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How To: Create solid water for miniature dioramas and models

You can paint your plaster blue and coat it with a gloss, but there are easier ways to make artificial water for miniature dioramas, architectural models and war game terrain. Easy Water is a product made up of small plastic pellets that need to be melted and poured onto the model. You cannot use this on styrofoam, obviously. This instructional video provides some alternative methods for creating water effects on miniature dioramas.

How To: Rust a model car to make it look old and beat-up

If you like making miniature models for their own sake or for use in playing Warhammer and other table top games, there may come a time when you want a shiny new model to look like an old rusty model. If you're working with plastic, you've come to the right place, because this video will show you how to give plastic models a rusty look that will blend them into your post-apocalyptic or just plain derelict scene.

Meet Tanky: The Super Smart DIY Tank Robot That Can Map Its Own Surroundings

There are plenty of tank robots out there, but how many of them can recognize 3D objects and map their environment? Tanky, the tracked mobile robot, can do all that and more while rolling around on his bicycle chain treads. Created as a Master's thesis project, Tanky is made almost entirely of parts you can find at your local hardware store. It was built in two "layers" with the motors, electronics, and batteries on bottom and the processing unit, a laptop, on top. The motors came from cordle...

How To: Do a 360 flip on a tech deck fingerboard

This video shows us the method to do a 360 flip on a tech deck fingerboard. In a 360 flip the board rotates and exactly flips once before landing. Put your middle finger slightly of the side at the tip of the tail of the tech deck. Put your index finger between the tech deck logo and the front bolts in the normal position. Practice 360 flip on the side of your leg on to the top of it. You should apply pressure on your middle finger. As the board reaches 90 degrees point of spin, extend the in...

How To: Make a working "robot" model hand

In this four-part science tutorial, learn how to make a model of a hand that works like a real hand: with tendons that move the fingers. This is a great tool to teach kids the body's inner workings. Part 1 includes an introduction and parts 2-4 include the step-by-step instructions to contruct this learning tool.

How To: Make mud and rubble in a WW2 diorama

In this tutorial, we learn how to make mud and rubble in a WW2 diorama. You can use corks as the rubble after you paint it and rip it into different pieces to make it look like destroyed buildings. You can purchase realistic water and gloss gel medium to look like water that is on the battlefield. If you mix them together with some chunky material, and then add in brown food coloring, it will look like mud. Using these tips and tricks, your diorama can look more realistic and look fantastic! ...

How To: Inflate a Ball Without a Pump

Got a flat ball that can't be inflated because your pump is broken? This video tutorial shows a simple technique for how to make your own pump. It's fun and easy to do, and it's a great time- and money-saver. All you need is a pump needle, a balloon, scissors, and a rubber band.

How To: Restore your American Girl doll's shiny silky hair

In this tutorial, we learn how to restore your American Girl doll's shiny silky hair. You can wash and condition the hair, use a flat iron on the lowest setting, trim the ends and fly-aways with scissors, and more! If you have done all of this and it's just not shiny enough, you can help fix it. First, you will put a plastic bag around her body. After this, this the bag so her skin won't be effected. Now, cover her face with a towel so just her hair is left. Now, take some Son of A Gun spray ...

How To: Gather tools for building miniatures

Here are some of necessary the tools for hobby crafting and diorama making. This model maker uses wood rasps, sanding pencils, wire cutters, small pliers, a box cutter, a wood carving knife, and a Japanese pull saw. When building miniatures you may find yourself making your own tools or finding useful sculpting aids around the house. Occasionally, a wood burning gun can help you achieve detail for tiny window shutters and other fine work.

How To: Apply eyelashes to open eyed reborn baby dolls

In this video, we learn how to apply eyelashes to open eyed reborn baby dolls. First, you will need to prepare the glue by placing it on a flat surface and letting sit for a couple minutes. Then, take the new eyelashes and remove the existing glue with tweezers. After you do this, dip the base of the lashes into the glue. Do this slowly and make sure to wipe off any excess glue when you're finished. Place the glue evenly around the entire lash. Now, bring the lash to the eye and insert it int...

How To: Make an easy volcano

This project shows you how to make a great working volcano using posterboard rather than paper-mache or plaster. It's easier, faster, and perfect for younger children. The volcano takes a half hour and is ready to be decorated, painted, and then erupted!

How To: Curl your American Girl doll's hair

In this video, we learn how to curl your American Girl doll's hair. What you will do is leave her hair in curlers for a couple of days and then take them out. To put her hair in curlers, you want to spray water on her hair so it's just damp. After this, you will section the hair off, them place the strands into small curlers. Do this all around the head until you have no strands left. When finished, leave her hair to dry for a couple of days. When you take the curlers out, your doll will have...

How To: Make shingles for a Tudor style roof on a dollhouse

There are many different styles of dollhouses out there, and they are all beautiful. In this tutorial, learn how to make shingles and put the finishing touches on a Tudor style house. There is a great sense of accomplishment when you make one of these classic toys from scratch. This video will take you step by step through the shingles, and you will have a fantastic toy or collectible in no time.

How To: Whistle like a train

By following this tutorial, you can learn how to easily make a train whistle sound using only your hands. By simply folding your hands and adjusting for the air flow as you blow on your thumb knuckles, you can replicate the sound of a train whistle. This is a very easy trick to learn so with just a little practice, you can use the train whistle to play with your kids, call them to dinner, etc. A great trick for somebody who has difficulty with conventional whistling.

How To: Build a rubber band powered mini car launcher

What is it about boys and toy cars? Speed, motors, and lots of fun! In this video, Kipkay shows us how to make a mini toy car launcher that is powered by rubber bands. Make sure an adult supervises this project, as power drills are required. Once it's completed, your kid will have a blast with his or her Hot Wheels and some rubber bands. Don't forget to download the PDF of the project before you start.

How To: Remove and install tires on a remote controlled car

If you call yourself a hobbyist or a kid at heart, you know that remote-controlled vehicles are more than just fun. If you're a serious R/C man, you'll know all about doing everything to your model truck or car, like fixing wheels, vamping the pinion gears, waterproofing, troubleshooting, electronic diagnostics, setting up, programming and finally... racing. As much as you know about these remote-controlled vehicles, it will never be enough, you'll always be looking for more...

How To: Make bubbles for a miniature bathtub

In order to make bubbles for a miniature bathtub, you will need Amazing Casting Resin, Triple Thick, micro marbles/decorative beads, a dollhouse tub, and a miniature rubber ducky. You can purchase it in hobby stores: e.g. Hobby Lobby. Open it. Mix it well, according to the package. Poor it into the dollhouse tub. Allow the resin to set. It takes about 1 minute.

How To: Tie a Chinese Cloverleaf knot

Knotmaster JD from Tying It All Together offers us another of his informative and oddly soothing knot-tying instructional videos. This is teaches us to tie a Chinese Cloverleaf knot, a good-luck charm in both East and West that makes up for its lack of practicality with timeless beauty. From the knot-tyer himself:

How To: Build a LEGO pick up truck

In this video, we learn how to build a LEGO pickup truck. First, you will need to lay out all the parts that you need to build the truck. This includes small and large parts that are in gray and white colors, as well as wheels. Start off by building the middle of the car, making room for the wheels to fit in. After this, start to add on the blocks that go on the back and the front to make the headlights and different features on the truck. Add on the block for the windshield, then add on the ...

How To: Make a paper colt pistol using household materials

If you're interested in owning a colt pistol, but don't have the money or proper paper work needed, you can always make one from scratch. Of course, in this tutorial, you'll find out how to make one using just paper and other household materials. It may not be the exact thing, but you can always tell your friends that you own a colt pistol. (Made of paper.) Anyway, good luck and enjoy!

How To: Make a toy parachute

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make a toy parachute. The materials required are: lightweight fabric, ruler, scissors, string, 4 hole button and a toy army man. Begin by measuring a 10x10 inch square on the fabric and cut it out. Fold over each of the 4 corners and cue a small hole. Measure and cut 2 lengths of 36 inch string. Take the string and tie it to one end of the hole on the fabric. Run the other end through the button hole and tie it to the diagonally opposite hole on th...

News: This Jet-Powered, RC Dragon Can Fly Over 100mph—And It Actually Breathes Fire!

WonderHowTo has seen its fair share of dragon-related projects, from dragon wings, to dragon kites, to less-complicated origami dragons, but we've yet to see anything quite like this. Radio-control plane builder Richard Hamel built this incredible seven-foot-long, fire-breathing dragon using a JetCat P80 turbine and a 50,000 volt stun gun, with a 2.4-gigahertz touchscreen radio controller to fly it.

How To: Create a custom checkered gun stock

Want to add a personalized touch to your favorite gun? Looking for some ways to dress up the stock on a new rifle? Checkering a gun stock is a way to add a little unique twist to your favorite rifle or gun. It is not an exceptionally hard technique to master, and you only need a few basic tools to do it. This tutorial from Midway USA shows you how to create a custom checkered gunstock for any wooden stock.