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The Complete Guide to Home Wiring- A Comprehensive Manual- from Basic Repairs to Advanced Projects

5 stars (Excellent book!) - Very pleased! This book is clear and invaluable for teaching you all about wiring - especially if you've never done it before! 5 stars (I did it!) - I compared this book to many others (including the Home Depot book mentioned in another review) before I bought it, and this one seemed to be the most comprehensive, clear and concise for my purposes. I used this book to help guide me through wiring portion in the process of ripping out my entire basement (all the way to the block walls) and rebuilding it. This is a fifty year old house with old "ragwire" wiring, which I replaced as I did the new work. I used the information in the book to do my electrical permit drawings which flew through the permit office with no comments from the reviewer. I installed multiple remote controlled recessed and surface-mounted lighting fixtures and networked the house for computer, video, audio and telephone by following the well-illustrated and clearly written directions in the book. The circuit diagrams proved especially helpful in wiring the multiple-switched and zoned lighting fixtures. All of the work passed the rough-in and final inspections by the electrical inspector without a single comment or change, and not once did I need to call in a professional electrician. I have several more projects on the agenda, including wiring my large shed, some low-voltage landscape lighting and a complete remodeling of the 50 year old kitchen and bathrooms, and this book includes all of the required information. I know I won't need to buy any other DIY books on the subject of wiring in order to finish the projects. Based on the quality and ease-of-use of this book, I went out and bought the Black & Decker book on plumbing. If you are remodeling (or just installing a ceiling fan) and want to save a ton of cash by doing your own electrical work, I highly recommend this book. 2 stars (OK, but not very advanced) - This book is fine for basic electrical work. But there a...
Creative Publishing International :: United States :: Home Improvement :: Maintenance and repair :: House & Home :: Home Improvement & Construction :: Electric wiring :: Interior :: Electric equipment :: :: The Complete Guide to Home Wiring- A Comprehensive Manual- from Basic Repairs to Advanced Projects (

 

Concrete at Home - Innovative Forms and Finishes- Countertops- Floors- Walls- and Fireplaces

5 stars (An excellent guide to incorporating concrete's positive qualities into a home) - Fu-Tung Cheng and Eric Olsen's Concrete At Home may sound like an unlikely mix for a home environment, but when used property, concrete can look and feel soft and warm while retaining extra durability. Cheng demonstrates how to mix colors and textures for this effect, from achieving a translucent effect to using thermal foam insulation to provide insulation to concrete, which typically has no insulating qualities to speak of. An excellent guide to incorporating concrete's positive qualities into a home. 5 stars (An excellent guide to incorporating concrete's positive qualities into a home) - Fu-Tung Cheng and Eric Olsen's Concrete At Home may sound like an unlikely mix for a home environment, but when used property, concrete can look and feel soft and warm while retaining extra durability. Cheng demonstrates how to mix colors and textures for this effect, from achieving a translucent effect to using thermal foam insulation to provide insulation to concrete, which typically has no insulating qualities to speak of. An excellent guide to incorporating concrete's positive qualities into a home. 5 stars (Mr. Cheng inspires) - Fu-Tung Cheng's latest book "Concrete At Home" is a wonderful journey to what is possible in home design using concrete as the expressive medium. It is full of wonderful photographs illustrating projects underway and in their finished appearance. I believe it's intent was mostly to excite and inspire and not be a step-by-step guide. With so many preconceptions out there about how things "should" look and be constructed, Fu-Tung Cheng has had the patience and inspiration to bring a whole new aesthetic to the discerning homeowner. While many projects showcased in "Concrete At Home" were for those with deeper pockets, I believe Mr. Cheng offers this timeless body of work as a place from which those of more modest means will be inspired to have the b...
The Taunton Press :: House & Home & Design & Construction :: Methods & Materials :: Materials :: House & Home :: Home Maintenance And Repair :: Home Improvement & Construction :: Dwel :: Concrete at Home - Innovative Forms and Finishes- Countertops- Floors- Walls- and Fireplaces

 

The Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair- With 350 Projects and 2300 Photos Black - Decker

5 stars (Invaluable Resource) - We recently purchased an old home with lots of "problems". I borrowed this book from my local library (along with Black & Decker's Home Improvement) and was amazed at how clear and detailed it was. I think the best part is how they use real photos of everything, and not sketches. There are well over 2000 photos. Within days, I was dealing with and solving basement issues, plumbing problems, electrical outlets, and many more things that I did not even thing of. The books helped so much that I decided to go ahead and purchase them here on Amazon. There are countless home improvement books out there and some rank better than others. From what I've seen, the Black & Decker series ranks at the top and are an invaluable resource. It literally pays for itself with all the money saving tips and instructions. I recommend this book, along with Black & Decker's Home Improvement and Outdoor to anyone looking to save money on home repairs. 5 stars (My new favorite home repair guide) - A good home repair guide is an absolute requirement for those of us who know very little about home repair but feel the urge on occasion to tackle some of those odd jobs around the house. While there are many guides on the market today the best ones have an abundance of photographs or detailed illustrations to help the reader see what they are supposed to be doing. With over 2,300 photos Black and Decker's The Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair is the epitome of this class of books. Processes and techniques are described step by step in detail with no prior knowledge assumed. Everything is so well done anyone can complete any of the projects if they can read and follow directions. I've had several home repair books, but this one just became my top choice for the one I want to have around as my primary reference. The Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair is a very highly recommended book for every homeowner or handyman. ...
Creative Publishing International :: Repair :: Remodeling & Renovation - General :: Maintenance and repair :: House & Home :: Home Improvement & Construction :: Dwellings :: Do-It-Yourself - General :: :: The Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair- With 350 Projects and 2300 Photos (Black - Decker)

 

Sports Fields- A Manual for Construction and Maintenance

Sports Fields: A Manual for Construction and Maintenance...
John Wiley - Sons :: Architecture & Landscape :: United States :: Technology & Industrial Arts :: Sports facilities :: Maintenance and repair :: Life Sciences - Horticulture :: Landsc :: Sports Fields- A Manual for Construction and Maintenance

 

Insulate and Weatherize - Expert Advice from Start to Finish Taunton-s Build Like a Pro

5 stars (Essential reading for every homeowner!) - Insulating your house is fraught with dangers and there are lots of sharks out there only too delighted to take your money and ruin your house. Although I am still learning this stuff, I'm still confident that I know more than most of the insulation contractors that have come through my door. Scary, isn't it? The dangers of doing it wrong aren't just a waste of money. There is a real risk of mold in the short term and rot in the long term. Read this book, but let it be your first step. See the Taunton forums at their web page, the Building Sciences Corp web page, and do your homework before you let anyone do anything to your house. I agree with a previous reviewer that a weakness of this book is its lack of step-by-step guides, and as a complete novice on house construction I had to look elsewhere for some of the terminology. But I'm still giving it 5 stars just because it has so much important information, to counteract all the misinformation and misconceptions out there. 3 stars (Very useful overview, but not a step-by-step manual) - This was one of the first books that I bought after purchasing an older, leaky home. And not having insulated a house for ten years or so, and knowing many people with rigid-insulated McMansions, it was a relief to see a book that treats insulation as something to be planned, like any other infrastructural component, not just done ad hoc. Like other Taunton publications, this one is nicely laid out and designed. However, as an amateur, I wanted to see a game plan that I could follow, including which tasks I could be expected to do reasonably well myself, and which things should be left to a professional. Sure, this advice is scattered in the content, but having something like a checklist and timetable would make this a great reference, not just a great overview. 5 stars (Clears up common misconceptions about insulation) - I am very pleased with this book. In addition to covering...
Taunton :: House & Home & Reference :: Sealing (Technology) :: Repair :: Insulation :: House & Home :: Home Maintenance And Repair :: Home Improvement & Construction :: Dwelli :: Insulate and Weatherize - Expert Advice from Start to Finish (Taunton-s Build Like a Pro)

 

Wooden Boat Renovation- New Life for Old Boats Using Modern Methods

3 stars (Great read, but a bit thin in critical areas) - This is a very entertainingly written book, essential for anyone restoring a wooden boat - worth it as a fun read alone. Good general introductory information about wooden boat types and construction, very good information about planning and initiating projects, tools, and repairing holes in a wooden hull. Sadly, the book is a bit thin in some critical areas: the section on hull refinishing is insubstantial, unclear, and confusing. Also his information on the use of expoxies and their derivatives for hull strengthening is a bit dated - you need to look further to get the best info here, and this is a critical area. (I also take issue with his promotion of fiberglassing wooden hulls, but this is more in the area of a personal disagreement than a problem with the book.) Of course, with any ambitious project you'll have a stable of books, and be sure to add this one. Or get it for sure if you're an armchair boat refurbisher. But if your primary interest is refinishing the hull, look elsewhere. 5 stars (Great Read) - I found the book both entertaining and very useful. The author adds humor as well as knowledge which means you read for the enjoyment as well as the practical skills you will obtain. The author covers every aspect from searching for a boat , restoring , repairing and the all important how to get a good fininsh on your final product. Would recommend this book to anyone considering doing restoration work on a wooden boat regardless of size. Just completed my last restoration project using this book and very satisfied with the results. 3 stars (Decent info - but proceed with caution.) - The previous reviews touch on the good points of this book, so I won't bother to repeat these. Suffice to say, there's plenty of good info to be had from this book. I would however express one word of caution. It has to do with the author's tendancy to push the reader toward approaches and methods t...
International Marine-Ragged Mountain Press :: Sports & Recreation & Boating :: Woodwork - General :: Woodwork :: Wooden boats :: Sports & Recreation :: Small Craft Maintenance And Repair :: Ships & Shipbuildi :: Wooden Boat Renovation- New Life for Old Boats Using Modern Methods

 

Bicycling Magazine-s Complete Guide to Bicycle Maintenance and Repair - For Road and Mountain Bikes

5 stars (Can't be beat for price and quality) - After looking at several other bicycle repair manuals, it was a joy to come across this book that is just right on the money. Todd Downs's book about bicycling repair is something that belongs on the bookshelf (or in the garage) of every bicyclist out there. The book easily pays for itself many times over by giving the novice bicycle mechanic the guidance and instruction in doing his own repairs. The book is also interesting to read. Downs explains the pros and cons of the various types of components out there, and gives the reader advice for how to best use and care for his bicycle. The photgraphs are clear and plentiful, never leaving you wondering what you're supposed to do, and give you the confidence to tackle just about any job. Where other books seem to err by giving the reader too little information - or overwhelming the reader with too much - this book strikes a great balance. Every part of the bicycle is covered in its entirety, and this book should work for just about every cyclist out there, whether you're a road warrior, hard-core mountain biker, or just enjoy a casual ride to the coffee shop on Sunday mornings. In addition to just straight repair and maintenance, the book is filled with good advice. I particularly liked when Downs would tell the reader if a troublesome part was better off being repaired or replaced entirely. If you ride a bike, you really should own a repair manual, and this is the best one I've seen so far. 5 stars (Dirt is it's destiny.) - My copy of Todd Downs' book is destined to get dirty-- dirty with the grit and grime of a bicycle in need of maintenance and repair. Modern bikes are more complex and more expensive than ever. Nowadays it's hard to just "wing it" if you want to do your own repairs. This book has really helped me to catch up on modern bike technology and gain a better understanding of my two-month-old Gary Fisher. The book is quite comprehen...
Rodale Books :: Sports & Recreation & Cycling :: Sports & Recreation :: Sports :: Repair :: Maintenance and repair :: Handbooks :: manuals :: etc :: Cycling - General :: Cycles - Repai :: Bicycling Magazine-s Complete Guide to Bicycle Maintenance and Repair - For Road and Mountain Bikes

 

Barnett-s Manual- Analysis and Procedures for Bicycle Mechanics 4 Vol Set

5 stars (Best bicycle repair manuals out there !!) - At over 1000 pages (grease-resistant), a binding format that separates this massive book into four easy-to-handle volumes (and allows you to transfer the pages to a ring-binder, if preferred), every little detail the novice needs, all the advanced information the experienced mechanic wants, quick-find chapter dividers, and comprehensive coverage of all parts of the bike and all technologies are just some of the features that make this manual the bicycle tool you can't do without. More than a thousand computer-generated illustrations with phenomenal detail and clarity are used. More than ever, words and pictures are used together to optimize and simplify understanding. There are recommendations and procedures for numerous new tools introduced since 2000. Almost 200 additional forks and shocks covered in their new release fifth edition (available on their website. Look for BBinstitute or Barnett Bicycle Institute using Google). Dozens of new disc brakes covered. Integrated headsets now covered. Expanded coverage of Campagnolo products. Procedures for servicing newer models of pedals and cartridge-bearing hubs added. Wheel-building procedures for low-spoke-count and paired-spoke wheels. Procedures in every chapter have been refined and expanded. Best there is out there for sure. Great investment. Not a waiste of money ! 5 stars (This is what you're searching for.) - Don't waste your money on those paperbacks that clutter the sports sections of Barnes & Noble and Borders. The Nashbar & Performance Bike offerings are just as inadequate. By the time you've spent $10-$20 each on 2 or 3 of those anecdotal "manuals" with their "fits all" diagrams, you can almost pay the Amazon discounted price for this........... .........THE REAL THING. 5 stars (Comprehensive with many details, yet perhaps a little dated) - I haven't seen any bicycle maintenance books that come close to providing the kind of detail that Barnett'...
VeloPress :: Sports & Recreation :: Sports :: Maintenance and repair :: Handbooks :: manuals :: etc :: General :: Engineering - Mechanical :: Cycling - General :: Bicycles :: John Bar :: Barnett-s Manual- Analysis and Procedures for Bicycle Mechanics (4 Vol Set)

 

Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance

4 stars (new edition coming out soon) - This book was one of the best in 2000, but is now a little dated. Watch out for a new edition in late 2005, which should have improved coverage for recent hardware. 5 stars (Zen-like as the title implies) - The key to this book is its attitude which can't be better. This is an all positive upbeat book full of valuable information - assuming you have interest in the topic. I believe that all people can do many fix it tasks if they approach these tasks with a cool, positive mindset. This book parallels my thoughts and if you follow along, you will also find that you can do anything on your bicycle right up to building your own custom starting from a frameset. When reading about this book, I was skeptical about the illustraions in lieu of photographs, but now that I've used the book, I think the author very wise to have taken this approach. A good illustrator can bring out subtle aspects of the topic which would be lost in the clutter of a photograph. The only folks who wouldn't benefit from this book are those who know enough already to write it. I can't recommend it highly enough for the rest of us. 5 stars (Basic anatomy for the cycle surgeon) - I found Zinn's book to be an elegantly simplified explanation of the bicycle's parts and how they work together. Rather than trying to be a comprehensive reference manual for the professional bike mechanic, this book focusses of skill that will be helpful to the rider. For example, it gives you periodic maintainence routines to help you prevent breakdowns and keep your bike running smoothly. The book is further broken down into chapters that deal with the different functions your bike performs; shifting, braking, drivetrain and the like. Though I mostly use this as a reference manual, in order to make specific adjustments and repairs, I find that is teaching me a lot about how the bike functions as a whole. As a person who is new to the sport, the book has greatly increase...
VeloPress :: Sports & Recreation :: Sports :: Reference :: Maintenance and repair :: Cycling - General :: Bicycles :: Todd Telander :: Lennard Zinn :: Jonathan Vaughters :: :: Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance