How To: Make a Powerful PVC Air Cannon with Coaxial Piston Valve

The video featured in this article demonstrates the function and design of a powerful form of air cannon that operates using a purpose made valve that opens very rapidly. This allows for a massive amount of pressurized air to be released at once to throw a projectile many hundreds of yards. The design of the cannon also allows the barrel and the air chamber to occupy the same space, and so it is very compact and manageable which makes for an enjoyable shooting experience.

How To: Make HUGE Soap Bubbles

Learning to make giant bubbles for this video has been the most fun I've had with a project in a long time. It's addicting to try to get them to grow bigger and bigger than the ones before. Since filming this video, my skill has improved tremendously and the bubbles you're about to see, though spectacularly big, are dwarfed by what I've made since. Everyone loves to watch. This is definitely one project that will draw a crowd!

How To: Make an Exploding Ashtray Prank for April Fool's Day

The exploding ashtray prank was once fairly commonplace long before the Internet was born. Using flash cotton to create a startling explosion, this prank is certainly effective at getting a reaction. Flash cotton is a staple of many magic acts; used for its ability to create a brilliant flash of fire without causing a burn to the skin.

How To: Make a Hairspray-Fueled PVC Rocket Cannon

This week, I've been working on a project that sort of takes a spin off an old-style potato gun. Using PVC pipe and the rapid combustion of hairspray, we can launch a rocket hundreds of feet into the sky. As usual for my projects, I tried to use only materials and parts that are commonly available. I even give two different forms of ignition, in case one method ends up being hard to come by. The following video will explain the project further: The launcher can be reloaded and fired repeatedl...

How To: Make a BB Machine Gun from a Soda Bottle

In a previous article, I showed how to make a powerful airsoft BB machine gun with a portable air supply using about $50 worth of PVC and air fittings. For this project, I have simplified the design to make a machine gun out of only 4 parts totaling about $15 that runs directly off of an air compressor.

How To: Make an Electric Cigar Box Guitar for $25

A large number of the greatest musicians to ever shape the history of sound first learned to play on cheap, dirty, and often times even homemade instruments. There is a very unique atmosphere that comes about when creating music with something made by your own hands—out of what was no more than garbage at the start. There is a sense of accomplishment that inspires the maker, and gives motivation to learn the limits of their creation. Those who have the desire to build an instrument are often ...

How To: Make Ninja Darts for the Lighter Mini Cannon

In my recent article, How to Make a Mini Cannon with a Lighter, I demonstrated how to make a powerful combustion cannon out of parts salvaged from a standard BBQ lighter. The mini cannon was originally made to fire airsoft pellets, but I felt it was time to revive the project with something new.

How To: Make a Paper Crossbow

Quite often I work on projects that require a lot of waiting around for glue or solvents to dry. It was in such a time that I came up with this little crossbow. I saw that some of the top search engine requests were how to make paper weaponry, and yet there were few results worth viewing. I then sat down and got to work. This crossbow uses tension on bent tubes of printer paper to throw a pencil or pen a very respectable distance, upwards of 50 feet. Paper tubes when bent in such a way would ...

How To: Make a Mini Cannon From a Lighter

I love this project. It involves fire, projectiles, electricity, and is easy to put together from commonly available parts. This mini cannon fires airsoft pellets, is fueled by alcohol, and is made almost entirely from parts found in a standard BBQ lighter. The total cost is under $5. About half of the BBQ lighters out there have a divide in the gas reservoir which makes them not work for this project. In case you have trouble finding a suitable lighter, the exact one I use in this video is a...

How To: Make an Airsoft Machine Gun (AKA Halo Mobile Turret)

Airsoft doesn't get any better than a cloud chamber BB machine gun, aka Cloud BBMG. This design has an incredible rate of fire. If you've got a full charge of compressed air, it can easily fire more than 50 rounds per second at a 350 ft/s muzzle velocity. Since this is a legit airsoft build, it should be handled safely with the same care as any other airsoft firearm, and you should be wearing the same protective gear—protective mask, safety glasses, etc. My video details the build of this bea...

How To: Build bar shells and other explosives

In this tutorial, we learn how to build bar shells and other explosives. First, you will need to pack up the explosives into a container tightly. Then, you will need to wrap it up inside of string tightly and tie it shut tightly. Apply a piece of thick paper over the explosive and then tie it shut again. Once you are finished, you can place all of these inside of a large tub and carry out to use as explosives. Make sure to do this carefully and don't light these when you are close to them, or...

How To: Rig a counter weight trap

In this tutorial, we learn how to rig a counter weight trap. This is great as a fishing trap but can be rigged to be used as a tree trap. First, you will need to take a rock and wrap around it to create a counter weight. After this, bring the rope high over a branch, then down onto a lower branch. From here, wrap the rope around the trap and leave the rest of the string hanging. Now, the rock should be hanging high in the air and there should be a stick tied to the bottom of the rope to keep ...

How To: Extract sodium to make sodium metal

In this video, we learn how to extract sodium to make sodium metal. First place soup can in a pot of water and place the sodium mixture into the can. Place a cap on top and leave it on while the can is cooling off. It should create a tight seal until you will be able to open it. Once you can open it, pour mineral oil on top of the sodium. Filter out this mixture to find the chunks of sodium that is in the mixture. While wearing gloves, take out the sodium and place it into water to see if it ...

How To: Make an upright noose trap

If you're out in the wild and hope to capture something, the best way to do so without using any bullets or a knife is by capturing it. You can do so by making a great trap using mother nature and some other manmade parts.

How To: Set a spring loaded snare trap

In this tutorial, we learn how to set a spring loaded snare trap. First, find a sapling with a larger tree next to it, then bend the sapling down and wire on a stick to this. This stick will have a small nub on it that will hook onto a stick that you will prop up on the back of the tree. When the rabbit comes along, it will follow the trail and walk through the wire. The feet will go into the wire and it will tighten up, releasing the spring to ensure the rabbit stays trapped. This is a simpl...

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