Making Wheels

Ron Dennis

A low-cost technology which will enable workshops to set up their own facilities and manufacture a range of wheels from standard steel sections. For those familiar with metalworking techniques. Presented with technical drawings and sketches.

Clay Testing

Anura Gaspe, Peter Messer, Pete Young

Aimed at those working on stove projects or manufacture of ceramic stoves, this books offers clear explanations of some of the causes of the problems encountered while the stove is in use and gives straightforward methods of avoiding them. The findings of a clay-testing programme carried out with a...

The Technological Transformation of Rural India

A. Reddy, A S Bhalla

Using case studies from India this book presents a conceptual model of commercialization of rural technologies in developing countries. It concludes that India has not placed enough emphasis on ensuring the efficiency of small-scale production units.

Carpentry Toolmaking

Aaron Moore

This guide for carpentry instructors includes detailed plans for practical demonstrations, and important theoretical aspects of the craft. The tools include planes, clamps, workbench and vice. There is also a section on basic blacksmithing techniques.

The Blacksmithing Instructors Guide

David Harries

This guide is designed to help skilled blacksmiths who have little or no teaching experience to train others in forge work techniques, using easily obtainable equipment and scrap metal to produce tools such as hoes, sickles, hammers and axes.

Small-scale Papermaking

A technical handbook to assist small-scale producers with alternative production techniques - to help them choose and apply those techniques which are most appropriate to local socio-economic conditions.

Made in Africa

Janet Leek, Andrew Scott, Matthew Taylor

This book examines the pros and cons of the local production of carpentry hand-tools as opposed to their importation. In seeking the best strategy to adopt it also outlines the previous methods adopted by VSO and Intermediate Technology who have much experience in this area. Published in the VSO ECO...

Basic Blacksmithing

David Harries, Bernhard Heer

Starting with only an anvil and a few basic tools, almost all the tools needed by a blacksmith can be made from commonly found materials. With clear instructions this book gives step by step instructions on basic blacksmithing.

Fabric Manufacture

Alan Newton

Aimed at small, rural communities this book offers an introduction to simple methods of making textile fabrics which are used throughout the world. Includes sections on weaving, knitting, fibre entanglement, lace-making, braiding and knotting (Published in the Small-scale Textiles series).

Yarn Preparation

John A Iredale

Almost all fabrics, whether woven or knitted, are produced from spun thread. However, this thread or yarn, produced by the spinning operation, either by a hand spinner using the simplest drop spindle or spinning wheel, or spun on the latest automated spinning frame, is rarely in a form suitable to b...