The Best of Instructables Volume I

Do-It-Yourself Projects from the World's Biggest Show & Tell

By The Editors of MAKE
October 2008
Pages: 336
ISBN 10: 0-596-51952-4 | ISBN 13: 9780596519520
Press Release
(5) (Average of 3 Customer Reviews)

Description

Instructables.com has become one of the most popular magnets for makers and DIY enthusiasts of all stripes. Now, with more than 10,000 projects to choose from, the Instructables staff, editors of MAKE: magazine, and the Instructables community itself have put together a collection of technology how-tos from the site. The Best of Instructables Volume 1 includes plenty of clear, full-color photographs, complete step-by-step instructions, and tips, tricks, and new build techniques you won't find anywhere else.
Full Description

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
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.

Featured customer reviews

This book is GREAT!, December 31 2008

Rating:

Submitted by Edmonton Linux Users Group [Respond | View]

I would call it a super edition of Make:
Magazine. It's jam packed with over 120 projects in over 300 pages, very
close to Make: Magazine's familiar format. There are 12 categories of
projects, from electronics, computers and robotics, to entertainment,
crafts, food and home/garden.

Some projects are practical, some whimsical, and some just plain
entertaining, so there is likely something for everyone. One of my
favorites: The concrete light bulb wall hook, but I don't think my wife
was impressed by it :-/

And with a title that includes "Volume 1," you know there must be
a sequel in the works. And if you are able to work your way through all
the projects in this book, just head to "http://www.instructables.com" for
your next fix.

http://elug.ca/reviews/best_of_instructables_volume_1.shtml (http://elug.ca/reviews/best_of_instructables_volume_1.shtml)

A creative book for a creative mind, November 10 2008

Rating:

Submitted by Michael Kim (college student) [Respond | View]

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 must-read, November 10 2008

Rating:

Submitted by thornow [Respond | View]

I was very excited to get my copy of The best of instructables , Vol 1, in the mail. I was expecting a stellar set of instructions for making a dizzying array of items, and I was not disappointed.

The book contains step-by-step instructions for making a variety of fascinating projects, such as a light bulb greenhouse, a flashlight business card, carrot caviar, and a trebuchet made from office supplies.

In between projects are interspersed many pictures and descriptions of additional projects that can be accessed online for free.

As a set of instructions, this book is unsurpassed, but it is an interesting read simply as a compelling story. The story is that of thousands of users who created. Who cooked. Who played. Who dreamed up something new. And then shared it with the world.

Clear, simple instructions, coupled with superb photographs and tinged with humor, this book is very well done. I will admit that I am somewhat hard to please when it comes to books, and I have little patience for a badly written book, but this one impressed me.

I highly recommend that you read it, and also check out the thousands of other projects found on www.instructables.com.

You might even find yourself posting instructions for something awesome you've made, or show how you followed the instructions to make one of the projects in the book!

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Media reviews
"I think I've found the perfect holiday gift for the riot nrrrds and maker youth (of all ages) on my list!"
-- David Pescovitz, contributer to MAKE blog, BoingBoing

"Crafty gamers look no further! Community do-it-yourself site Instructables has something for any challenge-seeking, achievement-whoring gamer who needs to kill some time before Valkyria Chronicles or Mirror's Edge comes out."
-- Michael Lee, RedHerring.com

"...practical, whimsical, instructive and fun. When I obtained a copy I expected to look almost exclusively at electronics and robotics experiments and DIY instruction--little did I know how much fun and of practical use the entire book would be. "
-- Ira Laefsky, Amazon.com

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