The Best of Instructables Volume I:
Do-It-Yourself Projects from the
Worlds Biggest Show & Tell (v. 1) by
The editors MAKE magazine and
Instructables.com
A Window Into The World Of Diy
In just three years, Instructables.com has become one of the hottest
destinations for makers and DIY enthusiasts of all stripes. Known as the
worlds biggest show & tell, makers from around the globe post how-to
articles on a staggering variety of topics -- from collecting rainwater for
lawn care to hacking toy robots to extracting squid ink. Now, with more
than 10,000 articles, the Instructables staff and editors of MAKE: magazine
-- with help from the Instructables community -- have put together a
collection of solid, time- and user-tested technology and craft projects from
the site. The Best of Instructables Volume 1 includes plenty of clear, full-
color photographs, complete step-by-step instructions, as well as tips,
tricks, and new build techniques you wont find anywhere else -- even
material never seen before on Instructables. Some of the more popular
how-to articles include: The LED Throwie -- magnetized electronic

graffiti thats become a phenomenon How to craft beautiful Japanese
bento box lunches Innovative gaming hacks, such as how to add LED
lights and custom-molded buttons to a video game controller New twists
on personal items, such as the Keyboard Wallet, the Electric Umbrella, and
stuffed animal headphones While the book focuses on technology, it
also includes such projects as creating cool furniture from cheap
components, ways of making your own toys, and killer sci-fi and fantasy
costumes and props. Anything but a reference book, The Best of
Instructables Volume I embodies the inspirational fun, creativity, and sense
of community that has attracted more than 200,000 registered members in
just three years. Many of the articles include sidebars that show how other
builders have realized or improved upon the same project. Making things
is cool again: everyone wants to be a creator, not just a consumer. This is
the spirit of the new handy heyday, fostered by Instructables.com, MAKE:
magazine, and others, and celebrated by this incredible book -- The Best
of Instructables Volume 1.
Personal Review: The Best of Instructables Volume I: Do-It-
Yourself Projects from the Worlds Biggest Show & Tell (v. 1) by
The editors MAKE magazine and Instructables.com
I love this renaissance in "do it yourself" projects and building things out of
available parts. Doesn't mean I'm necessarily any *good* at it, but it opens
my eyes to how common things can be used in uncommon ways. Make
magazine from O'Reilly has put together some of the best and most
popular projects from the instructables.com site to create the book The
Best of Instructables Volume I: Do-It-Yourself Projects from the World's
Biggest Show & Tell. There's enough stuff here to keep you occupied for
weeks, and you don't have to be a engineering genius to do many of them.
The book is divided up into sections that touch on general themes: Home
& Garden; Food; Photography; Science; Computers; Electronics; Robotics;
Ride; Craft; Entertainment; Fun & Games; and Tools. For instance, the
book gets off to a quick start with a two-page layout on Ikea hacks. I was
immediately intrigued with the Tool Box Hack, using a Fira minichest and a
pair of Kosing handles. I can do that! The ice straws were a nice touch,
also. Moving on, I learned how to make "carbonated fruit" with a plastic
water bottle and dry ice. One of my spare USB thumb drives might be
destined for a LEGO casing. And who knew Altoid tins could be used in so
many ways? Everything from a survival kit to a miniature barbecue unit
(for those very small hamburgers). For those who are used to welding, the
Ride chapter has plenty of cool bike mods that could be fun. Heck, even
learning how to make an earbud headphone cord wrapper from an old
credit card is worth the price of admission (not to mention the time savings
of having to unravel the cord every time you use it).
As with all books of this type, some of the projects will strike you as "I must
build that now!", while others will have you thinking "why would I ever want
to do that?" I will not be making stuffed animal headphones now or at any
time in the future, thank you very much! But the overall package of

projects selected here will appeal to a wide range of interests and skill
levels. And since all these projects have been part of the Instructables
website, you can always head over there to get additional information or
tweaks that others have come up with.
The Best of Instructables is a fun book, and I plan on having a few "toys"
with me at the next geek conference I attend...
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The Best of Instructables Volume I: Do-It-Yourself Projects from the Worlds Biggest
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