Old Workshops Magazine Article Question

[Gentleman Adventurer]

Gentleman;

Back in the middle 1960's or so, one of the Magazines, Popular Science, Popular Mechanics, Workbench, etc did a series of article on some outstanding home workshops. As a kid at the time I was really inspired. I have been trying to locate which magazine did those article with no success. I am appealing to the collective knowledge of this fine assembly, in the hopes that someone here was also inspired, AND can remember or still has the back issues of the magazine.

I've tried the Google archives, with no success. Maybe I just don't have the right criteria, I don't know.

Anyway, Happy New Year to all the members here!

Keith

 

[Just_George]

I think all of them have done something like that at one time....Fine Woodworking typically has an annual issue on workshops. I have several of those, gave away most of my other woodworking magazines that likely included similar issues.

 

[Gentleman Adventurer]

George

You are correct, most of the current magazines do this. But in the 60's most of the specialty magazines didn't exist like they do now, That's what made it so cool. My dad's workshop at the time was a drill, jigsaw, and a few hand tools. (very few) Opening a magazine and seeing a basement full of woodworking tools that 1 guy owned was amazing!
Blessings to you!
Keith

 

[woody 73]

Not sure if this will help you get started but worth a look:

http://www.pastpaper.com/List-MechanicsPopScience1960s.htm

 

[woody 73]

Again just something that might be helpful:

http://backissues.com/publications/Popular-Mechanics-1960s

 

[captain14]

Search GJ for Popular Science. Someone here posted a link to the entire PS magazine that had several articles shown from each month. Specially we were interested in Gus Wilson and the Model Garage but they may be there. Fine Woodworking did not exist then , but the owners at the time took a huge risk to first publish. Workbench magazine was contacted by them and they discussed whether there would be a need or interest for that. Fine Woodworking wrote about that in their 25 year anniversary issue.

Good luck and if you find something post it back here for the rest of us.

 

[woody 73]

Some back issues that you can buy:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAP...6341&item=191019356341&lgeo=1&vectorid=229466

 

[Gentleman Adventurer]

Woody 73;

The link to back issues did it! It was slightly later than I remembered but I found the 1st story. (I was still in high school) The 1st story published in June 1970 by Pop Mech.
I had searched the Google archives and past paper lists, but workshops , workshop, home shops, etc wouldn't bring up what I was looking for. But your link to back issues brought up very readable covers so I just started reading the covers from 1965 on and found a reference to "Dream shop." I don't think I've found all of them yet, but I found the one I was looking for in Nov 1980 issue. It's a dedicated woodshop in a log cabin overlooking lake Michigan. It's number 12 in the series, so now I know where to keep looking. THANK YOU!

It was a blast revisiting all the projects, airplanes, military hardware that I used to read as a kid, and seeing what they have morphed into today.

Here are some links to Google Archives for those that are interested. By todays standards, some of these shops are amazing still.

Some will take you to the beginning of the issue, some take you to the article page. Enjoy

http://books.google.com/books?id=qNgDAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false

http://books.google.com/books?id=ltcDAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false

http://books.google.com/books?id=MdQDAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false

My Favorite:
http://books.google.com/books?id=rtkDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA108&dq=lake+michigan&hl=en&sa=X&ei=-f3FUuHWIYPkoATvh4KgCQ&ved=0CEkQ6AEwATgU#v=onepage&q=lake%20michigan&f=false

And for those that think they don't have enough room:
http://books.google.com/books?id=zNMDAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

[woody 73]

Type in what you are looking for and you might hit pay dirt:

http://books.google.com/books/about/Popular_Mechanics.html?id=59sDAAAAMBAJ

 

[Gentleman Adventurer]

C14;

I remember the model garage and Gus Wilson. I even used some of those tips on my first car. A 1968 Dodge van, 225 slant six and a 3 speed manual. Loved that van! I'm going to find another after I get moved.

 

[woody 73]

Something along these lines:

http://www.allpar.com/trucks/dodge/1968.html

 

[Gentleman Adventurer]

Yep, mine was a blue A100 window. Kind of like the yellow one marked for Bloomfield.

But, I would really like an A100 pick up.

Something like these:
http://www.allpar.com/trucks/a-trucks.html

 

[WWIIjeep]

I remember the model garage and Gus Wilson. I even used some of those tips on my first car.

Popular Science did Gus and the Model Garage from the 1930s into the mid-1960s. Some of them were great stories. Following the stories was usually a page of "Tips From the Model Garage."

Popular Science and Popular Mechanics both had articles at various times in the 60s and 70s showing home shops, or "Dream Shops" as they sometimes called them.

In 1969, Popular Science published a book called "Complete Book of Home Workshops" with examples of shops, and ideas for layout and storage. Some of the stuff was from previous PS magazine articles.

If you want really vintage shop pictures, in the 1940s, Delta (power tools) published "How to Plan a Home Workshop."

 

[Gentleman Adventurer]

WWIIJeep;

My High school library had a copy of David Manners book. I read it a lot. When I found a copy at a used bookstore many years later, I bought it. It still resides in my bookshelves.

I think the library had a copy of the Delta book also. I know I've read through it.

Thanks for the picture!

 

[sasquatch12]

I too have the Delta and David Manners books, had them for years. Some nice old American equipment shown in them.

 

[sasquatch12]

Forgot to mention i have a big pile of both Pop Mechanics and Pop science back i think to 1937, don't remember seeing the best home shops articles. There was one about a guys BIG apartment workshop, but right now cannot remember where.

 

[Gentleman Adventurer]

Sasquatch12;

Forgot to mention i have a big pile of both Pop Mechanics and Pop science back i think to 1937,

I relate to that!

Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on your outlook, digital archives are available for many magazines. (NOT necessarily inexpensive) I got the Wood magazine DVD archive for Christmas a couple years ago. I bought a Mothers Earth News DVD last year. I am looking at a couple of others as I am moving across the country in a couple months, and will probably move 1 more time in about 7 years. The Magazines unfortunately have to go. With the books, tools, and other interests we have it will be heavy enough!
The downside of wanderlust!

I'll have to check with the local library and see if they want any of the back issues. Maybe they can sell them at their used book sales.

 

[Gentleman Adventurer]

SAS12;

Forgot to tell you, start with June 1970 Pop Mech. They ran about 12 shops over the next 10 years. The links in my post above will show you a few.

 

[captain14]

Well how about that for our tastes. I have a 1987 Dodge D150 ram short bed with a slant six/ 4 speed manual. This was the base truck that year. Extras were a bed mat, bed light, and fourth gear was OD. No radio/ AC. Got a radio from the junkyard and wired up speakers and used the power plug that was in the existing wiring harness.

 

[Gentleman Adventurer]

C14;
Yeah, I've always liked Mopars. My next truck is going to be a 1 ton Dodge diesel. Then I can upgrade the trailer. I'd also like to get an early 60's dart or valiant convertible. Too many projects, not nearly enough time or money.

 

[shortykorte]

Howdy neighbor, kinda sorta. So you’re the guy to see about a Huey ride. Lol.

On magazines, Family Handyman had some good articles on shop layouts and dream shops. I remember one issue that feature small, medium and large shops. I also have a Dream Garage magazine which featured Jack Olsen’s and the 30’s Garage garages.


Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST

Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal