READER INPUT

Makers tell their tales of mad boating experiments and childhood hijinks.

I love MAKE, Volume 12, and I plan on getting many more issues in the future. I’m writing because I think that the article “Building the Barrage Garage” by William Gurstelle, page 32, left out some key elements. I would like to think of myself as a jack of all trades, master of none when it comes to home construction. I know enough to do an addition or workshop area, but there were things in the article I felt needed to be explained, such as the half cinder block, half wood frame construction: why that choice? And while the use of a concrete floor in a workshop is understood by most craftspeople, it may be necessary to explain that choice to some. When I saw the article I was super excited, but as I read it I felt rushed through it. I understand that most of this phase was contracted out, but the construction aspect is something that many people would like to take on as a DIY project. The details of why choices were made; implementing them; and dealing with permits, ordinances, and building codes all make for an article that could have spanned several more pages. I look forward to the future installments of this article to see how the writer designs the workspace, and what type of workstations make the cut.

Thank you, again, for a great magazine. Now if only I could move out of this apartment and into a place with a garage for all my tools.

—Matthew Mahoney

Harrisburg, Pa.

I’m a huge fan of Halloween and I love the features you’ve done on the dark holiday.

I was hoping you could tell me who the artist was who produced this terrific image (among others) for your site. I love them. Really terrific works.

—John Altomari Pompton Lakes, N.J.

Editor’s Note: The graphic artist Seth was the genius behind that image. He’s one of the top graphic novelists around these days and we were thrilled to have him illustrate our special issue. Luckily, we still have a few copies available at makezine.com/go/diyhalloween.

I have an expression: “Look what happened while I was sleeping!” I dropped your mag into my 14-year-old son’s lap. Yesterday he was back in the woodshop talking about building stuff! Three cheers. Not only will I subscribe, but also I will give it away.

I grew up in the “make it yourself” house. My dad worked at Greibach Instruments where they hand-made precision electric meters. I played with relays, push buttons, and microswitches. This was 1960. We called them “gadget boards” and used 6V transformers to power the lights and relays. For the most part society has lost this hands-on capability, but the “makers” are clearly reviving it.

By the way, are you familiar with the encyclopedia, circa 1950s, by Popular Mechanics I bought a set last year for 15 bucks on eBay.

—Peter A. Blacksberg

Wayne, N.J.

Illustration by Seth

16 Make: Volume 15