If you’re a maker just starting out your journey in sustainability, it can be overwhelming to figure out how to get started. From understanding the types of materials to utilize, learning what steps will help reduce waste and emissions, and finding inspiring new ways to explore creativity that don’t have a negative environmental impact. The good news is there are plenty of resources available for DIYers looking for ways to make their projects more sustainable – from simple switches you can make today, big-picture ideas for longterm change, or exciting new ways makers are helping push sustainability into the future. In these blog posts we’ll look at tips tricks and ideas specifically tailored towards diyers and makers on the road to creating projects with greater eco consciousness so that not only will you create something beautiful but also respect its impact on our planet!
Matt writes – “Custom steel bicycle made on the cheap. In a world where the knowledgeable cog head can easily spend over $3000 for a custom built bicycle of any quality here’s someone who went on a crusade to meet the need for almost nothing but elbow grease.” Link.
Awesome derby car mod – “I wanted to show you all the cool car my son Matthew and I made for his cub scouts pinewood derby. We wanted to do something entirely different and decided on mounting a very small camera to it along with an LED in the back to look like a jet engine. It was powered by a 9V battery which also served as the car’s weight. The car broadcast wirelessly to a receiver which we recorded on mini-DV. We won 7 prizes and finished 4th in the races.” [via] Link.
Timbuktuchronicles writes “This is essentially a water heater attached to a pump, the only other thing you need is a barrel to wash your fuel, attach some hoses and valves from Home Depot and that’s all you need to make fuel from vegetable oil that will run on any unmodified diesel engine.” Link.
Crabfu’s awesome steam powered creations – “These steam machines are real miniature live steam engines. Principles are simple, heat + water = steam, steam pushes pistons and provides power in a circular motion…. how you harness that work is up to you :) I use mainly stationary or marine engines to start. They use alcohol, gas, or solid fuel tablets for heat, and requires oiling on each run. Distilled water is recommended, and steam pressure can build up around .8 – 1.5 bars, or around 10-20 psi…. NOT a lot of pressure. They have safety valves which releases the steam at a certain pressure, as not to “blow up”, and typical running time is about 10 minutes.” Link.
“Mr. Anton Peterka along with his team, made his ’85 Yugo 45, using wood and coal for fuel. It’s not a new technology, 125 years old. The process is based on incomplete combustion of wood: due to lack of air, gases are created: carbon monoxide, the main fuels, hydrogen and methane. That mixture of gases is as flammable as gasoline fumes. To get the car moving, it is necessary to “fill it up with wood.” Thanks Nikitos! Link.
Looks like this auction was removed from eBay – “Everybody needs one of these, cleaning out the garage, this little car is so much fun, it is thrust powered by 2 GE t-58 turbines, has 4 fuel tanks, power steering, power brakes, fire detection, fire suppression, roll over protection, self starting and quick. I have taken this car to the salt flats twice, the first time it wanted to fly @ 140 mph, but after adding the spoilers and air dam it stayed solid thru 187 mph with a lot more room to go.” Link.
Clever cat hack from Charles Platt who is sitting in for Kevin Kelly on the Cool Tools mailing list – “…Feline Automotive Observation Platform. My cat, Eddie, used to complain constantly during car rides, but his limited vocabulary made it difficult to deduce the precise nature of his problem. When I constructed a simple detachable plywood panel faced with a thin doormat for enhanced claw traction, his complaints ceased immediately. Now he sits happily with his nose pressed to the windshield, enjoying the scenery when I got for a drive. The two supporting struts hook onto the sun-visor mounts, and can be attached or removed in ten seconds.” Link. & main site.
