Hasta La Gadget!

I’ve tried playing the guitar on a few occasions in my life, but I always got frustrated with proper fret placement that I like to blame on my fat fingers rather than my lack of coordination. So when I saw these miniature guitar models from Japan, I realized that things could be a whole lot worse for me.

These 10 inch-tall Guitar Legend models from Media Factory are incredibly detailed 1/8th scale versions of authentic electric and bass guitars, from brands including Fender, Gretsch, Ovation and Zemaitis.

Each one is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, but no detail has been left out – other than the ability to actually play them. Depending on the model, they include accessories such as tiny guitar stands and cases as well.

They’re available from Amazon Japan or Media Factory for ¥1,764 (~$17 USD) each, but the guys at White Rabbit Express can import them to other countries for you if you’re interested.

Miniatures and figurines are some of the best aspects of tabletop gaming. But if you’re playing a tabletop RPG, you might not be satisfied with the figurines that come with your game or even the ones you can buy online. And while we already have relatively affordable 3D modeling software and 3D printers, it requires a bit of training to use those tools. Hero Forge wants to meet you halfway.

Currently seeking funding on Kickstarter, Hero Forge will let you create your own figurines right from your browser. Hero Forge’s web-based creation tool looks a lot like the character creation screen in many video games. Its options include gender, clothes, weapons and poses. Naturally, your character’s 3D model will instantly reflect your choices. Once you’re satisfied you can then order a 3D print of your figurine from the tool itself.

The founders of Hero Forge claim that 3D printing has big advantages over injection molding, one of them being the ability to print on demand. Miniature makers that use injection molding have to make products in batches for the process to be cost-efficient, which means they’ll only make designs that they think are guaranteed to sell. But with a 3D printing service like Hero Forge, you can create and print a miniature even if you’re the only one in the world who’s willing to buy what you made.

Apparently, 3D printers can also pull off aesthetic tricks that are hard to emulate through injection molding, such as interior or recessed details as well as moving parts.

Another advantage of Hero Forge is that you can easily scale the size of your created character. Hero Forge plans to offer three sizes at launch: 28mm, 3in and 6in.

Customers will also have two print qualities to choose from. One is very durable and cheap but not suited for painting, while the other one is more expensive but is very detailed and is suited for painting.

Finally, like many video games Hero Forge will save your 3D models. You can have them reprinted, modified or both as often as you like.

Pledge at least $20 (USD) on Kickstarter to receive a customized miniature as a reward. It would be awesome if the creation tool allowed you to upload your own designs for even more customization. Wouldn’t it be awesome to have a miniature that looks just like you?

Looking for something to put on your desk alongside your tiny Atari 2600 and NES? Why not print out a miniature Commodore 64 computer, complete with 1541 Floppy Drive so you can load some tiny programs onto it?

This miniature C64 model is yet another design from Dave Nunez – the guy behind the tiny 8-bit consoles, and I think he really nailed it yet again. This weensy version may not have every key on its keyboard, but it still captures the essential design attributes of the classic 8-bit computer. The two-inch-wide system includes joystick ports and function keys as well.

I like how he even made a tiny little box and styrofoam insert for the computer too. If you’d like to print out your own miniature Commodore 64, head on over to Thingiverse to download the model. Great job again, Dave! Now all you need to do is hook up with Ben Heck and convince him to stuff functional systems inside of your models.

CCP Co., Ltd., is releasing the world’s smallest helicopter – “NANO-FALCON” – on June 8. It is certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s smallest helicopter controlled by infrared light.

Parts used for small-sized precision machinery and devices such as smartphones are used for “NANO-FALCON”. The helicopter weighs only 11g and is 65mm long. Even though it’s a tiny helicopter, it’s able to fly stably because of a high performance gyrosensor and contra-rotating propellers. You can make the helicopter go up, go down, turn, circle, go forward and go backward.

Price: 4,704 yen (including tax)
Size: 65mm long, 11g
Controlling distance: 5m indoor
Battery for the helicopter: Rechargeable lithium ion polymer battery (built-in)
Battery for the controller: Alkaline size AA batteries x 4 (sold separately)
Continuous flying time: About 5 minutes
Charging time: 30 minutes
Includes: Helicopter, controller, spare tail propellers x 2, propeller remover

For a moment there, I wasn’t sure if these sculptures were real, however, they are. These incredibly tiny sculptures were created by an artist using a microscope. They are incredibly detailed for art of this scale, and I imagine need to be quite careful when you’re around it, otherwise it could be crushed or simply blown away.

Russian artist Nikolai Aldunin has to keep his hands perfectly still in order to build his microscopic art. He takes inspiration about a Russian folk tale about Levsha, a left-handed craftsman so talented that the was able to put horseshoes onto a flea, and cues from the Bible.

Nikolai uses syringes, toothpicks, and superglue to make his art, and he works under a microscope as he crafts them.

[via Daily Mail via designboom]