Synopsis: Snip, Burn, Solder, Shred is packed with fun craft and toy-making projects for geeks on a budget. Inside, you'll find illustrated instructions for 24 quirky playthings. Part I: Kid Stuff contains child-friendly projects like the Lock-N-Latch Treasure Chest and a PVC TeePee; Part II: The Electro-Skiffle Band is devoted to homemade musical instruments; and Part III: The Locomotivated showcases moving toys, like a muzzleloader that shoots marshmallows and a steam-powered milk-carton boat.
Each project costs just $10 or less to make and is suitable for anyone, regardless of experience level. As you build, you'll learn useful sewing and carpentry skills, and the appendix offers a primer on electronics and soldering.
You (and your kids) will have hours of fun making projects like:
- A simple electric guitar
- An oversized joy buzzer that (safely) administers a 100-volt jolt
- Cool, mess-free, screen printed t-shirts
- Kites made from FedEx envelopes
- Booming Thunderdrums made from salvaged x-ray film
- Old school board games like Go, Tafl, and Shut-the-Box
Whether you're a mom or dad in search of a rainy day activity, a Scout leader looking to educate and entertain your troop, or just a DIY weekend warrior, the projects in Snip, Burn, Solder, Shred will inspire and amuse you. Now, roll up your sleeves and make!
About the Author : David Erik Nelson is a fiction author, freelance writer, and editor. In 1999 he co-founded Poor Mojo’s Almanac(k) with Fritz Swanson and Morgan Johnson. He continues to serve as an editor and frequent contributor to her advice column and daily weblog. He developed the projects in this book at an alternative school with plenty of feedback from his students. He also writes for magazines and has fiction novels in print as well. Find out more at: http://www.davideriknelson.com/
Review: The subtitle of this book is "Seriously Geeky Stuff to Make With Your Kids". I don't know if I'd say Geeky, so much as they stuff our dads used to learn how to do from Popular Science magazine and do to impress us (you know back in the dark days before the internet and video games), like the Pop Can Flyers! Check out the quick water rocket above- I can guess how many Buzz Lightyear's may be rocketing to space with this project!
I think the coolest items were the FedEx Envelope Kite and the PVC Tepee, as they are great examples of recycling items and are used from items you probably already HAVE on hand. Plus they can be completed pretty quickly if you shortcut (ie use a sheet instead of sewing panels) and can be pretty much instant play- great for the younger set! Check out the simple cardboard boomerangs and sock squid projects, to see what I mean! The simple screen-printed t-shirts would be perfect for Girl/Boy scouts, church groups, or even birthday party activities!The book would be great for father/son, father/daughter projects to teach kids recycling and new ways to look at objects. The electronic projects can also teach the wonders of making something useful out of nothing! Along the way kids will get skills and learn how things work. A win-win situation. This would be a great book to give to the dads/grandpas in your life for Father's Day,as a sharing book with their kids/grandkids- what a great way to get them away from the tv and computer and to share some fun together!
Disclosure / Disclaimer: I was sent this book, free of charge, for review purposes, from O'Reilly Marketing Group and No Starch Press. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about the book either
Disclosure / Disclaimer: I was sent this book, free of charge, for review purposes, from O'Reilly Marketing Group and No Starch Press. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about the book either
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