Ask HN: What's the coolest physical thing you've made? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: What's the coolest physical thing you've made?

#261

Post by bryanmgreen » Mon, Aug 07, 2023, 6:26 PM UTC

Some stuff I'm particularly proud of:

- Most of the furniture and art [1] that I've made. I'm a very analytical person and physical creative outlets where I just create things that "feel good" really help me unwind... Even if those projects are pretty difficult for my often times rudimentary skills. There's a small gallery on my personal website.

- My own company [2] that makes titanium hand-blown glassware for whisky and spirits. They're made in Europe, so I don't personally craft them, but the glasses are my design and I learned how to 3D print prototypes - so "made" might vary based on your definition. Tangible things are just really cool and grounding.

[1] https://bryanmgreen.com/crafts

[2] https://bennuaine.com

Re: Ask HN: What's the coolest physical thing you've made?

#262

Post by huevosabio » Mon, Aug 07, 2023, 6:28 PM UTC

I got into woodworking during the pandemic, built several pieces of furniture, my favorite is a firepit table [0].

The top is made out of concrete, and the rest is wood. The propane tank fits inside so it is out of view. I did buy the piping and the grill from where the fire comes out of, but other wise all done in my basement.

Other builds include a kitchen island, a coffee table, and a live-edge standing desk. I think the next thing I want to build is outdoor seating that goes with the firepit.

[0] https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPUzkh4ukWZ7XPD5cPvE1D6...

Re: Ask HN: What's the coolest physical thing you've made?

#263

Post by fragmede » Mon, Aug 07, 2023, 6:29 PM UTC

Dreamland with the Flux Foundation for Burning Man, was a fun thing helped bring to life. It's hard to choose 'coolest' though.

https://www.fluxfoundation.org/dreamland/

Re: Ask HN: What's the coolest physical thing you've made?

#264

Post by balderdash » Mon, Aug 07, 2023, 6:29 PM UTC

A double decker bedside table for bunk beds so that both the bottom bunk and the top bunk have a bedside table for a light/alarm clock/ glass of water/book/ etc. super simple, but effective…

Re: Ask HN: What's the coolest physical thing you've made?

#265

Post by widea » Mon, Aug 07, 2023, 6:29 PM UTC

A class-A, solid state, single ended headphone amplifier, not my design, turned out to be very nice sounding: https://github.com/Wanderingidea/Formula3HP-headphone-amplif...

Re: Ask HN: What's the coolest physical thing you've made?

#266

Post by kulahan » Mon, Aug 07, 2023, 6:29 PM UTC

giantg2 wrote: post #244

Possibly a garden - growing lesser known varieties of fruits can veggies is something I find interesting. Or maybe making a traditional bow. Identifying types of wood, reading the grain, and turning it into a bow is interesting. I think most people have this concept that wood is this rigid thing, but seeing a traditional bow on a tillering tree is something else.

I was going to say the same thing, but with non-edible plants. I grow succulents and cacti, which are beautiful and extremely unique (seriously, the bear paw succulent is the CUTEST THING, and a String of Pearls has a window in each pearl showing you how much water is in it!).

It's so satisfying to watch them grow and to show progress... even if I have killed a few on accident.

Re: Ask HN: What's the coolest physical thing you've made?

#267

Post by hospadar » Mon, Aug 07, 2023, 6:29 PM UTC

I built (with my partner) a crazy all-aluminum camper trailer:

https://luxurylandyacht.wordpress.com/

I've built some small boats and stuff, but this was a whole-nuther dimension Took about 11 months of pretty intense almost-every-day work by two people.

Re: Ask HN: What's the coolest physical thing you've made?

#268

Post by nkozyra » Mon, Aug 07, 2023, 6:31 PM UTC

huevosabio wrote: post #262

I got into woodworking during the pandemic, built several pieces of furniture, my favorite is a firepit table [0]. The top is made out of concrete, and the rest is wood. The propane tank fits inside so it is out of view. I did buy the piping and the grill from where the fire comes out of, but other wise all done in my basement. Other builds include a kitchen island, a coffee table, and a live-edge standing desk. I th…

I know that fire pits (and outdoor stoves) need high heat mortar ... did you use that here or is the heat level low enough that it's not necessary.

Re: Ask HN: What's the coolest physical thing you've made?

#269

Post by WillAdams » Mon, Aug 07, 2023, 6:31 PM UTC

An Ascham (a case for archery gear):

https://www.lumberjocks.com/showcase/archery-case-ascham-of-...

Holds my Bear Custom Kodiak Takedown, half-a-dozen arrows, armguard, tassel for cleaning arrows, belt, and various other accouterments --- everything but the quiver (which I attach to the case using a leather strap).

I need to revisit it to have better proportions for the arrow holder and to work up a quiver option which I both like, and which fits inside the next version.

Re: Ask HN: What's the coolest physical thing you've made?

#270

Post by TheAceOfHearts » Mon, Aug 07, 2023, 6:31 PM UTC

Here's some art I've made by carving linoleum blocks and then printing them on paper: https://imgur.com/a/gdRTrYp

For many of them there's usually multiple images or ideas expressed within, but it's difficult to get people to share their thoughts or feedback beyond a simple comment that they think it looks cool. The most rewarding feedback is when someone spots an unintended detail or interpretation which I hadn't considered during their creation. I think a key aspect of art is in the act of interpretation by part of the viewer. The creation of beauty in the interaction between art and a mind.