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Astragal Press – Old Tool and Craft Books

Astragal Press

A while ago, Mr Ryan recommended the above shop, Astragal Press. With smallish but very specialised sections of books on antique tools, crafts, horse drawn carriages and sleighs, steam engines and blacksmithing (amongst others) I’m sure the more hands-on of Steampunk fans could find something here to help with their projects. Personally, I’m always tempted by ‘Five Hundred and Seven Mechanical Movements‘ – but you already know my weakness for cogs and gears, I’m sure – like a Steampunk coffee-table reference book. Oh, and for those like myself who were wondering what an Astragal was, there’s a good page here.

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 28th, 2007 at 3:00 pm by Tinkergirl and is filed under Books.

fciron

Oh my,

Astragal and Lindsay are indeed hard on one's pocketbook. Alas the universal penetration of the internet means that old technical books can no longer be found at out-of-the-way booksellers for mere pennies. These reprints are a fine resource.

The old one's do look nicer on the shelf and I like to see who has written their name and the date in the front.

AP

507 Mech. Moves. isn't a coffee table book (very small paperback) but it is fantastic reading. Working through a movement or two every night before bed is a great way to excersize the brain.

Nick

Neither catalog (Astragal or Lindsays) is good for the health of the wallet.

Check out all the books on Ornamental Turning (Holtzapffel, etc.) for true Victorian insanity.

Parsolamew

I found 507 Mechanical Movements in a different catalog of how-to books, which range from modern(ish) to 17th century. Has a huge section on steam engines as well, which always gets my blood pumping. http://lindsaybks.com/ Now, of course, you've given me another catalog to drool over. And me with a birthday coming up.

Curses.