DIY Telecine
Giles writes “Step by step, do it yourself, super 8 telecine – How to make Super 8 movies into digital files for the cost of an old projector, a big lens and some bits from the local electronics store!” Link.
DIY Projects
DIY Camera Obscura
How to make the sunrise in your bedroom every morning. Many artists have used the Camera Obscura over the years, now make your own. – an optical experiment easy to do, but which, in spite of its simplicity, is able to give you a continuous marvel. What you have to do is simply mount a lens on the bedroom window. In this way, when you wake up in the morning, you will admire the outside scene projected on a wall of your bedroom. Link.
HOW TO – Build a $1 compound microscope
“…construction of a very simple low-cost compound microscope. As shown in Figure 1, the microscope we describe is one that just about anyone can build and will produce a magnification of about 75 times. Microscopes may be thought of as very intricate and mysterious instruments but in reality, they are not as complicated as one may think. Building this simple instrument is not only a fun project, it will help you understand how microscopes work.” Thanks Rick! Link.
HOW TO – Make water rockets
This site has tons of how-tos and information on making water rockets (up to 6 feet tall!) Materials required tends to be limited to one or two pop bottles, some putty or Blu-Tack, a bicycle pump and an adaptor and making use of a sharp knife. Parachutes can be as simple as a bin-liner and still work well despite their low cost. Thanks Rick! Link.
This site has a ton of free stencils to down, exacto out and use as you please. There are stencils for just about anything out there – Animals to Vegand & Vegetarian. [
Recycled beer bottle tumblers
These tumblers are made from old beer bottles – I think it’s a really neat idea, but the price is a little steep ($25). What you could do is collect old / weird bottles and use a glass cutter to make your own tumblers, cups and classes for super cheap. Link.
HOW TO – Build a Flight Simulator Motion Cockpit
Rick writes “Always wanted to experience the thrill of real flying but can’t afford it? Always wanted that ultimate accessory for you MS Flight Simulator 2000? This may just be the thing. Build your own motion system with 4 axis motion and a simple non direct connection to the simulator software. Fly that dream :)” There are 4 chapters for free and the PDF is $15, not too bad. Link.
