Quote from cover: A pictorial extravaganza of the tools of yesterday and today
One of Popular Sciences series of books featuring 400 pages of information and pictures of a fairly wide selection of both powered and hand tools, both old and new (up to its publishing date of 1979)
Although no longer in print, this book is not all that hard to find. It covers quite a lot of tools, from abrasives to zig-zag folding rules. Covers some tools that I wouldn't expect in such a book, like paint brushes and rollers, finish tools for concrete, rulers, squares, levels, and nail pullers and wrecking bars. It also contains most common shop and job site tools like circular and table saws,drills, jointers, lathes and the like. While this book is not really up to date, most tools have not really changed all that much in the last few decades. The history presented in this book while not totally exhaustive, is just long enough to make for interesting reading. Their are some historical pictures and diagrams sprinkled throughout, along with some great photos of tools from the era of the mid to late seventies. The author does a fine job of including both homeowner and professional tools. The only nit I could pick with this book is it did miss some of what I consider to be classic tools of that era. No Black & Decker Sawcats, Skilsaws 77 (the book does feature Milwaukees wormdrive)or Porter Cables routers and porta-band. It does remind of the days when companies like Stanley, Rockwell, Millers Falls and Craftsman made tools for the professional. If your interested in tools, I would highly recommend this book, I think you'll like it.
