Mini Burning Man Home Burn Kit
Introduction: Mini Burning Man Home Burn Kit
Burning Man, like most in-person events, was canceled this year. Sure, there are plenty of online opportunities to participate (eight Recognized Universes in the Burning Man Multiverse) and even a virtual Black Rock City Temple. Knowing the talented people who make up the Burning Man community, I am sure these will be cutting edge and amazing experiences. Let's face it though, there is no substitute for an in person event. Who really likes remote learning with Zoom or fooling around on Naked Skype? (don't worry, that link won't take you to a bunch of middle age nudists; its a very funny song by <PERSON>, a long time Burner who also happens to have a funny Burning Man song). The reason people have such a hard time explaining what Burning Man to those who have never been is because it is something you have to experience for yourself, in the heat and dust with the non-stop sounds and sights assaulting your senses. And, you need to experience it with other people, preferably open-minded camp mates who enjoy blinky lights and fire, lots of fire. Over the years, I've been fortunate to camp with a great group who make the event memorable every year. They live all around the West Coast while I moved back East several years ago, so I will not even be able to commiserate in person.
That is why I decided to make the Mini Burning Man Home Burn Kit and ship them out to my friends. It is a great way to extend the gifting culture of Burning Man while also providing a means to see the Man burn other than on a screen. On a selfish note, it was also a way for me to provides small pay back for all the kindness from my camp mates who have taken care of the camp arrangements and set up since I've moved East. 233
I've been branded a Sparkle Pony for stepping off the Burner Express with my duffel bag to a perfectly constructed camp. Feel free to personalize your own kit with an assortment of blinky lights, pyrotechnics, techno beats, body paint, drum circle tambourines, beverages of your choice, or anything else you associate with the Playa.
Remember, there is always next year.
Supplies
Supplies
* Balsa Man plans - SVG file created by Hudson and used with permission
* 1/8 (3mm) plywood - 20 in X 7 in sheet at least, I used Baltic Birch
* #4 wood screws - 2 for the arms if you want them to move
* wood glue
Optional items
* plastic sandwich bags
* sand (ideally from the Playa, but regular play sand will do)
* LEDs, el wire, Neopixel
* Glitter
* Feather Boa
* matches
Tools
* Laser Cutter
* Small clamp
Step 1: Laser Cut and Arrange the Pieces
As I mentioned, I did not design these plans but found them online. I had planned on designing my own Man, but these were so beautifully crafted, I couldn't resist. Sure, they were more complicated than I would've built, but the end product is definitely burn-worthy. I did make some minor modifications to the SVG, adding a "2020" on the chest and shortening the small end of the arm so it could rotate better. You can just cut about 1/4 inch off with pliers or scissors if you don't want to mess with the SVG.
If you have access to a laser cutter, you probably already know the settings to etch and cut 1/8 inch (3 mm) plywood. It took about 15 minutes for mine to cut including the 2020 etching.
Since I completely messed up assembly the first time around, I got smart and laid out the pieces before attempting to glue them together. Assembly took me about an hour to complete, but I'm sure you can do it faster.
Step 2: Build the Torso
I started with the torso to give it time to dry before adding the arms and legs. I used a small clamp to hold it up straight as I worked on it.
The first step is to add the oval ribs onto the torso, starting with the largest (you need remove the clamp to come from the bottom up). I found it best to add all of the ribs first and then glue them in place. When I tried to do it one at a time, I kept knocking the previous one off since it wasn't dry.
Once you've placed them on, dab some glue on the center support beam, insert it through the torso (notches facing up), dab some more glue on the ends of the support beam, and then place the oval rib on the beam. Repeat for the other four ribs.
You could let them dry at this point or move on to the head if you don't jiggle it too much. 644