Popular Mechanics South Africa

The South African edition of Popular Mechanics was launched in 2002 and has fast become the acknowledged voice of science and technology in South Africa. Underpinning its rich sci-tech content is an ever-changing mix of articles covering everything from automotive news and outdoor adventures to DIY projects. In essence, it explains how our world works

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Popular Mechanics South Africa

WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND? • WRITE TO US popularmechanics@ramsaymedia.co.za

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

TIME MACHINE • It made per fect sense at the time

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Psychedelic society • In This Is Your Mind On Plants, Michael Pollan explores the mind-altering plants growing in his garden, and yours.

Who is Harley-Davidson? (Who cares?)

Craft brewers have broken the IPA

Tips for brewing an IPA at home • Just like in a professional brewery, making IPA at home is all about the quality and timing of the hops.

Humans can develop a sixth sense, study proves

How visually impaired people develop a new sense

The hidden binary of knitting could create the toughest gear you’ve ever worn

2 essential tips for ultra-tough knits

The US Army’s new goggles let soldiers see right through walls

BATTLEFIELD INNOVATIONS OF THE FUTURE

Elizabeth Ann is the first clone of a US endangered species. She was 33 years in the making

DE-EXTINCTION DEMYSTIFIED • Reviving long-dead animals sounds like sci-fi. But advances in genetic engineering could some day allow scientists to resurrect extinct species like the passenger pigeon, little bush moa, and even the woolly mammoth.

Scientists just figured out how to turn your body into a battery

Sweaty wearables

A small nuclear reactor might help solve Amelia Earhart’s disappearance

A GIANT MYSTERY, SOLVED BY PHYSICS

GEAR & GADGETS • Must-have hardware for humans on the go

CAN AMERICA'S FASTEST SUPER - COMPUTER DEFEAT COVID FOR GOOD?

LONG-TONGUED FLIES: BOLD POLLINATORS OF NAMAQUALAND • The recent discovery of a new fly species deepens our understanding of what it’ll take to conserve a bevy of endemic long-tubed flower species in Namaqualand. But still, there are far more questions than answers.

How ‘bout them apples? • South Africa is known for its delicious fruit, but have you ever thought about what goes into getting those crisp, sweet apples from the orchards to our supermarkets? PM toured the Ceres Fruit Growers facility in Ceres to get the low-down.

WHAT’S FOR LUNCH? • Eating a nutritious lunch is the foundation of a productive afternoon. Prep these three delicious meals beforehand, to optimise the time away from your screen.

POP MECH’s guide to garbage disposals

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING

GET RID OF THAT STINK IN THE SINK

For yard work and more, chainsaws are better when they’re powered by batteries

SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE UP TO 32% • 12 ISSUES FOR ONLY R449

PRO SKILL: THE OPEN-FACE DIRECTIONAL FELLING NOTCH

TRADITIONAL 45° FELLING NOTCH

OPENFACE DIRECTIONAL FELLING NOTCH, 70°

Testing the top battery saws • WHEN TESTING SAWS, WE LOOK FOR HOW WELL AND LONG they cut while mitigating vibration and stalling, taking into account any hesitancy and lack of trigger response. To gauge that performance and expose any of those potential weaknesses, we charged the saws’ batteries and ran them through a truckload of hardwood logs. This involved cutting as many test discs – or ‘cookies’ – as we could on one charge. Also, if the saw had a low threshold for thermal cut-off to protect the battery and circuitry, that showed up because rapid repeat cuts through hardwood generate a lot of heat in the...