Posted in DIY project, Holidays, Retro DIY projects, Traveling, tagged 1948, Carpentry, DIY, Do it yourself, Outdoor desk, Woodwork on March 27, 2014| 2 Comments »
A do-it-yourself project published in Popular Mechanics in July, 1948
Ideal for the naturalist, archaeologist or anyone who must do documentary work in the field, this folding desk-and-stool combination provides substantial writing surface along with comparative comfort. The desk folds into a compact case for travelling. In addition to containing all the the essential writing equipment, it also carries a three drawer stool.
Description and plans in
jpg and pdf format HERE
Posted in Automobiles, British, tagged DIY, Home made cars, Strange cars on March 30, 2012| Leave a Comment »
The registration number on this strange contraption tells us it is British, but was it really necessary. Where else would you find someone eccentric enough to build a car like this. Unfortunately there was no information on the blog where I found the picture so I know nothing more than what the picture show – Ted
Image found at “vintage everyday”
Posted in DIY project, Retro DIY projects, tagged Carpentry, DIY, Do-it-yourself projects, Wooden umbrella stand, Woodwork projects on March 6, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Neat modern lines and simplicity of construction are features of this compact umbrella stand. I holds four umbrellas but may easily be enlarged or made smaller. A 7 inch pie plate is used to collect whatever water drips from the umbrellas.
Description and plans in jpg and pdf format here
DIY project from Popular Science November 1937
Posted in DIY project, Retro DIY projects, tagged Carpentry, DIY, Do-it-yourself projects, Necktie cabinet, Woodwork projects on February 28, 2012| 2 Comments »
From an article in Popular Mechanic’s 1942 January issue
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This distinctive tie cabinet in early-American style is an attractive piece of man’s furniture. In it ties are hung separately from dowels. The front is fitted with a mirror, and a small drawer at the bottom is handy for keeping cuff and collar buttons, tie clasps and pins. Plans and descriptions |
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Posted in DIY project, Retro DIY projects, tagged Carpentry, DIY, Do-it-yourself projects, Portable beach dressing room, Woodwork projects on February 21, 2012| Leave a Comment »
From an article in Popular Science’s 1940 August issue.
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Portable beach dressing rooms have so many merits in respect to convenience, cleanliness, and privacy when compared with the average bathhouse locker room that they are becoming popular at some of the better beaches in the U S. Plans and description |
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Posted in DIY project, Retro DIY projects, tagged Carpentry, DIY, Do-it-yourself projects, Foldin breakfast table, Woodwork projects on February 14, 2012| Leave a Comment »
From an article in Popular Science’s 1940 October issue
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An unoccupied space on the kitchen wall can be put to good use by installing a modern folding breakfast table. Plywood 5/8” thick is an excellent material to use. Plans and descriptions |
Posted in DIY project, Retro DIY projects, tagged Carpentry, DIY, Do-it-yourself projects, Wagon seat tray, woodwork project on February 7, 2012| Leave a Comment »
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The multiple usefulness of the “wagon seat” type of tray, with one side open for convenient serving was discovered long ago, and such trays have been popular ever since. One of these trays give a real helping hand when serving guests in the living room or out on the lawn.
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 Plans and descriptions in jpg and pdf format here |
Posted in DIY project, Retro DIY projects, tagged Carpentry, DIY, Do-it-yourself projects, Ply-wood boat on January 31, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Build this low-cost flat-bottom boat for your fishing trips. Plans and descriptions from Popular Mechanics’ May issue from 1959 in jpg and pdf format here
Posted in Retro DIY projects, The thirties, tagged Carpentry, DIY, Do-it-yourself projects, Garden chairs, Woodwork projects on December 20, 2011| Leave a Comment »
This new design for a garden seat is lighter than the common Cape Cop chair and can be made of odds and ends –
Description and plans in both jpg and pdf format for this project from Popular Science April 1935 can be found here
Posted in DIY project, The fifties, tagged Carpentry, DIY, Do-it-yourself projects, Woodwork projects, Wren house on November 27, 2011| Leave a Comment »
There is a touch of fairyland to this unusual designed wren house, yet it is simple to build – You’ll find plans and work description both in jpg and pdf format here
Plans found in a Popular Mechanix from April 1959
Posted in Retro DIY projects, The fifties, tagged Carpentry, DIY, Do-it-yourself projects, Footstool Crest, Woodwork projects on November 2, 2011| Leave a Comment »
In two or three evenings you can make this comfortable foot stood with a compartment for storage of pipe, tobacco and a book or two.
Plans and description in
jpg and pdf format here
Posted in Retro DIY projects, The thirties, tagged Carpentry, DIY, Do-it-yourself projects, Lazy leg, Woodwork projects on October 23, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Foot rests of the so-called “lazy leg” type are made in many styles, both with and without magazine holders, but here is a new and unusually attractive design from Popular Science’s January edition from 1939. Unpainted ½ inch thick gumwood was used for the one illustrated, but a similar foot rest constructed from knotty pine has proved just as popular.
Plans and description in
both jpg and pdf format here
Posted in DIY project, The fifties, tagged Carpentry, DIY, Do-it-yourself projects, Folding garden chair, Woodwork projects on October 5, 2011| Leave a Comment »
From Popular Mechanix May 1950
An attractive modern design, this comfortable garden chair is ideal for most outdoor uses since it is lightweight for easy carrying and it can be folded for compact storage.
Drawings and plans in jpg and pdf format here
Posted in Humour, Tackieness, tagged DIY, Kits, Snipping, Vasectomy on September 21, 2011| Leave a Comment »
For the record, this is not part of my retro DIY projects series. Still as the slogan goes “It’s HIP to get SNIPPED” and as with the retro projects, all it takes is a steady hand. –Ted
Posted in Retro DIY projects, tagged Cabinet, Carpentry, DIY, Do-it-yourself projects, Plate rack, Woodwork on August 29, 2011| 1 Comment »
Woodwork project from Popular Mechanics, September 1937
A nice DIY project for displaying a few choice dishes and providing a gay colour note in the breakfast room, hall or kitchen. This little wall cabinet and plate rack steps right up to fill your needs – Instructions and plans in JPG and PDF here
Posted in Retro DIY projects, tagged Carpentry, DIY, Do-it-yourself projects, Sawhorse, Woodwork on August 22, 2011| 1 Comment »
Woodwork project from
Popular Mechanics, January 1960
If you got a small home workshop with limited space, you will love this strong and sturdy, yet completely collapsible sawhorse. Though collapsible, the sawhorse is designed so that there is no sacrifice in utility or strength.
Drawings and instructions in
JPG and PDF format here
Posted in DIY project, Retro DIY projects, tagged Carpentry, DIY, Do-it-yourself projects, woodwork project on August 5, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Every home needs a capacious bathroom cabinet. The one shown above is easily made, convenient to use and much larger than usual. Drawing, instructions both in JPG and downloadable PDF here
Posted in Retro DIY projects, tagged Carpentry, DIY, Do-it-yourself projects, woodwork project on July 29, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Bookshelves are excellent home workshop or school shop projects White pine is desirable for a Colonial effect, but the shelves may also be made of such cabinet woods as mahogany, walnut, or maple.
Drawings and instructions here
Posted in Retro DIY projects, tagged Carpentry, DIY, Do-it-your-self, Garden, Garden furniture on January 28, 2011| Leave a Comment »
From “Popular Science” march 1940 Found at blog.modernmechanix.com 
Here is a patio roll-around couch that can be built with only a few hand tools, The original is of 3/4" (net) knotty pine, assembled with galvanized screws, dowels, and casein glue, and finished with linseed oil.
Plans and project description here
Retrorambling 