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We've all heard that "if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself." And that’s usually fine when it comes to tasks at work or baking your own birthday cake. But if you want a specific lamp built for your bedroom or a tricked-out bicycle, you might need to acquire some skills before you can get started.
That’s why it’s so impressive when people actually do manage to finish amazing DIY projects that would have never existed without their out-of-the-box ideas. Here’s a list of posts from r/Maker featuring some of the coolest creations and inventions people have made at home. Enjoy scrolling through, and be sure to upvote the ones that inspire you to channel your inner engineer too!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
I Turned My Son’s Wheelchair Into Bb8 For Star Wars Day And Took Him To Hollywood Studios. This Is Coen In His Bb8 Chair Meeting Bb8
RELATED:
#2
I Made A Rug Of My Cat. I Think It Looks A Little Derpy But It Looks Pretty Close For Being A Rug!
#3
12 Layered Mandala Took Some Hours To Cut, But It Looks Pretty Cool
We live in an age where we can have any item delivered to our doorsteps in a matter of days. You don’t even have to buy groceries or make dinner if you’re not in the mood; a courier will bring you whatever you’re craving within the hour. This convenience culture is great sometimes, but it has removed so much friction from our lives that many of us have forgotten how to acquire new skills.
There’s certainly still value in making something yourself, though. Just look at the Maker subreddit! This group is dedicated to celebrating all sorts of things; as long as you made it yourself, it fits the bill. So we hope that the photos featured here will remind you that you don’t have to order everything off Amazon, pandas. You can always follow a YouTube tutorial and figure out how to make that shelf yourself!
#4
After Learning About The Magic Wheelchair Program At Nation Of Makers, Our Makerspace Built This Fire Truck For A Wheelchair Bound Kid’s Halloween Costume. Complete With Working Lights And Bubbles. He Loved It!
#5
I Made A Motorcycle Gear Hanger Out Of Recycled Parts From My Bike
#6
I Made This Trophies For An Engineering Event, What Do You Think?
If you’re wondering what the benefits are of doing projects yourself, Houzz has got you covered. First, they note that anything you DIY will have a personal touch. You won’t own the exact same pieces from IKEA that everyone else in your life has, and every time you look at that bookcase or table, you’ll remember how hard you worked on it.
In the same vein, upcycling comes with a sense of accomplishment. Anyone can go to the store and pick something out or order a product from Amazon with just a few clicks. But not everyone has the vision and skills to be able to create something totally unique. You might just become obsessed with that sense of accomplishment and start DIY-ing all the time!
#7
Scratch Built Loom, My Son Built This In Middle School Solving One Problem At A Time. Design By Building!
#8
I Just Finished A Window Mounted Bird Feeder That I Can Refill From Inside
Elladine DesIsles 3 hours ago
I love this! I've been looking at commercially-made versions, but I can't seem to find anything that will fit my horizontally-sliding windows.
Making things yourself is also a great way to reduce your environmental impact. If you use materials that were on their way to the landfill, you’ll benefit both your home and the planet. Plus, by making something unique, you’ll reduce the demand for cheap, low-quality products sold by huge corporations. It may be convenient to buy those items, but they won’t last a lifetime. It’s better to invest your time and energy into something you’ll truly love.
#10
I Made An Eternal Flame In A Tiny Dumpster That Burns Until The End Of The USA "President"
I made this with a couple of friends over the past few months. It’s called the Eternal Trash Fire. We lit it on Inauguration Day and it's been burning ever since (actually on fire, not a metaphor). The plan is for it to continue to burn as long as Trump is president.
The dumpster is a 1:12-scale model made of 22ga steel. It was designed in CAD, laser cut, bent on a brake, and TIG welded. I'm especially happy with his little wheels! It was tricky to work with such thin material, and I honestly think it would have been easier to make a full-sized dumpster. (And before you ask, yes, I have plenty of experience making gas-fueled appliances and know how to do it safely).
First pic is right after it was lit, and the last pic is how it looks now, one month later. Most of the rest of the scene (you can't see it all in the photos, but soon!) is made of dyed castable refractory cement (fireproof), then painted with gouache to age it.
We're live-streaming it on YouTube. I'm not posting the link though so as to not break the no-self-promo rule. Posting from a fresh account since I want to stay anonymous for now.
#11
I Built A Floor Lamp For My New Apartment
This project was relatively quick. Spent a couple weeks 3D printing the upper and lower parts, laser cutting the pieces (there's jigsaw pieces on the top and bottom you can't see in this pic), 3D printing the hub parts, and stripping and burnishing the pipes. Usually I do custom LEDs but kept this simple and wired up some outlets and put some T10 bulbs inside. A fun project and I really like its steampunk but also a bit refined look. It honestly came out far better than I expected.
#12
Got Sick Of Fumbling Around Whenever Plugging In Power, USB, Etc. So I Made Port Labels For My Laptop
Now, we’ll be honest, not all DIY projects are cheaper than purchasing something from a store. But once you’ve accumulated all the supplies you need, future projects will likely be much friendlier on your wallet than shopping for something brand new. Plus, you have the ability to customize your items to make them exactly how you imagined, whereas you might have wanted to paint or zhuzh up something you bought from IKEA.
#13
Neon Dandelion
I love flowers and I took on this little project to recreate one of the most ubiquitous ones that tends to grow absolutely anywhere and everywhere - I think most people see this plant as a weed but a weed is only a plant that’s growing somewhere you don't want it to be :)
Created using filament LEDs and powered by 24V DC.
I'm looking to create more flowers of different types and maybe one day work up to creating a whole bouquet! Let me know what you think - I would love to hear what flowers you would like to see created using this medium!
#14
I Made A Backpack From Unnecessary Jeans, What Do You Think?
If you’re starting to wonder where exactly to start your DIY journey, we understand; it can be overwhelming. But The DIY Playbook has recommended 13 manageable skills that every homeowner should be able to pick up. First up: knowing how to change your air filter, as this should be done every few months. It’s also important to know the correct hardware to hang things from and how to fill holes in your drywall. And while you’re at it, figuring out how to use a caulk gun is a great idea.
If you’re scared of power tools, now’s the time to conquer that fear. Because The DIY Playbook says operating a power drill is something we should all know how to do. And another simple one is knowing how to turn off the water, gas, and electricity in your home. If there’s ever an emergency, you’d better know how to use a fire extinguisher. And you might want to pick up some basic plumbing skills if you want to avoid paying a plumber hundreds of dollars every time there's a minor leak.
#19
I Made A Semi-Automatic Cooking Robot. It Made Me A *bad* Meal
#21
So This Is Interior Wall Light / Sculpture I Made As Final Exam Piece On My Secondary School Of Applied Arts - Blacksmithing
One task that you might actually consider fun is painting the walls of your home, as long as you know how to do it properly. And don’t forget that cleaning the outside requires knowing how to operate a power washer. To master all these DIY skills, you’ll want to have a well-stocked toolbox. And although it’s unpleasant, you should probably know how to fix minor toilet issues. Finally, a smart DIY-er knows their limits. Sometimes, it’s better just to hire a contractor.
#22
I Make The Fifth Element Stones
#23
An Interactive Desk Lamp Prototype, Exploring Light As Behavior (3D Print + Electronics)
I made an interactive sci-fi desk lamp / prop. This is the third iteration of a small experimental project I've been working on. It started as a design exercise inspired by watching the full Star Wars saga with my kids, exploring how light could feel more diegetic - less like a lamp, more like a contained system or energy core. This version is fully 3D printed and built around a Raspberry Pi Pico RP2040. The main change here is proximity-based brightness control using a ToF sensor, so the lamp reacts to presence rather than direct input. In previous versions, I used an encoder for this purpose. Still very much a prototype - mostly focused on behavior, interaction and fabrication rather than a finished product. Now considering an horizontal variant of this lamp
#24
I Made A Cartridge Music Player
Being a fan of 80s and 90s gaming tech as well as music, I thought it would be fun to play with the idea: "What if music was sold on cartridges in the 80s?". :-)
I've designed the PCBs and the case and cartridges and printed them on a Bambu Lab X1-C.
Are you feeling inspired by these impressive creations, pandas? Keep upvoting the ones that you wish you could make yourself, and let us know in the comments below what your next DIY project will be. Then, if you’re looking for another article from Bored Panda featuring similar creations, look no further than right here!
#25
1:2 Scale Eagle Lunar Module - Cardboard And Ply Constructed By Me
#28
My Wife Is Pregnant With Our First. My Dad Made Us A Tardis Wardrobe For The Nursery, And It’s Amazing. The Light On Top Flashes. And Yes - It’s Bigger On The Inside
Beak Hookage 58 minutes ago
I've got a small TARDIS-shaped cupboard! Got it for free on Gumtree and I'm positive someone made it by hand. Don't ask me why anyone would want to get rid of it; it's beautiful and completely undamaged.
#29
Just Finished Up This Bench Unit Behind Our Pool. It Has Storage Inside, And Power For Charging Phones And Speakers
#30
I Designed And Build An Hexagonal Livingroom Lamp. Walnut, LED, Hue Compatible, Upward And Downward Illumination Can Be Controlled Separately
#31
I Made An iPhone 13 Pro Case That Holds A Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W
I wanted to share a fun project I’ve been working on recently.
I designed and 3D-printed a case called iBerry – it’s basically an iPhone 13 Pro case with a built-in slot for a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W. The Pi sits in on the back, with access to GPIO, microSD, HDMI, and USB.
Right now it’s fully compatible with the iPhone 13 Pro, but the plan is to expand it to fit all iPhone models in the future.
Currently, my version is printed in PLA, but i have plan to make it in aluminum for durability and a more premium feel.
The idea is to have a portable device connected to your phone via SSH, powered by an external battery, so you can carry a mini hacking/automation setup in your pocket.
#33
I Made A Superfancy Bow A While Ago, Its Using Springs Instead Of The Regular Bow-Limbs
Was Actually Made For A Collector Guy As A Prop, But It Punched Through Wooden Plates Like They Are Whip Cream! Two 40kg Springs On Each Side. Made Of Aluminium And Brass.
#37
I Made This Walnut Pencil Tray, What Do You Think?
#39
Made A "Mini Desk Lamp Thingy"
#42
Ring I Made Yesterday. I Think It Is My Nicest One Yet
#44
I Made My Own Portable Two-Player Arcade Briefcase
#45
I Built A Side Table That Automatically Fills A Cup
The goal was to make something that feels like a real side table but also has a built-in function instead of just being a random prototype. This version still needs some refinement, but I was happy enough with how the test turned out to share it.
#46
When I Need To Tap Threads, I Really Rely On It
Magnetic Tapping Guide
Ensures my tapping is vertical.
#48
I Made This Wooden Wall And Wrapped These Columns With Steel! What Do You Think?!
#49
10-Foot, 16-Wheel Skateboard
#50
A Bike-Themed Pizza Cutter I Made
Elladine DesIsles 3 hours ago
It's beautiful, but I don't think I'd enjoy scrubbing bits of melty cheese out of all of the tiny openings.
#51
Made A 3D-Printed Printing Press
#52
Wife Is A Special Ed. Teacher In Washington And Will Be Working From Home For The Next Couple Months. She Asked For A Standing Desk, I Had Scrap Wood. Boom
#54
My Second Sculpture Is Finished
A Full Metal Arm (550 Hrs Almost 3ft / 1m Tall), Made Of Countless Selfmade Parts Plus Antique Typewriter Parts (Black) And Industrial Spare Parts (2 Larger Alu Parts) Plus An Old East German Carburator. There Are 2 Angles That Can Be Locked In Place By A Mechanism.
#59
Spent The Last Few Days Working On These Six Handbags. What Do You Think?
#61
My Wife Asked For A Fruit Bowl Where She Can Keep Hard And Soft Fruit Separate. Made Form Black Walnut And Sycamore
#65
Project - 3D Printed Hybrid Bike Frame
I’ve been working on a DIY bike project for a while now and finally have a rideable prototype (V0.2). It’s built with 3D-printed PA12-CF lugs and bamboo veneer tubes from MOSO, all bonded together with epoxy. I wanted to see if a home-built frame with printed lugs could actually hold up in real riding conditions, and so far it's been surprisingly solid.
The lugs are printed on a Creality K2 Max in PA12-CF with full infill, printed slowly for strength. I didn’t try to hide the layer lines, so the texture is still visible. The bamboo tubes are CNC-milled MOSO N-Vision veneer tubes. They’re lightweight, straight, and fit nicely into the lug sockets.
Test riding so far:
I’ve done around 30 km on it on asphalt, cobblestones, and a bit of off-road. (All on safe non-traffic places and wearing protection) The frame feels stiff, tracks straight, and didn’t make any strange noises. No cracks or issues with the lugs or the bonding. The epoxy joints actually feel like they’ve stiffened a bit over time, maybe because the real cure time was longer than the datasheet suggests.
I am fully aware the frame will break eventually, just curious when. I honestly think the seatlug will crack first. Due the flexible nature of Nylon, I don't expect it to break suddenly.
I don’t have a rear brake mounted yet, so riding it is a bit more exciting than usual. Also the drivetrain rattles because the rear gear is old and I put a new chain on it, so the teeth and chain don’t match perfectly. But the important part, the printed lugs, are holding up better than expected.
Some basic details:
- PA12-CF printed lugs (full infill)
- Bamboo N-Vision tubes
- Standard BSA bottom bracket
- Tapered head tube
- PA12-CF printed dropouts
- Frame weight is 1.85 kg
- Printer: Creality K2plus
What’s next:
I’ve started designing a version specifically for indoor smart trainers like the Kickr Core. That one will have a more reinforced rear triangle, Some aluminium lasercut parts for enforcing the dropoutss - thicker lug walls, and a fixed front setup to handle the lateral forces during sprints on a trainer.
If anyone here has experience mixing composites with FDM parts or has ideas for improving printed lugs, I’d love to hear it. I can share more photos or details if helpful.
#66
I Made A Lamp Out Of A Skateboard!
#67
Halo Odst Helmet With Backlit Rgbs And Switchable Transparency Visor
Pretty hyped about this one, the visor needed 20VDC but that kept smoking out Arduino nanos so I used a DC to DC step down transformer to power my Arduino, visor and RGBs off the same battery source
#70
An E-Ink Conference Badge I Made W/ Nfc To Share My Portfolio
Still a work in progress, hoping to add more features, and make it more polished.
I added an NFC module on the back that lets me share my portfolio when I tap it on a phone.
Data1001 5 hours ago
This actually makes me wonder (since I haven't done any in-person networking for a number of years), are paper business cards on their way out? It seems like having something like this with your own QR code that people can scan with their phone would be way better, easier, and save you the cost of printing cards, as well.
#72
I Wanted To Try Combining Wood And 3D Printing
#76
A Charcuterie Board Made From 100% Recycled Plastic Bottle Caps
#78
I Built An 8-Foot Tall Whimsical Bookcase From Plywood, Lauan, Poplar, And Padauk. This Was A Fun Build And My Wife Absolutely Loves It!
#79
Made This Field Notes Cover From Buffalo Leather - Wonderful Leather! It Was Awesome To Work With It:)
#80
How Would You Even Make Something Like This?
#83
Spy/Hack Box
Saw someone post their In-box Computer, & unable to post photos in comments… So a new post was Made.
Here it is… my Hack box. In it fits: •A 7” touch screen on the outer case •Runs off Raspberry Pi 3B + •A silly Flipper Zero Named “Kasumi” •Cases contain A CC1101,NRF24,&IR Blaster. •Also in the cases, GPIO wires including 2 Specifically for Sentry Safe Access. •2 Blank re-writable RFID cards •USB w/Linux OS •USB Rubber Ducky •USB Keylogger •A PortaHack RF with 3 Antennas & headphones. •128gb blank memory card •IPhone lighting Memory stick •64gb body spy cam
If I am missing anything lmk!? I’m looking into getting a Chameleon Ultra, M5 Stick, Pawnagotchi, & a Esp32 Lora running meshtastic… If anyone has any experience with these or any regrets buy them, I’d love to hear the input.
#84
Pocket-Sized Guitar
A fully functional, pocket-sized guitar built from scratch in 48 hours at REDHackathon in shanghai. Six capacitive touch "strings" respond to finger contact to trigger chords. A joystick selects the configuration, a rotary encoder scrolls groups. It actually plays music. The stack: ESP32-S3, ES8311 audio codec, 240x240 SPI LCD, IMU, RTC, 11 RGB LEDs. All in one hand. Polished enough to ship. Tactile feedback feels real, and it has instant "wait, what is that?" party energy. Guitar players would love it. With proper influe͏ncer marke͏ting, this goes vi͏ral. Well-deserved.
#85
I Built A Stirling Engine Road Roller Using 3D Print And Lathe Machine
Self designed all parts and FDM 3d printed
Aluminium machined 2mm wall thickness cylinder to be used as displacer piston
SS310 sheet for cold junction
SS degreased ball bearings for smooth low friction operation
Ethanol as fuel while cold water at cold junction 6. Took around 2 to 3 weeks to finalise the design 7. A fun home project, time well spent
Model is inspired from vintage Steam traction engines
#86
My Son Wanted To Be A Tusken Raider For Halloween. Since They're Scavengers I Figured I Could Make It Instead Of Buying It
#89
I Made A Miniature (Mostly Correct) Van From The Movie Onward Using A Fire Rescue Van Model Kit And Some 3D Printed Parts I Made
#90
3D Printed Bd-1 From Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order. Painted And Weathered. Weeks Of Work Finally Done And Pleased
#96
DIY 7 Day "Quarantine Clock" I Designed And Laser Cut
#97
I Finally Finished A Project! This Is My New Bench Power Supply
I feel like this is the first project in a very long time that I actually saw through to the end and I wanted to share my joy with the community i love :) Not as impressive as most of the builds here, but I am proud of this one
#98
I Built A Tool That Turns Real Objects Into Accurate Svg/Dxf Files Using Just A Phone Photo Multi-Discipline Project
I’ve been working on a small tool for laser cutting, CNC, and makers, and I wanted to share an early preview to get some feedback before I release it everywhere.
Basically, the tool converts any real object into a millimetre-accurate SVG/DXF using just a phone photo and an A4 sheet for scale.
Here’s an example using a digital caliper case →
I take a photo of the object on an A4 sheet
The software detects the sheet + corrects perspective
It extracts the object outline and generates a clean, ready-to-cut file
#99
My Brother And I Made A Giant Crossbow Out Of Pvc Pipe And Painted It To Look Like A Nerf Weapon So We Could Chase Inflatable Dinosaurs Around A Field, As You Do
#104
I Made A Chess Set And Needed A Container For The Board And Pieces. I Designed This In Fusion 360 And Then 3D Printed It. Inserts Are Next. All Designed, Just Have To Order Filament To Print Them
#109
Made Some Recycled Hdpe Plastic Scales For This High Carbon Steel Chef’s Knife. Love The Marbled Effect!
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What do you think ?
Mrreoww 6 hours ago
I painted this a year ago with acrylic paint. If any of you think this feels familiar, it’s because the reference image is a real photograph that I stole from a BP list. It took me a long time and I procrastinated a lot, but I got it done and I’m really happy with the result. The blending was a nightmare. I know it’s not a diy craft, but hey it’s still art. (Painting in reply)
Mrreoww 6 hours ago
I painted this a year ago with acrylic paint. If any of you think this feels familiar, it’s because the reference image is a real photograph that I stole from a BP list. It took me a long time and I procrastinated a lot, but I got it done and I’m really happy with the result. The blending was a nightmare. I know it’s not a diy craft, but hey it’s still art. (Painting in reply)
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