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Submitted by Alfred Armstrong on 28 Jan 2013 - 14:27 Permalink

Martin, I have other issues of this magazine and it would seem that this one is rather more desperate than most. A case of lack of ideas and a deadline to meet rather than the outright lunacy to be found elsewhere on this site. But there's no rules here, except my whim.
Submitted by Martin (not verified) on 28 Jan 2013 - 14:09 Permalink

Compared to many other works on the oddbooks pages - isn't this one of the least odd ones? I personally tend to enjoy this genre of 'pedestrian' construction ideas - and you'd be surprised how much renewed attention there is for such ideas within current alternative and 'simple living' movements. If the above shown examples form a representative sample of the quality rest of the contents, it indeed seems a subscription did not live up to any of its practical returns. Yet, these magazines - like many contemporary ones - also have their merits just in providing you with ideas to perhaps greatly improve upon yourself (or, simply provide with some relaxation after a day of work). Similarly, I never strictly follow recipes in cookbooks, while they do provide inspiration. And the straw-and-match raft - isn't that endearing in some sort of way as well?

Thanks to all commenters for their additional recommendations. If you like this genre of household craft and DIY, a volume explicitly written from a frugal perspective on life (and considering even the most minimal of savings strategies), is Amy Dacyczyns 'Complete tightwad gazette'. Also, James Ballou's fun 'Makeshift Workshop Skills' (and companion volume) is worth browsing - this includes an even bigger can do-attitude on improvisational life hacking and home construction for the non-initiated. These works do not start with projects, but with materials and skills. Granted, not everything presented here is viable or safe, but fun to read anyway. And perhaps just worthwhile for the fun of trying to imagine past and future 'dark ages' (Ballou also has a book on that, partly overlapping in content with this one) - despite all its shortcomings and imprecision.
Alfred, keep up the good work, I greatly enjoy these pages.

Submitted by Alfred Armstrong on 28 Jan 2013 - 14:27 Permalink

Martin, I have other issues of this magazine and it would seem that this one is rather more desperate than most. A case of lack of ideas and a deadline to meet rather than the outright lunacy to be found elsewhere on this site. But there's no rules here, except my whim.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on 04 May 2012 - 13:36 Permalink

It may bring some cheer to know that there are two books in a similar vein to this, yet showcasing the even more uproariously makeshift: Vladimir Arkhipov's 'Home Made' series of what is termed 'contemporary folk artifacts'. The first volume is out of print, but a few days ago a new volume, 'Home Made Europe' was published which reminded me of this book and this posting here.
Submitted by Meg (not verified) on 03 Dec 2010 - 16:01 Permalink

Pity the woman? Harumph. My father probably invented some of these. He bolted lids to the bottom of shelves and the screwed in jars held nuts, bolts, etc. Imagine the same for sugar, salt and coffee over a cluttered countertop! He also could blow smoke into Brill Cream tubes (back then non collapsible) and he'd hand them to us kids and we had a grand time blowing second hand smoke everywhere. Sheesh. And that raft! A kid could even light the match on fire in a mock pirate battle in the tub without too much fear of setting himself alight!
Submitted by Stovebolt6 (not verified) on 20 Oct 2010 - 04:12 Permalink

Also in "Motoring Gadgets" is a guide to building your own engine and the materials required. "Motoring Gadgets" is actually a fascinating read about How to Do it in the early automotive age, on a par with Dyke's Motor Manuals--only it's a much simpler read. "Home-Made Gadgets" was written by a do-it-yourselfer with no imagination, and no mechanical or aesthetic skills. Somebody commented earlier that she pitied the wife of the author of this book. I pity the reader who knows better stuff to do than go by the author's suggestions or even read the book.
Submitted by Firebird (not verified) on 14 Aug 2009 - 09:42 Permalink

If you think this is weird you should check out the book "200 Ingenious Motoring Gadgets". From the same publishers and issued in 1952. A veritable goldmine of how to keep that old banger on the road with bits of string, wood and anything else to be found at the back of the garage!.Thank God for the M.O.T.
Submitted by Stovebolt6 (not verified) on 20 Oct 2010 - 04:12 Permalink

Also in "Motoring Gadgets" is a guide to building your own engine and the materials required. "Motoring Gadgets" is actually a fascinating read about How to Do it in the early automotive age, on a par with Dyke's Motor Manuals--only it's a much simpler read. "Home-Made Gadgets" was written by a do-it-yourselfer with no imagination, and no mechanical or aesthetic skills. Somebody commented earlier that she pitied the wife of the author of this book. I pity the reader who knows better stuff to do than go by the author's suggestions or even read the book.