New Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual by Readers Digest Association

New Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual Reviews

• 
  ij

  This is a great book for DIYers. I have owned the book for over thirty (30) years, and still use it. I am sure there is a newer version and also plenty of on-site information.
• 
  Chris

  1.5 stars. This book isn't very helpful for those of us who are completely unhandy and unfamiliar with the basics - I think caulking got a couple sentences at most. I've had far better luck getting the sort of detailed info I need from googling. (Apparently painters tape is the secret to professional looking caulking - I'm glad I found that tip, or I'd probably be sitting in my disastrously caulked tub in tears right now.)
• 
  Karin

  All through my childhood, I can recall my father using this manual to build, repair and fix things around our houses from NY to IL. We had what I think is the original printing from 1973. When I bought my first condo in 1993, there were many times that I almost purchased one for myself, but just never did. Imagine my delight when I came home from work one day about a year ago and what was sitting on top of a bunch of stuff that someone left by the recycle bin? Yep, you guessed it - a prized - almost mint condition - 1973 copy! Score!!!! Needless to say, I recommend this manual for all homeowners!
• 
  Kaethe

  My father ordered a lot of Reader's Digest books. I think I'm the only one who ever read them.
• 
  Bridges Washington

  This is the perfect book to give a first-time homeowner. Not the kind of book that you should probably just sit down and read, cover to cover, but a great reference. I have more than 20 years worth of construction-related experience in both design and building, and I still crack this book open from time to time.
  If you are not afraid to get your hands a little dirty, this book has plenty of illustrations, plenty of step-by-step directions to get you through many different levels of home projects. This title can help you build a decent vocabulary so that when you go to your local home improvement store you don't sound like a complete noob.
  A couple of reasons to buy a hardback include the durability of this book and if you do happen to have a power outage that is not throughout the neighborhood you can still get some advice. Don't even think about it, just buy it when you see it.
• 
  AL

  Great for the old style handy man
• 
  Foxtower

  This book provides possible solutions to many problems around the home, or in my case, the farm. I enjoy the clear illustrations with labels that help me understand the principals and helped me communicate my needs at the hardware store. Many of the techniques and materials discussed are hopelessly outdated and often not even available, though I've often learned that the "new and improved" methods in the modern home improvement stores are often just more expensive and not really any better.
  
  The pricipals illustrated are sound. For example, after the mason I hired left me with leaky chimney flashing, I removed the "new and improved" mess he made and adapted the flashing system recommended in this book. Using locally available lead instead of ridiculously expensive copper as presented in this book worked fine, and since I understood the principal of the system the problem was solved, much to the masons embarassment!
• 
  Chava

  This manual teaches about plumbing, electricity, and how to repair things. Most useful, however the part I like the best is the how to make stuff chapter at the back of the book. Need a sofa, kitchen table with chairs, rolling file cabinet, tea tray, brick barbecue? The book tells you how to make these things and more, and has instructive photographs. It's amazing!
  
  Personally, I couldn't master even the tea tray, but I enjoy imagining I could. None of the projects feature a lot of ornamentation; the designs are very clean, like the sort of furniture one would find in a Frank Lloyd Wright house. Very nice!
• 
  Tricia

  The one section I needed iddn't feel like it gave me the information that would be useful, but otherwise it seemed very comprehensive (though perhaps not as good a fit as Collins). Some sections seemed a bit like they were babying too much while others were pushing me to rewire my entire house. The CD seemed a bit pointless and very slow moving with not enough detail.
• 
  Kate

  i don't really have the new copy. i have the old one. it is super-fantastico.
• 
  Nathanial

  tables with labels, step-by-step photographs (with lots of close-ups of hands wielding tools), and technical lingo galore.
• 
  Ashley

  Love love love this book! Thanks to Dad and Karen for the fabulously helpful manual on all things home related...
• 
  Nick

  My favorite!
• 
  Paul Groinus

  This book should come with every house in North America!
• 
  Halina

  This book really gives you almost everything you need to know.
• 
  Katherine

  Have the hardbound version full of images and drawings. This looks complete but not for a modern house.
• 
  Judith

  A decent book for DIYers.