Guy Makes His Own Scroll Saw – Out of Wood

Now you know you can run down to the local Home Depot and pick up a scroll saw for under 100 bucks, right? Well that didn’t stop one enterprising DIYer from building his own. Instead of using metal, this guy built his out of wood.

handmade wooden scroll saw

Japanese builder Mikiono created this scroll saw almost entirely out of wood. Pretty much everything except for the saw blade, belt, wires and motor are handmade from plywood. Even the gears are wooden. But does it work? Absolutely. You can see the saw (see what I did there?) in action in the video clip below:

While many hand tools have wooden handles on them, it seems really unusual to me that you’d build a power tool from wood. I’d be afraid that it would saw itself in half. I guess Mikiono just wanted to prove it could be done. And a fine job you have done, sir.

[via Woodgears]

 


Wooden LEGO Minifigs: Because Plastic LEGO People Aren’t Enough

I think LEGO should be a huge part of every kid’s childhood. For one, it’s a toy that develops motor skills and requires kids to think while having fun in the process. Sounds totally win-win to me.

But if you prefer your stuff all natural and biodegradable, then you’ll be pleased to know that someone out there has carved some wooden LEGO-like parts that form a LEGO guy when put together.

Wood Carved Lego

Looks pretty awesome, doesn’t it? This wooden minifig was carved by Thibaut MALET, who hails from France. The entire toy isn’t hinged, though, so you can expect it to have limited flexibility.

Wood Carved Lego1

The bad news? They’re all sold out already. Thibaut explains that only twenty numbered figures made, so if you were one of the twenty people who were able to buy one, then lucky you.

[via Colossal Art+Design]


R2-D2 Hip Flask: Don’t Drink and Droid

R2-D2 is one versatile maintenance droid. He can hack security systems, distract stormtroopers, project holographic messages from princesses in need, and even navigate swamps. But did you know he also serves booze?

r2 d2 flask

This R2-D2 hip flask is perfect for concealing your Coruscant coolers, Bantha-blood fizz or Kashyyyk ale inside your coat pocket. And yes, those are all actual (imaginary) drinks from the Star Wars universe. But if you don’t have ready access to any of those exotic artisinal ingredients, it’s also great for stashing your Jack Daniels or Mad Dog too.

The flask sells for $16.99(USD) over at Your Flask’s Etsy shop. I don’t know why, but I always figured C-3PO for more of a boozehound than R2.


Looking Good Mirror: Who’s That Handsome Devil?

Some people like to obsessively check themselves in the mirror to make sure they look their best. If this describes you, then have I got something for you.

looking good mirror 1

Thabto’s Looking Good mirror looks like a giant pair of eyeglasses, so you can check out your own beautiful mug while at the same time you adjust your own shades. You are so good looking. The dual mirror design actually has another advantage – you and your significant other can primp and preen yourselves side-by-side.

looking good mirror 2The Looking Good mirror sells for £200 (~$350 USD). While that might seem like a lot to spend on a mirror, it’s actually way less than my last pair of eyeglasses cost. Of course, these might look a little ridiculous if I tried to wear them.


Knit Gamer Chucks: 8 Bits for Your 10 Toes

Gamers looking to increase their street cred should feel comfortable wearing their favorite gaming icons with pride. But if you’re not ready to wear something too over-the-top, then check out these sweet Converse Chuck Taylors, covered with hand-knit gamer designs.

mario knit chuck taylors

They’re made by Katie of PrettySneaky, and they’re available in a variety of cool pixelated styles. Current designs include Super MarioMinecraft creeper, Final Fantasy and the previously featured Mega Man patterns – all of which look great.

final fantasty knit chucks

Though I might not want to wear creepers on my feet, for fear that they might attack me and explode or something.

minecraft creeper chucks

Each pair is custom made, and can be ordered in any size. They sell for $130(USD) a pair, and you need them on your feet – now. Be sure to check out more of Katie’s cool and geeky designs over at her Etsy shop.


The Sword Skillet Won’t Slice or Dice Opponents, But It Will Fry Their Eggs

If you are looking to take up the sword, but can’t stab, slice or parry, this sword skillet might be for you. It won’t pierce flesh, but will still knock your enemy out cold if you can get close enough to hit him upside the head with it. And then after your victorious, but silly battle is over, this weapon will fry up some eggs rather nicely.

sword skillet
It will also cook up dragon meat like a pro, but let’s face it, you are never going to kill a dragon with this weapon, so it looks like you will be eating a lot of eggs – and not dragon’s eggs.

The Combat Skillet by Morlock Enterprises really is a functional frying pan with a hilt attached. So if you are cooking breakfast and someone suddenly attacks you, just grab the hilt and hit him in the head. Ass-kicking is served. Now back to breakfast.

The skillet is available over on Kickstarter for $45(USD), or you can also order just the handle for converting your existing frying pans for just $27. The project has already raised over $13,000 so far, which is well above its fundraising goal.

[via Obvious Winner]


Litographs Let You Wear Your Favorite Literary Works

Remember the Book Scarves? Well, now you can do more than just wear your favorite story around your neck.

If this campaign on Kickstarter gets, well, kick-started, you might soon be able to wear your favorite work of literature on your shirt. I’m talking about Litographs.

litograph6Printing the entire text of a literary masterpiece on an article of clothing isn’t exactly a new concept, but Litographs managed to take something that has already been done to a different level. Instead of just printing the text on the shirt, they’ve set it so that the cracks and spaces in between reveal an image that’s appropriate for the story.

Check out the gallery below for the first Litographs shirts that are going into production.

Litograph1 175x175
Litograph2 175x175
Litograph3 175x175
Litograph4 175x175
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litograph6 175x175

The project is currently up for funding on Kickstarter, where a minimum pledge of $30(USD) will get you one Litographs shirt of your choice. Contributing $25 more will get you one of Litographs’ prints to hang on your wall.


Chewbacca Mona Lisa: DaVinci Had His Arms Ripped out of Their Sockets for This

Chewbacca always seemed a little high-strung to me, but if this image is to believed, he had enough patience to sit still for his portrait to be painted by the great Leonardo DaVinci.

chewbacca mona lisa 2

This hilarious mashup of Chewie and Mona Lisa, entitled Chewconda after the painting’s Italian name La Gioconda, was created by Stefano Gentile, and would look great hanging up on your wall alongside your prized Carbonite-framed Han Solo.

You can grab an 8″ x 10″ ($14) or an 11″ x 16″ ($18) digital print of Chewconda over on Etsy for $14(USD), or really splurge and grab the framed original 18″ x 24″ acrylic painting of Chewie for $469.


Stressed? Come on Down to the Bubble Wrap Anti-Stress Station and Chill!

Some people turn to ice cream or power-shopping when they’re stressed. Others watch movies, play with their dog, or sleep it out.

Still others find that they relieve their stress best by popping a whole lot of bubble wrap. And helping make bubble wrap more available is this Bubble Wrap Anti-Stress Station by artist fra-biancoshock.

Bubble Wrap Station

He set up this little installation at a bus stop in Milan where he tacked on sheets of bubble wrap along with a sign that indicated just how many minutes of popping action a person can have with each.

Bubble Wrap Station1

It’s convenient, it’s fun, and it’s one of the simplest way to relieve stress without breaking the bank. Need to quit stress-shopping? Bubble wrap bursting is definitely something you have to try!

[Rebel Art via Design TAXI via Bit Rebels]


111-Foot-Long Train Made of Chocolate: Choo-Choo… Chew!

Who doesn’t love chocolate? You can never have too much. You probably wish that you had a train-load of chocolate delivered to you every day. But what about a train that is actually made of the sweet stuff? A 111-foot-long chocolate train. Now that sounds delicious.

chocolate train

Photo: L’avenir

This train was created by “master chocolatier” Andrew Farrugia of Malta. It’s 2,755 pounds of fine Belgian chocolate – 6.5 million calories if you are counting.

chocolate train 2

Photo: L’avenir

He got the idea for the train last year, when visiting the Belgian Chocolate Festival in Bruges, with the thought that you can make a train as long as you want. Overall, it took Farrugia 784 hours to build this incredible thing, which is now officially the world’s longest chocolate sculpture ever built.

chocolate train 3

Photo: L’avenir

I call dibs on the engine. That’s always the chocolatiest part of any chocolate train.

[via Oddity Central via Neatorama]