Complete Do-it-yourself Manual

by Reader's Digest Association (Editor)

Learn how to do-it-yourself when something in your house breaks.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, How To, Home Improvement, Survival, Architecture

600 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

The Reader's Digest Association, Inc. is a global media and direct marketing company based in Chappaqua, New York, best known for its flagship publication founded in 1922, Reader's Digest. The company's headquarters are in New York City, where it moved from Pleasantville, New York.

The company was founded by DeWitt and Lila Wallace in 1922 with the first publication of Reader's Digest magazine, but has grown to include a diverse range of magazines, books, music, DVDs and online content.

Reviews

[ij · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 2 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[K. K. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found it to be nothing more than nostalgic. Contents were often unhelpful and better information can be found online.

[Bridges Washington · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[James Lan · Rating 4 out of 5]

washing machine

[AL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for the old style handy man

[Foxtower · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[S]

643.7 N

[Nathanial · Rating 1 out of 5]

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

[Cws]

643.7 Rea

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should come with every house in North America!

[Halina · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Kenneth Thompson · Rating 1 out of 5]

how do read this book?

[wueasa]

Nat reckons this one is the best of the lot. Concise and clearly illustrated even for the novice.

[Judy Nappa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent book for DIYers.