'We had our hardships, and there were times that we didn’t have a lot of food and didn’t have a lot of money. But that didn’t stop me having the time of my life.'

Making It is an inspirational memoir about beating the odds and turning things around even when it all seems hopeless. In this book, Jay shares the details of his life, from his childhood growing up sheltered and innocent on a council estate in Hackney, to his adolescence when he was introduced to violent racism at secondary school, to being brutalized by police as a teen, to finally becoming a beloved star of the hit primetime show The Repair Shop.

Jay reflects on strength, weakness and what it means to be a man. He questions the boundaries society places on male vulnerability and how letting himself be nurtured helped him flourish into the person he is today. An expert at giving a second life to cherished items, Jay’s positivity, pragmatism and kindness shine through these pages and show that with care and love, anything can be mended.

This inspiring book provides a wealth of fascinating projects for woodturners. It will extend their skills and give them a chance to try more unusual, challenging pieces. The book reflects the author's fascination with complex geometrical shapes, puzzles and mathematical curiosities. It gives woodturners the chance to try their hand at making twisted polygons, gravity-defying clocks and much more. A wealth of close-up photographs guide the reader through each project and a gallery section provides further inspiration, showing how a range of artists have decorated the author's work. David Springett's interest in woodturning began when he was a woodwork teacher - by reading each of the few books available, experimenting and persevering, he improved his skills. Since leaving teaching nearly 20 years ago, he has earned his living doing what he enjoys most. David and his wife Christine live in Rugby, Warwickshire.

Whether you need a fence to protect your garden, keep animals or children safe, or add privacy, Jeff Beneke explains exactly what you need to know to buildityourself -- even if you've never built anything before. He gives clear, simple, step-by-step instructions for several basic fence styles using a variety of materials, including wood, vinyl, and chain link. And once you've mastered the basics, you'll be skilled enough to build any kind of fence, even those not covered in the book.

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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.

Introducing a new woodworking series in the tradition of Tage Frid...a series filled with essential information required by woodworkers today. For the first time ever, all the techniques and processes necessary to craft beautiful things from wood have been compiled into three comprehensive volumes: The Complete Illustrated Guides. Highly visual and written by woodworking's finest craftsmen, these three titles -- Furniture & Cabinet Construction, Shaping Wood, and Joinery -- will establish a new standard for shop reference books.

The Complete Illustrated Guide to Furniture & Cabinet Construction is the ultimate reference work -- a graphic, step-by-step presentation of basic furniture-construction techniques. Expert woodworker Andy Rae brings organization, enthusiasm, and more than 20 years' experience to this essential book. Readers will acquire a working knowledge of woodworking materials, a higher level of control over their work and tools, and an understanding of basic design principles.

When Tom carved a walking stick in his book, Tom Wolfe Carves Woodspirits and Walking Sticks, it was almost an afterthought. But it was soon followed by a book devoted to them, Carving Canes & Walking Sticks. Now we are pleased to present a brand new book with original patterns and different techniques to produce creative canes and walking sticks. Also included are designs for sword canes. As always each step is clearly illustrated in full color and patterns are presented to aid the carver in his or her own creation. A gallery of 25 canes and 11 patterns make this a most useful aid to carving.

Find fast answers to woodworking questions! From fasteners to finishing, angles to adhesives, this portable guide is packed with helpful charts, lists and illustrations to move your woodworking projects along. Need to compute an odd joint angle, select appropriate hardware, or pick the right finish for a project? You can consult this book for solutions to those dilemmas and many more. It's the ideal size to stash in a toolbox or bench top, where you will refer to it again and again.

FEATURES

- Dozens of charts and lists providing key woodworking facts, figures and formulas at a glance

- Clear, quick-reference illustrations of angles, joints, mouldings, fasteners and more

- Demystifies woodworking math, including conversions and geometry

- Portable, durable format perfect for hands-on use in the shop

Wooden puzzles are fun to solve, but with this guide to the almost perfectly square sticks, rings, disks, and other shapes that they require, they are even more fun to make. Twelve puzzles of four different, basic types are described in this guide, along with the tools and techniques needed to make them. There is also expert advice on the woods, glues, and finishes that will give the best results. These puzzles are beautiful and intriguing objects in their own right, and they offer woodworkers a delightful means of sharpening their skills and entertaining their friends.

Now anyone can make their own, custom-built canoe guaranteed to draw raves on land and water alike. The Illustrated Guide to Wood Strip Canoe Building is a comprehensive, detailed guide to the process of contructing a high-quality wood strip canoe, written especially for the novice boat builder. Sheathed strip boat construction is becoming increasingly popular among both amateur and professional builders. This is a method of producing a light weight, strong, beautiful boat of the sleekest design using materials, tools, and techniques available to the recreational builder. This book offers complete coverage of the procedures and techniques of mold set-up, assembly of the wood strip hull, epoxy resin, and fiberglass application, finishing, and more. All phases of construction are extensively illustrated with color photos and line drawings. For each stage of the building process, a range of alternative methods is presented, enabling the builder to select those which will yield a craft customized to his or her own needs. Source lists for canoe plans, building materials, and tools are included. This book is dedicated to helping the backyard boat builder achieve professional quality results in creating a fine canoe to use and be proud of for years.

Log homes have come a long way from the wilderness cabins of colonial pioneers. With the advent of new technology and the ever-increasing skill sets of contractors, log homes have become one of the most luxurious kinds of homes built in America. With multi-gabled rooflines and glass-fronted living areas, these sophisticated homes have captured the interest of architects and homeowners alike. In this updated and revised third edition, Jim Cooper includes new information on 'green' construction techniques and materials. Whether planning a new log home or simply interested in learning more about them, readers will find all of their questions answered here.

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.

In this fresh and contemporary look at the world of workbenches, Lon Schleining takes us on a guided tour of a wide variety of classic, modern, and specialty benches and offers hundreds of options for choosing or building that perfect bench and its accessories. The Workbench looks at the classic subject with a focus on helping readers find the right bench and accessories for their needs. The object is to guide the reader through making critical choices, including whether to buy it or build it. Even long-time woodworkers dream of the perfect bench and the time to build it, and for them the real enjoyment is in the planning. With 279 color photos and additional illustrations, this book provides in-depth information along with the inspiration to fulfill workshop dreams.

A woodland craftsman's workshop should bring immense pleasure and the tools and devices that furnish it are unique to woodland work and have formed the heritage of woodland crafts that we have today. Following on from his successful book Woodland Craft, woodsman Ben Law explains what makes a good workshop, outlines the key tools needed, gives information on how to sharpen them and shows us how to make an array of fascinating devices from scratch. Projects include: peeling jig, pole lathe, woodsman's grip, cleaving brake 16 step-by-step woodland device projects Beautiful photography and illustrations A foundation book for every green woodworker to use as reference Coupled with interesting titbits of historical and practical information, this is an invaluable guide for every green woodworker.

Every woodworker knows that dust is dangerous to health; this book provides the professional guidance required to manage it. It covers all facets of dust control so that the process is truly demystified. This is equired reading (and viewing) for all woodworkers who care about health and safety. It poses a threat in any size shop and professional guidance is required to manage it. Enter woodworking expert Sandor Nagyszalanczy, who covers all facets of dust control in this book and DVD. In the past, dust-control installation required complicated calculations, but now manufacturers offer systems that are economical and easier to install. The process is truly demystified by Nagyszalanczy, who covers comprehensive systems, as well as air filtration, portable systems, shop vacuums, task dust collection and personal dust protection.

Live large by building small! Do you daydream about downsizing your living space? Or perhaps you long for a more eco-friendly and sustainable way of life. The tiny house movement continues to gain popularity as more and more people look to simplify their lives and reconnect with nature. Building Small is your key to joining the tiny house revolution with designs for homes as well as a range of backyard buildings including workspaces and sheds. There's tons of practical how-to construction advice including best practices, common pitfalls and tips for the do-it-yourself carpenter. Within these pages you'll find: Complete plans for seven tiny houses Strategies for outfitting your tiny house with lighting, water, heating and waste removal Ideas for floor layout and interior design Success stories and inspirational photos of tiny homes Whether you're considering a timber-framed cottage or a modular cube-style home, Building Small offers a wide range of approaches for planning and building your small structure.

The centre-lathe is by far the most versatile machine tool in the workshop, but as soon as you depart from plain turning between centres, the question arises 'how to hold the work'. This book explains the methods and techniques required. A fundamental requirement of lathe operation, for accuracy and safety, is the ability to hold any workpiece securely and, preferably, repeatedly on the machine. While few problems arise with straightforward work on a properly aligned lathe, the variety of jobs undertaken by small workshops and model engineers is bound to give rise to occasions when how to hold work requires consideration. When great accuracy is essential, working methods and lathe set-up are vital for an acceptable result. In this book Tubal Cain discusses in his inimitable, practical style all aspects of the subject with the whys and hows, including basic lathe alignment.

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.

Weekend Woodworking is packed with a fantastic range of over 30 projects, all achievable within a weekend. Ideal for keen woodworkers with a wide range of abilities, there are projects which will suit those just starting out in woodworking as well as those with many years of experience in the workshop. Each project includes clear guidance on how to approach the making of each item as well as helpful tips. Projects include: Chopping board, Footstool, Kitchen Bench, Cutlery tray, Outdoor planters and Desk Tidy.

Humans have always used their hands to create the world around them. But now most of us have gone from being practitioners to theorists, from being producers to consumers. What happens to our society when we are so divorced from the act of making? What happens to us as individuals when we limit the uses to which we put our hands? These are questions that preoccupy Siri Helle when she inherits a cabin of 25 square metres, without electricity, inlet water, or a loo, and decides to build an outhouse herself. Without any previous experience of building anything, she has to learn on the job and what she learns is not just about how to lay a floor and construct walls, but about what she is capable of and about craft and about the satisfactions to be found in making things by hand. Written with humour and insight, Handmade is the inspiring story of someone who tried to do it herself - and did.

If you want to introduce alternative power supplies around the home and garden or even live totally off-grid in your boat, caravan or yurt and need a practical introduction to solar power and 12 volt supplies, here is an essential guide to the subject. Not only will it save you money, it will show you how to run your lights, laptop, DVDs and music, and even your tools and household products, from a simple 12 volt system. Be in control of more of your home's own energy supply, develop a low impact way of living and be prepared for power cuts and for power down situations in the future! Do It Yourself 12 Volt Solar Power begins with a lesson in how electricity works and the main components of a DIY solar system. The author uses clear diagrams and terms. There is, of course, more technical information as the book progresses, but don't worry, this no-nonsense guide provides a useful, back-to-basics approach for the layperson. This is a reference book that will help you trouble-shoot and get the best value for money from what you can find hidden in the back of the garage. Quirky and humorous, it also shows you how to make a sun following system using just a bicycle wheel, a pallet and the motor from a CD player!

A home can never have too much storage! In this collection of 25 articles from Fine Homebuilding and Fine Woodworking magazines, America's most accomplished carpenters and woodworkers contribute their advice on building sturdy cabinets, built-ins, and shelves. build a breakfast nook, island, or pantry in your kitchen add storage to your bed construct the perfect vanity for your bathroom make a country hutch in your kitchen or just add shelves or cabinets to any other room Beginners and experts alike will love the basics section, which reviews must-know information about plywood, lumber, glue-ups, and safety while sawing.

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.

Delightful Decorations and Gifts to Make with Your Scroll Saw Create holiday masterpieces for the home, family and friends with the tried-and-true scroll saw projects and patterns from the archives of Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts. This collection of holiday favorites features fretwork, compound-cuts, intarsia, and inlay projects for ornaments, wreaths, Santas, portraits, candleholders and more. Big Book of Christmas Ornaments and Decorations also features a stunning gallery of work. Readers will gain information and inspiration from some of scrolling's leading experts including Judy Gale Roberts, Kathy Wise, Sue Mey, Paul Meisel, John Nelson, Theresa Ekdom, Tom Sevy, Volker Arnold, and more. There is a project inside Big Book of Christmas Ornaments and Decorations for everyone, from beginners to advanced craftsmen. With step-by-step instructions and color photos, readers are guaranteed a very merry scrolling experience. Some of the projects inside: " Vintage Fretwork Sleigh Scene " Poinsettia Wreath " Inlay Snowman Ornaments " 12-Piece Intarsia Nativity Set " Christmas Card Tree

Show off your woodworking skills--in the kitchen! Anyone who has ever entertained knows that guests inevitably end up in the kitchen--so what better place to showcase your woodworking? Why not add a hand-crafted focal point--a kitchen island or handsome touches such as a cutting board, spice rack, or rolling pin? Whether you are outfitting your own kitchen or looking for a gift idea for a fellow foodie, The Woodworker's Kitchen has a range of woodworking projects sure to add that special touch. The 24 projects inside include: A customized knife block that does double-duty as a tablet holder, allowing you to pull up recipes and watch cooking videos with ease A kitchen island with a built-in wine rack An oven peel perfect for gourmet pizzas and toasted sandwiches A K-Cup organizer to help tame those caffeine cravings A rolling grill cart for your outdoor cooking adventures A fancy bread knife/cutting board combo And many more! Detailed instructions, measured drawings, patterns and step-by-step color photos make constructing these projects easy. See what you can cook up in the shop and add some woodworking charm to your kitchen!