Nitrate

How It's Made · S24 · E2

Oil Lamps, Chocolate Mints, Underfloor Heating, Pillows

  • TV-G
  • Oct 2, 2014
  • 21 min

Metal or glass reservoirs are fitted with wicks, burners and protective chimneys to create oil lamps. Mint-flavoured centres are formed and coated with chocolate; heating cables or tubing are arranged beneath flooring to provide radiant heat; and fabric covers are sewn, filled and finished as pillows.

About this episode

Metal or glass reservoirs are fitted with wicks, burners and protective chimneys to create oil lamps. Mint-flavoured centres are formed and coated with chocolate; heating cables or tubing are arranged beneath flooring to provide radiant heat; and fabric covers are sewn, filled and finished as pillows.

Season 24

13 episodes
  1. 1Saunas, Wheelchair Lifts, Dioramas

    21 minSep 25, 2014

    Selected wood is milled, joined and fitted with benches, heaters and controls to create home saunas. Steel platforms, drive mechanisms and safety systems are assembled into wheelchair lifts, while miniature structures, figures and carefully modelled landscapes are combined to produce detailed dioramas.

  2. 2Oil Lamps, Chocolate Mints, Underfloor Heating, Pillows

    21 minOct 2, 2014Now viewing

    Metal or glass reservoirs are fitted with wicks, burners and protective chimneys to create oil lamps. Mint-flavoured centres are formed and coated with chocolate; heating cables or tubing are arranged beneath flooring to provide radiant heat; and fabric covers are sewn, filled and finished as pillows.

  3. 3Upright Pianos, Flags, Wet/Dry Vacuums, Medieval Axes

    21 minOct 9, 2014

    Wooden cases, soundboards, strings, keys and intricate action mechanisms are assembled and regulated to create upright pianos. Fabric is printed or sewn into flags; motors, filters and collection tanks are combined in wet/dry vacuums; and forged steel axe heads are hardened, sharpened and mounted on wooden handles.

  4. 4Skeletal Replicas, Ice Buckets & Servers, Dining Chairs, Inground Pools

    21 minOct 16, 2014

    Moulds taken from anatomical models are used to cast individual bones, which are finished and articulated into skeletal replicas. Metal vessels are shaped and insulated to make ice buckets and serving pieces; wooden components are cut, joined and upholstered as dining chairs; and excavated sites receive structural shells, plumbing and finishing materials for in-ground pools.

  5. 5Automatic Sliding Doors, Gin, Firearms Restoration

    21 minNov 6, 2014

    Glass door panels are mounted on powered tracks and connected to sensors and safety controls to create automatic entrances. Neutral spirits are redistilled with juniper and other botanicals to produce gin, while historic firearms are dismantled, cleaned and repaired before their metal and wooden surfaces are carefully restored.

  6. 6Scuba Lights, Interchangeable Sandals, Race Car Simulators, Fibreglass Doors

    21 minNov 13, 2014

    Powerful lamps and batteries are sealed inside pressure-resistant housings to create lights for underwater use. Replaceable uppers are fitted to reusable sandal soles; controls, displays and motion systems are assembled into realistic race-car simulators; and reinforced fibreglass skins are moulded around insulating cores to produce durable doors.

  7. 7Wood Windows, Woven Cashmere Fabric, Plastic Recycling Machines, Architectural Glass

    21 minNov 20, 2014

    Seasoned wood is cut and joined into window frames before receiving glazing, seals and operating hardware. Fine cashmere fibres are spun and woven into fabric; shredders, separators and processing equipment are assembled into plastic-recycling machines; and large glass panels are cut, treated and finished for architectural use.

  8. 8Gas Barbecues, Mattress Pads, Ear Prostheses

    21 minNov 27, 2014

    Metal fireboxes are fitted with burners, valves, cooking grates and ignition systems to create gas barbecues. Layers of padding and fabric are quilted and edged into mattress pads, while moulds and colour-matched silicone are used to produce lifelike prosthetic ears for individual patients.

  9. 9Recycled Skateboards, Braided Pastry, Construction Trailers, Vises

    21 minDec 4, 2014

    Reclaimed material is processed, shaped and finished into new skateboard decks. Strips of filled dough are interwoven and baked into braided pastries; steel chassis receive insulated walls, utilities and fitted interiors to become construction trailers; and cast-metal bodies are machined and assembled with sliding jaws and screw mechanisms to make vises.

  10. 10Plasma Gems, Special Effects Snow, Piano Restoration

    21 minDec 11, 2014

    Discarded glass is melted and reshaped into colourful decorative gems. Paper, polymers and other lightweight materials are processed into convincing artificial snow for film and television, while an ageing piano is dismantled so its case, soundboard, strings, keys and mechanical action can be repaired and restored.

  11. 113-Wheel Electric Bikes, Skin Cream, Patio Heaters, Wood Spoke Wheels

    21 minJan 1, 2015

    Three-wheeled bicycle frames are equipped with electric motors, rechargeable batteries and control systems. Oils, water and active ingredients are emulsified into skin cream; burners and reflectors are assembled into outdoor patio heaters; and shaped wooden hubs, spokes and rim sections are joined into traditional wheels.

  12. 12Old West Holsters, Underwater Video Housings, Soy Beverages, Pet Nail Trimmers

    21 minJan 8, 2015

    Thick leather is cut, moulded, stitched and decorated to produce holsters patterned after those of the Old West. Camera enclosures are machined, sealed and pressure-tested for underwater filming; soaked soybeans are ground, cooked and filtered into beverages; and sharpened steel blades are assembled into pet nail trimmers.

  13. 13Wood Garage Doors, Sand & Salt Spreaders, Animatronic Dinosaurs

    21 minJan 15, 2015

    Wooden sections are cut, joined and finished before being fitted with hinges, tracks and lifting hardware to create garage doors. Hoppers, augers and rotating mechanisms are mounted on vehicle frames to distribute sand and salt, while sculpted skins are installed over articulated mechanical frameworks to produce moving animatronic dinosaurs.