How It's Made — Season 8

Jan 200721m

Photographic images are developed and printed, animal hides are processed and finished into fur, metal rods receive specialized coatings to become welding electrodes, and traditional instrument-making techniques are combined with electronics to produce electric violins.

Jan 200721m

Molten glass is molded and cooled into bottles, hardened steel is cut and toothed into hacksaw blades, and layers of composite material are shaped, reinforced and decorated to make protective ice hockey goalie masks.

Jan 200721m

Frames and netting are assembled into lacrosse sticks, fish is prepared and frozen for commercial sale, electrical components are enclosed in portable flashlights, and natural or synthetic bristles are secured into paintbrush handles.

Jan 200721m

Lead plates and electrolyte are assembled into rechargeable deep-cycle batteries, sheets of metal are formed and joined into decorative or storage tins, and precisely formulated glass is shaped, ground and polished into optical lenses.

Jan 200721m

Steel is shaped and finished into horseshoes, pumps, racks and controls are assembled into dishwashers, graphite composite material is formed into lightweight fly-fishing rods, and prepared dough, sauce and toppings are assembled and frozen into pizzas.

Feb 200721m

Metal blanks are cast or forged and precisely machined into engine pistons, absorbent material is formed around cylindrical paint-roller cores, strong lightweight fabric is cut and sewn into parachutes, and metal sections are shaped and joined into chimney systems.

Feb 200721m

Small steel cylinders are formed, tested and filled with compressed carbon dioxide, shaped dough is boiled and baked into pretzels, hydraulic systems and crossed supports are assembled into scissor lifts, and layered refrigeration systems create and maintain artificial skating-rink ice.

Feb 200721m

Composite materials are formed into professional hockey sticks, children’s shoes receive conductive coatings before being electroplated with bronze, motors and moving belts are assembled into treadmills, and compact electronic components are installed in handheld computers.

Mar 200721m

Engines, frames and control systems are assembled into motorcycles, clay is molded and fired into smoking pipes, selected wood is shaped and balanced into drumsticks, and metal or plastic components are formed into whistles.

Mar 200721m

Hardened metal components are forged and assembled into handcuffs, chemical ingredients are blended into caulking and joint compound, steel cylinders are formed and tested as propane tanks, and anatomical evidence is used to reconstruct a person’s facial appearance.

Mar 200721m

Prepared fur pelts are matched, cut and sewn into coats, production vehicles are lengthened and customized into hearses, weather-resistant components are assembled into outdoor lighting fixtures, and wood or plastic is shaped into golf tees.

Mar 200721m

Gears, spools and housings are assembled into fishing reels, small-scale building materials are crafted into detailed miniature houses, and motors, controls and attachments are combined into kitchen mixers.

Apr 200721m

Molten iron is cast into heavy manhole covers, sheet metal and ventilation components are assembled into range hoods, combustible materials are molded into artificial fireplace logs, and engines, tracks and suspension systems are combined into snowmobiles.