If you have your own workshop, have you ever wondered what you could do with used saw blades? Though dull and unusable as cutting implements, they certainly still have some life in them apart from living the rest of eternity in a recycling heap. Surely there must be something you can use these circular pieces…

We may not all have a complete scientific understanding on how radio frequency identification (RFID) works, but we do know it plays an integral role in how our credit and debit cards transmit data, and includes our passports and driver’s licenses. Should someone happen to use an RFID scanner without your knowledge, they can easily…

With months of self-isolation getting to him, YouTuber The Q thought it would be a good idea to buy a pair of Nike Air Force shoes. He must not have thought too far ahead however, because now he has a new pair of shoes with nowhere to run. What’s one to do? Recreate the same…

For some, using a CNC machine may be an intimidating skill. If you don’t have access to one or someone who knows how to use one – nevermind the cost of most commercial CNC machines – it’s difficult to know where to start. Fortunately, desktop CNC machines are becoming more prevalent. The CNC ONE is…

If you’ve never watched a Studio Ghibli movie before, stop what you are doing and watch one now. From ever-popular classics like My Neighbor Totoro to the most recent 2014 release When Marnie Was There, the distinct art style, animations, and methods of storytelling are wholly unique and what I like to call, “classic Disney…

With summer nearing its end and fall just around the corner, folks are starting to feel the changes in temperature. Whether it’s the heat or the cold, an air conditioned room is a welcome sight to escape the extremes of either. But what about those times when you need to work, play, or adventure in…

If you use an electric shaver, you know it’s usually the bulkiest thing you pack, and that’s not including the charging base and/or cord. You may have thought it was travel-friendly but you’ll think again after you see the Evo Shaver. For those on the road, it might just be in your top five must-have…

We all know how a guitar works: put your fingers on the strings across the frets, use your other hand to strum the strings, and BAM, you’re creating music. But what if you could change how one of those elements works entirely? Anthony Dickens’ Circle Guitar (created by engineers Jacob Boast, Luke Perkin, and Marie…

My family and I do our best to use recyclable bags for grocery shopping whenever possible. And while it’s a great way to save some pennies and tossing excess plastic bags, it’s a pain to stash bulky bags and a hassle at checkout. It needs to change and Nanobag aims to do so. The Small,…

We love well-designed toys here at SolidSmack but still, you may be thinking, “This is just a plastic turtle”. Well, believe it or not, this wee plastic turtle is a toy… and a bit of a dark, foreboding, guilt-laden memorial to all the marine life killed off by mindless waste disposal. But more than that,…

Anyone who has spent any amount of time baking/cooking/experimenting will know the tedium of measuring ingredients but outside of pre-measured packets what could make it easier? Cass Caps work much like your ordinary measuring cups, only instead of a key ring of clinking metal cups, you have a specially designed cap-of-sorts that screws onto your…

While I’m not much of a coffee drinker (the drink I’m holding in my picture is actually tea), I know some people can’t start the day without a good cup o’ Joe. Easy when you’re at home but, when outdoors, it can be challenging to brew a solid pot of coffee. So how can you…

If you’ve ever tried to kayak before, you’ll know the real predators aren’t the ones you find in the water; they’re the ones hiding out in rental stores. Renting a kayak can cost you an arm and a leg, but what can you do? Even if you happen to have your own kayak, transporting it…

While most people remember the Nintendo Game Boy as one of the first portable game devices, they tend to forget the number of peripherals you could attach to it: a modded backlight to illuminate the screen, a Game Link Cable to connect two or more Game Boys together, the list of accessories goes on and…

I personally love running long distance but like many others who don’t, I somehow do better when I’m paced against someone else. It may just be a competitive nature but seeing someone trying to outrun me makes me want to one-up them instead. The Ghost Pacer by engineer Abdur Bhatti is made for those who…

At first glance, the Herring Blade by Che-Wei Wang and Taylor Levy (also known as CW&T) looks like your typical box cutter. You slide it up to extend the blade, swipe it back to retract, and the rest is up to your very careful hands. But upon closer inspection, you’ll see how this blade is…

For those who are only familiar with its Minecraft counterpart, obsidian is a volcanic glass formed when lava cools so quickly that a crystalline structure is unable to form. It isn’t terribly hard to find either, so maker Patrick Adair decided to combine his love of Minecraft with his love of making things to craft…

Young or old, keeping on top of your multivitamins and supplements is hard to keep track of and if it’s meds you need on a daily basis, it becomes even more important. Pill organizers are nothing new. They keep your medication handy when you need it. Some of them even come with labels to let…

For all the clean freaks in the house – meet your new best friend. If you’ve ever had the necessary task of cleaning your home, there are products you’re convinced have been designed to be difficult to clean. We scream for a better solution, in the product design itself or the product designed to clean…

You’ve spent countless hours and thousands of dollars on it, but have you ever wondered about what goes on inside your car whilst you’re driving it? Thanks to modern technology, Matt Mikka of Warped Perception helps answer at least ONE question mechanics and drivers have pondered: “Just what happens inside a car tire while it’s…

Have you ever wondered how people make sandcastles the size of small fortresses? Apart from time and the proper mix of sand and water, the biggest help comes from the tools they use. Most of them aren’t using those tiny plastic shovels you find at beach shops, but rather solid, industrial-grade tools you would find…

If you’ve ever seen a renovation or construction in progress, you’ll know one of the biggest problems is working around large trees. Unlike shrubs or grass, it’s more difficult to pick up and replant a tree. This usually leads to one of two solutions: either work around the tree or cut it down. But the…

For those of you who don’t have the free time to play them, Cuphead is a side-scrolling, run-and-gun videogame created by StudioMDHR for the Xbox One and PC back in 2017. Heavily inspired by old 1930s cartoons, the game is famous for its hand-drawn animations, authentic watercolor backgrounds, and jazz music. To commemorate the game’s…

We all enjoy a good bike ride, and with modern smartphones providing you with a handheld GPS, it’s hard to get lost in a city or out in the wilderness. And with the dawn of 3D printed e-bikes with onboard GPS, who has to worry? But even with all the advances in technology, it’s still…

Take a glimpse at the Burls Art YouTube channel and you’ll see just how crazy the creator is about making guitars. A savant in what he aptly calls “guitart”, he has made guitars out of nearly anything imaginable: from paper all the way to jawbreakers. Some of the channel’s most famous builds are the guitars…

One day after spending too much time on YouTube searching for random videos, furniture maker and former NFL lineman John Malecki stumbled upon a video by Slovenian Woodworker which shared how to create a ‘floating cave table’ using epoxy and acrylic. Eager to put his own spin on the project, he upped the ante and…

When you think of pillows, the first thing that comes to mind is lying down for a good snooze. A massive pillow fight is likely a close second. Pillow design, however, isn’t something that even seen necessary – stuffing, foam, or feathers sewn up in a sack, right? Yet, this pillow is design with ultimate…

When it comes to offroad vehicles, few manufacturers have the staying power and impact as the original Jeep. So when something new comes out of their factories, like say their 2020 midsize Gladiator pickup truck, people tend to jump at the chance to drive one – we’re anxious to do so here. So, when Jeep…

If you like to go on leisurely hikes outdoors, chances are you’ve brought along some snacks for the trip. And while that’s by no means a bad thing, it always becomes a problem when you’ve finished said snacks and have no place to throw your trash. Some good Samaritans keep their trash in their bags…

While the idea of an illuminated helmet is as common as brakes and pedals on a bike, not all lighted helmets are the same when it comes to safety. For instance, it’s a bit surprising but very few helmets have front lights to help oncoming vehicles see their riders. Some have reflectors that reflect light…

If you were around during the late 1980s (or if you just love old movies like I do), you might have heard of a little film called Short Circuit. In it, a military robot called Number 5 is struck by lightning and gains sentience. Short Circuit and its sequel, Short Circuit 2, chronicle the adventures…

We all know brushing your teeth is basic piehole cleanin’ hygiene. However, most of us forget one important part: flossing. And while rubbing a piece of string between your teeth may not hit the top of the fun charts, flossing is essential if you want your mouth to be free of the cavities, gingivitis, and…

Wouldn’t it be fun to live in a world made of LEGOs? Apart from the excruciating pain of stepping on anything LEGO, the ability to build whatever you think of at a moment’s notice would open up a world of vlocky possibility. While we may never live in such a world, the Bricker add-on for…

“If you want something to stand out, the best way to do so is to light it up like a Christmas tree.” Creators Ollie Hanton, Michael Wessely, Stefanie Mueller, Mike Fraser, and Anne Roudaut have taken this idea to heart and crafted a method to add light on any surface using a unique electroluminescent coating.…

It’s always nice when a product’s design lends itself to multiple functions. Not only is it more versatile, but saves a ton of space by doing what two or more things do. And, if you think the room/cubicle divider couldn’t be innovated any further, Stone Designs is out to prove you wrong. Their Gemini divider,…

While face masks may offer some protection from inhaling a nasty virus, personal protective equipment (PPE) like a face shield guard your entire face from coming into contact with touches, sneezes, wood chips and much more. Now, you may have seen list of PPE supplies or some wearing full face shields to protect people from…

Anyone old enough with an internet connection will know a lot of life-size scale LEGO models of real vehicles have been made over the years. Whether it’s a stationary Volkswagen hippie van made from 400,000 bricks or an actual, driveable LEGO Bugatti Chiron, there’s a sense awe that comes from seeing 1:1 scale builds made…

Already bored of his Formula 1 wheel-equipped hoverboard and walking bicycle, YouTube creator The Q’s newest vehicular project is a monowheel made entirely out of wood. I’ll be honest… I want to build one. In his latest video, he shows us just how he managed to create a driveable wheel which can hold a single…

Even if you don’t have the best poker face, you know there’s a lot of fun to be had with playing cards. You can use them as bookmarks, fling them into open hats, or with your card-flicking accuracy, pelt your friends with a ninja-flurry of hearts, spades, and clubs. While DIY YouTuber BLACKHAND’s new card…

Pendant style overhead lamps can light up a wide area but sometimes they tend to be too bright, especially when you’re directly under them. Some occasions call for a nice muted light to create the right ambiance, like during movie night, or when you are looking to set the mood for a romantic evening with…

Here’s a question for all us maker types. “Is it possible to both cut and sand a piece of material simultaneously using a common table saw?” Having pondered the question himself, John Heisz on his Youtube channel I Build It could not hold back his curiosity any longer! He set out to give us all…

Have you ever thought about building your own motorcycle? The TV shows make it look so easy, don’t they? But, I’m not talking about a chopper, I’m talking about an electric motorcycle. And not just any electric motorcycle. Not long ago, contractor, carpenter, and renewable energy enthusiast James Biggar designed and built his very own…

Those of you who inhabit itty-bitty living quarters know that space is a premium. For most, the name of the game for everyday living becomes home organization and efficient use of space. Taming the little stuff is simple enough by just following the old saying “there’s a place for everything and everything is in place.”…

We all know the basics of how a wind turbine works. Using passing winds as an energy source, a typical wind turbine converts kinetic energy into useable electricity. While many wind turbines are large and found in mountainous regions or open fields, the Enlil has a more urban source of wind energy. By plopping this…

We’ve all been there before: your package arrives in the mail and you have nothing to open it with. It’s times like these we reach for the closest sharp object in the vicinity: a pair of scissors, a letter opener, an untrimmed fingernail. In my case? You guessed it. A Swiss Army knife. However, the…

Unlike skateboarding, rollerblading, or cycling, the art of surfing relies heavily on… ya know, water, and waves in the water. No waves = no surf. But what if you didn’t need to wait for the high tide to kick in? What if you could just ride your board whenever you wanted to? The Waterwolf is…

Since time immemorial, CAD users have faced challenges when adding shell features to their designs. Typically used to convert solid 3D objects into hollow shells with walls of a specified thickness, challenges are met when adding shells to solids with small radii, unreasonably thick walls, intricate details and, sometimes, even very simple geometry. nPower Software’s…

LEGO’s are known the world over! Their blocks excite our imagination. Give a kid a mess of Lego blocks and in no time they’ll have a structure reaching to the sky! Yet for all the fun of making buildings or secret caves, let’s face it, there wouldn’t be much life to LEGOs without those tiny,…

Woodturning wood, metal, and plastics are interesting and amazing in and of itself. From bowls in bowls to a cherry burl egg, the possibilities are endless. But who would have thought of woodturning a stack of colored straws into a vase? Well, the Wood Workshop is who. And they captured the entire, fascinating process that…

Wood carving is, in and of itself, an art form. It takes a lot of time and effort to turn a chunk of wood into something functional, let alone beautiful. They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder but I think we can all agree this accurate scale wood carving of a Toyota…