The Boy Mechanic: Volume 1 by Popular Mechanics
Edward writes “The Boy Mechanic: Volume 1 by Popular Mechanics. Offered thru Project Gutenberg. 700 Things for Boys to Do. This book was my first intro to making things when I was a kid. Published in 1913. The PDF version is richly illustrated.” Link.
Chris sent this how-to in from Grynx contributor Dan “This box will house my proprietary Wi-Lan HP45-24 radio unit and set as a client, a 2.4ghz 500mw HyperLink Amplifier connected to a Linksys WRT54G with a third party firmware and set as an access point, the Wi-Lan HP45-24 radio will be the main link back to my base radio. The whole idea of this enclosure is to be as “modular” as possible, i.e. if the PSU blows-up I can simply remove the PSU and replace it, OR if I need to relocate the whole box, I can simply unscrew all the antenna and take it away with me.”
Matt writes “I have put together some free plans for building a spider rifle. This is a device which I designed and built from pvc & cpvc pipe that uses compressed air to suck up and kill household spiders.” I don’t think you have the kill the little fellows, so this could just be used to capture and release.
“The Musical Instrument Makers Forum, an interactive forum for the discussion of musical instrument construction, design and repair – Acoustic guitar building, electric guitar making, archtop guitar building, violin making, dulcimer making, mandolin building, banjo building, or any other type of lutherie; pickup winding and rewinding; drum making; flute and recorder making and repair; brass instrument building and repair; and more. For makers of all instruments at any skill level from expert to wannabe.” Thanks Dave!
Dave writes “This site has some amazing products of fancy knots. I was looking for some more detailed info for finishing off a turks head and found this site.” Here’s a great step by step on making star knots. There’s something really satisfying about tying a sturdy yet ascetically pleasing knot.
Brad writes “I’ve always wanted to be a proud owner of some unnecessarily large light-up outdoor sign. Specifically I wanted some old sign that used to adorn the entrance of some dive bar somewhere. The problem is these signs are “collectors items” of sorts and if they’re in any working order then they’re gonna cost you quite a bit of money. On the other hand, if they don’t work, you’re still going to end up spending your life savings trying to fix what time and weather has done to these signs over the years. You’ll also need the know-how to do the work and a team of people to help move the sign since they generally weigh more than small cars. My solution was simple. I just needed to build what I wanted.”
How to on making “Toynbee Tile Mosaics”, unique asphalt tile installations found all over North and South America. “This is a method for making colorful, permanent mosaic installations in asphalt roads and lots. Like glass, asphalt appears to be a solid but is actually a liquid. This means that a design affixed to it with more asphalt will eventually settle in and become a part of it. We owe our awareness of this technique to a nameless mystic we have never encountered in person.”