CV2220 Gadgets and Gizmos--Assignment 3

[Erika]

Build a Gizmo. Use whatever materials you want, making sure to take appropriate safety precautions to prevent accidents such as nuclear meltdown or head disintegration. Post pictures.

This is a picture assignment.

[Twitch]

Gizmos aren't just for hero work. There are plenty of things in the mundane world where a little 'edge' can make a difference. Take my key-chain for example. It's constructed from three 5 foot lengths of para-cord and 2 hours of patient work.

The tassels have been decorated with a Chinese clover knot. However, what makes it special is the secret compartment. 
      


 
The possibilities are endless: money, letters, even a vial of super-serum can be hidden in plain site. The only down side is that its not waterproof, but that could be fixed with a long plastic tube (craft stores often sell seed beads in this sort of package) or simple wrapping the treasures in a zip-lock bag.


Now, this sort of key-chain can be bought, but lengths and decorations vary. That's why I made my own (the first picture should prove I'm not cheating.) It's not a mechanical gizmo, but it meets Merriam-Webster definition of the parent word gadget. It's a small, useful device.

Grade: 1,000 Points. Very nice and practical.

[rypperd0c]

It's Summer Time.... Let's cool off a little,

Start with a common foam ice chest


Cut some holes


Put in a plastic bottle of frozen water (use salt water to get it extra cold)


Add a small fan...


The fan forces air into the ice chest, but there is no direct exit, forcing the air to flow over/around the supply of ice before exiting through the vents(s) Lacking better parts, I used to 20oz soda bottle bodies to make exhaust nozzles to help direct the cold air coming out of this DIY room cooler.

Grade: a block of dry ice

::NOTE::  Dry ice would be a bad thing to use with this room cooler.  You would risk killing yourself by asphyxiation

[Erika]

I've seen these sorts of homemade swamp coolers before, and the jury seems out on how well they actually work, from pretty good to not at all. How does yours work?

[Kashiro]

I decided to go for a very practical and dangerous gadget (i.e. a weapon). In short, it's a giant metal stick.

I started with a steel, metal rod that I cut triangles out of at the ends and, using a hammer, bent it into points.

Then I decided to make it thematically appropriate, and added a nice skull with pointy bits on top, made out of air-dry clay. The metal things are...well, you'll see.

Applied the paint, screwed on the studs.

Last glossy layer of enamel paint to make sure it doesn't break that easy, make sure it looks shiny, and give my paintbrushes hell T_T.

And there you have it! One potentially lethal whacking stick.

Grade: 3 puncture wounds

[Erika]

So what makes this a gadget or a gizmo, as opposed to just a weapon?

[Kashiro]

Jul 29, 2014 9:47:34 GMT -5 Erika said:

So what makes this a gadget or a gizmo, as opposed to just a weapon?

It's hollow, so easy hiding space XD 
It's also a surprisingly good crowbar.