In just three years, Instructables.com has become one of the hottest destinations for makers and DIY enthusiasts of all stripes. Known as 'the world's biggest show & tell', makers from around the globe post how-to articles on a staggering variety of topics - from collecting rainwater for lawn care to hacking toy robots to extracting squid ink. Now, with more than 10,000 articles, the Instructables staff and editors of "Make Magazine" - with help from the Instructables community - have put together a collection of solid, time- and user-tested technology projects from the site."The Best of Instructables Volume 1" includes plenty of clear, full-color photographs, complete step-by-step instructions, as well as tips, tricks, and new build techniques you won't find anywhere else - even material never seen before on Instructables. Some of the more popular how-to articles include: the LED Throwie - magnetized electronic graffiti that's become a phenomenon; how to make a cheap CNC milling machine out of plumbing parts, printer motors, and a rotary tool; innovative gaming hacks, such as how to add LED lights and custom-molded buttons to a video game controller; and, new twists on personal items, such as the Paper Wallet and Electric Umbrella.While the book focuses on technology, it also includes articles on creating cool furniture from cheap components, and ways of making your own toys. Anything but a reference book, "The Best of Instructables Volume I" embodies the inspirational fun, creativity, and sense of community that has attracted more than 200,000 registered members in just 3 years. Many of the articles include sidebars that show how other builders have realized or improved upon the same project. Making things is cool again: everyone wants to be a creator, not just a consumer. This is the spirit of the 'new handy heyday', fostered by Instructables.com, "Make Magazine", and others, and celebrated by this incredible book - "The Best of Instructables Volume 1".

Everything you need to know to build with rammed earth in warm and cold climates. Rammed earth - sand, gravel, and clay or lime/cement binder packed into forms - is a low-energy, high-performance building method, yielding beautiful, sustainable results. It's thermally stable and can be insulated, can actively modulate humidity, provides a healthy indoor environment, and allows site materials to be used for major structural and building envelope elements. Essential Rammed Earth Construction covers design, building science, tools, and step-by-step building methods for any climate, with a special emphasis on building in cold climates of the northern US, Canada, and northern Europe. Coverage includes: Overview of earthen building Appropriate use of rammed earth walls Stabilized versus raw rammed earth Design considerations, including structural, insulation, and building envelope details Special considerations for cold and freeze-thaw climates Construction drawings, with step-by-step building instructions Tools and labor covering industrial methods, low-tech techniques, formwork options, mix design, budgets, and schedules Codes, inspections, and permits. This guide is an essential resource for experienced builders, DIY home owners, designers, engineers, and architects interested in learning about rammed earth construction.