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Make: Tools: How They Work and How to Use Them (Make: Technology on Your Time)

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Arrives Friday, May 30
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Description

Whether you’re interested in becoming a handyman or developing artisanal woodworking skills, the place to begin is by learning the fundamentals of using basic workshop tools correctly. The place to find out how is right here. Make: Tools is shop class in a book. Consumer-level 3D printers and CNC machines are opening up new possibilities for makers. But there will always be a need for traditional workshop skills and tools. Charles Platt's Make: Tools applies the same approach to its subject matter as his bestselling Make: Electronics -- in-depth explanations and hands-on projects that gradually increase in level of challenge. Illustrated in full color with hundreds of photographs and line drawings, the book serves as a perfect introduction to workshop tools and materials for young adults and adults alike. Platt focuses on basic hands tools and assumes no prior experience or knowledge on the part of the reader. The projects all result in fun games, toys, and puzzles. The book serves as both a hands-on tutorial a reference that will be returned to again and again. Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Make Community, LLC; 1st edition (November 1, 2016)


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Paperback ‏ : ‎ 272 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1680452533


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 32


Reading age ‏ : ‎ 9 years and up


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.4 pounds


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8 x 0.4 x 9.6 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #1,171,165 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #529 in Metal Work (Books) #868 in Children's How Things Work Books (Books) #1,400 in Woodworking Projects (Books)


#529 in Metal Work (Books):


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If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Friday, May 30

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Top Amazon Reviews


  • A perfect introduction to gaining lifelong skills
This book is a gem. If you're lucky, you learned these skills by osmosis when you were young. Too many people (myself included) did not. This book is perfectly structured to teach a young adult, new homeowner, eager parent, or someone in search of an open-ended hobby. The chapters sequentially introduce new skills, with achievable projects that will lead to new ideas of your own. For the tools needed, specific manufacturers and part names are suggested, but the author freely admits there are several varieties, and favors none. There are well-written asides to add depth to your understanding, and direction for where you might gain even more knowledge. The style of writing is so good that you can picture the author sitting with you, talking you through a project and sharing what he knows--patiently, eagerly, and humbly. Children learn by playing--doing something, adjusting, trying again, not particularly concerned with the final result, just enjoying the process. It's harder for adults to learn. We don't like the embarrassment of being unskilled; we want the rapid good outcome, and we don't always have open-ended time to practice and explore. This book will make the most of your time, with a minimum of perceived embarrassment, and a make an achievable and respectable final product. This book is ideal for those who want these creative, constructive, and useful abilities. Maybe you'll work through these chapters and projects with your children. You can. Maybe you have dreams of making a wooden toy for your grandchildren. You will. Perhaps you have visions of attacking larger woodworking projects from those books that naturally assume you know your way around a shop. You'll get there. This book can be the beginning. I highly recommend it without reservation. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2017 by Meskree

  • Mostly about Hand Tools, but Fun Read
This book isn't what you expect from the Make! Series, because it's not really about high tech gadgets. It's not even really mostly about power tools (though it does give some information about a few). This is a book mostly about woodworking and hand tools. I do a bit of woodworking, though I am a tech geek at heart. Reading through the book I learned a few things I didn't know. Like most Make books, Make: Tools teaches you through projects. Most of the projects are simple: a few boxes, a book shelf, some puzzles and frames. However, even if you don't do the project, you can learn a lot by just reading through it. There is a little bit of information on working with plastics, which is kind of unique. They have a project that combines plastic and wood (a clock box) and then some plastic boxes. Since things like wood shop aren't taught anymore, it can be difficult to start woodworking simple projects. There are lots of hand tools, many different varieties of wood and then when you settle on a variety, there's 1/2 in, 1/4 in, etc. This book can help a beginner navigate some of this confusion. If you're looking for power tools or tech tools, it really won't help you. It gives about a paragraph description on most power tools, and it doesn't really give any advice on what to look for or how to pick them. That being said, it's a fun read. The author says the book is aimed at people aged 10-20 and that's a good age group for this book, but I would say if you are older and clueless about tools, but long to make something out of wood, this book would be a good starting point. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2016 by AmandaGal

  • Great for a beginner or if your just
It's a basic starting point for working with tools and media, including woodcraft. Great for a beginner or if your just rusty
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2017 by The Bug

  • Five Stars
Nice book
Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2017 by R. Williams

  • Na
Na
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2020 by Jacob

  • Projects Galore
This book would make the perfect gift for a grandpa to give to his grandson or granddaughter prior to a hands on workshop lesson in woodworking. The book is full of pictures and easy to understand chapters on the basics of tools and how (and why) they work. This book is back to the basics – no fancy schmancy 3D printer stuff here. The kids will learn about sawing, sanding, gluing and clamping. There are projects galore that will be within the skill range of 9 year olds up. They’ll learn about mitered corners and framing. These are skills that the child will carry through life. I remember my first apartment where I built simple bookcases because I couldn’t afford to purchase any. All of the projects in this book also serve a purpose in expanding the math and cognitive skills of young builders. With a flat board and 145 nails they can visually see how marbles are affected by uncontrolled variables. They can build their own bean machine (think Pachinko) and bring the bell curve to life. They will learn about drilling and fitting while making a Swanee Wood Whistle. Box building turns into simple furniture. I could go on and on about the projects presented in this book – all simplified for the beginner – yet without talking down to them. This is a good book for any child from about 9 up or for that matter, any beginner into the world of building with basic tools. A scout leader would benefit, any adult in a position of teaching skills to our next generation will find this a necessary addition to their reference library. I'd give this book more than 5 stars if I was able. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2016 by Miss Barbara

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