Hot Hobbies & Toys Posts
How To: Make model railroad tunnels
Tunnels can help make your model railroad set-up come alive. But professionally made tunnels can be expensive, and they lack character. In this tutorial you'll learn how to make your own, customized tunnels.
How To: Build a rocket from everyday household trash
This video tutorial will show you how you can build a rocket from trash. That's right... trash. To make the rocket, you'll need a paper towel roll (or three toilet paper rolls), a spray can cap, a model rocket engine, scrap cardboard or wood pieces, hot glue gun with glue, a straw and a paper cup.
How To: Make Optimus Prime out of Legos
Optimus Prime is one of the most famous and highly respected of all cartoon robots. Express your admiration and demonstrate you skill with Legos by using the instructions in this four-part video series to build a model of the leader of the Transformers. It is very elaborate, and requires many pieces, but the end result is very cool, and should justify not being taken apart for other Lego projects for a long time.
How To: Make plaster brickwork for miniatures
Here is one method of making model brickwork and detailing wood for dioramas and miniature game terrain. Carve some light lines into a flat piece of balsa wood and coat it with a thin layer of plaster. This simple trick creates a realistic brickwork effect for miniature dioramas, architectural models, Warhammer and doll houses.
How To: Make a very simple air rocket
This tutorial shows how to construct a mouth-launched air rocket. He begins with an ordinary strip of chewing gum. After removing the gun, he flattens out the wrapper. He then carefully wraps the long end of the wrapper around his index finger, leaving about half the wrapper protruding off the end of his finger. This creates a cylinder. Then he twists off the protruding end tightly and pulls it off his finger. To launch the projectile, he puts the rocket between his lips and blows. This desig...
How To: Make a simple rocket with vitamins
It's easier to build a rocket than you think, although it depends on what you actually consider a rocket. This video tutorial will show you how to make a simple rocket with vitamins. You just need a film roll canister, water and a sparkling tablet, iron (Fe) vitamin or magnesium. That's it!
How To: Make a cleaning solution for RC vehicles
Keeping R/C vehicle clean is essential. Chris Chianelli shows you how to make your own RC cleaner so you can save a few bucks. You will need and empty spray bottle, denatured alcohol, Simple Green, and WD40.
How To: Make the Estes amazon model rocket
Watch this video to learn how to build the plastic model rocket by Estes called the "Amazon". It's an easy to make rocket that is 36 inches tall and comes in the Tandem X Kit.
How To: Repair broken gearboxes in Power Wheels toy vehicles
So, your children have the same old boring Fisher-Price Power Wheels that all the other kids on the block have. Do you really want your child to be like all of the rest? No, I didn't think so. Turn those miniature Power Wheels, Dumar or Peg Perego vehicles into a little bit of realism, if you can handle it. All it takes is a little modification and you'll be wishing you were five again. With a few simple hacks, your son and daughter will be burning rubber, jumping curbs and burying those othe...
How To: Make a dragon kite
The awesome kite in this how-to video has a long tail just like a dragon and is traditionally flown to celebrate the Chinese New Year! You will need RSN, tyvek, heavy duty plastic garbage bag, cloth tape, a bamboo stick - 48" long (window blind source), magic markers, a ruler (yardstick), objects to make 2 circles i.e. pot lid, string, a pencil, a toothpick, a hobby stick, and the step-by-step instructions in this video kite-making tutorial. Make a dragon kite.
How To: Model grass for miniature dioramas and game terrain
Here's how to place grass into your diorama scenery. These tactics may be familiar to model train builders, but there are endless fibers that can create texture for miniature landscapes. Make grass for dioramas, Warhammer, architectural models and other miniatures.
How To: Make a realistic looking landscape diorama
Watch this video series to learn how to make the base shell, terrain, trees, bushes, tufts of grass, and cast plaster rocks for a fantasy landscape diorama.
How To: Build a semiautomatic Lego gun
Most Lego guns require you to feed ammo, or at least cock the gun, every time you shoot. Not so with this model. This video features step-by step instructions and a demonstration of how to build a semiautomatic Lego rubber band gun quickly and easily. Never lose a Lego rubber band gun war to your friends again with the increased firepower of this semi-auto Lego shooting machine.
How To: Remove money from the cash box in a slot machine
If you have a casino, or maybe just a single slot machine, chances are you're making money. But how do you actually get the money from the slot? All of that cash will sit in there for ages if you don't retrieve it, and it could cause a malfunction if not removed in a timely manner, because of getting too full. This video will show you how to remove money earned from the cash box in a casino slot machine. There's two ways to access the cash box in a IGT S+ model slot machine, so check them bot...
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: 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: Take apart a laser pointer
Have you ever had a combination of extreme boredom and an unrelenting curiosity? If so one thing you may have attempted to do is to take apart or "de-engineer" a common office laser pointer. In this online video we are shown how to take apart a cheap laser pointer. It should be noted if you are going to attempt to do this you should only try it on a laser pointer that is inexpensive so your loss will not be great if you should make an error.
News: 160-Piece Arsenal of Life-Sized LEGO Weapons
The LEGO Life-Size weapons flickr group has 160 LEGO constructed weapons- guns, knives, bombs and more. A selection below, click through to view more.
How To: Build hot air balloon out of a garbage bag
This is a simple and easy tutorial, and anybody can build a hot air balloon out of a garbage bag by following the instructions in it. All one needs is a garbage bag, some stiff industrial wire and fire starter bars. The important thing, according to the author, is to judge how many fire starter bars will be required to make the balloon rise without melting its plastic body. First, two long wires are twisted together in the middle to make an 'X'. A smaller wire is twisted onto the middle of th...
How To: Fix common rock crawling problems on an RC vehicle
RC Car Action Magazine Editor Matt Higgins shows how to fix common rock crawling problems such as body repair and a spun hex. Taking a remote control vehicle off road can often result in some damage, like a cracked body or a spun hex. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to fix common rock crawling problems on an RC vehicle.
How To: Make a voodoo doll out of almost anything
Do you have frustrations to take out that can only be helped with magic? If you are in need of the power of a voodoo doll but don't know how to obtain one, check out this helpful tutorial from Planet Voodoo.
How To: Make a Homemade PVC Rocket
This homemade hairspray-powered PVC rocket takes less than an hour to construct and only costs about 20 dollars to make. Check out my video below for the step-by-step instructions on building your own backyard rocket, and follow the written guide below for reference.
How To: Make your own slingshot from easy to find materials
Can you feel your inner Dennis the Menace trying to get out? Trying to recreate the early 90s bad boy Bart Simpson look? Watch these videos to learn how to make yourself a slingshot. This slingshot is made from materials that are probably laying around your house, but you will need some power tools.
How To: Flat iron your American Girl doll's hair
In this video, we learn how to flat iron your American Girl doll's hair. First, heat up your flat iron on the lowest heat setting it has. Now, brush your doll's hair so it doesn't have any lumps or bumps in it. Clip the to of the hair up and then take a small section from the bottom of the head. Then, squirt some water on the hair until it's wet. Comb through the hair and then run the flat iron through the hair very quickly. Run it through again if needed, then continue on to other sections i...
How To: Make an RC snow plow truck
This video details how to construct a front plow for an rc snow plow truck. Using basic materials found at any hardware or hobby stores, you can make a servo lift plow. The video shows the proper way to attach and assemble it to a preexisting rc truck.
How To: Double the power and spin tires with a Power Wheels
So, your children have the same old boring Fisher-Price Power Wheels that all the other kids on the block have. Do you really want your child to be like all of the rest? No, I didn't think so. Turn those miniature Power Wheels, Dumar or Peg Perego vehicles into a little bit of realism, if you can handle it. All it takes is a little modification and you'll be wishing you were five again. With a few simple hacks, your son and daughter will be burning rubber, jumping curbs and burying those othe...
How To: Make a high-powered Nerf Rifle
This is a pretty brief tutorial on how to make your own Nerf Gun. This gun is air-powered and can shoot almost 200 feet. So, why buy manufactured Nerf Guns when you can build your own?
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 an air vortex cannon
You've seen what a vortex cannon can do, so now it's time to build your own! Okay, this air vortex cannon is not huge, but it's definitely a fun thing to construct if you have some junk plastic laying around, and it works really well for its size. Grab a cheap plastic container and follow along to the video instructions and build yourself a homemade vortex cannon!
How To: Set up and modify a remote control helicopter
Watch this instructional hobbies video to setup and modify the Honeybee CP2 and CCPM remote control helicopter. Also, pay attention to some helpful remote control helicopter flying tips. Never fly away until you can hover, because you will never get back without being able to hover and land! That is always expensive.
How To: Paint your American Girl dolls' nails
In this video, we learn how to paint your American Girl dolls' nails. First, stand your doll up and then dip a tiny paintbrush into nail polish remover. After this, put some nail polish onto another tiny brush. Then start to paint the toes using the tiny paintbrush. If you make a mistake, just use the other brush to remove the nail polish. Don't put too much polish on the brush, or it will get messy and turn out badly. Repeat this process on the fingernails when you are done with the toes. Fr...
How To: Make a 300-style Spartan chest piece with paper mache
This is Sparta! If you find yourself yelling that line from the film and graphic novel 300 before doing all sorts of intense tasks, than this two-part video is for you. It will teach you how to make your own wearable replica of a Spartan chest piece out of cardboard and paper mache at home. Never be harmed by Persian arrow again!
How To: Make a larp shield out of foam and cardboard
This tutorial shows you how to make a fun boffer shield out of foam and cardboard. You'll need four pieces of corrugated cardboard cut into 18 inch diameter circles, a craft razor, spray adhesive and paint.
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: Properly wash your American Girl doll's hair
In this tutorial, we learn how to properly wash an American Girl doll hair. First, rinse warm water through the doll's hair, then wash the hair with Herbal Essence's hydration shampoo. After this, rinse out the shampoo until there are no more bubbles. Next, place conditioner in the hair, the rinse off the conditioner until it's completely rinsed out. Comb your fingers through the hair so there are no more knots in the hair. When finished, comb out the hair and then blow dry it until there is ...
News: LEGO 1858 Remington .45
Meticulously crafted LEGO replica of a Remington .45, circa the Wild Wild West, 1858. Created by Flickr user Arkov.
How To: Build an expert level Bermuda kite with your kids
In Bermuda, people celebrate holidays and special occasions by creating and flying colorful kites! Now you can join in the fun and learn how to build this traditional kite.
How To: Make a simple fully automatic rubber band gun
This is an instructional video showing how to build, load and fire the "Simple Fully Automatic Rubber Band Gun 2 (wooden)".
How To: Do three Frontside tricks on a Tech Deck
Learn how to do Frontside NoseBlut, a Frontside Tailslide Kickflip Out into a transition, and a Frontside Bluntslide Kickflip Out on a Tech Deck miniature toy skateboard.
How To: Make fingerboard wheels using a mini lathe
This video will show you how to create wheels for a fingerboard using a lathe. First, you should take a plastic tube and insert it into your lathe, using various drill pieces to cut down the plastic tube to the correct size. After this has been done, a drill which is attached to the lathe and adjusted to go straight through the tube can be made to create a hole through the center of the tube. You can then insert a small piece of metal into the tube in order to create the holder which will att...