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Tools: A Visual Exploration of Implements and Devices in the Workshop
The international bestselling author of The Elements celebrates 118 individual categories of tools found in the home workshop—from crescent wrenches to miter saws, from levels to cordless drills—all exquisitely photographed in Nick Mann's inimitable style.
Includes a bonus poster of Theodore Gray's PERIODIC TABLE OF TOOLS!
Tools is arguably Theodore Gray's most personal book yet. Hand tools and power tools have been a central part of his life for as long as he can remember. Using them, collecting them, and appreciating them is as much a part of his DNA as his passion for the periodic table. This book is the story of those tools, from Gray's personal favorites that have stuck with him through to years, to new and exciting antiques and modern inventions that he's discovered along the way. Organized into 118 categories, (and cleverly arranged into a periodic table of tools where each tool in a column shares properties and builds from lightest to heaviest) each tool is featured in a great big beautiful photograph on the left-hand side of the spread. On the right side of the page, Theo regales us with history and personal stories and shows us multiple variations on the theme. Tools is an unprecedented collection featuring 500 stunning examples of the world's most wonderful workshop implements. It's the must-have book for every tool lover.
Includes a bonus poster of Theodore Gray's PERIODIC TABLE OF TOOLS!
Tools is arguably Theodore Gray's most personal book yet. Hand tools and power tools have been a central part of his life for as long as he can remember. Using them, collecting them, and appreciating them is as much a part of his DNA as his passion for the periodic table. This book is the story of those tools, from Gray's personal favorites that have stuck with him through to years, to new and exciting antiques and modern inventions that he's discovered along the way. Organized into 118 categories, (and cleverly arranged into a periodic table of tools where each tool in a column shares properties and builds from lightest to heaviest) each tool is featured in a great big beautiful photograph on the left-hand side of the spread. On the right side of the page, Theo regales us with history and personal stories and shows us multiple variations on the theme. Tools is an unprecedented collection featuring 500 stunning examples of the world's most wonderful workshop implements. It's the must-have book for every tool lover.
- GenresNonfiction
256 pages, Hardcover
Published October 24, 2023
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81 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 26, 2024
Delightful coffee table book. Here are some of my favorite quotes:
The best thing you can do to save money replacing hacksaw blades is to always push the saw all the way from one end to the other. As my grandfather said, you paid for the whole blade, you should use the whole blade! Page 65.
Most brass and bronze tools exist for one reason: they don’t create sparks like steel tools. A spark from a slipped wrench or a falling hammer maybe catastrophic if explosive gas is present. The downside is that copper based alloys are much softer than steel. But who cares when the choice between needing to replace your tools more often and needing to replace your head because it gets blown off? P. 71
A typical small, gas-powered chain saw is a great tool, except for the gas-powered part. That's hateful, because of course it won't start. P. 175.
Along with a leaf blower, using a table saw in your driveway is one of the best ways to annoy your neighbors. They're pretty loud. P. 179.
[Two] tools solve all problems. If it's supposed to move and it doesn't, use WD-40. If it moves and it shouldn't, use duct tape. P. 181.
By the way, I would like to mention that vise and vice are two entirely different words...it's possible I wrote an entire draft of this book using vice everywhere I should have used vise. P. 239.
The best thing you can do to save money replacing hacksaw blades is to always push the saw all the way from one end to the other. As my grandfather said, you paid for the whole blade, you should use the whole blade! Page 65.
Most brass and bronze tools exist for one reason: they don’t create sparks like steel tools. A spark from a slipped wrench or a falling hammer maybe catastrophic if explosive gas is present. The downside is that copper based alloys are much softer than steel. But who cares when the choice between needing to replace your tools more often and needing to replace your head because it gets blown off? P. 71
A typical small, gas-powered chain saw is a great tool, except for the gas-powered part. That's hateful, because of course it won't start. P. 175.
Along with a leaf blower, using a table saw in your driveway is one of the best ways to annoy your neighbors. They're pretty loud. P. 179.
[Two] tools solve all problems. If it's supposed to move and it doesn't, use WD-40. If it moves and it shouldn't, use duct tape. P. 181.
By the way, I would like to mention that vise and vice are two entirely different words...it's possible I wrote an entire draft of this book using vice everywhere I should have used vise. P. 239.
December 4, 2023
A visual exploration in the tradition of Theodore Gray's other works, replete with macro photography exquisitely shot. Very interesting, yet very different from "Tools & How to Use Them" by Albert Jackson, which is much more about th writing and drawings
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February 26, 2024oh nothing but Fun, this big ol coffee table book is. delights the same parts of my brain that enjoyed a Richard Scarry “Cars and Trucks and Things That Go” in the labeling and fun commentary and conversational tone. also incredible acknowledgements
January 26, 2025
Very cool book with beautiful photographs about every tool you could ever imagine, done in the style of the same author's book on the periodic table. When I saw it I thought it would be a great Father's Day gift, and then, when I brought it home from the library, I ended up being the only person in our house who read it. One more note, you'll be surprised at how many times the author mentions ways you can kill or be killed with any of these implements.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews