James Ballou tapped a nerve with his best-selling Makeshift Workshop Skills for Survival and Self-Reliance, and now he’s back with even more plans, projects, and concepts for do-it-yourself craftsmen, preppers, and anyone interested in creative improvised workshop methods. Get set to learn how to make dozens of useful items out of nothing more than scrounged materials or common, inexpensive products found in every home. MORE HOMEMADE TOOLS AND HARDWARE—When there is no hardware store, you’ll need to know how to make your own tools and parts. Learn even more clever ways to make your own screwdrivers, scissors, saws, screws, nuts, hinges . . . MORE MANUALLY POWERED MACHINES—When there is no electricity, manually powered machines will need to replace your power tools. Learn how to make workshop machines operated by foot pedals, hand cranks, treadles, spring-poles . . MORE MAKESHIFT CONSTRUCTION—When you’re low on cash, it’s convenient to be able to construct your own useful things instead of shelling out money at the store. Now you can create all sorts of functional items out of discarded plastic, scrap metal, duct tape, empty bottles, spent ammo . . . MORE MAKESHIFT MINDSET—When you can’t just drop by the store for the parts or tools needed to complete a project, your most important tool will be your mind. Ballou helps you develop a “makeshift mindset” so you, too, can come up with unconventional ways to accomplish your workshop goals . . . All this, plus even more intriguing projects that are not only practical to have but fun to build. Learn how to assemble your own hand truck out of ordinary steel pipe, form a handsome knife sheath and pistol holster out of a worn-out bucket, put together a spectacular pedal-powered lathe out of common lumber and parts, and much more!

Global economic meltdown. Widespread natural disaster. Disease pandemic. It doesn't matter the cause. In the coming Dark Age, the delicate supply infrastructures of modern society will collapse, and you will no longer have access to groceries, gasoline . . . or guns. The time to assemble your arsenal is now, says author Jim Ballou, and here he guides you through the many crucial factors you must consider when selecting firearms for a post-apocalyptic future. Some of the topics he covers include: What are the five basic questions you must ask yourself when selecting any handgun, rifle, or shotgun for the apocalypse? How can you squeeze surprisingly useful, life-saving service from older or low-value firearms? What vital support gear must you have when you are forced to become your own gun shop? Which types of ammunition will not only serve your survival needs, but also be available in quantity when ordinary sources run dry? What roles can multi-caliber guns, backup guns, and alternative weapons to conventional firearms play in your survival plans? What practical modifications can you make to your guns to make them more suitable for post-apocalypse survival? Given how critical weapons will become in an age when you may have to hunt for meat or defend yourself against numerous post-apocalyptic threats, the more you must force yourself to consider all the pertinent factors now . . . while you still can. Because when the world starts to crumble, you won't have time to select firearms—that's when you lock and load!