Make: Book Editor's Top 5, Solder Badge Skills and Sales

[View our web version]( Make: Book Editor Kevin Toyama's Top 5 Favorites Ready to learn a new skill in 2024? Make a resolution to spend less time on your phone? Got some holiday cash burning a hole in your pocket? Check out Make: Books Editor Kevin Toyama’s favorites from the Maker Shed and start a new chapter in your life! [SHOP NOW]( Make: Fun! Create Your Own Toys, Games, and Amusements, by Bob Knetzger Bob is a genuine toy designer and came up with ideas like the [Yo Gabba Gabba Magic Dance Hat]( (Break it down!). In this awesome book, Bob shows readers how to make their own version of classic toys. The projects range from the simple toys that came in cereal boxes to a project modeled on the [Magical Musical Thing]( an 80s toy that I still have in my basement. He even shows you how to build a vacuum former to make your own toys and masks — how, well, fun! [SHOP NOW]( Make: Calculus — Build Models to Learn, Visualize, and Explore, by Joan Horvath and Rich Cameron True story: During my senior year of high school, I had to beg my calculus teacher to give me a (undeserved) passing grade so I could go to college. I did well in geometry and trig, but calculus was too theoretical for me. If only I had this book! Joan and Rich use Lego bricks and 3D prints to teach calculus through physical models, providing a tactile approach to a conceptual subject. There are new, innovative ways we can help develop our young people — this is one of them. [SHOP NOW]( Make: Inventing a Better Mousetrap — 200 Years of American History in the Amazing World of Patent Models, by Alan and Ann Rothschild I love how books preserve history, and this title captures a time when our future hinged on making. Once upon a time, the US Patent Office required patent applicants to submit a model of their inventions, and this amazing book catalogs hundreds of them. My favorites are the Propulsion of Vessels from 1868, a system with a suspended weight that swung when the sea pitched, actuating a series of gears to power the boat’s propeller; and the Musical Rocking Chair from 1870, where rocking the chair pumped bellows attached to reed-covered valves, enabling the user to play the chair as a musical instrument! (My least favorite: The Automatic Toy Gymnast that looks like it’ll come to life and murder me in my sleep.) [SHOP NOW]( Make: Electronics, 3Ed, by Charles Platt This is probably Make:’s best-selling book, and THE book you should read if you’re a maker. It provides foundational electronics know-how, as well as 30 interesting projects to practice your new skills. What makes this book so appealing is that Charles writes with a casual tone, which helps engage readers put off by boring, sterile textbooks. That style — complemented by lots of photos, illustrations, and diagrams — is a great way to help readers actually finish an instructional book, rather than it falling into the dreaded Stack of Unfinished Books. [SHOP NOW]( Make: Props and Costume Armor — Create Realistic Science Fiction and Fantasy Weapons, Armor, and Accessories, by Shawn Thorrson Were you at [Maker Faire Bay Area in October]( If so, I hope you swung by Shawn’s [gigantic display of costumes and props]( inspired by Star Wars, Warhammer, Marvel, Robocop, and Halo. And if you did come by the booth, I really hope you got to meet Shawn. He not only designs and builds amazing projects, but genuinely loves to share how he does it. His book is a testament to this, as Shawn meticulously explains the A to Zs of making your own costumes, including working with foam, making molds and casts, painting and weathering, and even quickie repairs when you’re away from your workshop. He also includes explanations of what not to do, leveraging the mistakes he’s made so you don’t fall into the same traps. So pick up this book and start your [Rom: Spaceknight]( armor, and show it off to Shawn at MFBA 2024! New Year, New Skills - Soldering Upgrade your skills in the new year by mastering the art of soldering! Explore a wide range of high-quality soldering products available in our shed, all at unbeatable prices. Don't miss out on this opportunity to level up your abilities. Check out some of our featured soldering products below! [Getting Started with Soldering]( [Soldering StarterÂ]( [Pack]( [The Weevil Eye Solder Kit]( [ Solder Skill Badges P]( Maker Shed New Year Features! [NiteLightÂ]( [Lantern Kits]( [Sales AndÂ]( [Deals]( [Maker ClassÂ]( [Packs]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Email](mailto:makershed@make.co) [Unsubscribe from our newsletter]( Make:, 150 Todd Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95407, United States