How to Weed Your Attic: Getting Rid of Junk without Destroying History provides answers to the question: when someone dies or it's time to move --- or just clean out the attic, garage, or basement, what papers and other things should we save for the sake of history and what can we safely toss? After reading this clearly written book by a retired archivist and a retired museum curator, you can comfortably clean out your attic - or office, garage, basement, cupboards - with confidence that you're not tossing out historically valuable (or invaluable) things, and that you will not ask your local museum to take things that really belong in a thrift store, junk yard, or recycle center. The book first describes how to identify historically important documents and artifacts. The authors explain a few simple rules: 1) a complete or long collection has more value than a partial one; 2) emotive material provides a richer picture than factual material; 3) unique usually has more value than mass produced; 4) documents and objects carry more information than they intend to; and 5) a 25-year rule exists without our consciously recognizing it. They then apply the rules and assess the probable historical value of four different types of materials: mass produced (from books to vehicles), individually created (from art work to toys), business materials (from governance documents to uniforms), and commemorative materials (from awards to wedding dresses). The book includes a brief description of the basics for preserving materials the reader wants to keep and references sources for more detail. It also recognizes that the reader may not want to keep stuff that clearly has historical value. For those readers, the authors describe how to donate materials to a cultural repository. In broad strokes, they explain how repositories differ, what the repository will want to know about the stuff you're offering, where an appraiser and/or tax advisor fits into the process, and what the reader can expect the repository to do and not do. Finally, the book addresses unexpected issues that may arise around questions of legal ownership and privacy. Throughout the book, the authors illustrate their points using photographs and vignettes.

One of the best ways to get power to remote, off-grid locations, whether in developed or developing countries, is through the use of solar electric systems. This practical guide describes how to plan, design and install solar electric systems in a manner that is hands-on, graphic and technically complete. Highly illustrated chapters cover: solar energy basics components of solar electric systems (modules, batteries, regulators, inverters and appliances) installation practice on planning and servicing systems water pumping refrigeration village electrification. This is the must-have guide for electric technicians and designers, development workers, and anyone who wants to install their own off-grid system.

Each season is divided into chapters for early, mid, and late, with each chapter opening by identifying signs of the times: mud, flood, blossoms and baby animals mean early spring, for instance, while grass growth and insect populations both peak in early summer. Handy lists and accessible sidebars highlight the season's tasks and priorities, while narrative sections focus on one especially timely topic for each chapter, including plant rotations and soil building in late spring and sustainable woodlot management in mid-autumn. Individual season-by-season charts on what to do when for each topic, such as tractor or equipment maintenance, orchard care, and animal cycles fill out the appendix. Readers have plenty of room to check items off lists or leave notes such as, "Didn't do this in Feb, remember in March!" or "Need new gate latch by summer," making the format of this book a welcomed workhorse.

Wood for Woodturners (revised edition) is the updated edition of the successful book by Mark Baker catering specifically for the turner. The book describes 50 of the world's most important woods for turning and goes into great detail with regard to physical characteristics, working qualities and availability. Colour photographs throughout illustrate different qualities of grain and figure. An additional 100 woods are considered more briefly. This revised edition is fully updated throughout with new images and a resources section, and it also includes new material on green wood and sustainability.

This title includes 20 practical projects to create useful items for the home or office, varying in difficulty. It provides expert guidance on construction techniques and the correct use of tools. It also provides advice on personal protection equipment and good working practice from UK author Andy Standing. There is no reason why woodworking projects should be over-complicated and involve numerous tools and materials. Andy Standing took up the challenge of demonstrating the many varied projects that can be created using just a single plank of wood. His collection of visually appealing and practical projects, including stylish bookends, a personalised laptop tray and a beautiful toy rocking chair, enable woodworking enthusiasts to put their routers, biscuit jointers and other tools to good use. With step-by-step instructions and detailed photographs of the finished items, it provides practical advice for both amateur and experienced woodworkers.

Old-House Dictionary From a One Room Cabin to a Beaux-Arts Mansion… Here’s a concise and easily understandable architectural dictionary for professionals and amateurs alike. More than 450 illustrations, 1500 terms, 750 definitions, and 17 useful cross references guide you smoothly through the oftentimes confusing language of American domestic architecture. Who is This Dictionary For?

• Architects and Architectural Historians
• Preservationists
• Building Trades Professionals
• Interior Designers
• High School and College Students
• Old Home Owners and Lovers

A must-read for the craftsperson, artisan and artist. "In his beautiful book, Peter Korn invites us to understand craftsmanship as an activity that connects us to others, and affirms what is best in ourselves."-Matthew Crawford, author of Shop Class as Soulcraft Woodworking, handicrafts -the rewards of creative practice, bringing something new and meaningful into the world through one's own vision, make us fully alive. Peter Korn explains his search for meaning as an Ivy-educated child of the middle class who finds employment as a novice carpenter on Nantucket, transitions to self-employment as a designer/maker of fine furniture, takes a turn at teaching at Colorado's Anderson Ranch Arts Center, and finally founds a school in Maine: the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, an internationally respected, non-profit institution. How does the making of objects shape our identities? How does creative work enrich our communities and society? What does the process of making things reveal to us about ourselves? Korn poignantly probes for answers in this book that is for the artist, artisan, crafter, do-it-yourselfer inside us all.

Readers with a hunger for knowledge and an interest in the myriad ways people have taught themselves to make, grow, and build will discover the ins and outs of how to do everything they've ever wondered about in this colourful, inviting volume. With dozens of useful and intriguing visual tutorials that cover how to carve a turkey, capture a swarm of bees, predict the weather by the clouds, darn socks, create a butterfly garden, set up a dog agility course, keep a nature sketchbook, navigate by the stars, and more, this rich compendium will educate, fascinate, spark conversation, and inspire new hobbies and experiences.

Here is a virtual encyclopedia of cabinet door and drawer styles and instruction for designing, constructing, and installing them. Slab, MDF, simulated and true raised panel, frame and panel, arched frame and panel, mitered panel, cope and stick, glass, and tambour: all of these types of cabinet doors--and the drawers to match--are illustrated and explained with step-by-step construction notes and measurements. In addition, all of the common methods of joinery, such as dowels, biscuits, splines, miters, dadoes, tongue and groove, and mortise and tenons are explained and illustrated.

This book documents the structure of the world's greatest timber buildings, and shows how the framer's craft has evolved over the past 1,000 years.

This complete, illustrated practical guide tells you everything you will need to know in order to master this fascinating aspect of woodcraft. Learn to plan and design a box as you work through ten step-by-step projects, beginning with the simplest forms.

If fear of the unknown is all that is preventing you from embarking on the satisfying hobby of model engineering, then this is the book that will banish your concerns. Author Harold Hall has established his reputation as a mentor to tyro model engineers through the pages of Model Engineer magazine and Model Engineers' Workshop, of which he was the editor for a number of years. This book assumes no previous experience and using the medium of twelve lathe turning projects will lead prospective model engineers through all of the basic techniques needed to tackle ambitious projects. All of the projects are extensively illustrated and full working drawings accompany the text. Once followed through, the reader will have amassed a wealth of practical skills and a range of useful workshop tools and equipment.

Make, mend, and customise your own wardrobe with this highly photographic beginner's guide to machine sewing. A sewing book for beginners that's actually helpful. It's love at first stitch! This highly photographic, easy-to-use guide to machine sewing features more than 200 step-by-step techniques to help you master every stitch in the book! Inside the pages of this sewing reference book, you will find: - More than 200 sewing techniques, all clearly and closely photographed and explained in sharp detail - Discover how to read a pattern, use a sewing machine, and sew basic stitches, seams, and hems - Explore how to put your new-found skills to use to create, personalise, up-cycle, and re-purpose your clothes and soft furnishings. - Photographs and explanations of essential sewing equipment and materials - for both hand and machine sewing - A guide to sewing jargon and terminology that describes when, where, and how to use each tool and technique - Techniques to create something new or to customise things you already have Whether you're a seasoned sewer or just starting to learn how to sew, a fashion design student or sewing for yourself at home, Sew Step by Step will guide you through every hand stitch, machine stitch, and sewing technique you will ever need. With fully updated text and a refreshed design, this is an essential sewing handbook that you will want to keep next to your sewing machine to come back to time and time again. Close-up photographs accompanied by crystal clear instructions take you through everything from cutting out patterns to inserting collars, sleeves and pockets into garments. Explore how to put those skills to use to make, mend and customise your clothes and home furnishings. You will also learn how to find a suitable fabric for every project with an easy-to-use guide to different materials. It also makes a wonderful gift for beginner sewers and expert stitchers alike.

This book features a survey of circular work of both single and double curvature.

Attract more birds and more different kinds of birds to your backyard kingdom by giving them places to nest, feed, and bathe. Each of the more than 25 unique projects in this weekend workshop book is easy to build and comes with complete step-by-step illustrated, instructions.

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author and star of Netflix’s Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, this graphic novel brings Kondo's life-changing tidying method to life with the fun, quirky story of a woman who transforms her home, work, and love life using Kondo's advice and inspiration.

In The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up, Marie Kondo presents the fictional story of Chiaki, a young woman in Tokyo who struggles with a cluttered apartment, messy love life, and lack of direction. After receiving a complaint from her attractive next-door neighbour about the sad state of her balcony, Chiaki gets Kondo to take her on as a client. Through a series of entertaining and insightful lessons, Kondo helps Chiaki get her home - and life - in order. This insightful, illustrated case study is perfect for people looking for a fun introduction to the KonMari Method of tidying up, as well as tried-and-true fans of Marie Kondo eager for a new way to think about what sparks joy. Featuring illustrations by award-winning manga artist Yuko Uramoto, this book also makes a great read for manga and graphic novel lovers of all ages.

Create charming holiday decorations that double as small toys with this easy-to-follow guidebook. Full-size patterns and step-by-step instructions are provided for 14 working wooden toy ornaments. From tugboats and tractors to windmills and wagons, these nostalgic moving toys make great Christmas ornaments as well as keepsake gifts for family and friends. And these simple projects don't take a lot of time, wood, or tools to make. They're a great way to reuse and repurpose scrap wood, and require only minimal painting. All you need is a scroll saw, a drill, and some glue to create memorable family heirlooms. You can create them assembly-line style and fill a tree--or make a lot of gifts--with just an afternoon's work. Better yet, get a youngster or two involved in the cutting, painting, and assembling.

This title offers expert advice on essential home decoration and maintenance, including painting, papering, tiling, laying floors, carpentry skills, insulation, and outdoor projects and repairs. Projects include painting and varnishing wood, tiling a work surface, laying foam-backed carpet, replacing window panes, fitting window locks, making a garage storage wall, insulating roofs, repairing roofs and guttering, laying decking, making pergolas, building rock gardens, installing water features, and many more. It features a guide to tools for a wide range of do-it-yourself jobs, including using chisels, saws, drills, hammers, screwdrivers, pliers and sanders. Over 2400 photographs illustrate each step-by-step project, to provide instant reference. Looking after your home is economical and satisfying, and this book is filled with practical tips for do-it-yourself jobs. All areas of the home are covered, both indoors and out. There is clear step-by-step advice on internal and external maintenance, repairs, carpentry, flooring, brickwork, roofing, fences, walls and paths.The book includes instructions for painting and papering walls and ceilings, laying ceramic tiles, fitting floor coverings and carpets, making bookshelves, draught-proofing doors, repointing brickwork, laying patios and installing ponds and fountains. The book also contains a guide to tools, from saws and drills to spanners and paintbrushes. A reference for beginners and experienced do-it-yourselfers alike, this is an essential manual that you will refer to again and again.

The wildlife patterns featured in this collection represent animals from around the world. As well as patterns, information on choosing the best blade, wood, and technique with which to create a work of art is provided. Readers will learn how to create patterns from their own photographs--allowing them to make scroll saw portraits of their loved ones. Tips on finishing, framing, and displaying finished pieces rounds out this woodworker's reference.

A longtime woodworker's illustrated guide to the tools of the trade and how to use them.

For those who would like to have the benefit of a woodworker's extensive experience with hand tools, this is the book to own. Crammed with practical information, it is the next best thing to looking over a craftsman's shoulder as he works with his tools, asking questions and getting straight answers in plain language, seeing how each tool is held and manipulated to get the best work out of it.

From bit brace, chisel, and mallet to saws, specialized planes, drawknife, and spokeshave, Aldren Watson describes in detail the actions of the tools basic to good woodworking. All the procedures are explicitly illustrated with handsome line drawings, and an appendix gives plans and dimensions for making a workbench and other necessary pieces of shop equipment. With 450 b/w illustrations by the author.