Customer Reviews

Eccentric Cubicle (Make: Projects)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I definitely don't have the chops, supplies or tools to make the projects in "Eccentric Cubicle," but I still love this book. It's a blast to read through the instructions for gems like this one:

"Fugly? Uh huh. Useful? Yeah, that, too. Recognizing the potential alternative uses for garden-variety stuff is an essential part of improvisational fabrication."

See, I'm pretty sure I'll never need a drill pattern for a rachet, but dang, it's cool to see how it *could* be done if I ever wanted to. I pick up this book the same way I flip through my baking, knitting, quilting books. To see what I'm in the mood for. To fill up the idea coffers. Or maybe to get some creative sparks going. If you know what I mean when I say that I don't have to start a new quilt project to need dozens of quilting books, then you'll know that you don't need a metal shop to enjoy reading "Eccentric Cubicle."

Plus, Kaden Harris' prose is clean, spare and danged funny (witness such section headings as "A Warning to Woodworking Purists" and "The Rites of Springs: Roll Your Own Boinginess"). It just does my heart good to know he's out there, thinking of ways to keep stuff out of the waste stream, and better yet, returning it to use. I almost wrote "good use," but didn't -- only because not everybody needs a mini guillotine on her desk. Seriously though, it warms my heart to think that somebody somewhere spent the time to make a desktop chopper and document the process so other out-of-the-box thinkers could follow along. That Harris was the one to do it is outright providential.

If you like the guerilla DIY style of Make and Create magazines, you'll like this book. 'nuf said.

Following up on my review of The Best of MAKE, I also got a chance to read Eccentric Cubicle by Kaden Harris. You can think of this as MAKE magazine in overdrive. From a pure reading perspective, it's outrageously funny and very well documented. In terms of actually *building* the items here, you had better have some level of background when it comes to hacking and building things on the fly, making the rules up as you go along. And in some offices I know of, you'd probably get put on probation for having these items on your desk...

Contents:
Introduction; Active Deskchop; BallistaMail; Maple Mike; DeskBeam Bass; The Gysin Device; iBlow; Liquid Lens Meets DiscoHead; The Haze-o-Matic 3000 Fog Machine; Hammerhead Live; Homebrew Wood Finishes

There's a picture of Harris in the introduction, and he looks like someone you'd see on a show like Mythbusters or Junkyard Wars. He specializes in making incredible devices using discarded or trashed items he's found and/or scavenged over the years. I can only imagine what his house and work area must look like. All these projects, such as the guillotine and crossbow, are intricate and fascinating, and show a very high level of creativity and ingenuity to build without resorting to buying brand-new or made-to-order parts. The level of workmanship and detail that Harris puts into each one make them unique and special, especially considering that the parts are often from items that are rather mundane, like vacuum cleaners and record players. It just goes to show that looking at "junk" in different terms can open up a world of possibilities. Each project also has a little "nano-project" associated with it. These are things that are much simplier, like making a foot-controlled variable power switch from an old sewing machine pedal. A great idea if your Dremel tool needs to be slowed down a bit for what you're trying to accomplish.

While everything is profusely illustrated and documented, I definitely wouldn't recommend these projects to someone just starting into the DIY world. Harris has spent a lifetime collecting and finding a blend of tools that works well for him. Unless you are similarly equipped, you might find yourself making multiple trips to the store to pick up something you absolutely need to keep going. Of course, that sort of defeats the purpose and spirit behind the projects you find here. On top of that, I could imagine that it'd be easy to miss a step or do something "not quite right", and have the whole project fail to work as advertised. Without the experience of doing these types of projects previously, the troubleshooting could be nightmarish for a newbie. And that would be too bad, as being able to show off your own bubble machine powered by a CPU fan does have a certain amount of "geek cred" attached to it...

If you're comfortable working with tools and such, this book will be a fun stretch for you. If you're brand new to the MAKE culture, this is probably a bit beyond your initial capabilities (unless you're just plain stubborn, incredibly talented, or both). But if you're into these types of contraptions and want an entertaining read by a talented builder *and* writer, by all means go for it.

This book contains a series of interesting projects to read, however, unless you have some fairly serious Maker background, I don't imagine they would be easy to pull off (both skill and tool wise).

However, some of the included "nano projects" have applicability to making in general, not just the projects they are lumped in with in the book. Two that specifically come to mind are the foot speed control for a dremel and the pegboard clamping system.

Regardless of project difficulty, the book is an interesting read, due to the interesting subject matter and the writing style of the author.

Amazing creations and stories. Apparently he built a four poster bed with only a rock and swiss army knife and with his skills I completely believe it. Anyone else and I'd be skeptical. He gives more than just plans; he gives a creative philosophy. Great book and great diverse projects!Def recommended.

A well-illustrated book of small modeling projects, illustrated by blueprints, pictures, and step-by-step instructions on how to make a few unusual models using simple components that one can find in a junk yard or garage sale. It seems like the author had a novice in mind (the book has a chapter describing and depicting some simple tools), but, in my opinion, will require a bit more skilled and persistent do-it-yourselfer interested in working with metal and wood. Fortunately, there is no necessity of a large workshop with power tools.

In my opinion, the items are neither eccentric, nor will fit well in a cubicle of the most employers I have worked for, but this should not matter to those of us who enjoy the very process of bulding things and making them work.

I was basically looking for some fun, quick-to-make projects that would fit in my office. However, to complete many of the projects listed in this book you have to be quite a handy man and own a few power tools. You also have lot's of spare parts and junk sitting around your garage...
As for the quality of the book, it's a well written and nicely illustrated material. Someone may find it useful.

This is a really great gift for someone who is hard to shop for. My Dad really loves the whole series and it gives him ideas of fun stuff to do with his grandson.

I saw this book in bookstores and initially skipped it over. I finally bought a copy after reading somewhere about Kaden's great and helpful fabrication tips in this book.

I'm almost done reading it cover-to-cover.

The writing is very clever and funny. It feels like he's sitting there talking to you or giving a really good presentation.

The subject matter is great. Even if you don't plan on building a desk-ballistae or bubble machine or anything else in the book, the tips alone are worth the price. Between each major project are "nano" projects to help you get the most from your workshop and tools - whether you have a basement lair on par with Dr. Frankenstein, or if you have a shoe box with some screwdrivers and a utility knife - and that's it.

I highly recommend this book for anybody who likes to tinker and build things.

Rob Johnson

Kaden Harris is an amazingly intelligent "character". Let me start of by saying his book is great and even though I was offered a free copy I went out and bought one anyway. It is worth the money and a great read.

Kaden and I went to an elementary school, with the Makers Faire people to convince kids that making is a great thing to do. Kaden brought his wares, including the Guillotine shown on the cover of the book. I can tell you the guillotine could easily lob off the heads of dolls and a finger too.

So there we stood. Waiting to speak to the elementary school kids. I was speaking as an inventor showing my latest and greatest and Kaden had his projects (guillotine included). At this point I was curious as to how Kaden would describe what the guillotine was used for. Would he be graphic or dismissive? Even I did not know what approach I would take. What do/should you tell Elementary school children about guillotines?


The kids came in and I waited and watched... Kaden then showed them how the guillotine worked and said, "This is a great kitchen gadget. You can cut carrots with it." GENIUS! The kids were amazed! It is a very cool carrot cutter.

Then Kaden answered the questions you'd expect from elementary school kids. The top two questions were, "Can it cut a finger off?" and "Can I try it?" The top two answers were... "Yes" and "No".

We had a great time. Kaden is a great story teller and even better maker. Eccentric Cubical shows neat projects and is well written. Even if you don't make the projects the book is a fun read. Buy a copy OR take one out at the library. I think you'll enjoy it just like I did.

Brilliant. Utterly bonkers, but brilliant. Instructions on how to build a selection of fun and funky things to enhance your office life. Though I'm not sure how your boss will react to a personal guillotine, or a steampunk 'ballistamail' (for those oh-so-important intercubicle memos).

Full of amazing things to make, with detailed instructions along the way. A must for any MAKE enthusiast, though some of the projects look to require more than a passing knowledge of the toolshop! Someone referred to it as 'guerilla DIY', a tag which fits perfectly.

If you work in a cubicle, you need this book. If you don't work in a cubicle, you need this book. After all, who doesn't want a desktop bubble machine (built from an old CD spindle case and computer power fan?)