Thumbs Up Machine

The original "thumbs-up" machine.

Two print-and-make machines built with neon card stock.

A few weeks ago I built this silly little crank machine for a TikTok that I hoped would make a few people laugh. Unexpectedly, this useless and rude machine turned out to be pretty popular and SO many people commented that they wanted their own "thumbs-up" machine.

Far be it from me to not give the people what they want!  I've created a FREE template for a thumbs-up machine that anybody can print out and put together with some wire and some basic craft supplies. There's four options for hands; thumbs-up and flipping-off with both long and short  fingernails.  I've left the hands as an outline so you can colour them in with your own skin tone, add tattoos, make alien skin colours, etc.

Supplies You'll Need:

• 20 gauge galvanized or copper wire (if you buy this at the hardware store instead of the craft store, you'll save yourself a few bucks.)
• floral wire or craft wire (around 26 gauge)
• letter or A4 sized card stock (I usedAstrobrights.)
• glue
• a wooden bead

Tools You'll Need:

• printer
• scissors and/ or sharp craft knife
• ruler
• scoring tool (I just borrowed a paring knife from my kitchen)
• ​push pin
• pliers
• wire nippers or side cutters

 The template and instructions are available to download below.  A build video is available on my YouTube channel.  For educators, the instruction file has no rude gestures, and I've provided a "clean" version of the template with only thumbs.

Rude Version Template
File Size:	308 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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Clean Version Template
File Size:	279 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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Instructions - Thumbs Up!
File Size:	9269 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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