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2nd Relpats Contest

The famous Relpats Contest has been reborn. Simply go to www.relpats-eht.com to check the contest out. Unfortunately, I have been *sniff* forbidden *sniff* from the contest as relpats had already sent me some of the answers when the contest was in development.
These riddles will probably leave you scratching your head from absolute bewilderment. And no, [...]

Apple iPod touch 8 GB (3rd Generation) NEWEST MODEL

From Amazon:

Technical Details
NOTE: This is the 3rd generation 8 GB iPod touch that comes installed with iPhone OS 3.1 Software; it physically looks identical to the 2nd generation 8 GB iPod touch
IMPORTANT: To get started using your iPod, charge your player using the USB cable for at least 2 hours
8 GB capacity for 1,750 songs, [...]

Beautiful New Gram Scale

I am very excited to show off this new digital gram scale I ordered off Ebay.

This digital scale measures to 0.01 grams, which is a major improvement over the team scale, which only measures to 0.1 grams.The best part is that it only cost $20, shipping included. A hot deal if you ask me.

It seems [...]

Best Place To Buy Balsa Online

Many people ask “Where is the the best place to buy balsa wood online?” The best website I know of is Specialized Balsa LLC. The owner, Jake Zimmer, has been in the balsa business for years and knows what he is doing. Once I had Jake cut me some 1/32″ x 1/32″ sticks of Balsa [...]

Bridge Books

Amazon.com Widgets

Bridge Building Contests

International Bridge Building Competition
West Point Bridge Design Contest
Physics Balsa Bridge Building Contest
If you know of any other bridge building contests, let me know by leaving a comment.

Bridge Building Quiz

This is a quiz on bridges, how they work and the forces that act on them. It is rather simple, but is a good review if you are just learning about bridges.
http://www.sinc.sunysb.edu/Stu/ppoggio/
Click the Bridge Building link on the left. Then click the 4th link down with the big question mark next to it.

Bridge IT

Recently I was introduced to a bridge building program, Bridge It. This program is made by NVIDIA and Auran. In the game, you are given scenarios and have to make a bridge that will support the required load while staying within a budget. Let me tell you, some of them are not easy.
Bridge It lets [...]

Bridges: Amazing Structures to Design, Build & Test

This is a great book to learn about bridges, how they work and how to build them. Designed for grades 2-6, this book contains arch bridges, beam bridges, and suspension bridges. Included are activities and challenges to think outside the box. This is a great resource for children who want to understand more about bridges

Design of Building Trusses

A well done introduction to the practical steps of truss design.
Written in 2004. It has 448 pages and has an average of 4.5 star rating on Amazon.
Contains Illustrations.
Here is the link to purchase this book at Amazon:
Design of Building Trusses (Parker/Ambrose Series of Simplified Design Guides)

Engineering Fundamentals: An Introduction to Engineering

Buy this engineering textbook through Amazon for the cheapest price if you need this for an engineering class.

GarrettsBridges WPBD Local Contest

GarrettsBridges.com is hosting a West Point Bridge Design Local Contest. This local contest starts today and runs to March 1, 2010. All designs must be submitted by Midnight, March 1. This contest is open to anyone under the age of 25

Kindle Wireless Reading Device

Slim: Just over 1/3 of an inch, as thin as most magazines
Lightweight: At 10.2 ounces, lighter than a typical paperback
Books in Under 60 Seconds: Get books delivered wirelessly in less than 60 seconds; no PC required
3G Wireless: 3G wireless lets you download books right from your Kindle; no annual contracts, no monthly fees, and no [...]

Line Rider

Here is my first attempt at a game called Line Rider:

Line Rider is a free flash game in which you make a track for the “rider” to ride upon. It is fun and addicting. Have fun making your own LineRiders.

Links and Resources

Here I have complied what I believe to be the best list of websites that you will find useful. All of them have relevant model structure, bridge and tower information, some sell balsa and basswood, and others contain useful tips. Some of these sites have a specific competition or goal in mind, but you can [...]

Man Vs. Wild Spoof

My brother, cousin, and I were inspired to make this spoof of the TV show, Man Vs. Wild. We call this Man Vs. City. It is filmed mostly on the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge located in Charleston, South Carolina.
Man Vs. Wild is a show where a man, Bear Grylls, is dropped off in various wildernesses [...]

Model Bridge Kit

This kit is actually one of my first introductions to building model bridges. My mother bought this for me one year, thinking that I might like to build a model bridge kit. This bridge building kit from Amazon actually has three different bridges. It comes with all the supplies you need to build a suspension bridge, a truss bridge, and an arch bridge. All of these combined make this kit an excellent gift idea, or something you can build just for fun

Model Bridge Truss Design Software

I am always on the look out for good software to help design model bridges. My latest find, Dr. Software, is a series of programs that allow you to customize a design, put a load on it, and see what happens. Dr. Truss comes in 2D and 3D options. You can also get Dr. Beam, which allows you to word with a beam and not a truss

Model of the Brooklyn Bridge

Came across this today. Here is a scale model of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Brooklyn Bridge
The website has some other interesting info about bridges, including screenshots of designs for the West Point Bridge Design contest. BTW, that contest starts today. If you haven’t checked it out, do so now.
http://bridgecontest.usma.edu/
It is free, and lots of fun to play [...]

The Coolest Bridge Website

I know I already mentioned this website in previous posts, but I felt this website was cool enough to deserve a post of its own. The coolest bridge website is BridgeHunter.com.
This website is simply amazing. James Baughn has created a website featuring historic bridges across the nation. Anyone can submit photos or comments about the [...]

The Model Railroader’s Guide to Bridges, Trestles & Tunnels

Are you interested in building bridges for your model railway set? This book is a great resource, and is cheap from Amazon. This guide is rated 5 stars and will help you create bridges and tunnels for your layout. It will teach you how to build prototypes of many real life train bridges. What is neat about this book is that it gives you the history of the bridge you will be building. It is always fun to know the story behind the structure you choose to add to your set

Toothpick Bridge Kit

I have never built a toothpick bridge before, as I thought it would be too much of a hassle. However, when I came across a toothpick bridge kit I knew it was time for me to try building one.I purchased the kit, and am very pleased and surprised at its contents. The kit contains everything [...]

West Point Bridge Designer Contest 2010

THE 2010 WEST POINT BRIDGE DESIGN CONTEST IS ALMOST UNDERWAY! The United States
Military Academy is pleased to offer the West Point Bridge Design Contest once
again. The purpose of this Internet-based competition is to provide middle school
and high school students with a realistic, engaging introduction to engineering