Britain's Most Spectacular Backyard Builds

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0:00:04 > 0:00:08All over the country, inventors are building the unimaginable.

0:00:08 > 0:00:10Wheee-ooooo!

0:00:10 > 0:00:11It's alive!

0:00:11 > 0:00:13Yee-hah!

0:00:13 > 0:00:17Creating the magical, the wonderful and the quite ingenious.

0:00:19 > 0:00:20They're doing it at home...

0:00:20 > 0:00:22in their garden sheds...

0:00:22 > 0:00:24hidden from view.

0:00:24 > 0:00:27Getting excited? Hurray!

0:00:27 > 0:00:29Catastrophe!

0:00:29 > 0:00:35Ambitious feats of engineering with real complexity and individuality.

0:00:35 > 0:00:36WHOOPING

0:00:36 > 0:00:40We've scoured the country for the very best inventors.

0:00:40 > 0:00:42And now, three teams...

0:00:42 > 0:00:44This is actually working.

0:00:44 > 0:00:45That is fantastic.

0:00:45 > 0:00:46HE WHINNIES

0:00:46 > 0:00:49..with just ten weeks, go into battle.

0:00:49 > 0:00:51Oh, God.

0:00:51 > 0:00:52HORN PARPS

0:00:52 > 0:00:57..in the search for Britain's Most Spectacular Backyard Builds.

0:01:02 > 0:01:05We are a nation of brilliantly bonkers builders

0:01:05 > 0:01:08and we've decided to put that technical wizardry to the test.

0:01:08 > 0:01:11We challenged three of the very best

0:01:11 > 0:01:13to create something truly spectacular.

0:01:13 > 0:01:15They've got just ten weeks

0:01:15 > 0:01:18and two and a half grand to build their creations.

0:01:18 > 0:01:20Before we choose our favourite.

0:01:20 > 0:01:24A true amateur who can apply challenging engineering principles,

0:01:24 > 0:01:27but with a flash of originality.

0:01:27 > 0:01:28And the clock is ticking.

0:01:33 > 0:01:36My first port of call is the Isle of Wight.

0:01:36 > 0:01:40Who doesn't have happy childhood memories of a funfair?

0:01:40 > 0:01:42I'm about to meet a husband and wife team

0:01:42 > 0:01:43who want to bring home all the magic

0:01:43 > 0:01:47and the enchantment of the funfair to their very own back garden.

0:01:48 > 0:01:52Meet retail manager Nick and his wife Carolyn,

0:01:52 > 0:01:54who works for the emergency services.

0:01:54 > 0:01:56We really enjoy building things and doing things

0:01:56 > 0:01:59and just being a little bit creative.

0:01:59 > 0:02:00- It's like Bonfire Night. - Yeah.

0:02:00 > 0:02:04It's great fun when we're in the thick of a project. We really pull together.

0:02:04 > 0:02:06We haven't even got a spot to put the wine down.

0:02:06 > 0:02:09- Maybe I should design you a garage wine holder.- I've got one.

0:02:09 > 0:02:11It's attached to my body.

0:02:11 > 0:02:14It's about give and take. I give, she takes.

0:02:14 > 0:02:15LAUGHTER

0:02:15 > 0:02:18Their grand plan is to construct a carousel,

0:02:18 > 0:02:21but with an extra special function -

0:02:21 > 0:02:24it dispenses sweets as you ride.

0:02:24 > 0:02:27HORSE WHINNIES And it's for one very important client,

0:02:27 > 0:02:29their granddaughter, India.

0:02:29 > 0:02:32Initially, I gave a little bit of paper to India, my granddaughter,

0:02:32 > 0:02:36and I said, "I want you to draw what you would like me to invent."

0:02:36 > 0:02:41And she drew some candy canes and a little load of cogs and she said,

0:02:41 > 0:02:43"There you go, I want a sweet-making machine."

0:02:43 > 0:02:45And I thought, what a good idea!

0:02:45 > 0:02:46DRILL BUZZES

0:02:46 > 0:02:51When I grow up I really want to be an inventor like Grandpa.

0:02:51 > 0:02:56So have this couple got the pedigree to pull off a six-year-old's dream?

0:02:58 > 0:03:01Hopefully, if their past projects are anything to go by.

0:03:01 > 0:03:02Wow.

0:03:02 > 0:03:05You do like to travel in style. Very nice.

0:03:05 > 0:03:09Nick and Carolyn spent four years building their full-scale

0:03:09 > 0:03:11replica of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

0:03:11 > 0:03:13She's a beau... DEEP VOICE: She's a beauty!

0:03:13 > 0:03:16I knew that Carolyn loved the film,

0:03:16 > 0:03:19and then one morning she said to me could I build her the car?

0:03:19 > 0:03:21This is our little picnic hamper.

0:03:21 > 0:03:24- Oh, look!- Roulette table.- Wow.

0:03:24 > 0:03:25It's really great.

0:03:25 > 0:03:28Is he my Dick Van Dyke? I've got to say yes, haven't I?

0:03:28 > 0:03:29LAUGHTER

0:03:29 > 0:03:31HORN PARPS

0:03:32 > 0:03:35There's a lovely breeze coming through. Is that the air con?

0:03:35 > 0:03:38That's what it is!

0:03:38 > 0:03:40These two don't do things by halves.

0:03:40 > 0:03:46In 2008, Nick and Carolyn drove Chitty all the way to Australia.

0:03:46 > 0:03:50We covered 15,000 miles, went through 17 different countries.

0:03:52 > 0:03:55- It was...- It was barking mad.

0:03:55 > 0:03:57Their building prowess doesn't stop here.

0:03:57 > 0:04:02They've customised a lawnmower into a mini Chitty for their granddaughter

0:04:02 > 0:04:06and even turned a mobility scooter into a pint-sized campervan.

0:04:07 > 0:04:11But they've built nothing on the scale of a working carousel.

0:04:11 > 0:04:12This is the workshop.

0:04:12 > 0:04:14'Their ten weeks have started

0:04:14 > 0:04:17'and they've already put together the revolving base.'

0:04:17 > 0:04:19Wow. Gosh.

0:04:19 > 0:04:22'..with wheels from an old mobility scooter.'

0:04:22 > 0:04:23It's huge!

0:04:23 > 0:04:26- Yeah.- It needs to be.

0:04:26 > 0:04:28'And it's ready to be put to the test.'

0:04:28 > 0:04:30If it doesn't go to plan, do we need to duck?

0:04:30 > 0:04:33Are you the sort to start hurling spanners around?

0:04:33 > 0:04:35I'd go and have a cup of tea and think about it.

0:04:35 > 0:04:37Now, if this works...

0:04:38 > 0:04:39Oh!

0:04:39 > 0:04:42Hey, that goes round!

0:04:44 > 0:04:48Wow, it's amazing. OK, so assume the position if we're on horses.

0:04:48 > 0:04:50- LAUGHTER - Oh, my God!

0:04:50 > 0:04:54- OK, that goes.- Yeah!- Even with our delicate weight on there.- Yeah.

0:04:54 > 0:04:59The carousel will be pedal powered by four horses perched

0:04:59 > 0:05:01on old bicycle wheels.

0:05:01 > 0:05:04The challenge will be what drives the sweet-dispenser.

0:05:04 > 0:05:08They'll be using six gear sets and five metres of chains

0:05:08 > 0:05:12to transmit power from the rotating base to the sweet machine.

0:05:12 > 0:05:16But they'll need the right balance between torque and shaft speed.

0:05:16 > 0:05:17It's a complex build

0:05:17 > 0:05:20and one that's got to impress a very strong-minded six-year-old...

0:05:20 > 0:05:22India.

0:05:22 > 0:05:24Who's going to be first to ride on this?

0:05:24 > 0:05:26- Me!- Oh, no, really?

0:05:26 > 0:05:30I'm going to jump on my horse and press a button and it'll go...

0:05:30 > 0:05:34sweets, sweets, sweets, sweets, sweets!

0:05:34 > 0:05:40And I'm so excited and candy canes are so yummy, I will eat them all.

0:05:40 > 0:05:43I'm really excited about this build. It's really magical.

0:05:43 > 0:05:47And they can do it, because I rode in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang today,

0:05:47 > 0:05:48so they've got the skill.

0:05:48 > 0:05:52What worries me is that they're building it for their six-year-old granddaughter, India.

0:05:52 > 0:05:55I've got a six-year-old - they can be pretty hard to please.

0:05:55 > 0:05:57So no pressure, then.

0:05:57 > 0:06:01- It's a big job.- Yep.- But they can do it, can't they?- Yeah, yeah.

0:06:01 > 0:06:04While Sara has got her hands full on the Isle of Wight...

0:06:07 > 0:06:11..I'm heading to the heart of Sussex n search of our next build.

0:06:11 > 0:06:14There's a whole tradition of British invention that's actually

0:06:14 > 0:06:16incredibly perverse.

0:06:16 > 0:06:20One that celebrates ludicrous complexity to achieve something

0:06:20 > 0:06:22that's actually quite simple.

0:06:22 > 0:06:25It's invention for invention's sake.

0:06:27 > 0:06:30A philosophy that our next team swear by.

0:06:30 > 0:06:34"In my workshop 100yds down garden."

0:06:34 > 0:06:35That sounds intriguing.

0:06:37 > 0:06:40This is... the domain of an inventor, I think.

0:06:44 > 0:06:47Look at that! It's amazing!

0:06:47 > 0:06:51This is retired airline pilot Pete and his friend Merv,

0:06:51 > 0:06:52a telecommunications manager.

0:06:52 > 0:06:57They were introduced four years ago by friends who saw a similar spark.

0:06:57 > 0:06:59Wheeee-ooooo!

0:06:59 > 0:07:02We really like things that are perpetually useless.

0:07:02 > 0:07:05Why don't we connect the jiggling mechanism up?

0:07:05 > 0:07:07This is going up and down.

0:07:07 > 0:07:10I remember one of the contraptions we spent the whole day trying

0:07:10 > 0:07:12to get a squelching noise.

0:07:12 > 0:07:14TINNY RATTLING

0:07:14 > 0:07:15We egg each other on.

0:07:15 > 0:07:17How do you get the water in the cup?

0:07:17 > 0:07:19- I haven't worked that out yet. - What?!

0:07:19 > 0:07:23And we both have lovely wives who push both of us.

0:07:23 > 0:07:26Well, when Merv and Pete are together,

0:07:26 > 0:07:28it's like they talk a completely different language.

0:07:28 > 0:07:32There will be an actuator that will move this and we'll put a Servo inside.

0:07:32 > 0:07:35So what kind of microprocessor are you going to use to do this?

0:07:35 > 0:07:39They are a match made in heaven and long may it last.

0:07:39 > 0:07:42- How many weeks have we got to do this? - THEY CHUCKLE

0:07:42 > 0:07:43Don't worry about it.

0:07:45 > 0:07:47BELL DINGS

0:07:50 > 0:07:53- Hi, Piers!- Hello, how are you doing? - Come in, come in.- Good to meet you.

0:07:53 > 0:07:55They invent in Pete's workshop,

0:07:55 > 0:07:59built to accommodate his passion for making things.

0:07:59 > 0:08:03- This is an amazing place in here. - Yeah, it's our playground.

0:08:03 > 0:08:06- Look at this, this is beautiful! - It's a piece of kinetic sculpture.

0:08:06 > 0:08:10- It does absolutely nothing.- I want to have a go NOW.- Yeah, right, OK.

0:08:10 > 0:08:12Climb aboard.

0:08:12 > 0:08:15So I'm going to go. Look at this! Wow.

0:08:15 > 0:08:16- Pedal like mad.- It's amazing!

0:08:16 > 0:08:17WHIRRING

0:08:17 > 0:08:19And just keep going, Piers.

0:08:19 > 0:08:23We'll all go off for a cup of coffee and you keep pedalling.

0:08:23 > 0:08:25- Amazing. - That's your exercise for the day.

0:08:25 > 0:08:29So you're not just bonkers inventors, you're also artists.

0:08:29 > 0:08:31- Because this is such a beautiful thing.- Yeah.

0:08:31 > 0:08:34'So I'm expecting big things from these two.

0:08:34 > 0:08:37- 'And they're not disappointing.' - CROWING

0:08:37 > 0:08:39With an ambitious plan to create an automated

0:08:39 > 0:08:43Sunday breakfast maker for the most important people in their lives -

0:08:43 > 0:08:47their wives, Andrea and Sandra.

0:08:47 > 0:08:49- They both deserve Sunday morning off.- Yeah.

0:08:49 > 0:08:53So we thought we'd build a Sunday morning breakfast machine.

0:08:53 > 0:08:55- Good! - SHE CHUCKLES

0:08:55 > 0:08:59Perfect Sunday breakfast - I can't wait. I so look forward to it.

0:08:59 > 0:09:02This is our Sunday breakfast - they've got to get it right.

0:09:02 > 0:09:04No two ways about it.

0:09:04 > 0:09:08- The main aim is to make them laugh while having a good breakfast.- Yeah.

0:09:08 > 0:09:11And the fact that we like an excuse to build a contraption

0:09:11 > 0:09:13has got absolutely nothing to do with it.

0:09:13 > 0:09:17Central to the elaborate design are three key features -

0:09:17 > 0:09:21a tower crane will collect the egg from a hen and cook it.

0:09:21 > 0:09:24A mechanised wafting arm will toast the bread

0:09:24 > 0:09:28and the tea and coffee jiggler will ensure the correct strength.

0:09:28 > 0:09:32It's a combination of mechanical components and electronic control

0:09:32 > 0:09:37systems to create a carefully choreographed set of events.

0:09:37 > 0:09:41And how could I forget the newspaper deliverer?

0:09:41 > 0:09:43Anything else that we can think of along the way.

0:09:43 > 0:09:46I think we got enough, actually, to be quite honest, Peter.

0:09:46 > 0:09:50- Yes, so do I.- Can we take some stuff off of it?- No!

0:09:50 > 0:09:52To kick-start their build,

0:09:52 > 0:09:56Pete and Merv have instructed a prototype out of Meccano.

0:09:56 > 0:10:00That is super ambitious, just to design a machine that does all that.

0:10:00 > 0:10:02Yeah, it is a little bit ambitious,

0:10:02 > 0:10:06- I have to say.- It's more ambitious than we initially thought.- Yeah.

0:10:06 > 0:10:10We like to have motion, sound and light,

0:10:10 > 0:10:14so I build in these motors and then Merv controls them with electronics.

0:10:14 > 0:10:17- The easy bit, Peter thinks. - Yeah, the easy bit.

0:10:17 > 0:10:22- When things are happening, there will be the odd light flashing and things, won't there?- Yeah.- Fine.

0:10:22 > 0:10:25- Um...- There will now!- Yes!

0:10:25 > 0:10:28I'll go along with Peter and his flashing lights and then do it MY way.

0:10:28 > 0:10:30Yes!

0:10:30 > 0:10:32To keep the element of surprise,

0:10:32 > 0:10:36Sandra and Andrea have been banned from the workshop for the next ten weeks.

0:10:36 > 0:10:40Sounds like the pressure is on, because you really do need to impress your wives here, don't you?

0:10:40 > 0:10:43Being a good husband is all about scoring bonus points.

0:10:43 > 0:10:46- And it takes a long time to get them. You can lose them so quick. - Very rapidly, yes.

0:10:46 > 0:10:50So if this works as I'm hoping it will do,

0:10:50 > 0:10:53we'll get a mega amount of Brownie points.

0:10:53 > 0:10:55It was amazing to see Pete and Merv

0:10:55 > 0:10:59and just look at the incredible things that they've made.

0:10:59 > 0:11:01Their enthusiasm is so infectious.

0:11:01 > 0:11:04Good luck, both of you, and...

0:11:04 > 0:11:05can't wait.

0:11:05 > 0:11:07And I think they will build something amazing,

0:11:07 > 0:11:11but whether it will work or not, at this stage I'm not so sure.

0:11:11 > 0:11:15They need this machine not just to give their wives breakfast,

0:11:15 > 0:11:18it needs to give them the best breakfast in the most beautiful

0:11:18 > 0:11:21and poetic way imaginable.

0:11:26 > 0:11:31Northumberland, north-east England, home to our final challenger.

0:11:31 > 0:11:33I'm on my way to meet a science-fiction fan

0:11:33 > 0:11:37who's about to attempt to fulfil a boyhood dream

0:11:37 > 0:11:38to build his very own robot.

0:11:38 > 0:11:43And now, like Dr Frankenstein, is about to bring it alive.

0:11:44 > 0:11:47This is Stewart.

0:11:47 > 0:11:48Artistic blacksmith.

0:11:48 > 0:11:51Sci-fi geek...

0:11:52 > 0:11:54..husband and one-of-a-kind dad.

0:11:54 > 0:11:56STEWART GRUNTS

0:11:56 > 0:11:58HE LAUGHS

0:11:58 > 0:12:01At heart, think, I'm just still a big kid

0:12:01 > 0:12:04and I'm still excited by all the things that excite my children.

0:12:04 > 0:12:07- Nnn-nnn-nnnnhhh!- Aaaargh!

0:12:07 > 0:12:11I love to let my imagination have some fun and to be able to realise

0:12:11 > 0:12:14and make in real life the things that I've imagined in my head.

0:12:14 > 0:12:16So, for his challenge,

0:12:16 > 0:12:22sci-fi fan Stewart is planning to build a robot, a very large robot.

0:12:22 > 0:12:23It's going to be terrific.

0:12:23 > 0:12:27- But we will be the only people that's got one.- Yeah!

0:12:27 > 0:12:31This is a bit of a dream come true because I've had this idea in my head for a long, long time.

0:12:31 > 0:12:35It's without doubt the most challenging build I've ever attempted.

0:12:35 > 0:12:40- I've got one like that for icing cakes.- That's exactly... That's it!

0:12:40 > 0:12:42He is a bit like a Womble.

0:12:42 > 0:12:45He takes ordinary things like a dustbin,

0:12:45 > 0:12:48and makes them into something that's useful.

0:12:48 > 0:12:51This might come in handy one day. It's got a nice dial on it.

0:12:51 > 0:12:52This is going to be a big lamp.

0:12:52 > 0:12:57My children's faith in me is about 97%.

0:12:57 > 0:13:00Dad, we're counting on you, so you'd better do it.

0:13:00 > 0:13:02My faith in me is 100%.

0:13:03 > 0:13:05I mean that.

0:13:07 > 0:13:11- Hello! Stewart?- That's it, come on in.

0:13:13 > 0:13:16It's a big challenge, so I want a quick rummage

0:13:16 > 0:13:19through his garage to see what he's made before.

0:13:19 > 0:13:22- Wow. Is that the tank? - Yeah, that's it.

0:13:22 > 0:13:27Stewart's converted a 15 horsepower ride-on mower

0:13:27 > 0:13:29into a tank for his two sons.

0:13:29 > 0:13:32I've driven it and it very fun to drive.

0:13:32 > 0:13:35It's a nice bit of give when you jump on it! STEWART CHUCKLES

0:13:35 > 0:13:38- The springs all come from old trampolines.- It's proper bouncy.

0:13:38 > 0:13:40It's proper bouncy.

0:13:40 > 0:13:42LAUGHTER

0:13:42 > 0:13:46- Oh, my gosh.- This is my jet pack.

0:13:46 > 0:13:48It's so cool.

0:13:48 > 0:13:52This is the dream. Could you hold a child? Like, vrrroomm!

0:13:52 > 0:13:54Have a nice day at school, kids!

0:13:54 > 0:13:57So, on to the robot Stewart plans to build.

0:13:57 > 0:14:01Moving arms with a colossal metal claw and weaponised

0:14:01 > 0:14:03foam dart artillery.

0:14:03 > 0:14:04It's a beast.

0:14:04 > 0:14:07This build will be all about what's known as degrees of freedom -

0:14:07 > 0:14:11the number of joints and how they're linked together will provide

0:14:11 > 0:14:13an increasing variety of movements.

0:14:13 > 0:14:16And let's not forget how it's all powered.

0:14:17 > 0:14:21Too big to build a home, it's off to Stewart's workshop to see

0:14:21 > 0:14:24how far he's got with just seven weeks to go.

0:14:24 > 0:14:27Here we are, then! The forge.

0:14:27 > 0:14:31- Wow.- Yeah, this is where all the magic goes on.- Where's the robot?

0:14:31 > 0:14:33Right, it's...

0:14:33 > 0:14:36It's more of a robot of the mind for the moment, but I have certain

0:14:36 > 0:14:39pieces of it, and a big bit of it is right at your feet.

0:14:39 > 0:14:41Oh, OK.

0:14:41 > 0:14:43Um...

0:14:44 > 0:14:46My plans are...loose at best.

0:14:49 > 0:14:50At worst, non-existent.

0:14:50 > 0:14:53If I'm really honest, I'm a little bit alarmed with the...

0:14:53 > 0:14:57We're at week three and this is how far we've got.

0:14:57 > 0:15:01- Can you do this build, Stewart? - Yeah.

0:15:01 > 0:15:02Really?

0:15:02 > 0:15:05- HIGH VOICE:- It's going to be fine, Sara!

0:15:05 > 0:15:07Had such a laugh with Stewart.

0:15:07 > 0:15:09He's obviously got the skill to do this robot.

0:15:09 > 0:15:11He's definitely got the passion.

0:15:11 > 0:15:13But given that we're in week three already,

0:15:13 > 0:15:14and there's not really much of...

0:15:14 > 0:15:17Well, there's NO robot built, there's just some shoulders.

0:15:17 > 0:15:19So has he got enough time??

0:15:19 > 0:15:22That's my main concern. I guess we'll see.

0:15:24 > 0:15:26Three teams are underway,

0:15:26 > 0:15:30attempting to breathe life into three unique creations.

0:15:30 > 0:15:33But they need not fear, inspiration is at hand.

0:15:34 > 0:15:38Our teams may be at the beginning of their builds,

0:15:38 > 0:15:41but other magnificent makers have gone before them,

0:15:41 > 0:15:45creating the daft, the daring and the downright absurd.

0:15:45 > 0:15:50Take Matt McEwan from Cornwall, and his shopping trolley.

0:15:57 > 0:16:00One shopping trolley, one jet engine,

0:16:00 > 0:16:02one go-kart chassis

0:16:02 > 0:16:04and four go-kart wheels.

0:16:04 > 0:16:06It does 0-60 in 12 seconds.

0:16:06 > 0:16:08Eight gallons per mile.

0:16:08 > 0:16:10That is ridiculous.

0:16:15 > 0:16:19Matt found the trolley in a ditch and did what any sensible person

0:16:19 > 0:16:23would do - turned it into a jet propelled rocket.

0:16:23 > 0:16:26The first time and drove it, I didn't know what to expect.

0:16:26 > 0:16:29We couldn't steer it at all over 30mph.

0:16:29 > 0:16:31You just had to sort of hold on and hope for the best.

0:16:31 > 0:16:34There is no point at all other than the fact that it's

0:16:34 > 0:16:36brilliant fun to ride.

0:16:38 > 0:16:41Matt's custom-built trolley runs off a starter engine

0:16:41 > 0:16:44from a 1950s Buccaneer.

0:16:44 > 0:16:46This is where the action is.

0:16:46 > 0:16:48Air sucked in at the front is compressed,

0:16:48 > 0:16:53but as it's heated by the fuel, it rapidly expands and is expelled

0:16:53 > 0:16:57out the back at huge velocity, creating the propulsive thrust.

0:16:57 > 0:16:58If you put your hand there

0:16:58 > 0:17:01when the engine's running, it will blow your hand off.

0:17:01 > 0:17:04I have the world record for the fastest shopping trolley.

0:17:04 > 0:17:05It's 70mph.

0:17:05 > 0:17:07But Matt wants to go faster.

0:17:07 > 0:17:09I am going to do 100mph.

0:17:09 > 0:17:12As long as it's not near the shops.

0:17:12 > 0:17:13I hate shopping.

0:17:13 > 0:17:16I probably would go shopping if I was allowed to take

0:17:16 > 0:17:19my shopping trolley, but they won't let me in the supermarket with it.

0:17:19 > 0:17:21And what's next for this speed freak?

0:17:21 > 0:17:25Yes, that is another jet engine, and it's in the back of a hearse.

0:17:25 > 0:17:28It should do about 200mph when it's finished.

0:17:28 > 0:17:30Dead Quick, I've called this.

0:17:36 > 0:17:38Seven weeks to go and Merv and Pete

0:17:38 > 0:17:42are tackling one of the most crucial part of their build -

0:17:42 > 0:17:45the crane that will lift the boiled egg.

0:17:45 > 0:17:48I'll have that going in half an hour.

0:17:48 > 0:17:51- Well, I'm not ready for that yet. - Well, get on, then! Come on!

0:17:51 > 0:17:55- I try not to think about the time we've got to do it.- So do I.

0:17:55 > 0:17:58Because if I think about the time, my heart starts to pump

0:17:58 > 0:17:59and I get worried.

0:17:59 > 0:18:04Merv is using microprocessors to control 13 moving sections,

0:18:04 > 0:18:06all needing individual coding.

0:18:07 > 0:18:11But first, the mechanical department needs to build the parts.

0:18:11 > 0:18:14It's going back to being 15 years old.

0:18:14 > 0:18:16It's just that life takes over

0:18:16 > 0:18:19and playing with toys goes out the window, I'm afraid.

0:18:19 > 0:18:25Then when you retire, you can go back to playing again.

0:18:25 > 0:18:26Which is exactly what I'm doing.

0:18:28 > 0:18:31The aluminium crane is powered by three stepper motors,

0:18:31 > 0:18:35controlling two gears and the trolley along the shaft.

0:18:35 > 0:18:38This is a big boy's dream. To build contraptions like this

0:18:38 > 0:18:41is absolutely wonderful.

0:18:41 > 0:18:44Mounted on the crane will be a two-string pulley system to

0:18:44 > 0:18:46manoeuvre the egg into position.

0:18:46 > 0:18:48Right, whoopee.

0:18:48 > 0:18:51I look at that and actually find it hard to...I've actually built it.

0:18:51 > 0:18:52HE LAUGHS

0:18:52 > 0:18:55But the real test will be the system integration,

0:18:55 > 0:18:59getting Merv's electronics talking to Pete's mechanics

0:18:59 > 0:19:01To fully automate the breakfast maker.

0:19:06 > 0:19:11Up in Northumberland, Stewart's giant robot is finally getting underway.

0:19:11 > 0:19:13- Oh, dudes!- Hiya!

0:19:13 > 0:19:15All right, babies?

0:19:15 > 0:19:18With a little help from son Laurie and niece Florence.

0:19:18 > 0:19:20That's it.

0:19:20 > 0:19:24First step, creating a strong enough frame to support

0:19:24 > 0:19:27the colossal 65kg shoulders of the robot.

0:19:27 > 0:19:30- I think that is the first part of the frame.- Hurray!

0:19:30 > 0:19:35Weapon of choice, metal - 25mm steel bars, to be precise.

0:19:35 > 0:19:38The controls for it will be here in the arm somewhere.

0:19:38 > 0:19:42Next up, mounting the frame onto a 40cm wheel hub

0:19:42 > 0:19:45with six steel bolts, allowing the robot

0:19:45 > 0:19:48to spin, giving it its first degree of freedom.

0:19:48 > 0:19:51- Oh, that is going to be really cool. - This is actually working.

0:19:51 > 0:19:53'Easy work for a blacksmith,

0:19:53 > 0:19:56'but bringing it to life is going to be far harder.'

0:19:56 > 0:19:58Actually making the robotics of it,

0:19:58 > 0:20:01making an arm move exactly how far you want it and back again, those

0:20:01 > 0:20:04are the things that are starting to give me a bit of a headache now.

0:20:04 > 0:20:07And there's still a lot more head-scratching to go on.

0:20:10 > 0:20:14At Carousel HQ, work's begun on the four horses.

0:20:15 > 0:20:19Each one is made from seven individual pieces of ply,

0:20:19 > 0:20:22- giving them 28 to cut out in total. - That's two.

0:20:22 > 0:20:25- And then you've got three... - You've got three middle ones.

0:20:25 > 0:20:27Neigh!

0:20:27 > 0:20:30The crude blocks are then carefully moulded into shape...

0:20:30 > 0:20:33This is all right, isn't it? I'm really pleased with him.

0:20:33 > 0:20:38- It's great.- ..ready to be mounted on old bicycle wheels.

0:20:38 > 0:20:41My plan, and it is a plan in my head,

0:20:41 > 0:20:47is that that sticks on the turntable and then the horse sits on top.

0:20:47 > 0:20:49And one of the dilemmas -

0:20:49 > 0:20:54actually it's starting to look quite apparent now - is how big it is.

0:20:54 > 0:20:56Now, that is worryingly...

0:20:56 > 0:20:59massive.

0:20:59 > 0:21:02I mean, it would be OK to plonk a kid on top

0:21:02 > 0:21:05but they're never going to pedal that.

0:21:05 > 0:21:07It might be old-fashioned mechanics

0:21:07 > 0:21:09but fundamental to Nick's design

0:21:09 > 0:21:11is using levers - in this case pedals -

0:21:11 > 0:21:14to transfer power from one moving part to another.

0:21:14 > 0:21:16Hmm.

0:21:16 > 0:21:18Without the ability to generate that power,

0:21:18 > 0:21:20the horses will be going nowhere.

0:21:22 > 0:21:24When you get the power ratios right,

0:21:24 > 0:21:28though, the effects can be quite awesome.

0:21:28 > 0:21:33Take Paul Mason from Northumberland and his giant trebuchet.

0:21:33 > 0:21:36This is my version of a medieval trebuchet.

0:21:36 > 0:21:38It's quite a small one by medieval standards

0:21:38 > 0:21:40but big enough for me I think.

0:21:40 > 0:21:44Standing six metres high and weighing over a tonne and a half,

0:21:44 > 0:21:48the trebuchet exploits the principle of levers to generate its power.

0:21:48 > 0:21:51The aim, lobbing things as far as possible.

0:21:51 > 0:21:54What we've got is a big weight box here that's full of steel

0:21:54 > 0:21:56and scrap iron.

0:21:56 > 0:21:58Sitting on a short arm, the huge weight acts

0:21:58 > 0:22:02as a counterbalance to the small projectile on the long throwing arm.

0:22:02 > 0:22:06The idea is, the box drops, the arm goes up, the sling goes out

0:22:06 > 0:22:09and away it goes and knocks down your castle.

0:22:09 > 0:22:14Made from 80 scrap wooden pallets, it took Paul six months to build.

0:22:14 > 0:22:18I'm totally in awe of the guys that built these things in medieval

0:22:18 > 0:22:21times with hand tools. How did they do it? I don't know.

0:22:21 > 0:22:24Paul didn't build it for war but a music festival.

0:22:24 > 0:22:27I wanted it to be the only music festival up in the north-east,

0:22:27 > 0:22:33perhaps in the country, that's got a working medieval siege machine.

0:22:33 > 0:22:36Five, four, three, two, one.

0:22:39 > 0:22:41CHEERING

0:22:48 > 0:22:50CHEERING

0:22:56 > 0:22:58It was pretty good, I'm quite pleased.

0:23:04 > 0:23:05Back on the Isle of Wight,

0:23:05 > 0:23:08Nick and Caroline have finally worked out a way to lower

0:23:08 > 0:23:10the horses closer to the pedals...

0:23:10 > 0:23:13What about if you drilled up into the bottom of the horse?

0:23:13 > 0:23:16..by gouging into that lovingly carved wood.

0:23:16 > 0:23:19By the time we've finished this, we'll have a shell.

0:23:19 > 0:23:22I was going to say, we'll have no horse left.

0:23:22 > 0:23:24A shame but needs must.

0:23:24 > 0:23:28- Put the little paw in first. How's that?- That's it.

0:23:28 > 0:23:31That actually looks better over the wheel, doesn't it?

0:23:31 > 0:23:33Now the pedals can be reached,

0:23:33 > 0:23:36they can be used as levers to power the entire carousel.

0:23:36 > 0:23:38That is easy, that is really easy.

0:23:38 > 0:23:40THEY CHUCKLE

0:23:40 > 0:23:43What makes this really tough is working full-time

0:23:43 > 0:23:45and then coming into the garage at six o'clock,

0:23:45 > 0:23:49seven o'clock at night and working on until midnight every night.

0:23:49 > 0:23:50It is quite hard.

0:23:50 > 0:23:53Really enjoyable, absolutely loving it

0:23:53 > 0:23:56but you've still got to sleep and eat...

0:23:56 > 0:23:58apparently!

0:23:58 > 0:23:59Yee-ha!

0:24:06 > 0:24:11Grabbing every hour they can, the horses and even a zebra are painted,

0:24:11 > 0:24:14saddle stitched and work started on the carousel facades.

0:24:16 > 0:24:19We've got loads of painting to do, so we've had to enrol India

0:24:19 > 0:24:22and that's great, so we're cracking through some of the panels.

0:24:22 > 0:24:23Actually, I'm in charge.

0:24:26 > 0:24:31Now attention can turn to the most important part, the sweet dispenser.

0:24:33 > 0:24:37It will be so disappointing if, on the day, we're not ready

0:24:37 > 0:24:39and India walks in and...

0:24:39 > 0:24:40"Oh..."

0:24:43 > 0:24:46So, with a six-year-old's hopes at stake,

0:24:46 > 0:24:50I've come along to see if this crucial element will work.

0:24:50 > 0:24:55Look at this! This is incredible. It's all so intricate.

0:24:55 > 0:25:00- All of this to get a few sweets. I mean, it's amazing.- It is bonkers.

0:25:00 > 0:25:01It would be a lot easier to go

0:25:01 > 0:25:03and buy a bag of sweets up the road but...

0:25:03 > 0:25:06It would be a lot easier but then it wouldn't be as much fun, would it?

0:25:06 > 0:25:10- No!- Caroline's off to finish saddling up the horses, leaving Nick

0:25:10 > 0:25:13and me to get to grips with the mechanics of the sweet machine.

0:25:13 > 0:25:15Tell me what's driving all of this.

0:25:15 > 0:25:18We're going to have this on the bottom,

0:25:18 > 0:25:21on the other end I'm going to have a wheel that's on the base...

0:25:21 > 0:25:26and then connected the two cogs with a chain, so, as it goes

0:25:26 > 0:25:29round, then it actually makes the whole mechanism go round.

0:25:29 > 0:25:33Nick's using six sets of gears to drive the sweet machine.

0:25:33 > 0:25:36Each gear has its own distinct ratio through its diameter

0:25:36 > 0:25:37and number of teeth.

0:25:39 > 0:25:41The combined gear ratios control the speed

0:25:41 > 0:25:45and torque of the rotating parts. Get the balance right,

0:25:45 > 0:25:48and you have a sweet machine spinning at a steady pace.

0:25:48 > 0:25:51Too fast and centrifugal force will send

0:25:51 > 0:25:55sweets flying everywhere - disastrous!

0:25:55 > 0:25:57But this is India's big dream.

0:25:57 > 0:26:00I mean, this is what she conceived of in her head, in a way.

0:26:00 > 0:26:04- So it's got to work.- Yes.

0:26:04 > 0:26:05It has.

0:26:05 > 0:26:08And I've spotted another potential pitfall.

0:26:08 > 0:26:09So, of course, the first time that we do this

0:26:09 > 0:26:12and India's riding the bicycle and all of your neighbours and

0:26:12 > 0:26:16friends are watching, what we don't want to happen is, you know, that.

0:26:16 > 0:26:17NICK LAUGHS

0:26:17 > 0:26:19- You get...half the tube drops out. - It works!

0:26:21 > 0:26:23Actually, no, there's still some in there, look.

0:26:25 > 0:26:28I think Nick should split the hopper into two chambers

0:26:28 > 0:26:30so only a few sweets are released each time it opens.

0:26:30 > 0:26:33There's a real dangerous reality that I'm going to have

0:26:33 > 0:26:35- a floor full of sweets!- There is.

0:26:35 > 0:26:37But, actually, that's what's great about this,

0:26:37 > 0:26:40that it's teetering on the edge of being completely bonkers

0:26:40 > 0:26:43and actually not working and firing sweets off everywhere but,

0:26:43 > 0:26:47actually, if you get it right, it's going to be brilliant.

0:26:47 > 0:26:48I know I can deliver something

0:26:48 > 0:26:53but I'm concerned that it might not be as good as I want it to be.

0:26:53 > 0:26:57There's such a lot to get right at so many levels

0:26:57 > 0:27:00and if one cog is out of alignment, it won't work.

0:27:00 > 0:27:03How it's going to happen and how everything is going to come

0:27:03 > 0:27:06together to make that happen, I'm not yet sure.

0:27:10 > 0:27:12In Sussex,

0:27:12 > 0:27:15the Sunday-morning breakfast-maker is starting to take shape.

0:27:15 > 0:27:19- Everything's going wonderfully, isn't it?- Yeah, at the moment.

0:27:19 > 0:27:21Today, Pete and Merv are bringing the mechanics

0:27:21 > 0:27:24and electronics together for the very first time.

0:27:24 > 0:27:28Now, in theory, they should be able to get the crane moving on its own.

0:27:28 > 0:27:30You reckon your department's going to work, do you?

0:27:30 > 0:27:32- Yeah.- Total faith in you.

0:27:34 > 0:27:37- No, I don't, actually, but...- What?

0:27:37 > 0:27:39HE CHUCKLES

0:27:39 > 0:27:41For each of the 13 moving parts,

0:27:41 > 0:27:44Merv has had to write a series of complex codes

0:27:44 > 0:27:46loaded onto microprocessors.

0:27:46 > 0:27:50Drops egg into water. 43.

0:27:50 > 0:27:53The coding will determine everything the crane does.

0:27:53 > 0:27:56The velocity at which the trolley transports the egg to

0:27:56 > 0:28:00the boiler, the time spent cooking and the trajectory of the egg

0:28:00 > 0:28:03as it's hoisted out of the water and delivered to the table.

0:28:03 > 0:28:08Precision is paramount to avoid catastrophe and the pressure

0:28:08 > 0:28:12is on to get it right as their clients know exactly what they want.

0:28:12 > 0:28:14The egg has to be runny.

0:28:15 > 0:28:18I like a bit of hard yolk just round the edge of the yolk.

0:28:20 > 0:28:25And I would, ideally, like the top of the egg to be cut for me.

0:28:27 > 0:28:33- The toast, I like fingers.- And a nice cup of tea, not too strong.

0:28:35 > 0:28:38Oh, I am demanding, yeah, very fussy.

0:28:40 > 0:28:43If it's delivered with a runny white

0:28:43 > 0:28:46or a solid yellow, we'll be in trouble.

0:28:46 > 0:28:48Before they get close to boiling an egg,

0:28:48 > 0:28:53they need to get the egg moving up, down, and along the crane.

0:28:53 > 0:28:55- Ready for it?- Yeah, come on. I'm waiting.

0:28:57 > 0:29:00Can I excite you? Nothing.

0:29:00 > 0:29:01I'm really excited about that, Merv.

0:29:01 > 0:29:04- Absolutely zilch.- Right, OK.

0:29:04 > 0:29:08Now, why is that? Don't you need to press the trigger button?

0:29:08 > 0:29:11- Is there a trigger? - No, there isn't on this one, no.

0:29:11 > 0:29:13Oh, yes, there is. Of course there is!

0:29:13 > 0:29:14MERV LAUGHS

0:29:17 > 0:29:20- Right, where are we? There we go. Are you ready?- Yeah, go on.

0:29:20 > 0:29:22You going to get excited? Hooray!

0:29:25 > 0:29:27- Have you pressed it?- Yeah. - Not very exciting!

0:29:27 > 0:29:29No, not a lot happening, is there?

0:29:30 > 0:29:33That's not good, I don't think it liked that.

0:29:35 > 0:29:37Oh, this is a bit disconcerting.

0:29:38 > 0:29:43- Have you forgotten to do something? - No. Anything happen?

0:29:43 > 0:29:45Absolutely zilch.

0:29:45 > 0:29:48With two hungry wives still waiting for their breakfast

0:29:48 > 0:29:52and five weeks to go, it's a setback they could do without.

0:29:52 > 0:29:55What other fault can we possibly have?

0:29:57 > 0:30:00Plugging it in, that's where it all fell apart.

0:30:00 > 0:30:04I don't see it for what we've got so far, I just look at it

0:30:04 > 0:30:07and think, "God, we've got a heck of a lot more to do."

0:30:07 > 0:30:10We're both a bit worried about time. We've got, I think,

0:30:10 > 0:30:17five weeks left but this has taken us five weeks to get to this point.

0:30:17 > 0:30:20It sounds like Pete and Merv may need inspiring.

0:30:20 > 0:30:23When it comes to taking the very simple

0:30:23 > 0:30:27and completely overcomplicating it, this guy is the absolute nuts.

0:30:30 > 0:30:33This is Rob Higgs from Cornwall.

0:30:33 > 0:30:35And this is his Nutcracker.

0:30:35 > 0:30:37It weighs about eight tonnes.

0:30:37 > 0:30:39It's 35 feet high.

0:30:40 > 0:30:41There's 2,000 parts.

0:30:43 > 0:30:45It's greatest skill is cracking nuts.

0:30:45 > 0:30:49A giant machine cracking a truly tiny nut.

0:30:50 > 0:30:54Rob's nutcracker is so big it lives here, at the Eden Project.

0:30:54 > 0:30:58It really works. It's a kind of sledgehammer-to-crack-a-nut thing.

0:30:58 > 0:31:02If there's an ethos, then it's definitely our wasteful society

0:31:02 > 0:31:07and all of that excessive mechanical contraptions for absolute nonsense.

0:31:07 > 0:31:10It took Rob a year to build this super-sized structure

0:31:10 > 0:31:12out of metal salvaged from old trawler boats,

0:31:12 > 0:31:16rescued from beaches and scavenged from scrapyards.

0:31:16 > 0:31:19This winds some gears which moves this one...

0:31:19 > 0:31:22that then turns this one here,

0:31:22 > 0:31:25which pulls down on that, which yanks this whole thing,

0:31:25 > 0:31:26pulling on its...

0:31:26 > 0:31:28That's just to scare people.

0:31:30 > 0:31:33That brings a hammer round, about to drop onto a plate here.

0:31:35 > 0:31:38The nut gets fired out the top of that dentist-bracket bit,

0:31:38 > 0:31:41into that, that's a head lamp, and then that releases this

0:31:41 > 0:31:44to then drop all the way down onto that.

0:31:49 > 0:31:50Whoo!

0:31:51 > 0:31:53200 turns later, here's a nut.

0:32:01 > 0:32:03Four weeks to go in Northumberland, Stewart is

0:32:03 > 0:32:07grappling with a way to make his robot arms actually move.

0:32:11 > 0:32:13The learning curve is kind of this steep at the moment.

0:32:13 > 0:32:15With a little bit more information,

0:32:15 > 0:32:18we're trying to lower the curve of my learning.

0:32:18 > 0:32:20In the spirit of his previous builds,

0:32:20 > 0:32:24Stewart's constructing most of the robot from scrap he can find.

0:32:24 > 0:32:26That's rather nice, I like that.

0:32:26 > 0:32:30For the arms, he's decided to re-purpose old truck parts -

0:32:30 > 0:32:34pressurised air bags - one for each shoulder and elbow joint,

0:32:34 > 0:32:36giving four more degrees of freedom.

0:32:36 > 0:32:37Look at that.

0:32:37 > 0:32:41Powerful enough to inflate and lift a 15-tonne truck,

0:32:41 > 0:32:44Stewart wants to use them like arm muscles.

0:32:44 > 0:32:49As pressurised air is pumped in, they expand, propelling the arm up.

0:32:49 > 0:32:52It's a simple pneumatic system but controlling the air pressure

0:32:52 > 0:32:56will be critical to achieve the precise movements of the arm.

0:32:56 > 0:33:00It's perfect! Yup, I think this is going to be very good.

0:33:01 > 0:33:05Each pressurised air bag will be housed in a hinged metal frame

0:33:05 > 0:33:08that can pivot as the bags expand and contract.

0:33:08 > 0:33:10One end in there.

0:33:10 > 0:33:14This has all got to fit onto the back here to push the arm up

0:33:14 > 0:33:16when it opens and closes.

0:33:18 > 0:33:21I don't know anybody who's actually tried doing this, so...

0:33:21 > 0:33:23I'm it.

0:33:27 > 0:33:30In fact, all the builds have been given a safety check

0:33:30 > 0:33:33by our engineer, Alex, and he's raised alarm bells

0:33:33 > 0:33:35about Stewart's plan.

0:33:35 > 0:33:38Our safety engineer is really worried that the airbag system

0:33:38 > 0:33:42that Stewart is proposing to use could be really dangerous.

0:33:42 > 0:33:45Now, it's one thing to build an amazing robot but it's quite

0:33:45 > 0:33:48another to put your life in danger.

0:33:48 > 0:33:50Good to see you, this is Alex.

0:33:50 > 0:33:52- Hi, Alex.- Good to meet you.

0:33:52 > 0:33:55I thought it would be good that Alex had a look at the airbags

0:33:55 > 0:33:59just to see how they work, how they control all this,

0:33:59 > 0:34:00and really whether they're safe.

0:34:00 > 0:34:02OK, I appreciate that.

0:34:02 > 0:34:05Alex is concerned that, as the airbags are scrap,

0:34:05 > 0:34:08they could have the potential to explode.

0:34:08 > 0:34:11Now, over time, rubber perishes,

0:34:11 > 0:34:14so as soon as you start adding pressure to this,

0:34:14 > 0:34:16we're going to start stretching the weak parts of the rubber.

0:34:16 > 0:34:20- So what would happen if this went bang?- It would be a big, big bang.

0:34:20 > 0:34:23I just wouldn't want to be stood anywhere near one of these

0:34:23 > 0:34:26- if they went bang.- Well, that puts a different complexion on things.

0:34:26 > 0:34:29It's all about stored energy.

0:34:29 > 0:34:31Imagine a party balloon popping,

0:34:31 > 0:34:34that's around one pound per square inch of pressure and would

0:34:34 > 0:34:39certainly make you jump but amplify that by 150 times and that could be

0:34:39 > 0:34:44the potential pressure inside one of these airbags when it blows.

0:34:44 > 0:34:46To check if these ones are fit for purpose,

0:34:46 > 0:34:48Alex needs to take a closer look.

0:34:49 > 0:34:51Here you go. Whoops.

0:34:54 > 0:34:56Quite exposing, isn't it?

0:34:56 > 0:35:00I mean, having someone coming and checking something that is

0:35:00 > 0:35:03still in the process of being made and worked out.

0:35:03 > 0:35:05Yes, it does feel a little bit...

0:35:05 > 0:35:07It makes me a little bit nervous.

0:35:07 > 0:35:10What we need to do, really, is stretch the airbag out a little bit

0:35:10 > 0:35:12so we can have a look underneath here at

0:35:12 > 0:35:15what the quality of the rubber is like under there.

0:35:19 > 0:35:22Oh, hang on. There we are, look,

0:35:22 > 0:35:25if you look just up here you can see a tiny little split.

0:35:25 > 0:35:27I see it, yeah. I can see that.

0:35:27 > 0:35:30Yeah, so that's a thinning of the rubber there, that's a weak point.

0:35:30 > 0:35:34I would not for a moment think about putting air in that.

0:35:34 > 0:35:35If this was fine... You know,

0:35:35 > 0:35:37what we're asking of it is very little compared to what it's

0:35:37 > 0:35:41designed to do but, because we've immediately identified a weak

0:35:41 > 0:35:44spot in the rubber, it's a no-no.

0:35:45 > 0:35:47Right. OK.

0:35:49 > 0:35:53That is a big disappointment that that's not going to work, isn't it?

0:35:53 > 0:35:58Yeah, it is, this is also the most crucial piece of making this

0:35:58 > 0:35:59whole arm work.

0:35:59 > 0:36:01If that doesn't work, none of it works,

0:36:01 > 0:36:05so I'm pretty gutted that this isn't going to go right now.

0:36:07 > 0:36:08This is a big deal.

0:36:08 > 0:36:12Just getting one component of this robot to work is problematic,

0:36:12 > 0:36:17so it's that times 30 or 40 that's got to

0:36:17 > 0:36:19happen in the next three weeks.

0:36:19 > 0:36:23I think that Stewart's just going to have to work day and night

0:36:23 > 0:36:25to get it finished in any shape or form.

0:36:28 > 0:36:30- Good luck, Stewart.- Thank you, Alex. - See you soon.- Bye-bye.

0:36:35 > 0:36:36Right.

0:36:36 > 0:36:38All builders must consider safety

0:36:38 > 0:36:41when constructing their contraptions.

0:36:41 > 0:36:43But that doesn't have to hold you back.

0:36:43 > 0:36:48Retired airline pilot Mike Clark was so confident in his abilities,

0:36:48 > 0:36:52he decided to build his own plane and take to the skies.

0:36:52 > 0:36:57The top speed is 70mph, the wingspan is 25 feet.

0:36:57 > 0:37:00Nought to 60...about half a field!

0:37:03 > 0:37:05And here it goes.

0:37:05 > 0:37:09A Fokker Eindecker German fighter plane from the First World War

0:37:09 > 0:37:13taking off in 2016 from a back garden in West Sussex.

0:37:19 > 0:37:22So what exactly goes in to keeping it up in the air?

0:37:24 > 0:37:27I built this from aluminium tubing, mountain-bike brakes,

0:37:27 > 0:37:30mountain-bike wheels and steel cable.

0:37:30 > 0:37:32Easier said than done.

0:37:32 > 0:37:35The trick to staying airborne is to balance the aerodynamic lift

0:37:35 > 0:37:37against the weight of the plane.

0:37:39 > 0:37:43You've got to be confident, otherwise I wouldn't be doing it.

0:37:44 > 0:37:47Mike relies on a 50-horsepower engine

0:37:47 > 0:37:51and his trusty Fokker has a flying range of 50 miles.

0:37:51 > 0:37:54My grandfather was a pilot in the First World War,

0:37:54 > 0:37:57so I think there must be some genetics in there somewhere.

0:37:59 > 0:38:02So far, Mike's clocked up 150 hours without

0:38:02 > 0:38:06so much as a bumpy landing but he does have one fear.

0:38:06 > 0:38:08We seem to get a lot of buzzards.

0:38:08 > 0:38:11They are massive birds and they don't get out of the way, so...

0:38:13 > 0:38:17But on this flight, no buzzards and a safe landing.

0:38:22 > 0:38:25Two weeks and counting until the big reveals.

0:38:25 > 0:38:28It's the final push for our magnificent makers.

0:38:28 > 0:38:31- Select a nice cup of tea... - Thank you.

0:38:31 > 0:38:33We've got that bit in.

0:38:33 > 0:38:37We've added the jiggler in the middle. Light toast or burnt toast.

0:38:37 > 0:38:39Well, it's still white.

0:38:40 > 0:38:42Drop your end down.

0:38:42 > 0:38:45Nick and Caroline have roped in an army of friends to construct

0:38:45 > 0:38:48their carousel outside.

0:38:48 > 0:38:52The truth is, I don't know if it's going to fit or not!

0:38:52 > 0:38:55You need to get the top one right and then offer the bottom one up.

0:38:55 > 0:38:56No, hang on...

0:38:58 > 0:39:00I get really frustrated

0:39:00 > 0:39:03if I can't achieve what I would like to achieve.

0:39:03 > 0:39:04- Go on. - DRILL WHIRS

0:39:04 > 0:39:08There's a mountain of finishing touches to complete.

0:39:08 > 0:39:10I've still got a lot of fissures to do round the top...

0:39:10 > 0:39:12Three more bolts and washers.

0:39:12 > 0:39:16..and I've got the sweet-making machine and we've got to...

0:39:17 > 0:39:21Over in Northumberland, Stewart's had a breakthrough -

0:39:21 > 0:39:25a new plan to get his robot arms moving without airbags.

0:39:25 > 0:39:28I've been thinking about using a winch and a cable

0:39:28 > 0:39:30because this wheel makes a perfect pulley.

0:39:32 > 0:39:33That's the theory anyway.

0:39:36 > 0:39:37It works.

0:39:37 > 0:39:41One problem solved but it's left Stewart way behind schedule.

0:39:41 > 0:39:43If anything goes wrong, it's going to get tough.

0:39:43 > 0:39:47Everything's got to go absolutely right from here on in.

0:39:47 > 0:39:50And on the breakfast-maker, Merv's computer software is now

0:39:50 > 0:39:53sending electronic signals to the mechanics.

0:39:53 > 0:39:55Here we go. We're off.

0:39:55 > 0:39:57Why hasn't it come on?

0:39:58 > 0:40:01- Oh, hold on a minute, I haven't plugged it in.- Well, nearly!

0:40:01 > 0:40:04THEY LAUGH

0:40:04 > 0:40:07And they're finally ready to cook their first egg.

0:40:07 > 0:40:09Oh, that's looking good.

0:40:09 > 0:40:13- Steam.- Steam? Crikey. Bubbling away like a good'un.

0:40:13 > 0:40:17At this late stage, for it not to go how we would like it to go,

0:40:17 > 0:40:20it would be very frustrating.

0:40:20 > 0:40:21Come on, let's have you.

0:40:21 > 0:40:24But it would be a hell of a lot easier to just take

0:40:24 > 0:40:26both our wives out for a fantastic meal.

0:40:26 > 0:40:28Oh, wonderful.

0:40:28 > 0:40:30It wouldn't be the same.

0:40:30 > 0:40:32Let's see if it's the perfect egg.

0:40:32 > 0:40:35It's runny but it's still got a little bit of white in it there.

0:40:35 > 0:40:36That's pretty well bang on!

0:40:39 > 0:40:43Three brilliant builds hurtling towards the finish line.

0:40:43 > 0:40:45That's it, a bit of brute force.

0:40:45 > 0:40:49Ten weeks are up, the time for tinkering is over.

0:40:49 > 0:40:51Oh, God.

0:40:51 > 0:40:52They can do no more.

0:40:57 > 0:41:00COCKEREL CROWS

0:41:00 > 0:41:02- So we've got to choose our favourite.- We do.

0:41:02 > 0:41:04It's going to be hard, isn't it?

0:41:04 > 0:41:07For me, it's just going to be what I find the most fantastic,

0:41:07 > 0:41:10really, what just fires up my imagination.

0:41:10 > 0:41:12I also want something to be really inventive

0:41:12 > 0:41:15and clever in how it's engineered.

0:41:15 > 0:41:17I want people to have really pushed themselves.

0:41:19 > 0:41:25It's Sunday morning, D-Day for the breakfast-maker and Merv and Pete.

0:41:25 > 0:41:29Our safety engineer's given it the once over and it's ready to go.

0:41:29 > 0:41:33We are starving, waiting for our breakfast.

0:41:33 > 0:41:37- Ten whole weeks!- I know, we've lost weight - haven't we? - waiting.

0:41:37 > 0:41:38I wish.

0:41:38 > 0:41:41It's going to be bonkers and a bit crazy but, you know,

0:41:41 > 0:41:44there's going to be a great breakfast hopefully.

0:41:44 > 0:41:47I actually can't bear it, what of it all goes wrong, Piers?

0:41:47 > 0:41:50If it doesn't work, we will both, without any doubt,

0:41:50 > 0:41:53be extremely gutted.

0:41:53 > 0:41:55- Here we go. You go first.- Wow.

0:41:55 > 0:41:58If the pressure wasn't high enough already,

0:41:58 > 0:42:02they've piled in friends and family to witness the moment.

0:42:02 > 0:42:04Oh, wow, hello.

0:42:05 > 0:42:09- Wow! Look at this! - Amazing, isn't it?- It's gorgeous.

0:42:10 > 0:42:13What a feast for the eyes.

0:42:13 > 0:42:16Complete with a mini Merv and Pete.

0:42:17 > 0:42:21An automatic tea-maker with the all-important jiggle function

0:42:21 > 0:42:22for the teabag.

0:42:23 > 0:42:27A paper ready to be fired onto the table.

0:42:27 > 0:42:32A toast-maker and, of course, the egg, fresh from a "battery" hen

0:42:32 > 0:42:36ready to be cooked soft or well-done at the flick of a switch.

0:42:36 > 0:42:40All powered by 13 motors and eight microprocessors.

0:42:43 > 0:42:46It looks incredible but does it work?

0:42:46 > 0:42:47If this works,

0:42:47 > 0:42:54I should have actually earned mega Brownie points, so it's got to work!

0:42:54 > 0:42:58When Andrea walks into the kitchen and sees it, I want her to go,

0:42:58 > 0:43:01"Wow!" That really is what it's all about.

0:43:01 > 0:43:03This is amazing!

0:43:03 > 0:43:04It really is, actually.

0:43:04 > 0:43:08Your communal garden breakfast machine. I think you should have a seat.

0:43:08 > 0:43:12- Darling, you have to make a selection.- Toast. I'll have light.

0:43:12 > 0:43:13- Egg.- You like soft egg.- Yes.

0:43:13 > 0:43:16- Click it up. That's it. - And I have tea.

0:43:16 > 0:43:21- Here we go. You've only waited 40 years for this.- A long time.

0:43:23 > 0:43:26Here go. Oh!

0:43:26 > 0:43:28There's your newspaper.

0:43:28 > 0:43:32- Share that with Sandra and you can read the newspaper.- There we go.

0:43:32 > 0:43:36And Sandra is just going to wait for her breakfast?

0:43:36 > 0:43:37Unfortunately, she's got to wait

0:43:37 > 0:43:41cos we can only do one at a time, unfortunately, yeah.

0:43:44 > 0:43:47- MACHINE:- Please insert your bread into the toaster, m'lady.

0:43:47 > 0:43:49Is that toast going to get toasted on both sides?

0:43:49 > 0:43:50Yes, it flips over.

0:43:54 > 0:43:56Where's the tea?

0:43:56 > 0:43:58In five minutes, your tea will be delivered.

0:43:58 > 0:44:01- How do you like your tea, normally, Andrea?- Weak.

0:44:02 > 0:44:07- Have you got it on weak setting? - Yeah, that's weak. Don't worry.

0:44:07 > 0:44:09Look at that, a perfect jiggle.

0:44:09 > 0:44:11That is clever!

0:44:13 > 0:44:18- Oh, look, look, look at this! - That is amazing.- Look at that.

0:44:18 > 0:44:19That really is wonderful.

0:44:19 > 0:44:22- MACHINE:- Nicely jiggled cuppa for you, m'lady.

0:44:22 > 0:44:23- There we are.- Lovely.

0:44:27 > 0:44:30Actually, it's not quite hot enough.

0:44:30 > 0:44:32Oh, no!

0:44:38 > 0:44:42- Look, look! The egg going down. - Clever.- Look at that!- Yeah!

0:44:44 > 0:44:48- Here it comes.- Beautiful.

0:44:48 > 0:44:49Oh, oh!

0:44:49 > 0:44:52'Your toast, m'lady.'

0:44:52 > 0:44:53Gosh!

0:44:57 > 0:45:00I've never watched an egg boil so intensely before.

0:45:01 > 0:45:03Here we go. Here we go.

0:45:03 > 0:45:06- Do I have to catch it? - No, no, no, no. Don't worry.

0:45:06 > 0:45:08It will be delivered straight to your eggcup, darling.

0:45:08 > 0:45:11'Now this will have to be perfect.'

0:45:11 > 0:45:13- MACHINE:- Your egg, just as you like it, my lady.

0:45:13 > 0:45:16LAUGHTER

0:45:16 > 0:45:18This is the most stressful thing of the lot,

0:45:18 > 0:45:20watching you take the top of the egg off.

0:45:20 > 0:45:23- Look at that.- Very good.- Not bad.

0:45:23 > 0:45:26- Is it runny, though?- Yeah, it's... It's, well, perfect.

0:45:26 > 0:45:28That's the works. That's the works.

0:45:28 > 0:45:29- Lovely.- Pretty good.

0:45:29 > 0:45:31- It looks delicious.- It is.

0:45:31 > 0:45:34You're not having any.

0:45:34 > 0:45:37'A triumph, but they can't relax just yet.'

0:45:37 > 0:45:41Sandra, you've waited ten weeks and 15 minutes for your breakfast.

0:45:41 > 0:45:44- You must be ready for it now. - Yeah, I'm more than ready.

0:45:44 > 0:45:45OK, here we go.

0:45:45 > 0:45:51It's a soft egg, light toast and coffee for Sandra.

0:45:51 > 0:45:54- Oh, tea and coffee! - Oh, hang on, hang on, hang on...

0:45:54 > 0:45:58Both teabags in - that's toffee, not coffee.

0:46:01 > 0:46:05- Actually, it's quite nice. - CHEERING

0:46:07 > 0:46:10- It's all on the egg, isn't it? - It is. Here it comes.

0:46:10 > 0:46:11- Here it comes.- Here we go.

0:46:11 > 0:46:15- MACHINE:- Your egg, just as you like it, my lady.

0:46:15 > 0:46:18Oh, it's looking good.

0:46:18 > 0:46:22- Yes. - CHEERING

0:46:22 > 0:46:24A runny egg - that is brilliant.

0:46:24 > 0:46:26- Look at that. Perfect. - Absolutely brilliant.

0:46:26 > 0:46:27So, the moment of reckoning -

0:46:27 > 0:46:30how many brownie points have these guys are earned?

0:46:30 > 0:46:32- Mega. Mega brownie points. - CHEERING

0:46:32 > 0:46:34Fantastic.

0:46:34 > 0:46:39'So, perhaps not the perfect drinks, and a wait for feast number two,

0:46:39 > 0:46:44'but quite possibly the maddest and most entertaining breakfast ever.'

0:46:44 > 0:46:48The sense of relief is overwhelming. I'm completely overwhelmed.

0:46:48 > 0:46:52- I can't believe that we've actually done it.- No.

0:46:52 > 0:46:55One more thing - we've go to clear up the table.

0:46:55 > 0:46:59- Oh, right.- So, OK, Andrea, if you lift the red button...

0:46:59 > 0:47:01- Oh, here we go. Yeah.- Wahey!

0:47:01 > 0:47:04Didn't expect that.

0:47:05 > 0:47:08- TEACUP CRASHES - Wahey!- Wahey!

0:47:08 > 0:47:10Oh, my gosh!

0:47:10 > 0:47:12CHEERING

0:47:16 > 0:47:17I thought it was brilliant.

0:47:17 > 0:47:20They did a bloody good job.

0:47:26 > 0:47:28SHEEP BLEAT

0:47:28 > 0:47:32'Next stop, Northumberland. Has Stewart finished his robot?'

0:47:32 > 0:47:33What are we going to do if we get there

0:47:33 > 0:47:36and it's just still a pile of scrap on the floor?

0:47:36 > 0:47:37My dad's put so much work into it

0:47:37 > 0:47:40and I really hope it's going to work.

0:47:40 > 0:47:42I want them to think that they've got the best dad.

0:47:42 > 0:47:46It'll probably never be true but I'd like them to think that it is.

0:47:46 > 0:47:48The last time I was here, the engineer told him

0:47:48 > 0:47:50to stop what he was doing immediately,

0:47:50 > 0:47:52and he had to completely rethink what he was doing...

0:47:52 > 0:47:55- Fingers crossed it's going to be finished.- Fingers crossed, yeah.

0:47:55 > 0:47:57'The moment of reckoning has arrived.

0:47:57 > 0:47:59'Friends and family are waiting.

0:47:59 > 0:48:01'It's been checked by our safety engineer.

0:48:01 > 0:48:03'All we need now is Stewart.'

0:48:03 > 0:48:05- Hi.- Hi, guys.- Hello. Hi. - How are you doing?

0:48:05 > 0:48:08So, I'm presuming this is the robot, but where's Stewart?

0:48:08 > 0:48:10I don't know. He could be in there.

0:48:10 > 0:48:12Stewart, are you in there?

0:48:12 > 0:48:14I certainly am.

0:48:14 > 0:48:15He sounds very calm.

0:48:15 > 0:48:18- Do you want to see this robot, then? ALL:- Yeah!

0:48:18 > 0:48:19OK, here we go.

0:48:19 > 0:48:23- ALL:- Five, four, three, two, one...

0:48:28 > 0:48:30CHEERING

0:48:30 > 0:48:32It's amazing.

0:48:33 > 0:48:36ROBOT WHIRS

0:48:36 > 0:48:39- ALL:- Whoa.

0:48:39 > 0:48:41That is a serious bit of kit.

0:48:41 > 0:48:45- What do you think of that? - Wow.- That is totally amazing.

0:48:45 > 0:48:47'Yes, Stewart's robot is fully operational,

0:48:47 > 0:48:51'with a claw arm able to lift or crush objects...

0:48:51 > 0:48:54'..double-barrelled guns that can fire 100 foam darts

0:48:54 > 0:48:56'in under 13 seconds...

0:48:56 > 0:48:58'..a 100-degree swivel...

0:48:58 > 0:49:01'..and two slightly scary eyes.'

0:49:01 > 0:49:03Thank you very much.

0:49:03 > 0:49:04It's brilliant. You've done so well.

0:49:04 > 0:49:07It looks so inventive and ingenious.

0:49:07 > 0:49:10Seriously, how many bits of machinery have you got in here?

0:49:10 > 0:49:14Oh, there's all kinds of bits. There's an axle from a van.

0:49:14 > 0:49:17There's a towel dispenser - a paper-towel dispenser in his head.

0:49:17 > 0:49:19- It is. Look at that. - We've got tractor headlights...

0:49:19 > 0:49:22Although lots of it is, sort of, off-the-shelf that you've adapted.

0:49:22 > 0:49:23I mean, all of this...

0:49:23 > 0:49:26the arms are welded up beautifully out of separate components,

0:49:26 > 0:49:28and there's real artistry, here.

0:49:28 > 0:49:30Stewart, a huge congratulations. You did it.

0:49:30 > 0:49:32- Yeah, well done.- Thank you.

0:49:32 > 0:49:34- I feel like we need to test it, Piers.- Yeah. Yeah.

0:49:34 > 0:49:37I think we should do something really hard and delicate

0:49:37 > 0:49:40that's almost impossible to pick up with something as big as that -

0:49:40 > 0:49:42something like an egg.

0:49:42 > 0:49:44A raw egg. What do you think?

0:49:44 > 0:49:45- Yeah!- Yeah!

0:49:45 > 0:49:47OK, I'll give it a shot.

0:49:47 > 0:49:49- There we are.- Is that OK?

0:49:49 > 0:49:51- That looks good. - Look at that - perfect.

0:49:51 > 0:49:55Right, let's see if we can pick this thing up.

0:49:55 > 0:49:56- Wahey.- Oh.

0:49:56 > 0:49:59- Off you go. We are close to the egg. - Oh, wow.- Nearly smashed it, there.

0:49:59 > 0:50:02Oh, I can't watch.

0:50:02 > 0:50:03Oh, yes.

0:50:03 > 0:50:06- Oh...- Look at that.- Ugh...

0:50:06 > 0:50:08- Steady.- Oh, yeah, you got it.

0:50:08 > 0:50:10GROANING

0:50:10 > 0:50:13- So close.- Oh, he still picked it up, though.

0:50:13 > 0:50:15CHEERING

0:50:17 > 0:50:22My dad is definitely the best dad in the world. He's fantastic.

0:50:22 > 0:50:26- Whoa. - LAUGHTER

0:50:26 > 0:50:29'OK, it's not quite the Power Loader robot

0:50:29 > 0:50:31'from Stewart's favourite film Alien,

0:50:31 > 0:50:33'but it comes mighty close.'

0:50:33 > 0:50:36This was the only way I was ever going to get into one of those

0:50:36 > 0:50:41Power Loaders that Ripley drove around, because they don't exist.

0:50:41 > 0:50:44The only way it was going to happen is if I made it happen

0:50:44 > 0:50:45and I did that,

0:50:45 > 0:50:48and that feels, erm, like a real achievement.

0:50:57 > 0:51:00Two down, just one more build to be unveiled -

0:51:00 > 0:51:02Nick and Carolyn's carousel.

0:51:02 > 0:51:04- It's completely bonkers.- Yeah.

0:51:04 > 0:51:06It's a carousel brought together with a sweet machine -

0:51:06 > 0:51:09at last, somebody's made it.

0:51:09 > 0:51:11I'm really excited about the reveal.

0:51:11 > 0:51:14I can't wait to show people, and for them to see

0:51:14 > 0:51:16what we've been doing over the last ten weeks.

0:51:16 > 0:51:19Yeah, a little bit nervous because, obviously, erm,

0:51:19 > 0:51:21a lot of people are coming to see it

0:51:21 > 0:51:24and you don't know what they're going to think,

0:51:24 > 0:51:26and they might think it's a load of rubbish.

0:51:26 > 0:51:29Extra pressure this time, though, in the shape of India.

0:51:29 > 0:51:32- Yeah, I know.- She's six years old, but she knows what she wants.

0:51:32 > 0:51:33She does.

0:51:33 > 0:51:36We may like it but, if she doesn't, it hasn't been worth it.

0:51:36 > 0:51:39I hope India will squeal with delight.

0:51:40 > 0:51:43'The safety checks are done, the crowds are gathering,

0:51:43 > 0:51:46'and we've been joined by our other magnificent makers,

0:51:46 > 0:51:49'as, today, we've got to choose our favourite.'

0:51:49 > 0:51:52'But first, we've got a date at the funfair.'

0:51:52 > 0:51:54Roll up, roll up, roll up!

0:51:54 > 0:51:56Wow. What's going on?

0:51:56 > 0:51:59Welcome to this truly scrumptious mechanical carousel

0:51:59 > 0:52:01sweet-making machine.

0:52:01 > 0:52:04Wow. CHEERING

0:52:04 > 0:52:06Oh, my gosh.

0:52:06 > 0:52:09- That is extraordinary.- Wow.

0:52:10 > 0:52:12It's incredible, guys.

0:52:12 > 0:52:14SARA GASPS

0:52:14 > 0:52:15'Well, they've done it -

0:52:15 > 0:52:20'a brilliantly bold and bright carousel standing proud.'

0:52:20 > 0:52:23'Over 52 square metres of carefully constructed plywood...

0:52:23 > 0:52:27'..intricately carved, delicately painted horses...

0:52:27 > 0:52:31'..truly multi-functional, with a bar and barbecue for the adults...

0:52:31 > 0:52:33'..and, of course, at its heart, a sweet dispenser

0:52:33 > 0:52:37'to give Wallace and Gromit a run for their money.

0:52:37 > 0:52:40'But the all-important question - will India agree?'

0:52:42 > 0:52:45Are you ready to see your very own sweet-dispensing carousel?

0:52:45 > 0:52:47- Yeah.- Yeah?

0:52:47 > 0:52:50- Three, two, one... - Three, two, one...

0:52:50 > 0:52:52- There you go.- Ah.

0:52:52 > 0:52:54INDIA SQUEALS

0:52:55 > 0:52:56Yeah!

0:52:56 > 0:52:58Wow. What do you think of that?

0:52:58 > 0:53:01It's the best ever.

0:53:02 > 0:53:05Do you want to go and have a go on it?

0:53:05 > 0:53:06Yeah, come on, let's go.

0:53:10 > 0:53:13Very inviting, isn't it? I want to have a go.

0:53:13 > 0:53:15Wow. Oh, gosh.

0:53:15 > 0:53:18Jellybeans! Toffee!

0:53:18 > 0:53:21And when we start pedalling, all the sweets will come out.

0:53:21 > 0:53:22Yay!

0:53:22 > 0:53:26Should we have a go, then, Indy? What do you think?

0:53:26 > 0:53:28Yay! Yeah!

0:53:28 > 0:53:31- All right, feet on the pedals. - I'm so excited.

0:53:31 > 0:53:32Yeah!

0:53:32 > 0:53:36There we go. Yay!

0:53:36 > 0:53:39'As the pedals turn,

0:53:39 > 0:53:41'cogs spin,

0:53:41 > 0:53:44'jaws open,

0:53:44 > 0:53:46'and sweets start to fall.'

0:53:46 > 0:53:49- Oh, my God, look! - SARA LAUGHS

0:53:49 > 0:53:51Yeah!

0:53:51 > 0:53:52'Straight onto the floor.'

0:53:52 > 0:53:54Jellybeans.

0:53:54 > 0:53:57Do you want to stop and get some sweets?

0:53:57 > 0:54:01Over there, there's a bucket full of all different sorts.

0:54:01 > 0:54:03India, you know all those weeks ago,

0:54:03 > 0:54:07when you told Grandpa and Granny what you wanted from this machine?

0:54:07 > 0:54:09What do you think? Have they done it?

0:54:09 > 0:54:13Yeah, they've absolutely done it.

0:54:14 > 0:54:17I think... Yes, I've got it!

0:54:17 > 0:54:19It's impossible trying to interview a child

0:54:19 > 0:54:21while she's got all these sweets in front of her.

0:54:21 > 0:54:23I know, all these different sweets to choose from.

0:54:23 > 0:54:24You've done it, guys. Well done.

0:54:24 > 0:54:27I think they deserve a huge round of applause. Well done.

0:54:27 > 0:54:30CHEERING

0:54:33 > 0:54:35Yeah.

0:54:35 > 0:54:37'Yes, the sweets went everywhere

0:54:37 > 0:54:40'but, for me, that adds to its charm.'

0:54:40 > 0:54:41It teeters on the edge of madness

0:54:41 > 0:54:43because, if it gave you just a sweet at a time,

0:54:43 > 0:54:46it'd be a bit boring, but actually throwing sweets at you, crazily,

0:54:46 > 0:54:48- I mean, that's brilliant. - It throws it at you.

0:54:48 > 0:54:50- It's all or nothing. - Yeah, yeah, yeah.

0:54:50 > 0:54:52I love the way the wheels are all...

0:54:52 > 0:54:54It does look slightly wonky and wobbly

0:54:54 > 0:54:57- and that's what makes it magical. - It does. Yeah.

0:54:57 > 0:54:58'And now it's our turn.'

0:54:58 > 0:55:01- Whoa! Wahey!- Wow.

0:55:01 > 0:55:03Whoa!

0:55:03 > 0:55:05'Madness? Yes. Chaos? Yes.

0:55:05 > 0:55:09'Utterly enchanting? Absolutely.'

0:55:09 > 0:55:12And it threw sweets on the floor, just as we planned.

0:55:12 > 0:55:14Absolutely great. I'm really pleased with it.

0:55:17 > 0:55:21Well, this leaves us with a very tricky final task -

0:55:21 > 0:55:25to pick our favourite of three truly spectacular back yard builds.

0:55:25 > 0:55:29A breakfast maker that cleared up after itself,

0:55:29 > 0:55:32a robot that triumphantly fired on cue,

0:55:32 > 0:55:36and a carousel that captured the magic of the fairground.

0:55:36 > 0:55:40- We have got to decide.- We do. - All three things are so different.

0:55:40 > 0:55:43With this carousel, I loved the sweets falling down.

0:55:43 > 0:55:46I just loved the detail and I loved the scale of it.

0:55:46 > 0:55:48You know, I was overwhelmed today by how good it was,

0:55:48 > 0:55:51how big it was, how complex, and just how fun.

0:55:51 > 0:55:53It's beautiful. It's rougher around the edges

0:55:53 > 0:55:54than the breakfast-making machine.

0:55:54 > 0:55:58Yeah, which I loved, cos it really is that, sort of,

0:55:58 > 0:56:00Wallace and Gromit style mad inventor type, isn't it?

0:56:00 > 0:56:04And every bit was so perfectly made. It was a bit of theatre.

0:56:04 > 0:56:07- Yeah, it was gorgeous, but then I've seen this today...- I know.

0:56:07 > 0:56:09I can see you're really torn.

0:56:09 > 0:56:12Stewart's robot is kind of a miracle, in a way,

0:56:12 > 0:56:13because it got finished on time.

0:56:13 > 0:56:17He was really up against it and he did something spectacular.

0:56:17 > 0:56:19It was mind-blowing in its madness.

0:56:19 > 0:56:21OK, so, have we made our decision?

0:56:21 > 0:56:23I think so. Don't you?

0:56:23 > 0:56:26- Yeah, I think so. I'm thrilled and nervous.- Me too, yeah.

0:56:26 > 0:56:28- Shall we go and tell them? - Yeah.- Yeah, let's go.

0:56:37 > 0:56:41So, our favourite really did combine the wild and the wacky

0:56:41 > 0:56:45and the wonderful, but also was just fantastically engineered -

0:56:45 > 0:56:49the way it works and the way it's all come together on the day.

0:56:49 > 0:56:52- Have you got the golden hammer ready?- I do.

0:56:52 > 0:56:55Ready and waiting, Sarah.

0:56:55 > 0:56:59- Don't laugh, it was no expense spared.- No expense.

0:57:02 > 0:57:04So, our favourite is...

0:57:06 > 0:57:08It's Nick and Carolyn's carousel.

0:57:08 > 0:57:10CHEERING

0:57:13 > 0:57:16CHEERING CONTINUES

0:57:19 > 0:57:21- Well done.- Thank you.

0:57:21 > 0:57:22Well done.

0:57:22 > 0:57:24- We're not upset, are we?- No, no, no.

0:57:24 > 0:57:27- No, we're not upset. No. - No, no, no. Not at all. No.

0:57:27 > 0:57:30No, actually, they were... No, they were brilliant.

0:57:30 > 0:57:32I've hugely enjoyed being able to do this -

0:57:32 > 0:57:35just having an excuse to be able to do something as...

0:57:35 > 0:57:39as silly and big and as mad as the robot.

0:57:41 > 0:57:44Oh, look, there's a sugar-crazed child with a hammer. Get back(!)

0:57:47 > 0:57:51The whole process, I have to say, has been an absolute adventure -

0:57:51 > 0:57:53a complete adventure from the beginning to the end.

0:57:53 > 0:57:57To actually get the golden hammer is just the... Oh, it's just amazing.

0:57:57 > 0:57:59Absolutely amazing.

0:57:59 > 0:58:01He just won't let me hold it.

0:58:01 > 0:58:05- Well, you... You hold that. - And he think's it's his. It's mine.

0:58:05 > 0:58:09Three magnificent makers - three spectacular builds.

0:58:09 > 0:58:11But our favourite was the carousel -

0:58:11 > 0:58:15a beautiful machine with some tricky mechanics to pull off -

0:58:15 > 0:58:19and, in the end, it also had the wow factor we were looking for.

0:58:19 > 0:58:21What ever will be next?