How It's Made — Season 13

Apr 200921m

Steel heads are forged and fitted with handles to make hammers, cultured milk is processed and aged into Swiss cheese, boots are mounted on wheeled frames to create roller skates, and coloured cores are enclosed in shaped wooden casings to make pencils.

May 200921m

Carbon-fiber layers are molded and cured into lightweight bicycle frames, donated blood is separated into medical products, heated metal is forged and assembled into chandeliers, and ink reservoirs and writing tips are installed in ballpoint pens.

May 200921m

Blades and folding implements are assembled into Swiss Army knives, paper rolls are perforated to control player pianos, large steel sections and storage tanks are assembled into oil tankers, and lightweight metal is formed and finished into racing wheels.

May 200921m

Resin and weighted cores are molded and polished into bowling balls, illuminated rotating cylinders are assembled into barber poles, compressed fibers are processed into felt, and microwave components are calibrated inside radar guns.

May 200921m

Copper tubing is shaped into plumbing fittings, pinned cylinders and tuned metal combs are assembled into music boxes, grinding mechanisms are enclosed in pepper mills, and shafts and articulated joints are assembled into custom hot-rod steering columns.

May 200921m

Metal blanks are cut and finished into precision gears, prepared leather is shaped and stitched into watchbands, laminated glass is molded and strengthened into Vitrelle dishes, and hardened blades and handles are assembled into kitchen shears.

Jun 200921m

Locking lids and pressure-control valves are fitted to pressure cookers, miniature mechanisms animate mechanical singing birds, scientific instruments are installed in oceanographic buoys, and stainless-steel tanks are fabricated and mounted on transport trailers.

Jun 200921m

Aluminum sheets and structural supports are formed and welded into boats, selected wood is hollowed and shaped into long Alpine horns, and precision movements, cases, dials and hands are assembled into luxury watches.

Jun 200921m

Engines, frames and suspension systems are assembled into all-terrain vehicles, laminated materials are shaped and finished into Alpine skis, optical and mechanical systems are combined into industrial laser cutters, and stone is carved and polished into marble sculptures.

Jun 200921m

Hardened steel is forged and machined into sockets and ratchets, prepared leather is cut and formed into shoes, aluminum blanks are shaped into reusable water bottles, and steel links, pins and rollers are assembled into bicycle chains.

Jul 200921m

Blocks of wood are carved and detailed into sculptures, metal blanks are stamped and polished into flatware, formed sheet metal is assembled and tuned into cow bells, and ink reservoirs, feeds and nibs are fitted into fountain pens.

Jul 200921m

Harvested olives are crushed and separated into olive oil, engines and hydraulic lifting systems are assembled into lift trucks, heated metal blanks are rolled into seamless rings, and rigid shells, liners and fastening systems are combined into ski boots.

Jul 200921m

Layers of metal are formed and finished into professional cookware, decorative veneers are cut and fitted into luxury inlaid boxes, insulated tanks and efficient heating systems are assembled into water heaters, and engines, frames and body panels are combined into scooters.