Dating from the Golden Age of American Farming, this volume is both a tribute to days gone by and a resource for present day homeowners, farmers, and ranchers striving toward greater self-sufficiency. Here you will find hundreds of clever ways to transform those odds and ends that might seem like junk into very useful gadgets and tools, from a treadmill that can power a dairy separator and churn, to a drinking fountain for chickens. Other devices include a rig for moving large trees; a self-feeder for bees; a hand garden cultivator; and gates that lift over snowdrifts. It’s full of useful illustrations and includes a whole section of tried-and-true tips.
Amazon.com Review: Originally published in 1909, "Handy Farm Devices" is more than an engaging trip down memory lane. For any small farmer or homesteader, the techniques and devices described in detail are just as useful, durable, and fully functional today as they were 75 years ago. You will learn to build a portable chicken coop, a stone boat (for moving stone), a lightweight orchard ladder, gates that don't sag, and a handy wood splitter, as well as rudimentary farm structures, well houses, bee hives, a baby's cradle, a cheese press and much more. The charming, turn-of-the-century language and useful and inspirational quotes from Shakespeare, the Bible, Bacon, Longfellow and many others make this book a delight to read. --Mark A. Hetts
Archaic, I would not recommend. If by "how to make them" you were thinking of a blueprint or plan, forget it. You will have to intuit construction from a sketch. Many of the projects/ideas were applicable in days gone by, but worth a read now only for the charm.
Old Horseshoes This would be a useful book to anyone who has lots of old horseshoes, barrel hoops, wooden crates, sewing machine parts, plaster laths and other nineteenth century trash and discards. I don't find anything in it useful to modern organic gardeners or homesteaders. Don't waste your money.
a simple life Being a woman trying to do all of this alone would be rather overwhelming. However, If one can get some help and plan ahead, some of these things could be useful.
Wonderful old farm devices Wonderful old farm devices, I am very happy I purchased this book. It is very simple and reminds me of how simple yet hardworking farmers were before modern inventions that make farming easier today. I think anyone that wants to still use the old way of doing things should check out this book. It is a basic book of basic tools that can assist the small farmer in their homestead. I would suggest it to anyone that wants to know more about old country living tools. This is a very basic foundation of information on old farm tools, their applications, and drawings to assist in actual building of the device. No schematics or anything complex, just drawings and informative accompanying paragraphs about the tool. I love it!
Very Basic, but good ideas So far i have only read about a 1/4 of the way through it, but as a machinist/welder by trade, i was expecting a little more detail on the plans and directions. i am not saying it is not a worthwhile book. With a little imagination and the basics that are stated throughout the book you can probably be inspired to make quite a few useful items. If you are looking for IDEAS to make your chores a bit easier then check it out. It is a good book as far as basics and LOTS of ideas.
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
