Makers

Mini coilgun

Mini coilgun

UK maker Nick Thatcher’s pistol-sized coilgun is a mere 15cm (5.9″) long and uses 5 caps taken from disposable cameras. I think the brass bars are just to make it look like a raygun. On my last coilgun the charging unit was built in, this resulted in a rather hefty box slung underneath the main […]

Marc Newson’s Transport show in NYC

Marc Newson’s Transport show in NYC

On my radar this week is Marc Newson’s show at Gagosian Gallery in Chelsea. Newson approaches design as an experimental exercise in extreme structure and advanced technologies, combined with a highly tactile and exacting exploration of materials, processes, and skills. As an industrial designer, his reach is broad and diverse, from concept jets and cars […]

Gallery of buildings and architectural elements

Gallery of buildings and architectural elements

This astounding architectural resource is a treasure to anyone working with building design, construction, or for those of us just fascinated by architecture from our armchairs. Run by ArchitectureWeek, the site seems an inexhaustible database of photos, building plans, building and architectural element information and history, and other technical and cultural-historical aspects of architecture. You […]

Maker Birthday:  Steven Roberts

Maker Birthday: Steven Roberts

Steve posing with his Winnebiko II in the late 80s A big Maker Birthday shout-out to our friend, MAKE contributor, and DIY superhero Steve Roberts. Steve has been artfully hacking the physical world in creative, innovative, and inspiring ways for decades. Throughout the 80s, he biked across America, in his tricked-out recumbent, computerized bikes and […]

Handmade Cameras by Mats Wernersson

Handmade Cameras by Mats Wernersson

From a scratch built 9×12 Field Camera to an early digital camera assembled on perf board, Mats Wernersson has rightfully earned the moniker of The Camera Maker. Look past the quality build and attention to detail and you’ll notice that every camera Mats has built is a rare specimen. With interests in stereographic imaging, astronomy, panorama and plenoptic cameras, there’s little wonder why Mats takes the DIY approach.