plastic container, scissors, glove, and colored markers. To start, you will preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Then, cut a piece of the plastic out in a square shape. Next, draw whatever you want onto your piece of plastic. Make it as colorful as you would like to! When finished, put this in the oven using a glove. Make sure it's on the foil when you put it in. Then, leave it in for less than a minu...
Looking for an easy way to cut out a large hole from a plank of wood or a sheet of plastic or metal? A holesaw (also styled hole saw) might be just the right tool for the job. For a complete overview of how to use a holesaw-type circular saw to carve holes into your materials, watch this free video handyman's how-to.
Kipkay from Make Magazine shows us how to create a photographic illusion, making things look smaller than they really are with tilt-shift photography. Materials needed include rubber plunger, an oversized lens, a plastic body cap, a single lens (or digital single lens) camera, a hot glue gun, a sanding file, and a disposable object for a plastic backing, such as a VHS tape case. With this great tutorial and a little work, create the illusion of a miniaturized world with this photographic tech...
You don't have to own a Cricut, several volumes of themed scrapbooking paper, pinking shears, and ribbons in each color of the rainbow to call yourself a crafter. More complicated crafts do call for this kind of deep and expensive preparation, but the craft presented in this video practically requires nothing.
In this tutorial, learn how to make your own fabric that you can use to make bags, clothing and many more items! Etsy Labs technician, Anda Lewis shows you how to fuse plastic bags (from the grocery store or trash bags) in this quick clip. You can even use these bags to create your own reusable, Earth friendly shopping bag!
First, the plywood or oriented strand board (OSB) subfloor floats on a corrugated or “cleated” waterproof underlayment, so the wood never actually touches the floor. The underlayment material can be made of Styrofoam or heavy-duty polyethylene, the same material used in corrugated plastic drain pipe (one of the toughest plastics available). This underlayment creates an air gap above the concrete. Combined with the wooden panels, the air in this space provides a thermal break that acts as insu...
In this video hostess Charlotte instructs us, on how to make "Inner Tube" Bracelets, a rock style associated accessory. Employing either Black Plastic, Leather, or even Tape. Creating these alt accessories requires only scissors and a needle and thread of some type of adhesive to attach the clasp or fastener that will allow you to attach it to your wrist. With a few simple Scissor cuts along the material's length to create a design. Charlotte shows us exactly how it is done with helpful tips ...
In this image editing software tutorial you will learn how to create clear plastic type or acrylic type effects in Photoshop. Learn how to use Layer Styles in Photoshop to great effect to create clear plastic or glassy type. Create clear plastic or acrylic text in Photoshop.
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make a box out of used plastic bottles. This task is very simple, fast and easy to do. The materials required for this task are 2 plastic bottles and a zipper. Begin by cutting off the bottom of both plastic bottles. Now glue the zipper on both of the bottom pieces and glue the bottom pieces together. Then zip the bottom pieces together. This video will benefit those viewers who enjoy making arts and crafts and recycling material, and would like to...
If you're interested in creating a dosimeter using simple tools, take a look at this video. Using a digital camera, a plastic scintillator, and some tape a radiation dosimeter can be crafted allowing for radiation information to be collected with simple materials.
This instructional video demonstrates how to make an exciting stringed instrument from simple junk materials. This is one of the projects from Nick Penny's book "Making Musical Instruments from Junk". This musical instrument is called a poptar, because of the unique sound it makes. You will need a 2 liter plastic bottle, scissors, and plastic twine.
This video will teach you the process of vacuum forming sheet plastic into 3D shapes using the $40 make-it-yourself vacuum former from this "Instructable."
In this video, we learn how to build parachutes with household materials. You will need: a long string, Mylar, mesh, plastic, scissors, tape, and a weight. To get started, you will first cut your plastic or mesh into a circle or octagon shape. Then, take your string and cut it into several pieces. Then, tape the strings onto your material all around. After this, tie your weight to the strings so it's fully secured. Now, go to somewhere high and throw down your item! The parachute will help ke...
Don't know what a sasanqua is? It's a well-known Japanese camellia with fragrant white or pink flowers. Also, it has seeds that yield tea oil. Now that you know the simple facts, you can teach them to you children as you teach them how to create a plastic bottle version of the wonderful camellia flower. To make this flower with your kids, you'll need the following materials:
In this tutorial, learn how to make a vacuum table that you can use to make plastic objects. You will learn how to build this type of surface and create anything you may need to replace - for example, if you lose the cover of your cell phone - don't spend a ton getting a new one- just make your own!
Bruce Sublett demonstrates tying his 'Genuine Imitation Plastic', a jig type fly for saltwater fly fishing.
Perspex is a durable and fashionable material, so getting tables like this made of it at the stores is expensive. If you've got some tools and wide DIY streak though, you can make one yourself with about 8 hours of time and this video, which will teach you just how to do it.
If you like the idea of building rockets that will soar through the air like angels but don't want to bother with operating high explosive, it's possible to build pretty darn powerful rockets out of water. This video will show you how to do so very easily out of junk that you probably already have.
If you are shooting a film with featuring the iconic X-Men team member Wolverine or want to dress yourself or someone else as him for some other reason, the claws are the most important part. They're what makes Wolverine Wolverine, at least externally (he didn't always have chops Hugh Jackman you studmuffin you!) and the ones you use had better look good if your costume is going to be a hit. This video will show you how to make some very authentic-looking Wolverine claws at home out of some s...
This video demonstrates how to use plastic row covers and wall of water to start plants early. A lot of gardeners want to start their planting early if the weather is nice. But they may be subject to some frost still yet. How can they protect their plants? First is a demonstration of how to use a spun bond polyester like material. It is breathable, rather than using clear plastic, so the plants don't cook on warmer days. Then the video shows how to use a wall of water to start a few plants ea...
Think a hot air balloon is something you can only read about in books? Think again. In this six-part science based tutorial, learn how to make your very own hot air balloon using science & the following easy to find materials: plastic bags, plastic drinking straws, thin candles, aluminun foil, tape, and scissors.
Do you have a major mosquito problem? Well, here's a solution used by the military to drastically cut down their numbers.
Looking for a stylish new look without the price tag? This video tutorial will teach you how to make jewelry on a budget, with your main material being none other than paper and plastic tubing! This step by step instructional video by craftside shows you how to recycle old card stock, paper, and cardboard to make a holder for a plastic tube necklace. First they show you how to make a "matchbook" holder by just folding the card stock around the cardboard that create a little card that will hol...
In this video, Lusitano 9514 will show you how to make a homemade rubber band bow and arrow out of common household items. To do it, you will only need a basic plastic coat hanger, a long rubber band, and some kind of a stick (for the "arrow"), all of which are quite inexpensive. Watch Lusitano 9514 demonstrate for you exactly how to make the bow and arrow, and show how it works. You will also learn tips and tricks, such as what materials make better ammunition, and what kind of "arrows" are ...
Make your board your own by tailoring it to your skating style. You Will Need
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.
Forget a message in a bottle, how about your own water vortex!? This simple, step-by-step video shows you how to 'weld' two plastic bottle caps together so you have a tight, dry seal for your very own home water vortex. You'll need a heating element, a non-stick pan, some 2 liter plastic bottles and several extra plastic bottle caps. Now you can hold a vortex in your very own hand.
This instructional quilting video is perfect for those who have never used a rotary cutter. There are two main types of rotary cutters to choose from. You will also need a clear plastic cutting mat and a self healing mat on which to rest the fabric. The clear plastic guide and the mat below allow you to make straight, geometric slices of fabric.
This video weaving tutorial describes the creative process by which materials are decided upon and how to sequence the fabrics together into the rug. Naalbinding or toothbrush rug making recycles wasted clothes, plastic bags, hosiery, and time into beautiful durable rugs. Watch this instructional video and learn how to plan out and organize the fabrics and materials for toothbrush rug weaving.
Making a PCB is very simple; it does not consume a lot of time and the results look professional. After watching this step-by-step how-to video, you will be able to make your own PCB in your workshop using just a few inexpensive materials.
Hairbands are alluring rip offs of headbands. Made out of real hair rather than fabric and synthetic elastic material, hairbands cost just about nothing (you do sprout hair organically from your head, after all) and look far more mature than their plastic counterparts.
Bring a little life to your films, or maybe a little "light". Watch this video to see how to make your own 400-watt video light for film or photography. You can make this video light with mere parts from the local hardware store, such as plastic paneling (which is cheap, easy to cut and non-conductive), zip ties, 4 plastic bulb sockets, lamp cord (like Romex), a cheap plug, and good and cheap diffusion. With all of these materials, you'll have your own homemade light for any film or photo pro...
Who knew some plastic, water and air would be so much fun? If you like rockets and explosions, you probably knew. And so did this guy, who shows you how to make an awesome water rocket that can shoot over 200 feet! Before you try following along with the rocket build, you should gather the materials—5' long piece of ½" PVC, small length of 1½" PVC, glue, ½" PVC "T" fitting, 2 PVC caps (½"), ¾" hose clamp, 7" zip ties (9 of them), duct tape, 2-liter plastic bottle, and a bicycle pump (or air c...
What a unique bow. Your gifts will be beautiful under the Christmas tree. Materials you will need are: plastic wrap, hot glue, LEDs, scissors, pliers duct tape, glue gun and glue, toothpicks and 3 volt batteries. First you take the plastic wrap and cut it about 5 times the size your bow is going to be. Take the end and push it together. Now make one side of the bow, push together, and make the other side of the bow. Keep going back and forth until the plastic wrap is at the end. The left over...
A plastic bag made out of plastic bags that's stronger than its constituent parts and reusuable for shopping trips? How did we not think of this before? While there's been a green movement recently to upcycle "junk" or "trash" into something usable, like old t-shirts into grocery bags, the idea was always to turn something into something else entirely.
