This is a video we recently released on the meaning of punkSTEAM.
PunkSTEAM
Author: Lutin
Hummingbirds and Bees
It is that time of the year where our yard comes to life with flowers, which bring hummingbirds and bees. As we have mentioned in an early post, we designed part of our yard to encourage wildflowers and native pollinators. That one post convinced Google our site was a gardening site, so we have been reluctant to do another post, but this year was so beautiful we decided to risk it and share. If you want to encourage wildflowers, read our tips here.
Here is a list of the flowers pictured above: Alstromeria, senecio stellata, daisy, yellow roses, pink azaleas, red and yellow sparaxis, foxgloves, and more! Some of these are native wildflowers that just grew in of yard, while others were planted.
Here is a video of some wildflowers in our garden.
Happy Creating!
Securing Wires on Number Two and Number Three
We take Number Two and Number Three on the road a lot. While we are now experts at rewiring them after a long road trip, we started testing new ways for securing wires while still letting kids see how the robots were put together. After many designs, we settled on using clear silicon pneumatic tubes. The tube protect and secure the wires but still allow people to see how the wires attach.
Please note, this material is provided for informational purposes only and is not a guide on how to create the designs. Please take a look at our disclaimer.
This video shows us taping the wires.
This video is us splitting the clear tubes down the middle to fit in the wires.
This video shows the process of wrapping the wires in the tube.
This is the final result.
Happy Creating!
Number 2’s and Number 3’s New Legs
From last year’s Bay Area Maker Faire we learned a lot about what is the right and wrong way for our robots to move. Our first designs did not work well on the rough and uneven surfaces, and our bi-pedal design fell over before the gates even opened. From that experience, we have opted for a centaur design for the new legs, leveraging a more powerful engine, a collapsible design, and gears.
Please note, this material is provided for informational purposes only and is not a guide on how to create the designs. Please take a look at our disclaimer.
The legs are more simple overall but still require a lot of parts. We moved to using hardwood for the critical components for its strength.
Our design changed a lot from the one at last year’s Maker Faire. First, each leg has two wheels connected to a axel. The motor turns the axel via a chain. The biggest change is the legs now fold and unfold to make transportation easier.
Here is a close up of the finished axel on the end of the leg with one of the gears.
Here is one of the leg connecters that allows the new legs to fold for travel. They can lock in place when the robots are standing or walking.
Here are the legs with the wheels attached.
Here is a close up of the chain with one of the pins almost removed.
Happy Creating!
Shapeshifting Toy Robots Part 2
Here are some of our old creations that we forgot to post about. These are some of our wooden shapeshifting robots, inspired by Transformers.
Please note, this material is provided for informational purposes only and is not a guide on how to create the designs. Please take a look at our disclaimer.
Making these do not require a lot of materials. you just need six rubber bands, four lego car wheels, and a small piece of wood.
First, measure and cut two small pieces of wood to be the outside of the car and the legs. Measure and drill two holes that the lego wheels will fit securely in. Make sure that you leave enough space in between the holes for the wheels to fit.
Attach two of the wheels and cut the piece to the right size. Repeat to make another leg, making sure that the wheels on both legs align.
Next, cut two arms and drill small holes in the top that can fit a rubber band.
Cut a small body out of wood that
Now time for assembly!
Here is one robots in alt mode.
Both robots transformed
Front view.
Happy Creating!
Wooden Graduation Hat Charms
Graduation time is upon us and what better way to celebrate than creating something fun. For this year’s celebration we are making wooden graduation hat charms. This design is straightforward and suitable for all ages.
Please note, this material is provided for informational purposes only and is not a guide on how to create the designs. Please take a look at our disclaimer.
This first step is lots of cutting. We cut the tops of the hats from thin sheets of plywood. Cut each square to is 3/4th of an inch on both sides.
The bottom of the hats were cut from square bars that we spoke shaved into a circle 1/2 inch wide.
After cutting and spoke shaving, sand the tops and sides as smooth as possible using different grades of sand paper. To make the charms smooth enough to look like a real cloth hat will require a repeated sanding.
After the tops are well sanded, start sanding the bottoms.
To align the tops with the bottoms while glueing, we drew cross on the bottom of the circles and the squares. Align the crosses to center the circles.
We used a flat black water based paint and applied two coats.
Here are some of the hats with the final coat.
Next, attach the eye-hole screws to the top. The eye-hole screws will let people hang the charm.
We recommend starting a hole for the eye-hole screw by using a small jewelry drill or very thin nail to make screwing the screws in easier. However, you can also screw them in without using a starter hole.
Take your time putting in the screws. If they break off they can be very hard to get out. Make extra hats and practice on scrap wood first. The main trick is to go slow and use as little force as possible.
The tassels are made from golden thread and are the hardest part. To make a tassel, first lay down a few strings then lay a long string on top of them in the middle. Tie the long string to the middle of them, which will be the string that the tassels hang on. Finally, tie a short string near the top of the bunch to separate the tassel into two parts. Tassels can be very hard to make, and you might need lots of practice.
Now just tie the tassel to the eye-hole screws and you are done! You can also add a keyring onto the graduation hats to make them into a keychain.
Happy Creating!
Wood Carvings: Rabbit
Our workshop is littered with dismantled robots, failed contractions, forgotten monsters and lots of little wood cravings. This is an older carving of a rabbit that we found in a dusty corner. Like with many of our creations, we do not have photos of how it was made but typically we first cut a rough shape out using a Japanese saw. Once we got the basic form we used wood carving tools to get the details right. And then lots and lots of sanding.
The design was minimalistic rabbit inspired by ancient totems. We realized to capture a rabbit all you need is the rabbit’s ears and tail. 
A close up of the tail.
We craved the ears flat because many of our earlier raving ended up with broken ears.
This was a very rewarding and simple project.
Happy creating!
Castello di Amorosa
Ever wish a medieval castle was just a drive away? In you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, you can visit Castello di Amorosa. It is in Napa just two hours away.
We sometimes need to break from the workshop, and Castello di Amorosa is one of our favorite places to relax and refill our creative well.
The attention to detail is amazing, and they capture the feel of ancient castles in Europe.
Dark and spooky corridors can be found to given you inspiration and chills. Sometimes you can find hidden passageways.
Beautiful murals and statues are found throughout the castle. There is so much detail to the murals, and everything is done in the same style as the ancient castles.
Here is a suit of armor stand ready for action. In the background you can see a beautiful mural that shows the knights going into battle.
Everything has the perfect patina to give it a timeless and well-worn look. The tiles in this image are skillfully decorated with intricate patterns.
Here are some more mysterious dimly lit corridors.
The outside of the castle looks just as real. You can see the guard towers and the merlons, and you can even walk along the castle wall. There is also livestock outside the castle.
Hope you find inspiration!
Wood Sculpture: Cat
This cute little wooden cat was a quick build from some leftover pieces. We wanted a simple toy that would be sturdy and easy to build, but would also look like a cat. All of the wood was harvested from our yard.
For the tail and legs we like to keep the bark on to give it a rustic look. The texture would also look like fur.
The head, tail and legs are attached using wire to make it poseable. To do this, we drill small holes in each on the limbs, and used the wire like a peg. There is no glue in the whole figurine.
Happy Creating!
Maker Fest at Ecole Bilingue in Berkeley
The Hip Monsters team was thrilled to be invited to a Maker Fest last week at Ecole Bilingue in Berkeley, CA. Ecole Bilingue is a preschool to eighth grade French immersion school focused on preparing their students to make a positive impact on the world.
We had a wonderful time at the maker fest and it was amazing to see such talented makers and dedicated students. The event had great food (including handmade boba tea), a fun crowd, and an exciting lineup of makers. It was a beautiful day in Berkeley which added to the cheer.
Below are just some of the makers at the festival.
Hip Monster’s Robot Freedom
We were there with Number Three of RobotFreedom, who got a chance to test out her new legs. We will have a post in a bit on her leg redesign. The legs worked well and the batteries lasted longer than we anticipated.
We also brought our pneumatics demonstration which is an ideal place to start kids (and adults) on robotics.
The Sewing Corner
There was a great sewing section with helpful makers who quickly got even first time sewers make a tote bag.
Here is a finished toto bag! We have already put it to good use storing cat toys.
Magnification Mayhem vs. Resolution Rumble!
George and Janai Southworth from the San Francisco Microscopical Society had a fantastic demonstration of microbiology. They showed how different filters and lightning impacted what could be viewed through the microscope. Below is a petri dish of bacteria waiting to reveal its secrets.
Solar Racing Car
Members of the UC Berkeley CalSol Solar Racing Car were there giving us the inside scoop on their upcoming race in Nashville, TN. Every few years the car is completely redesigned and rebuilt using the most up to date technology.
3-D Print Making
There was 3D printing space with a great collection of designs and examples. All the designs were coded by kids!
Here is our favorite creation, a 3d printed pink rabbit.
Bike Powered Smoothie Machines
The bike powered smoothie machines were steampunk inspired pieces of art. They were designed and made by the talented students at Ecole Bilingue. They also are a great way to make sure you earn those calories in the smoothie. Every household should have one of these!
The designs are modified stationary bike with blender connected to the front wheel.
Here are the bikes in action making a smoothie.
Painting Robot
They even had a robot making art! It was fun watching the robot as it dutifully created its next masterpiece.
Here is a view of the business end of the painter bot.
Space Wars
And last but not least, a RaspberryPi powered game console designed and built by one of the students. The compact design had custom made controllers that allowed for two person games.
The stand was a clever design using a cardboard box as a case neatly cut so it looked.
Thank you so much to Ecole Bilingue for inviting us to the maker fest! We would love to participate in more of your events in the future.
Hope you find inspiration!