Hot Hobbies & Toys Posts
How To: Make a short sword with a safe stabbing tip for boffer larping
This tutorial shows you how to make a very safe short sword with a stabbing tip that will pass safety inspection for most games. You'll need filament tape, cloth tape, glues and adhesives, a fiberglass or graphite core and foam coating.
How To: Make a safe boffer arrow out of foam
Add to your boffer larp arsenal with these foam arrows! This tutorial shows you how to make a modular boffer arrow out of three different kinds of foam, a cloth cover, arrowhead shafts, scissors, duct tape and your favorite kind of spray adhesive.
How To: Build a stabbing tip for your boffer LARP sword
Most boffer LARPs insist that you add a safe 'stabbing tip' at the end of your foam sword or dagger. This tutorial shows you how you can make a safe stabbing tip using kevlar and foam, which you add to the core of your sword.
How To: Construct your own replica of a keyblade out of craft foam
If you're looking for how to make the perfect cosplay prop, this tutorial is for you! You can construct your own replica keyblade! You'll need some heavy craft foam to sketch out the keyblade design, and then a sharp craft knife to cut it out. Then cover it and paint!
How To: Make Lal Mirch's goggles from Katekyo Hitman Reborn for cosplay
It's not a real Lal Mirch cosplay costume without the goggles! This tutorial shows you how to make the goggles from one of Katekyo Hitman Reborn characters from cardboard, posterboard and some craft foam. You'll also need some glue, a marking tool, scissors, a utility knife, goggles, headphones, tape and some paint.
How To: Make a thin core boffer sword out of latex
An online class on how to build your own boffer sword! Every combat group is different, so make sure this sword is safe by the rules of your boffer larp. This method goes beyond the simple foam and PVC method and teaches you how to use latex to make an awesome looking sword.
How To: Make a sword for use when fighting in the Society for Creative Anachronism
This tutorial shows you how to make a sword according to the rules of the Society for Creative Anachronism. You'll need to choose the right kind of stick, two different colors of duct tape, camp foam for the thrusting tip and some leather to accessorize.
How To: Build your own Japanese katana out of foam
If you're looking to play a samurai or other Japanese inspired character at your next boffer larp, this tutorial is for you. You're shown how to build a foam katana using duct tape, a razor blade, measuring tape, cloth athletic tape, DAP contact cement, liquid craft latex, fabric to cover your blade, rope, fiberglass core, and of course, foam!
How To: Make a prop sword out of an aluminum bar
This will still hurt if you swing too hard! If you need a realistic looking prop sword, you can follow along with this tutorial to make the prop out of an aluminum bar. You'll need a couple power tools as well, so be careful around them!
How To: Make a quiver full of larp safe foam tipped arrows
This tutorial is a great guide on how you can make a set of safe, foam-tipped arrows. You'll need to start with some hobby arrows, metal washers, wall anchors, a small NERF football, a hot glue gun, glue sticks, measuring tape and a foam golf ball or blue camping foam.
How To: Make or repair larp safe boffer arrows
This tutorial shows you how you can take arrows which may be damaged, or just not up to spec, and repair or recondition them. The tutorial takes apart an arrow, which can give you some good ideas on how to construct them as well.
How To: Make an easy and eco-friendly spell packet for a larp mage
This tutorial shows you how to make spell packets. It's designed for NERO, but many larps use the same rules. All you need is a square of natural fiber cloth (like cotton), some birdseed (or rice or crushed walnut shells or any biodegradable matter) and a rubber band.
How To: Make a mold for a Cthulhu cameo out of silicone
Make a charm that will show off your Mythos Lore! This tutorial shows you how to make a silicone mold for a Cthulhu cameo. All you need is some silicone putty and a good idea for the charm or cameo you want to make.
How To: Make sanity reducing creepy Cthulhu tentacles
Now you too can build your own prop of eldritch horror! Guaranteed to induce a SAN check in anyone who sees it, this tutorial shows you how to build a set of flexible Cthulhu tentacles out of one inch furniture foam, half inch furniture foam, steel wire, pantyhose, one inch PVC tubing, epoxy and a jar of latex.
How To: Make your own Brown Jenkin from H.P. Lovecraft's stories
This tutorial shows you how you can make a stop motion puppet modeled after Brown Jenkin, the eldritch horror that features in in the Cthulhu Mythos of H.P. Lovecraft. Brown Jenkin is a rat familiar with a human face, and this video shows you how to pull off this incredily creepy character.
How To: Make your own copy of the Necronomicon
If you're a fan of either H.P. Lovecract or Sam Raimi, you'll appreciate this tutorial which shows you how to construct your own prop copy of the Necronomicon, the Book of the Dead which features quite prominently in stories of eldritch horror.
How To: Make a Spartan war helmet out of cardboard and papier mache
Whether you were inspired by the movie "300" or just want to add to your costume or prop collection, you can make a replica of a Spartan helmet out of papier-mache. This won't stand up to heavy abuse, but it will still look awesome!
How To: Make armor out or Sintra and Rub'n'Buff
Make your own armor with a weathered look out of Sintra (or expanded PVC foam). You'll need a heat gun, a padded cushion, paper towels, rub'n'buff in silver leaf, a knife, a marking pencil, water and a can of spray primer. Trace your piece onto the Sintra, then use the heat gun to shape it. Useful for costumes, Halloween or larps.
How To: Turn a Cobra Crossbow into a larp safe crossbow
If you're only fighting with foam, you don't want a professional hunting weapon. But you can refit a commercial crossobw and make it larp safe. Starting with the Cobra crossbow, you can modify it to safely shoot foam tipped arrows at a boffer larp.
News: Tiny Robotic Curtain Thwarts Would-Be Peeping Toms
How can a small curtain cover a window three to four times its own size? With a motor and a robot brain, that's how!
How To: Construct a basic boffer longsword using a foam noodle
This tutorial shows you a very basic method to create an effective boffer sword using PVC pipe, a foam noodle, duct tape and some open-cell foam for a stabbing-safe tip. You're also shown a good method for constructing the hilt. This is a great tutorial for anyone looking to make a foam sword for their favorite boffer larp!
How To: Make a Chinese-style boffer jian sword
Playing an Asian-style character for your next boffer larp? If you're looking for a good way to make a jian, or Chinese boffer sword, this is the right tutorial for you! It lays out all the steps, including preplanning, to get precisely the jian you want.
How To: Make a spear out of foam for boffer larping
Build a spear for boffer larping! This video is aimed at Dagorhir, but you can use it for any boffer larp. You'll need foam, duct tape, a sharp bread knife or saw knife, a Sharpie, a Nerf football, cloth tape and fabric to cover it.
How To: Make a boffer mace out of foam, PVC pipe and latex
This tutorial shows you how to make a boffer larp safe mace. Get some PVC pipe, a foam noodle you can get at a drug store, and some soft foam for the head. Then cover your pipe with pipe insulation and sheath the weapon in latex.
How To: Repair a coax receiver antenna including AM, FM, 2.4ghz, airtronics and more
Working on an RC project, or really anything that involves RC, at some point there's a chance that you will end up breaking your antenna for your receiver. If you're a little lost on how to fix the antenna, have no fear. In this video you will get a tutorial on how to fix various antenna receivers and more!
How To: Make a fancy one balloon heart for that special someone
Looking for a new gift idea for Valentines Day, your anniversary, or just a gift for that special someone? Well, try this great fancy balloon heart! All you will need is one of those straight balloons and a little time and patience! In this video you will get a full tutorial on how to make your own!
How To: Make a mini-honey jar with real honey for a dollhouse
Making a dollhouse is fun especially when you do it with your little one. It can be a great time to bond with your daughter on a deeper level! When making a kitchen, one thing that you can put up on the shelf is a jar of honey. In this video you will get a quick tutorial on how to create your own with real honey!
How To: Start a gas powered RC plane easily
When getting into RC planes the hardest part is actually putting together the plane itself. But don't just pull the cord to try to start the engine, there are a few steps that you will need to go through first. In this video you will get a full walkthrough of how to prep the plane and then how to actually start a small gas powered RC motor.
How To: Create a cool fushigi ball out of a few balloons and using seeding techniques
Into contact juggling and balloon twisting? Man are you in luck today, because you're about to learn how to make a Fushigi ball out of balloons! In this video, the Amazing Kenny will give you a quick tutorial on how to create a Fushigi ball out of balloons as well as demonstrates how it can actually be used for contact juggling including arm stalls and more!
How To: Make a baby Spider-Man balloon with diaper
One of the tougher models to make in balloon twisting is a balloon baby, also seen on an episode of Scrubs. If you were curious how they made a balloon baby, check out this video. In it, you will get a full tutorial on how to create your own balloon baby that you can write messages on and more!
How To: Create a simple balloon air plane for beginners
If you're just getting into balloon twisting but are looking for something a little more advanced then say, a flower, then check out this awesome video! In it you will get a step-by-step beginners guide on how to create a simple air plane that will impress anyone!
How To: Make a balloon mermaid
Another creature of the sea that you can add to your repertoire is the Mermaid, half woman, or man, and half fish. If you've got a little girl who loves the Little Mermaid, or are going out to do a party or what have you, you may be asked to make one. In this video you will get a full walkthrough on how to create a mermaid using a few balloons!
How To: Create a balloon animal lobster
Making balloon animals are fun, but what about balloon crustaceans!? Just as fun if not more fun! Great for kids parties, seafood lovers and more, the balloon lobster is a great project! This project isn't for beginners though, but if you're feeling up to the challenge, check out this video to get a full walkthrough of how to create the balloon lobster.
How To: Make a bull balloon animal out of two straight balloons
Great for kids parties or personal amusement, balloon twisting is an artform, and one fun animal that you may not have tried is the bull. At least, not with only two balloons! In this video you will get a full walkthrough of all the steps you will need to take to make a cute balloon animal bull!
How To: Paint your airsoft gun using Krylon paint
Airsoft is a fun and exciting tactical game that really gets you off your feet! And what really sets it apart from paintball is the guns! They look much closer to the real thing and add that extra depth to the game! But the paint jobs and wood finishes are never the best, but that's ok, because you can paint it yourself! In this video you will get a tutorial on how to paint your airsoft rifle using Krylon paint.
How To: Paint your favorite sports team logo on a racing shell
In this video, we learn how to paint your favorite sports team logo on a racing shell. First, you will take your shell and trace out the logo on it with a Sharpie marker of your choice. Use tape to cover the areas that you don't want marked, so the lines come out cleaner and straighter. After you have done this, paint the logo onto the racing shell with small brushes and your choice of paints. Leave the tape in place until all of the paint has dried. Then, remove the tape from the shell and y...
How To: Make a truncated tetrahedron from balloons
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a truncated tetrahedron from balloons. This will involve a lot of twisting of your balloons, so use lots of colors to make it shine. Make sure you leave enough space in the balloon so that you can get all of the twists you need to. Twist bubbles throughout the balloon and then create a circle with it. Connect this color with other balloons that you create with different colors. As soon as you are done, these should all connect together and make a truncat...
How To: Clean Dirty Pennies Using Only 3 Things
Do you want your old, dirty pennies to be shiny and glistening again? This article will demonstrate how to return their lovely allure using only three items: salt, lemon juice, and a jar.
How To: Do an orbit at an orbit light show
In this video, we learn how to do an orbit at an orbit light show. The light should spin clockwise in one and and counter clockwise in the other. You must pay close attention to keep these spinning back and for. Start out by winding the lights up and mastering this so you can produce different shapes. After you learn the wind up, learn how to make the stars with it by winding it up one direction and let the orbit in the middle unwind itself in the opposite way. Once you're comfortable, you wi...
How To: Make a balloon truncated octahedron
In this video we learn how to make a balloon truncated octahedron. This is a complex design for a balloon where you will use around three balloons and create squares and hexagons. This is a difficult type of balloon to create, so make sure you have experience before you begin. Take the first color and twist bubbles into it, making around 16 in total. Then take the next color and twist that into the same amount, twisting into a circle. After this, intertwine these balloons together which one a...