This is Don's book recommendation:
I'm recommending an old friend this week, a book I've had around the house for decades entitled "The Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual." The copy I have was published by Reader's Digest in 1973.
The more modern and up-to-date version is published by Family Handy, but it's the same book (with updated codes and the integration of more modern construction and appliance repair instruction).
It really is a masterpiece of info for the DIY types, including such diverse information as cutting and repairing wallboard, refinishing hardwood floors, addressing household pests, installing a combo tub/shower, working with metal, etc.
My older copy is 592 pages of incredibly useful information. Want to put in a septic system? It's in there. Install tile? Got it. Eliminate floor squeaks? Yep. Honestly, this book is packed.
Now to be fair, the articles on each subject are fairly short. Reading the section on plumbing won't make you a plumber, but it will allow you to do a whole lot of fixes by yourself – so maybe you won't need to call one.
I highly recommend this book to the handy homeowner.
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For our non-book product review, I'm recommending a Christmas present Older Daughter gave me a couple years ago: A kitchen compost bucket.
Hoooh boy, do I use this bucket. In years past, I've used #10 tin cans and various other thrift-store cobbled-together containers in the kitchen, and invariably they would smell bad AND attract fruit flies in droves.
Not this baby. It comes with a filter in the lid that (gasp) actually works. No odors, no fruit flies.
The bucket I have has a matt-copper finish and has the Red Factor label. It's a little pricier at $45. However there are less expensive versions (such as this one by Utopia) for about $28. While they look identical in function and I suspect they're made by the same manufacturer, I do not personally own the Utopia version.
(Obligatory disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, if you purchase through those links, we earn a small commission.)
I got very excited at the Reader's Digest Manual- you see, my ex-husband was gifted a copy of the 1991 version when we got our first condo in 1996 and it helped him immensely. My current husband can do most things but nobody can do EVERYTHING and I've never been able to remember what that book was. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteActually there is a newer version of the Reader's Digest version from 1991, it's called the New Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual. We have both, and they are pretty similar, but the newer one has info on stuff from the 70s and 80s as well.
ReplyDeleteWe have that book, too! We love it and have used it for everything. My mother gave us her copy when we got married. I think it's a family heirloom at this point.
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