Sometimes starting projects is really fun and easy, but other times it can be quite intimidating, if not outright scary. Particularly if you need to use a new machine or software that you have never used before. I am often worried that I won’t be able to make it work, or that other people will… Continue reading HOW TO GET STARTED (AND HOW TO FINISH…)
DON’T BE AFRAID TO FAIL!
Don’t be afraid to fail! Making stuff is rarely a straight line from start to finish. You will fail and make mistakes in small or large ways before it works. It can be simple things such a buying the wrong size screw. It can be highly annoying things like breaking your 3D printed part when… Continue reading DON’T BE AFRAID TO FAIL!
3D PRINTING
3D printing takes making into the living room! Watching the print process can be completely mesmerizing. My husband Bill and I enjoy watching 3D printing so much that we call it “watching Netflix”. It is amazing to see your design materialize in front of your eyes. 3D printers come in every price range, from US$… Continue reading 3D PRINTING
CAD
CAD stands for “Computer Aided Design”. It typically refers to the use of computer programs – “CAD software” – to create 3D models of items. These models aren’t just pretty images, they have very specific dimensions and features. They can also contain information about material, mass, strength, and other physical properties. They can be assembled… Continue reading CAD
WELDING
If there is a human superhero power, it is welding! Fusing metal with your hands – can it get any more amazing than that? There are several different types of welding, but they are all based on the same principle. Welding is used to join materials that can be melted. The most common material to… Continue reading WELDING
ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS
If you have the chance, make sure to learn a bit of electronics! Even if you are not planning to become an electrical engineer, it is a very useful skill. Electronics may appear intimidating and complicated, but if you start with easy projects, you will learn quickly and realize how much fun it is. If… Continue reading ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS
SEWING
Sewing is a really useful skill to know! Not only can you repair a tear in your own clothing or shorten a pair of pants, sewing is part of a lot of engineering! Think of sails, parachutes, tents, and brake chutes for aircraft. Or brake chutes for land speed vehicles like KillaJoule and Green Envy… Continue reading SEWING
COMPUTER PROGRAMMING
All modern technology – computers, phones, satellites, cars, and even such simple things as blinking toys – rely on programming! Knowing how to program is an incredible useful skill, but getting started can be quite intimidating. Programming is all about logical thinking, and just about anybody can learn how to code. However, it is difficult… Continue reading COMPUTER PROGRAMMING
PAPER CRAFT
Paper is a great material for making stuff. You can use paper in many different ways. You can use paper alone (no tape, no glue, no nothing) in the traditional Japanese art of origami. You can also use paper as any building material and cut it, tape it, glue it, and build anything from doll… Continue reading PAPER CRAFT
OTHER DIY
KillaJoule fused glass ornament Making your own fused glass ornaments takes quite a bit of artistic skill and access to the required equipment such as a suitable furnace. This beautiful holiday glass ornament was made by my mom Lena Håkansson. She placed a picture of the KillaJoule under the main glass piece (the back of… Continue reading OTHER DIY