How do you build a nuclear reactor in your garage? When I came across this link earlier today, I was astounded. Nuclear reactors are immensely complex devices that took scientists years to develop, and are usually housed in huge facilities. The link says that 15 high school students in the world have built nuclear fusion reactors. How is this possible?
I'm not really looking for answers with detailed instructions on how to build a reactor (but I won't complain if you do), but rather a theory on the kinds of tools and materials that this teen would have used to build such a reactor. What kinds of temperatures would he have to deal with? Right now, I'm very impressed, but is this really rocket science?
 A: Well, if you search the internet it seems there are kids out there that make the claim of having built a fusion reactor . I watched this link. Note that in .56 minute he gives a small description, and does not claim breaking even,  but that he demonstrated fusion. It is a plasma that he obviously creates and manages to  fusion some deuterium that is not breaking even of course.  
Here is an other interview with Taylor Wilson. It seems he is planning on a large scale form of his "fusion reactor". The the road to the holy grail  of getting break even fusion reactors is strewn with failed attempts, but, more power to him. It is time for Tesla to reincarnate :) . In his web page he is more modest.
A: Following through to previous news articles such as this one:

“This is my Inertial Electrostatic Confinement Fusion Reactor. It works on the property of inertial electrostatic confinement,” Conrad says.

See Wikipedia on inertial electrostatic confinement.
The actual design is a Farnsworth-Hirsch Fusor.  Note Conrad's last name is Farnsworth which is a coincidence, the device is not named after him or a relative.
He has a YouTube channel with a video up showing his "Farnsworth Fusor".  His website for the project is http://www.nuclearfarnsworth.com/.
A: Note that the definition of "nuclear reactor" or "nuclear power" can be quite broad. Actually, you could build a nuclear reactor with stone age technology, without even understanding the physics behind it: you find some strange rocks, let water run trough it, the water will be heated, now you can cook with it or use the heat for other purposes. (don't try this at home!)
Now you have nuclear power, which is of course very unsafe and unhealthy.
A: Note that this is not a nuclear reactor, but a Fusor. Fusors work by using a voltage drop to accelerate ions to high velocities and a few may fuse. Due to inefficiencies, they cannot be used for power generation. They are relatively simple to build (they are basically beefed-up plasma globes).
