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Sneakier Uses for Everyday Things: How to Turn a Calculator into a Metal Detector etc.
How to Turn a Calculator into a Metal Detector, Carry a Survival Kit in a Shoestring, Make a Gas Mask with a Balloon, Turn Dishwashng Liquid into a Copy Machine, Convert a Styrofoam Cup into a Speaker, and Make a James Bond Spy Jacket with Everyday Things
Did you know that your standard issue of Sports Illustrated magazine can be turned into over 20 useful gadgets? In author Cy Tymony's Sneakier Uses for Everyday Things , you'll learn how an average magazine can become many extraordinary gadgets such as a compass, hearing aid, magnifier, peashooter, and bottle opener.
Sneakier Uses for Everyday Things covers 40 educational and unique projects that anybody can successfully complete with simple household items. The book includes a list of necessary materials, detailed sketches, and step-by-step instructions for each gadget and gizmo. Among the sneaky schemes
* Creating a electroscope out of a glass jar
* Turning a drinking cup into a speaker
* Using an AM radio as a metal detector
* Making a spy gadget jacket with over 20 individual sneaky uses ranging from a siren and whistle to a walkie-talkie and voice recorder
These days, "be prepared" applies to more than just the Boy Scouts. Sneakier Uses for Everyday Things provides loads of practical ideas, science projects, and captivating solutions for dealing with life's unexpected challenges. Great fun for the curious, inventive, and creative of all ages.
Did you know that your standard issue of Sports Illustrated magazine can be turned into over 20 useful gadgets? In author Cy Tymony's Sneakier Uses for Everyday Things , you'll learn how an average magazine can become many extraordinary gadgets such as a compass, hearing aid, magnifier, peashooter, and bottle opener.
Sneakier Uses for Everyday Things covers 40 educational and unique projects that anybody can successfully complete with simple household items. The book includes a list of necessary materials, detailed sketches, and step-by-step instructions for each gadget and gizmo. Among the sneaky schemes
* Creating a electroscope out of a glass jar
* Turning a drinking cup into a speaker
* Using an AM radio as a metal detector
* Making a spy gadget jacket with over 20 individual sneaky uses ranging from a siren and whistle to a walkie-talkie and voice recorder
These days, "be prepared" applies to more than just the Boy Scouts. Sneakier Uses for Everyday Things provides loads of practical ideas, science projects, and captivating solutions for dealing with life's unexpected challenges. Great fun for the curious, inventive, and creative of all ages.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
33 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
About the author
Cy Tymony
14 books3 followersCy Tymony has created his homemade inventions since he was a kid. His imagination and innovative way at looking at the world continues today as a technical writer and computer network specialist in the Los Angeles area. He has appeared on CNN and NPR, and has been featured in the Los Angeles Times and U.S. News & World Report.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 3, 2007
Be your own "Insepector Gadget"
November 18, 2020
Lame.
I will give author credit for some ingenuity, but this book was a little too goofy and the devices it describes were neither very useful nor very interesting. When I picked it up I thought it might be for basement dwelling, pipe-bomb building cranks. I was disappointed. This was probably aimed at precocious 8 year olds in the mid-90s.
The main problems are:
1. Egregious over use of the word sneaky. I didn’t do a word count, but I believe it is used in every third sentence.
2. Lame ideas. One suggestion is cutting the ends off your shoe laces and stuffing the resulting nylon tube with very small survival tools like needles, aspirin, and paper clips. The author then suggests that the resulting lumpy string can still be used to tie one’s shoes.
3. Failure to age well. It was published in 2005, but even then I think cassette recorders (the source of vital components for several of the sneaky device recipes) were becoming scarce even then. In 2020 I haven’t seen one in years.
I will give author credit for some ingenuity, but this book was a little too goofy and the devices it describes were neither very useful nor very interesting. When I picked it up I thought it might be for basement dwelling, pipe-bomb building cranks. I was disappointed. This was probably aimed at precocious 8 year olds in the mid-90s.
The main problems are:
1. Egregious over use of the word sneaky. I didn’t do a word count, but I believe it is used in every third sentence.
2. Lame ideas. One suggestion is cutting the ends off your shoe laces and stuffing the resulting nylon tube with very small survival tools like needles, aspirin, and paper clips. The author then suggests that the resulting lumpy string can still be used to tie one’s shoes.
3. Failure to age well. It was published in 2005, but even then I think cassette recorders (the source of vital components for several of the sneaky device recipes) were becoming scarce even then. In 2020 I haven’t seen one in years.
June 26, 2017
This turned out to be a lot more "geeky" than I thought it would be. Cool if you understand the science.
November 14, 2022
It's basically an old fashioned science cheat book.
August 14, 2018
1st Read: May 5, 2011 - May 5, 2011 (*** Rating)
This book is cool for the people who have a knack for, or an interest in science. I found it interesting and also questionable, though, I never attempted to try any of the experiments myself. That is yet to happen. Would be the perfect book to have in a backpack while hiking. Never know what you may find in the pages that could be of some help if lost, stranded or injured.
2nd/Final Read: July 29, 2018 - August 6, 2018 (** Rating)
Interesting, though, I don't believe I'd ever be faced with a scenario where I'd need to utilize the MacGyverisms.
This book is cool for the people who have a knack for, or an interest in science. I found it interesting and also questionable, though, I never attempted to try any of the experiments myself. That is yet to happen. Would be the perfect book to have in a backpack while hiking. Never know what you may find in the pages that could be of some help if lost, stranded or injured.
2nd/Final Read: July 29, 2018 - August 6, 2018 (** Rating)
Interesting, though, I don't believe I'd ever be faced with a scenario where I'd need to utilize the MacGyverisms.
February 8, 2008
One of my favorite chapters was the one on "sneaky radio-control car projects" as we had a box of 12 RC cars, but really the sneaky survival section was the most remarkable. It is everything the boy scouts should teach you, but don't.
March 24, 2015
This book was not what I expected.I always thought this series of books was about ways to use everyday things for everyday life but I was wrong. This book and the series is really only good for people who are tech and mechanically minded or have a strong interest in that kind of thing.
May 18, 2013
How to make a metal detector, invisible ink, and a gadget jacket (complete with secret release sleave). This could make for a few fun experiments with kids.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews