Special Projects >> Tinkers: A Community Read
HW Tinkers: Books!
In conjunction with our HW Tinkers theme, here are some books in the general vein of:
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and REPAIR.
| "Working on a PC is surprisingly easy-- provided one has knowledge of what all the PC components are, how they fit to- gether compatibly, the use of trouble- shooting and analytical software, and basic maintenance ... This text provides that knowledge with straightforward language and copious photographic illustrations. The authors, who have also penned a similar text on building PCs from scratch, present the information in a relatively intuitive way, first covering basics and system maintenance and then moving on to discussion of each type of component and its installation. Specific product recommendations are not provided, but the authors maintain a free and frequently updated website offering such recommendations." |
"The bestselling book for every boy from eight to eighty, covering essential boyhood skills such as building tree houses, learning how to fish, finding true north, and even answering the age old question of what the big deal with girls is ... This book recaptures Sunday afternoons, stimulates curiosity, and makes for great father-son activities. The brothers Conn and Hal have put together a wonderful collection of all things that make being young or young at heart fun-building go-carts and electromagnets, identifying insects and spiders, and flying the world's best paper airplanes. The completely revised American Edition includes... " |
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| "From armored tanks and gliders to "plastic glass" and drawing machines, this interactive book explores the incredible mind of Leonardo da Vinci through hands-on building projects and activities. Most of Leonardo's inventions were never made in his lifetime and remained sketches in his famous notebooks; kids examine some of these original sketches and learn about the models he made of his inventions. From there they delve into detailed step-by-step instructions, diagrams, and templates for each project, which are interspersed with historical facts, biographical anecdotes, and trivia. Most of the building can be done using simple household supplies: construction paper, tape, markers, glue, cardboard tubes, aluminum foil, and cardboard boxes. Background about the Renaissance as a period of remarkable achievement in art and science appears throughout the book." |
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| "Thomas's useful guide ... covers simple maintenance and servicing techniques for more than 60 brands of video cassette recorders (VCRs). Step-by-step instructions are given for diagnosing problems, cleaning, and making simple mechanical repairs which comprise some 70 percent of VCR failures. Drawings of VCR mechanisms and parts accompany the unambiguous text, making it easy for anyone familiar with basic tools to accomplish the procedures necessary to keep a VCR working smoothly. Appendixes list parts numbers and sources. The instructions on removing a stuck cassette without damaging anything could be worth the price of the book in itself!" |
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| "Explains how outdoor power equipment works, how to perform preventative maintenance, and how to repair equip- ment when it breaks, including lawn mowers, chain saws, string trimmers, tillers, edgers, and snow throwers. The illustrated manual features 27 black and white photo sequences of common service techniques." |
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| "Surveys the different types of sharpening equipment and describes techniques for sharpening knives, saws, lawn mowers, scissors, hedge clippers, and other tools." |
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| "Readers will learn how to keep a diverse assortment of power equipment running virtually forever with minimum expense and expertise. Covers one-cylinder four- stroke engines, two-cycle engines and non-engine parts of outdoor power machines and electric power tools. Features helpful apparatus such as troubleshooting charts and a rating system to indicate the difficulty level of each procedure. Extensively illustrated." |
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| "This follow-up to the authors' beautiful Richards' Ultimate Bicycle Book ... has the same visual impact. Not for those with no familiarity with bicycles or tools, it can be used to great advantage as a quick reference by those with some prior knowledge. Repairs are divided into chapters covering brakes, wheels and tires, transmissions, bearings, and routine maintenance chores. The explanations for mechanical processes are excellent, with many sections employing photographs or illustrations to detail the repair steps." |
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| "This comprehensive, smartly written guide urges women to take a proactive approach to maintaining your car rather than the typical reactive approach. Know- ing that some readers won't be willing or able to tinker around under the hood, the authors include both do-it-yourself and do- it-for-me solutions. Beginning with the basics (how to read the car manual, how to open the hood) and explaining every system of the car with clear illustrations and understandable, if unavoidably dry, text, the book excels at breaking down common repairs and basic maintenance, such as changing tires, oil and brake fluid. The perfect size to fit in the glove compartment, this easy-to-read primer is for anyone, regardless of gender, looking to cut down on repair bills or feel more at ease when dealing with mechanics." |
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| "Easy-to-follow instructions and clear color photos explain all major parts of modern mountain and road bikes." |
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| "With the complete directions supplied by popular electronics author John Iovine, you can: Build your first walking, talking, sensing, thinking robot; Create 12 working robotic projects, using the fully illustrated instructions provided; Get the best available introduction to robotics, motion control, sensors, and neural intelligence; Put to- gether basic modules to build sophisticated ‘bots of your own design; Construct a robotic arm that responds to your spoken commands; Build a realistic, functional robotic hand; Apply sensors to detect bumps, walls, inclines, and roads; Give your robot expertise and neural intelligence. You get everything you need to create 12 exciting robotic projects using off-the-shelf products and workshop- built devices, including a complete parts list. Also ideal for anyone interested in electronic and motion control, this cult classic gives you the building blocks you need to go practically anywhere in robotics." |
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| Dare to Repair: A Do-It-Herself Guide to Fixing (Almost) Anything In the Home Sussman, Julie 643.7 SUS | "Sussman and Glakas-Tenet, both wives of CIA employees who were never around to help with household problems, show women how to perform a number of the most common repairs, including unclogging drains and toilets, replacing electrical switches and outlets, leveling appliances, lighting pilot lights, unsticking windows, and installing a door peephole. The authors assume that the reader is a complete newcomer to home repair, so everything is explained in detail (down to what tools to use), but the tone is never condescending. The very readabable text is supplemented by black-and-white drawings. " |
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| "The Daring Book for Girls is the manual for everything that girls need to know-and that doesn't mean sewing buttonholes! Whether it's female heroes in history, secret note- passing skills, science projects, friendship bracelets, double dutch, cats cradle, the perfect cartwheel or the eternal mystery of what boys are thinking, this book has it all. But it's not just a guide to giggling at sleepovers - although that's included, of course! Whether readers consider themselves tomboys, girly-girls, or a little bit of both, this book is every girl's invitation to adventure." |
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| "...the comprehensive
resource for hands- on practical pursuits and matters of everyday life, from personal finance and legal issues to home maintenance and gardening ... With its clear structure and thorough indexing, The New York Times Practical Guide To Practically Everything makes it easy to find information on any topic, while also inviting the reader to browse through the pages, which are chock-full of handy advice, tips, and little known facts. The text is accompanied by over a thousand illustrations, diagrams, maps, and charts from the pages of The New York Times." |
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| "It covers the theory behind clock
movement and design, including the particulars of escapements, pendulums, balance wheels, and even the sheet music for popular chimes. The American striking clock, the 400-day clock, and the alarm clock receive special attention. The in-depth information, including explanations of clock repairing terminology and details on the tools, materials, and supplies that are needed for success, will benefit even skilled enthusiasts." |
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| "The best-selling guide to keeping furniture in the finest and most beautiful condition, with complete information on proper repair and refinishing techniques from the legendary expert on antiques and their restoration. B&W photographs throughout." |
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| "...it can be difficult to assess what you should and should not do to get the highest possible return on your collectible ... Miller's, the antiques authority, provides invaluable guidance, with this heavily illustrated guide filled with step-by-step sequences and artwork. It clearly explains what an amateur can safely undertake...and when to call in the professionals. Each section, from furniture to ceramics to musical boxes, explains the materials and their common problems, together with causes and prevention. There's advice on siting, display, care, cleaning, handling, and transportation. You'll find categories that similar books often ignore, so whether you're into arms and armor or teddy bears, Miller's has you covered." |
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Brought To You By...
Sponsored by The Hamilton-Wenham Public Library, the Friends of the Hamilton-Wenham Public Library, and Gordon College.
Special Projects >> Tinkers: A Community Read
Modified 8/21/2010