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 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 make a cheap CNC milling machine out of plumbing parts, printer motors, and a rotary tool; innovative gaming hacks, such as how to add LED lights and custom-molded buttons to a video game controller; and, new twists on personal items, such as the Paper Wallet and Electric Umbrella.While the book focuses on technology, it also includes articles on creating cool furniture from cheap components, and ways of making your own toys. 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 3 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 .
