So here is a book that some may find better old time fireside reading than useful. I would disagree there are lots of good ideas here with some imaginative updating. "Handyman's Workshop And Laboratory" was compiled from "Scientific American" magazine and published by Munn and Co. Inc. It is a large volume at 504 pages and covers a large variety of workshop activities woodwork, metalwork, electrical, laboratory chemistry, model making and others.
This information is from another time so much care must be taken with some of the chemistry stuff, modern methods may have deemed old methods unsafe.
There are plans for a great little shed workshop, a very interesting pedal powered multi-machine and even a model of a powered Wright Bros. biplane. Lots of interesting old stuff here.
Download "Handyman's Workshop And Laboratory" on my Books - Free Downloads page.