How to Make a Metal-Bending Machine

Bob Mann

Using simple plans and photographs this booklet describes the construction and assembly of a metal-bending machine, whose main feature is the ability to form wheel rims from cold flat mild steel; this wheel can be used on farm carts and other basic equipment.

How to Make Planes, Cramps and Vices

Aaron Moore

The ability to make one’s own tools is invaluable in developing countries for a number of reasons: First, the cost of western imports put them out of reach of all but a small proportion of practising carpenters. Second, it is the aim of all developing countries to become increasingly self-sufficient...

Small-scale Industries Promotion in India

Sosthenes Buatsi

This study illustrates the influence of small-scale industries on the direction of a country's industrial development - through a survey of the work of the Birla Institute of Technology. The history of the Institute's work is combined with case studies of industrial business. The Ghanaian author imp...

Clay Tile Manufacture

A guide to clay tile manufacture, covering tools, factory siting, operations, budgeting and financing the project.

Scrap Metal Recovery

Colin Relf

A case study of the development of a small business in Papua New Guinea involved in recovering a range of scrap, non-ferrous metals. An income-generating opportunity for hundreds of shanty town dwellers.

Small-scale Soapmaking

Peter Donkor

Making soap in the context of protracted economic difficulties has meant not only the development of a simple method that could meet rural conditions, but one that could survive the temperament of the wildly fluctuating marketplace as well. Peter Donkor’s book describes the development of soapmakin...

How to Make a Foot-Operated Workshop Drill

Paul Smith

Describes how to build a drilling machine appropriate for rural workshops, and gives full assembly instructions. The machine, which is a vertical drill for use with either metal or wood, can drill holes up to 12mm in diameter in 12mm steel plates.

How to Make a Hand-Operated Hole-Punch

Ted Stone

Describes the process of building a machine for punching holes in sheet metal, with full dimensions and instructions. Designed for construction from readily available steel sections, this machine can be built by most workshops or blacksmiths.

How to Make a Pipe-Bending Machine

Michael Walsby

Articles such as hospital and school equipment - bed frames, chairs, tables, handrails - all require the bending of pipe. This manual gives full instructions on how to make a pipe-bending machine, which could be made by most workshops or blacksmiths.

How to Make a Treadle-Operated Wood-Turning Lathe

Bob Ingham

This machine would be a useful addition to any woodwork shop, enabling new products to be made without the use of electricity. It could be the basis for a village industry, and can be built by most small metal workshops and blacksmiths.