Defending Your Castle
/defending-your-castle-17734.jpg "Defending Your Castle")
While author William Gurstelle might use the word "castle" figuratively in his how-to book's title, he definitely means us to take the "defending" part at face value. The manual's full title is Defending Your Castle: Build Catapults, Crossbows, Moats, Bulletproof Shields, and More Defensive Devices to Fend Off the Invading Hordes. It's a mouthful. A mouthful that's chock full of instructions on how to build a garage full of ancient artillery and fortifications. So even if your castle is more like a 1,500-square-foot rambler, you'll be able to guard it against pillagers, scroungers, solicitors, and your neighbor's fat cat Willard like the 21st century knight that you are.
Gurstelle himself is an engineer, and previous author of another bestseller, Backyard Ballistics. In Defending your castle he divides and conquers the likes of Attila and the Huns, Ragnar and the Vikings, Alexander and the Greeks, Genghis Khan and the Mongols, and Tamerlane and the Tartars by chapter. In each he introduces a new motley crew, detailing their conquests, and describing their weapons and fortresses for you to build for yourself. Step-by-step instructions, diagrams, and photographs explain how to develop a dozen different replicas, from tabletop models of the Cheval-de-frise, Da Vinci's Catapult, and Alexander's Tortoise, to a full-size, functional Carpini's Crossbow, Hour-Glass Watchtower, and Palisade Wall. Troubleshooting tips and tips on where to find the best materials are also included.
Gurstelle's publishers would also like to emphasize that Defending your castle takes safety into special consideration, and hopes those using the guide to go all medieval on any punk who threatens their hearth and home will too.
DudeIWantThat.com is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more.
/moon-house-kit-62332.jpg?mode=crop "Moon House Kit")
Moon House Kit
Ever dreamed of your own geodesic dome nestled in nature? Look no further than the Moon House 33' Diameter Dome Framing Kit. This DIY marvel transforms 986 sq. ft of space into a sanctuary that defies traditional architecture...
/build-your-own-burp-fart-62316.jpg?mode=crop "Build Your Own Burp & Fart Machine")
Build Your Own Burp & Fart Machine
Whoever said learning can't be fun clearly hasn't seen the E-Blox Building Blocks STEM Circuit Kit - a wild ride into the world of sounds that are guaranteed to raise an eyebrow (or plug a nose). Get ready to dive into...
/gablok-diy-wood-block-house-45510.jpg?mode=crop "Gablok DIY Wood Block House Kit")
Gablok DIY Wood Block House Kit
Gablok had a vision: a LEGO house that was life-size. Structurally sound. Insulated and livable. Up to code. And like the building bricks and blocks of our childhoods, constructed by our own hands...
/ultimate-guide-to-home-repair-62287.jpg?mode=crop "Ultimate Guide to Home Repair and Improvement")
Ultimate Guide to Home Repair and Improvement
Oh, so you think you're the ultimate DIY master now, huh? The "Ultimate Guide to Home Repair and Improvement, 3rd Updated Edition" is here to test your mettle. This beefy tome is like the holy bible of home improvement...
/18-gifts-for-makers-52774.jpg?mode=crop "18 Gifts for Makers, Tinkerers, Crafters & Hobbyists")
18 Gifts for Makers, Tinkerers, Crafters & Hobbyists
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy...no wait, that's not it. Maker, Tinkerer, Crafter, Hobbyist. You're the subject of today's gift guide. And, unlike the aforementioned Gary Oldman film, it's a gift guide that has nothing...
The Chaos Machine
Chaos is an area of mathematics that studies complex systems and the mind-blowing effects seemingly small, inconsequential changes can have on them. Dr. Ian Malcolm used one example of the Chaos in action, the Butterfly...
Kano - Simple DIY Computer
Simple as LEGO, powered by Pi. The Raspberry techie kind, not the 3.14Infinity kind. Or the fruit kind for that matter, but a DIY mini computer powered by flaky-crusted dessert might be the one element to rocket launch...
/the-chteau-de-vigny-16283.jpg?mode=crop "The Chateau de Vigny")
The Chateau de Vigny
You know, I've been thinking it's getting to be about time I move out of my mama's house...
/the-14-best-diy-build-kits-45455.jpg?mode=crop "The 14 Best DIY Build Kits")
The 14 Best DIY Build Kits
I was going to call this roundup of the 14 best DIY build kits "America's Next Top Models," but I realized a lot of the finished products all you fine makers and builders are going to end up with aren't models at all...
/ultra-low-profile-offset-61407.jpg?mode=crop "Ultra Low Profile Offset Screwdriver Set")
Ultra Low Profile Offset Screwdriver Set
Sure does suck when you need to screw, but all the tools you've got to do it with are just too big. Too long. Too high-profile. Am I right, dudes? Am I right, ladies? Am I right, Henry Cavill? So let's all take a moment...
/the-ragcutter-61147.jpg?mode=crop "The RagCutter")
The RagCutter
A big rag is such a drag. Let the RagCutter halve them, or quarter them, or slice them into itsy bitsy pieces of rag confetti, so every rag that wipes, shines, and soaks up for you henceforth is the perfect size...
/diy-cardboard-masks-14693.jpg "DIY Cardboard Masks")
DIY Cardboard Masks
If you've left costume planning for your Halloween, or Eyes Wide Shut, party to the 11th hour, Steve Wintercroft may have a downloadable solution for you. I say "may" because his nifty animal, skull, and humanoid masks...