In just three years, Instructables.com has become one of the hottest destinations for makers and DIY enthusiasts of all stripes. Known as "the world's 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 won't 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 that's become a phenomenon

• How to craft beautiful Japanese bento box lunches</</li>

• 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.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 8 Ratings

So many things to try out, and you don't have to be an expert to do so... - 2008-12-27
Reviewer Rating:
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...

A creative book for a creative mind - 2008-11-11
Reviewer Rating:
Let me start off by saying this is a innovative "how to make" book with vivid pictures and easy to follow step by step instructions. Some of the projects go to the extent of providing information on where to acquire the items and about how much it would cost to make the item. Anyone can easily find at least a couple of projects that would interest him/her.

There were many projects that were astonishing to me, such as the project where one could make a computer out of a Nintendo game console or the project where one could make a wallet out of a
computer keyboard. Although there were many intriguing projects, there were a couple that just seemed out of place such as the project where
it showed how to eat a banana like a monkey (it was pretty ironic because it was the same way how I eat my bananas).

In the end, this book is well worth it whether if you want to create a fun project with the whole family or if you just like creating things out of ordinary materials.

A window into the world of DIY - 2008-12-02
Reviewer Rating:
In the truest sense this book embodies the DIY ethic. The projects that fill the pages are done by regular people with hobbies that include electronics, crafts, cooking, and generally building your own "stuff."

The instructions are written by hundreds of different contributors with a range of passions that reflect the depth of the projects.

This book is a great way to ease into the vast world of making -- especially for those reluctant to use the web.

Incredible Collection of the Best DIY Prejects Ever - 2009-05-10
Reviewer Rating:
This book is a volume of incredible, creative, and fun projects anyone can do. With 120+ detailed projects, you could do one every weekend for two years. The pages are colorful, and the layout is logical. There are user comments, pictures of the things other users have made, and helpful tips by people have already done the project. I would recommend it to anyone for any occasion. This is a must have for any bookshelf, for those rainy days, or anyone looking to have building things.

A powerful set of fine DIY projects - over 120 - 2009-01-09
Reviewer Rating:
Learn how to paint with electronic graffiti, create science fiction costumes, and put together bento box lunches through a series of projects from the popular DIY website. The Instructables community includes over 350,000 makers around the world who here share their step-by-step popular project instructions. Articles offer tips on how to make the most of technical projects, are accompanied by color photos and artist comments, and make for a powerful set of fine DIY projects - over 120. Very highly recommended for any general-interest library.

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