Discover the latest in technology, engineering, and tools with Popular Mechanics. Plus, get essential advice on your home and car, useful DIY ideas, in-depth explanations on how things work, and more!
SAVING GREEN WHILE STAYING GREEN • AN ECO-CONSCIOUS CONTRACTOR FINDS A PARTNER IN THE HOME DEPOT’S PRO XTRA PROGRAM
A Grown-Up Teen Driver
Popular Mechanics
POPULAR WISDOM • What we’re up to beyond these pages
LARGE PHOTO OF THE MONTH
Should Humans Still Spacewalk? • Robots can handle many dangerous jobs. But sometimes, you need an astronaut’s brain.
Tools Designed for Zero Gravity • Sipping coffee, jotting down notes, going for a jog—astronauts want to do all the normal stuff we do. Here’s how the tools we take for granted are modified to work in space.
How They Pulled Off the Forklift Scene in Child’s Play
When you see a pack of motorcyclists with matching jackets, where are they going?
An Idea Takes Its Time • The concept for a geared rowing device came to Randy Artruc in ’88. The design in ’94. The patent? Last year.
Knife City • Portland, Oregon, is home to more knife companies than any other U.S. city. These blades explain why.
ASK ROY
THE 78TH ANNUAL FATHER OF THE YEAR AWARDS
The Biggest Thing Since Penicillin • Dozens of biotech companies are targeting your microbiome to create a whole new class of drugs.
Chasing Craigslist Dreams • Driving away from a bad deal.
The Classic of ’80s Muscle
Road Tested: Chevy, Nissan, Toyota
Buy, Lease—or Subscribe? • There are more ways than ever to acquire a car. Here’s how to choose the right one.
A NASA Architect Designed a Camper • Bringing the minimalist comforts of space habitats to the campsite.
How I Learned to Build with Metal • When my Jeep needed more storage, I learned how to build it with the help of a metalworker.
The Ol’ Crowbar/Bicycle Inner-Tube Trick
Really Good Coffee • Even a small investment can have a huge—and delicious—payoff.
Where to Start
Three Basic Brews
The Mechanics for Iconic Campers • After living on the road in a classic VW Westfalia, Dave Phelps created a business that helps others do the same.
THE SHOPPABLE LIFE
THE 2019 POPULAR MECHANICS TOOL AWARDS • Every year, hundreds of new tools are released. Some are just updates, with a longer-lasting battery, more torque, or an expanded set of socket sizes or adapters. But some are true innovations——tools that will make your job or project easier. Those are the tools we selected. After two months of methodical testing, these are the best new tools you can buy this year.
The DAY The TOWN BLEW UP • Last fall, a sudden gas-pipeline accident destroyed dozens of homes near Boston: 141 fires, five explosions, 21 serious injuries, and one death—in a single evening.
LUG NUTS, FRIED BOLOGNA, AND THE LOUDEST THRILL IN SPORTS • WHEN I TOOK MY FAMILY TO THEIR FIRST NASCAR RACE, I DECIDED TO DO IT RIGHT—IN AN RV PARKED IN THE INFIELD. AND WHEN SOMEONE INVITED ME ONTO A DECREPIT SCHOOL BUS FOR A JELL-O SHOT, I DID THAT RIGHT, TOO.
BUILD A BACKYARD BIKE WASH • All you need is a hose, a hacksaw, and some PVC parts. Grab an adult assistant and get creative!
THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT BEES
FUN!
PAINTING • A paintbrush is one of the simplest tools there is. But you have to know how to use it correctly.
SUPER MARIO MAKER 2
CREDITS
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