Jacob LaRoca

Forget the sterile specs of factory-fresh gear; the best things in a maker's life are the tools that solve real problems and the projects that take on a life of their own. As 2025 wraps up, it's clear that the intersection of high-tech fabrication and old-school mechanical soul is where the real magic happens. Whether it's reviving analog photography or building a foul-mouthed robot on wheels, this year was about the tactile satisfaction of creating. The Resurgence of Analog Precision Technology isn't always about the newest silicon. Picking up a Nikon F4, a state-of-the-art beast from 1988, proves that mechanical design can be timeless. This film camera isn't a step backward; it's a lesson in intentionality. With only 24 or 36 exposures per roll, you stop machine-gunning the shutter and start evaluating the light. The Nikon F4 features a clever viewfinder design that lets you see physical aperture rings through mirrors—a masterpiece of engineering that rivals modern DSLRs in sheer utility. Sending film to The Darkroom for processing bridges that gap between the tactile negative and the digital workflow we need today. Specialized Tools for Perfect Bevels In the world of prop making, EVA foam is king, but cutting it consistently is a nightmare. Enter the BevAll by Jacob LaRoca. This isn't just another hobby knife; it's a dedicated jig that maintains precise angles for beveled edges. While straight cuts are easy to cheat, the BevAll allows you to follow complex curves while keeping the blade angle locked. It’s a perfect example of the maker community identifying a niche friction point and engineering a rugged, elegant solution. Robotics and Personality: Project Bender The standout build of the year was undoubtedly the Bender RC car. Built on a robust chassis and controlled via Kyber Control hardware, this isn't just a static prop. It’s a performance piece. Integrating a library of iconic voice lines and synchronized movements turned a mechanical assembly into a crowd-favorite at Dragon Con. The beauty of this build lies in its modularity—adding accessories like a "rust beard" or an antenna screwdriver keeps the project evolving long after the initial assembly. Immersion and Earthy Crafts When not in the shop, the focus shifted to digital and physical immersion. Dune Awakening provided a brutal, beautiful survival experience on Arrakis, forcing players to respect the environment. Meanwhile, returning to the pottery wheel for some ceramics offered a therapeutic counterpoint to CNC machining. Working with clay alongside family reminds us that at the heart of every build is the simple, ancient joy of shaping something with our own hands. Keep building, keep breaking things, and keep making.