 "Unscrewed: Salvage and Reuse Motors, Gears, Switches, and More from Your
Old Electronics." Ed Sobey, Chicago Review Press, 2011, 236 pages.If
you love to explore how things work or if you are looking to save some
money, Ed Sobey's new book, "Unscrewed," is a great read. The book is "the
perfect resource for UIYers -- Undo It Yourselfers -- looking to salvage
hidden treasures or repurpose old junk."
The book contains easy-to-follow repair instructions for over 50 small to
medium-sized electronic devices -- devices as common as hair dryers and
clocks or as unusual as bubble guns and Super Soakers.
To help you fully enjoy the experience of tinkering with old electronics,
Sobey explains the rules of the hunt, the tools you will need, and
distinguishing between trash and treasure.
The basic rules include avoiding any promises to fix the device; safety
first and always (protect your eyes, pry away from you); beware of
capacitors; lefty usually loosens screws; and above all, if you don't know
what it is, don't cut it.
Useful tools to keep on hand include magnifying eyeglasses, multimeters,
cutting tools, screwdrivers and a digital camera (to record the original
order of the parts).
Remember that in today's society, new gadgets quickly become historical
artifacts. It's easy to find devices to tinker with through friends, family,
thrift stores and garage sales. As the author says, "Fight the mindset of
planned obsolescence -- there's technological gold in that there junk!"
This book is recommended for anyone who likes to tinker or learn how
things work.
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"Print: 25 Original Projects Using Hand Printing Techniques on
Fabric and Paper." Joy Jolliffe, Collins & Brown, 2011, 144
pages.
In her new book, "Print," entrepreneur and author Joy Jolliffe
demonstrates that "printing is a simple, effective way of making
your mark on a multitude of surfaces, including paper, ceramic tile,
ribbons, clothes and bedding."
The book contains projects and instructions for several different
techniques, including stamp, potato or block printing; sponging and
stencils; transfer printing; and open screen. Each of the techniques
is described in an easy, step-by-step format combined with
photographic illustrations. A color photograph of the finished
project helps you visualize the project's final outcome.
A handy feature in the book is the classification used in the
projects -- Jolliffe has them categorized as easy, intermediate or
advanced. The projects range from easy gift ribbons, tea towels or
T-shirts to the more difficult table runners, book covers, ceramic
tile prints or blockhead cushions.
A materials list needed for the projects is described; these
include printing inks, transfer paper, fabric crayons, transfer
paste, scissors, cutting surface, craft knife and an image scanner.
This book is recommended as a great money-saver and can educate
you on the different printing mediums available to the layperson or
unskilled artisan.
[Text from file received
from Richard Sumrall,
Lincoln Public Library District]
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