While books seem like an ancient method of learning, there’s still tons of good information we can find in them. It’s not just about the Internet these days — although it may seem that way.
If you’re into tinkering and toying with electronics and DIY projects, here are five books you should get your hands on now.
1. How to Build a Hovercraft: Air Cannons, Magnetic Motors, and 25 Other Amazing DIY Science Projects
By: Stephen Voltz and Fritz Grobe
The author duo are the founders of EepyBird Laboratory in Maine where they experiment with technology to create outrageous projects like rocket cars powered by Coke and Mentos. Their book incorporates 25 DIY projects for enthusiasts at all levels of expertise. After each experiment you’ll get an explanation of the science that makes it work, thoroughly breaking down the principles. Some things you can make: a paper plane that flies forever, a Coke and Mentos fountain, and, as the title suggest, a hovercraft.
Get a paperback copy for as low as $11.99.
2. Hacking Electronics: An Illustrated DIY Guide for Makers and Hobbyists
By: Dr. Simon Monk
This guide will show you how to wire, disassemble, tweak, and re-purpose everyday devices. It includes lots of illustrations, photos and diagrams, as well as easy-to-do projects. What’s included: How to hack sensors, accelerometers, remote controllers, ultrasonic rangefinders, motors, stereo equipment, microphones, and FM transmitters, as well as a chapter on getting the most out of cheap or free bench and software tools and information on fixing gadgets and recovering useful parts from dead electronics.
Get a paperback copy for as low as $9.19.
3. The Big Book of Hacks: 264 Amazing DIY Tech Projects
By: Doug Cantor
This book is brought to you by the DIY folks over at Popular Science magazine. It includes projects like a heremin you can make for under $15,a motorized skateboard, run your car on trash, and a Roomba that you can turn into a robot to water your plants. Difficulty levels range from beginner to advanced so there’s something for everyone.
Get a hardcover copy for as low as $25.11.
4. Things That Go Boom Or Fly, Float, and Zoom!: 18 DIY Projects to Make
By: Alan Bridgewater, Ian Lambert, Julian Bridgewater, Glyn Bridgewater, Paul Clark
This book features projects for different interests and skill levels. Once complete, each project will do one of these activities: fly, float, walk, or talk.The 18 machines in the book include a balloon-powered boat, light-following robot, a dancing robot, and a lemon cannon. Some projects are simple enough that you can even get the kids involved.
Get the paperback for as low as $.01.
5. Raspberry Pi Robots: A DIY Guide for Makers
By: Timothy Brown
Since Raspberry Pi is the craze these days, why not pick up a DIY guide to making Raspberry Pi robots? This book is a little more technical in nature, offering step-by-step guides filled with schematics, wiring diagrams, and datasheets. Th book explains how to configure the brains of your robot, as well as how to interface displays, sensors, motors, and other electronics to the Raspberry Pi. Projects include the construction of several robots: a basic platform, a small hexapod crawler, all-terrain robot, and a fully autonomous quadcopter UAV.
Get the paperback copy for as low as $90.
