and there is an older post WWII book called "Forty Power Tools you can Make" that is thought provoking, if not quite as practical as it once was. (uses a lot of cast off car parts no longer suitable for the job generally...)
Yeah, the Model T axle housing they use for the "Heavy-Duty Grinder from Old Auto Parts" would probably cost more now than a good Baldor grinder.
It's still a worthy read if you can find a copy. Mixed in with the Forty Power Tools are various hints and techniques, some of which are still applicable. It helps if you like vintage, or even kitschy, tools and techniques.
Same goes for the other similar Popular Mechanics (publisher of the Forty Power Tools book) and Popular Science annuals filled with various tips and projects culled from the monthly issues, like these:
And for the basic monthly magazines, I think google books or something has them on line. The older ones have great ads, and some of the articles can be both amusing and useful (or not).
The Great Tool Emporium book Jeff mentioned is good. The author actually got a lot of mileage out of that one and two others he did on planning home workshops--lot of shared photos and information between the three volumes.
The Vince Staten book sleepjeep mentioned is a great read. It will give you historical perspective on the hardware business, and why there are so few "mom and pop" hardware stores left.
A few others, including some already mentioned:
Just a sampling. there are tons of others.
Some of the books in the bottom photo are still in print.
If you want guides for tool collecting, there are some brand-specific guides, particularly for old hand woodworking tools, but many of those are out of print or were only printed in limited quantities, and tend to be both hard to find, and expensive when you do find them.
