Duct Tape Engineer: The Book of Big, Bigger, and Epic Duct Tape Projects shows you how to create the most enjoyable and impressive projects you've ever made-and they all start with a simple strip of duct tape. Build furniture, bags, outdoor items and more using simple tools and materials, with no special engineering skills needed. Start with duct tape basics that will aid in assembly: Learn cutting and tearing methods and taping techniques (yes, there's more to it than slapping it down). Discover how to make sturdy duct tape sheets that can be cut and shaped. Using easily accessible tools and supplies like a utility knife and heavy-duty cardboard boxes, try your hand at making a desk and desk chair. Grab some foam and make a backpack, or create a custom hammock. Build a geodesic dome, and go truly epic with a giant pyramid catapult. Every project includes step-by-step instructions and clear diagrams and photos. Don't miss Lance Akiyama's tips and suggestions for supplies, project variations, and material substitutions. Follow the solid construction techniques and you'll ensure that these DIY projects will become favorite classroom activities and family projects. Among the projects are: A lightweight bed frame and full-size dresser with working drawers Outdoor pieces like a hammock and garden swing A heavy-duty toolbox with pockets galore, and a stylish two-color messenger bag Ballistics, including a slingshot A kayak! These projects are real, they work, and are super fun. Roll up your sleeves and let the engineering begin!

Intarsia is a craft of precision and artistry. A picture is created by cutting out and then fitting together many pieces of differently colored and textured woods, much like a jigsaw puzzle. These pieces are then rounded and shaped individually, to create realistic contours and lend a three-dimensional effect. When the pieces are varnished, fitted together, and glued onto a backboard, they make a beautifully polished, professional-looking piece. Step-by-step, this book shows you how to make an intarsia teddy bear wall hanging, perfect for a child's bedroom. The project is ideal for someone just starting to learn the art of intarsia, teaching basic techniques (from selecting your wood to hanging your finished piece) and showing how to deal with common difficulties and pitfalls. Also included are patterns for a girl teddy bear and a dinosaur.

Build your skills while building something fun! One of the rewards of woodworking is getting to show off your work--either as part of your home decor or as handmade gifts for family and friends. This book provides 20 small-scale projects that can add a touch of style to any living space. Practice a wide range of woodworking techniques! Dovetails Mortise and tenon Finger joints Miters Veneering Bent lamination Make fun accents for the home! Wall clocks in classic and contemporary designs An 18th-century mahogany mirror Mantel clocks and lamps inspired by popular period styles An assortment of hanging shelves Beautiful boxes for storage or gifts And much more Building skills is a lot more fun when you're making something you can show off or give as a gift. The projects in this book are a great way to practice your craft--plus you might just end up creating a treasured heirloom that looks great on the wall or mantel.

Tom Wolfe's cane carving books have been popular with readers. in this new one, Tom starts with a sapling straight from the hillside and takes the carver through each step to create a charming cane. He begins with prepping the sapling, helps the reader think through the design of the spirit that will emerge, and explains the various carving techniques that are needed to do the work. Finally he shows the painting and finishing steps, including ways to conceal unexpected problems. Each step is clearly photographed in color, with a concise, easy-to-understand explanation of what is happening and how to do it. This is a clear and informative guide and will be valued by carvers of every skill level.

Parties with pizzazz -- parties that everyone talks about -- happen when some creative person gets things rolling! Twenty-three absolutely unforgettable party themes for all seasons and occasions are included -- a "TGIF (Thank God It's Friday) Party, " a "Murder We Wrote (whodunit participation) Party, " a "Kidnapping Caper (for teens only) Party" -- these and many more. Each party plan tells how to do it, gives food suggestions with recipes, reproducible party game papers, checklists and lots more, plus "do-it-yourself" invitations professionally designed! Just add the specifics and photocopy them. Everything made easy. Success assured -- these ideas have all been party-tested. We know they're good! Enough parties here for a year or two of fun. Guaranteed to make you the most celebrated party people in town!

Ron Ransom's latest carving guide will walk you through the creation of wonderful and whimsical holiday characters to entertain all year long. Full color photographs, easy-to-understand instructions, and detailed patterns make this book simple enough for beginners, yet challenging for experienced carvers looking for new ideas. A color gallery of all the finished pieces provides readers with close up detail of the finished products. The projects shown in this book, designed using simple hand tools, include a "flying" witch and a headless figure with pumpkin for Halloween, a leprechaun to bring out the Irish in all of us, and a wise old Father Time to celebrate New Year's Eve. Simple but precise patterns for all of these projects, as well as instructions on how to paint and antique them are provided. Ron also gives carvers tips on improvising on these projects to stimulate your creativity and keep you supplied with fresh ideas.

This expert guide walks you through the practice of cost segregation analysis, which enables property owners to defer taxes and benefit from "accelerated cost recovery" through depreciation deductions on assets that are properly identified and classified. A relatively new practice that evolved from various court decisions and Internal Revenue Service rulings, cost segregation can be applied to new buildings under construction, renovations of existing buildings, leasehold improvements, and purchased real estate - going back as far as 1987.

Cost segregation practice requires knowledge of both tax law and the construction process. In this book, the authors share their expertise in these areas with tax and accounting professionals, cost segregation consultants, facility owners, architects and general contractors - providing guidance on major aspects of a professional, defensible cost segregation study, including: The legal framework for cost segregation, as defined by the IRS, tax courts, and federal agenciesReview of key IRS cases, court rulings, and revenue proceduresClassification and depreciation methodsUnderstanding construction plans and specificationsProfessional takeoff and cost estimating proceduresOptimizing cost segregation in new construction - from design choices to proper project documentation

With a glossary of terms, sample cost segregation estimates for various building types, key information resources, and updates via a dedicated website, "The Practice of Cost Segregation Analysis" is a must-have resource.

Marge Jones has mastered an alternative slip-covering technique to help people with all levels of sewing skills create their own snug-fitting covers for chairs, benches, sofas, and more. With detailed instructions and photos, Marge guides you through the process of refurbishing and customizing virtually all your living room, dining room, bedroom, and even patio furniture. Her method eliminates the muslin or paper pattern-making process, saving precious time and energy, while achieving a tighter, more attractive fit. This edition includes special sections on how to install essential components such as zippers and decking, and tips on how to add height to and restyle arms on furniture. Snug-fit, easy-to-make custom slipcovers fit so well that the furniture looks brand new. Home furnishings of all shapes and sizes are restored in this indispensable manual, proving that almost all furniture can be custom-slip-covered.

Ballo Rebora introduces carvers to a new subject, the Mexican bullfight. From a wood blank to the finished figures, Ballo guides readers step-by-step through all the carving and painting processes required to create a humorous, confident, or even smug caricature matador and his four-legged adversary. Using simple, easily followed instructions and 280 full color images, he provides inspiration for carvers. Patterns are given for two matadors and the bull.\nA color gallery is included for further inspiration, with detailed photos of the finished figures and a second matador. Carvers with basic skills will enjoy the challenges and advanced carvers will be delighted by the details in this competitive pair.

In this full color, beautiful new work, Judy Ditmer shares her extensive knowledge of bowl turning with the novice turner. Beginning with the preparation and seasoning of the bowl blank, Judy takes the turner step-by-step through the finished product. Along the way she covers the proper use of tools, design considerations, and safety considerations for the turner. The techniques she shares will have an immediate impact on the readers understanding and practice of woodturning. While addressed particularly to those who are new to turning, Judy's years of experience come through and will be valuable to turners of all levels. The project in the book is a beautiful salad bowl. Step-by-step photographs cover the process from beginning to end, including the construction of necessary jigs for the lathe. A gallery will spark the imagination of the reader and begin to reveal the possibilities of turning.

For the first time, the art and craft of creating concrete countertops is detailed, step-by-step. This invaluable manual will guide craftsmen through each step of creating a cast concrete countertop, from the careful process of measuring for a template, to building a mold, through casting and installation. Moreover, you will be inspired by a gallery of more than 60 color images that explore actual kitchens and baths featuring hand-crafted countertops. With more than 30 years of experience in concrete art and fabrication, artist Buddy Rhodes shares his skills and experience in this tell-all book. Most importantly, he shares the process he pioneered for creating the natural, stone-like pressed surface countertops that have become his hallmark. Additionally, he details techniques for hand-trowelled and polished countertop surfaces. As the popularity of concrete in home decor soars, this book will be an indespensable guide for any craftsman who hopes to make his mark in this expanding market. Amateurs alike will appreciate the intricate detail and the helpful hints that Rhodes includes in this comprehensive guide.

Vic Tesolin's Projects from the Minimailist Woodworker teaches the basics of furniture making using step-by-step photos detailing the process of building handsome projects any woodworker will be proud to create. A follow-up to Vic's much-lauded first book, The Minimalist Woodworker, this book is a celebration of the small tool set needed to create beautiful work and and expansion of the techniques and skills learned in that first book. Like a seasoned woodworker lending a helping hand in the workshop, Vic Tesolin, aka "The Minimalist Woodworker," is a master at demystifying the craft of woodworking so that anyone with any skill level can dive in and do good work. With Projects from the Minimalist Woodworker and even a modest toolset, anyone can develop their skill and enjoy unlimited hours in their shop. You'll learn to build a variely to pieces including a handsome dovetailed box, a wall cabinet, a storage chest, and handy shop projects like a handplane and a marking knife.

Easy-to-care-for, productive, inexpensive, and full of personality, chickens are popping up in backyards throughout the country--in the suburbs, rural towns, and even on city plots. All it takes to keep a small flock is a bit of land and a properly designed coop.
Just like houses, chicken coops come in all sizes and styles to meet the needs of any chicken family. Author Judy Pangman has combed the country identifying the top chicken coop designs, from utilitarian to high-style. The result is this ultimate collection of 45 building plans that are sure to meet the needs of any chicken owner.
The featured designs include basic easy-to assemble hoop houses, A-frames, and multi-storied wooden structures, as well as larger models for small commercial farms. There are also a variety of moveable coops that can be rotated around the yard, and low-budget coops constructed from found and repurposed materials.
Pangman shares inspirational and instructive stories about the participating coop designers/ builders. Enthusiastic communities of chicken-keepers have organized chicken tours in cities such as Seattle, highlighting the fun and fantastic imagination of some coop architect/builders. There are designs echoing the house styles of the neighborhood, as well as the most contemporary trends in architecture. Building a chicken coop offers a great outlet for any would-be architect who wants to stick to the miniature, scaled-down building
A 16-page color section shows detailed photos of many of the featured coop plans, as well as some amazing kits and one-of-a-kind coops built from recyclables.
With its comprehensive building plans and chicken-laden stories, "Chicken Coops" is sure to inspire a sunny-side-up, no-yolks-barred attitude in all chicken owners who dream of building a bigger, better coop to house their flock.

Here are 72 all-new scrollsaw projects, featuring original patterns and designs ranging in difficulty from simple to quite challenging. These unique stand-up puzzles, irresistible holiday decorations, and imaginative project designs are perfect for all skill levels. Creating these clever crafts is fun, relatively inexpensive, and requires only a few basic tools, making them perfect for craft shows and gift-giving! The author presents each project, including a pattern, supply list, detailed instructions, and a color photograph of the finished craft. Her helpful introduction covers scrollsaw and crafting techniques that will inspire your own original designs. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, you'll certainly enjoy both the process and the charming, professional-looking results of scrollsaw carving with Barbara McKee!

Extending your home? New kitchen or bathroom? Planning to decorate?
If you're taking on a job like this you need to know three things - can you do it on your own; how long is going to take; and most important of all, how much is it going to cost.
This book tells you the answers. With simple-to-follow guidance on all your home improvement projects it tells you:
.the time the job will take
.the costs of the materials
.how difficult it's going to be
.and what a professional is going to charge to do it for you
.Make sure you get value for money
.Budget for your home improvements
.Do It Yourself or use a professional - helps you to decide

The cane is a simple accessory with a lot of personality. Some are sleek and elegant, others are twisted and gnarled, others are bright and silly. Canes make great carving projects for many reasons-they have endless creative potential, require only a relatively small time investment, and they are good pieces to practice on. They make terrific gifts, and are always top sellers at shows. In this book, Tom Wolfe guides the reader through the carving of a particularly clever cane, a fancy bird that doubles as a nutcracker. He explains carving, painting, and finishing the piece, as well as fitting the handle to the spindle. The step-by-step instructions are clear enough for the beginner to follow, while more advanced carvers will learn from Tom's expert techniques. A huge, colorful gallery illustrates dozens of canes of all skill levels to give you plenty of ideas for carving your own.

With a naked eye or microscope you will be able to identify 180 hardwoods, softwoods amd tropical woods by following the straightforward techniques described in this text.

Though she has not knowingly seen Angels, Kelley Stadelman has received their help in times of crisis. She has felt their presence. These joyful little soldiers of God seem to have a childlike presence. Their personalities are uninhibited. They go about their duties energetically. Yet they are wise, committed to their tasks and reverent to their boss. The whimsy of angels is captured in the designs of this book. Kelley leads the carver step-by-step through the angel carving project, beginning with the blank and finishing with a beautifully painted heavenly being. With concise descriptions and clear color photographs, Kelley's experience as a teacher will lead carvers of every ability to beautiful results.

Make people smile when they see these unique bookmarks! With 293 color images, illustrated, step-by-step instructions provide carvers of all skill levels with fresh ideas for weekend carvings. Make a Santa head or Abraham Lincoln. Show them with hair or a full beard. The possibilities are endless! Even make a book bookmark. These make great gifts for book lovers, family, and friends. Chapters include basic cuts, safety tips, project layout, carving details, painting, and assembling the bookmark. A gallery of completed projects will inspire your own ideas. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned carver, you'll want to try your hand at these fun caricatures.

Includes a wonderful circular patio centered around a firepit, to a demonstration walkway that illustrates how to lay basketweave, running brick, and herringbone patterns, this book is the perfect resource for anyone who wants to undertake a great home improvement project. Learn how to lay the groundwork, study details for edging and popular paver designs, and finish up like a pro. A special chapter details the process of laying a permeable paving surface, an increasingly popular alternative in today's eco-conscious world. Clear photos detail every step in the process, and a gallery of more than 100 finished projects will inspire you to get to work. All you need is the muscle.

Among the leading rustic furniture makers are a number of talented, creative women. Taking nature's materials they create the quintessential "green" furniture and practical items for home or garden. Veronica Chenier of Ontario, Cassilda Brown of Alabama, and Jo Kilmer of North Carolina, share their work in this book, offering step-by-step instructions for three projects. Learn to build a lampshade, a gothic-back chair, and a ladder-back chair. Each project is documented from beginning to end with color photographs and detailed captions, so readers have a clear guide to creating the furniture in their own workshops.

If you're a woodcarver seeking inspiration for that next carving project, look no further! This book is full of ideas for designing and creating a myriad of unique and handmade projects, all of which can be used in and around the house or given as gifts. A total of 155 different projects are illustrated, including desk accessories, boxes and cabinets, tableware, coin banks, walking sticks, and nameplates. Appropriate for experts as well as new carvers, the book covers important principles in design and decoration. The text is presented in easy-to-follow language and supplemented with over 200 photographs and 70 drawn patterns. The book also illustrates different methods and styles of carving as applied to the items shown. Written by an experienced woodcarver, designer, and author, this comprehensive book provides a wealth of information for all who want to use and enjoy their carving projects.

The Festool (R) sanding system meets every sanding need, making the task faster and more enjoyable. Designed to work with the Festool dust extraction system, the result is a clean, efficient performance perfectly suited to the job at hand. These sanders include the versatile Rotex (R) models designed for a range of tasks from rapid stripping to fine sanding and polishing; the RAS and Deltex (R) DX models for rapid stripping and rough shaping; the DTS, RS, and RTS for light surface sanding; the LS 130 EQ for sanding profiles; and the three ETS orbital sanders. Each model is covered in detail and applications are explained. In addition, the Festool dust extraction system and its accessories are explained, showing how they integrate with the sanding system for a nearly dustfree performance.