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Reddit mentions of The Complete Do-it-Yourself Manual Newly Updated

Sentiment score: 16
Reddit mentions: 22

We found 22 Reddit mentions of The Complete Do-it-Yourself Manual Newly Updated. Here are the top ones.

The Complete Do-it-Yourself Manual Newly Updated
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    Features:
  • Simon Schuster
Specs:
Height8.5 Inches
Length11 Inches
Number of items1
Release dateOctober 2014
Weight4.63 Pounds
Width1.4 Inches

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Found 22 comments on The Complete Do-it-Yourself Manual Newly Updated:

u/ITchick2014 · 7 pointsr/HomeImprovement

Some things I would do in addition to changing locks and a deep clean...

Test out and explore the circuit breaker. Know what does what outlets/lights/etc.

Replace all of the smoke detectors if you don't know how old they are. Most are only rated for 10 years. Get a CO combo unit as well. Could save your life later. Pick up a fire extinguisher as well and check it whenever you check your fridge filter (or furnace filter if the fridge doesn't have water filter).

Clean your oven. Always good to have a fresh start.

Have stained woodwork? Invest in a wax stick and stain marker that matches the existing trim to repair any nicks and scratches that happen when you move in :)

Most importantly...remember there is no rush on many repairs. Water is something best repaired as soon as discovered...but little things you may find annoy you (like the off-white outlets and switches) are things you can tackle whenever you deem fit. Owning a home is not as difficult as many people make it out to be. You already have found a good resource. Here is another one I would suggest:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1621452018/ref=dp_ob_neva_mobile

Most of all...enjoy your home. Remember to relax and share it with others...especially those you care about. Wish you the best!

u/bloobal00 · 6 pointsr/HomeImprovement

my uncle gave me an old copy of his from the 80s when i moved into my house a couple years ago. some of the things like electrical are outdated but a lot of it is still relevant. it makes all of these big projects sound doable, even for someone like me who can’t drill a screw in straight.

i believe the most current edition on sale for only $24 on amazon right now.

u/MrTheorem · 6 pointsr/HomeImprovement

The Reader's Digest Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual is a pretty awesome and comprehensive book to have around. The most recent edition was edited by the editors of Family Handyman magazine.

I started subscribing to Fine Homebuilding when I bought a house. Even though it's pitched to architects and builders, it has several how-to articles that are intelligently written accessible to all. It's not like they're trying to teach an electrician about circuits, but instead, for example, it'd be carpenters learning about circuits. Reading it over the years has definitely made me more aware of many aspects of my home.

u/Ferrisimo1701 · 5 pointsr/ftm

This book has really great reviews: https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Yourself-Manual-Newly-Updated/dp/1621452018/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1481734426&sr=1-1&keywords=home+improvement+book

Also I second the Youtube suggestion! My 70 year old step dad who isn't great at home improvement and is even worse with computers successfully repaired our washer with the help from Youtube.

u/jspurlin03 · 5 pointsr/HomeImprovement

Family Handyman magazine is a good one for the stage you’re at. Sign up for their email list of tips; I have and often find something useful in their newsletter emails.

Familiarizing yourself with the basic tools you need — various simple manual hand tools and their use, simple power hand tools and their use — that is a good first step.

Learning to use tools in the proper way will prevent you from inadvertently making some ill-advised-but-common mistakes, and will help keep you safe in the meantime. (For example— Could one use a flathead screwdriver as a rock chisel? Perhaps. Should you? No, and there are reasons for that and better tools for the job.)

Books like this one:
The Complete Do-it-Yourself Manual Newly Updated

Should be a good starting point. They’ll cover the basic ways houses are plumbed, wired, and some of the basic building techniques.

If you’re planning to do electrical work around your house, I’m going to highly recommend a non-contact voltage tester because it can tell you when a switch still has electricity live to it. I have a couple of weird wiring configurations (multiple breakers used in the same junction box, from three-way light switches) in our 2015 house, and my tester has saved me from risking getting shocked a couple of times. Being careful is also key, but that sort of tester is a good thing to have.

u/neverJamToday · 5 pointsr/HomeImprovement

Not something people necessarily think of as a "tool" but for anyone looking to take their homeowner game to the next level:

The Reader's Digest Complete Do-it-Yourself Manual

Beyond that, people seem to be covering a lot of stuff, so I'm going to throw some I haven't seen yet that are lifesavers when you need them and not easily "fudged" with some other tool:

  • Nail sets (you can fudge this but they're like $3, worth it)
  • Drill bit stops (you can get by without these, but they're a headache-saver)
  • Retaining ring pliers (seriously, there is NO substitute for these)
  • Long-nose electrician's pliers (not strictly necessary, but will make any wiring job 1,000x faster and easier)
  • Rubber mallet (honestly surprised I didn't see this one on there)
  • Curb key (One of those once-in-a-blue-moon things to need, but if you don't have one, you're calling a plumber.)
  • Tamper (although depending on the scenario, you might be better off renting a gas tamper when you need one)
  • Rope, ratcheting straps, bungee cords, velcro wraps, zip ties, carabiners and other clips, etc. (as much as you can manage to store. There is never not a need for this stuff.)
u/trippknightly · 3 pointsr/HomeImprovement

In this electronic age, there are still some classic books worth having in the toolbox. I think if you want it to be useful and thorough it can't be small.

u/bailtail · 3 pointsr/HomeImprovement

I just purchased the following book, and it's great. Highly recommended.

The Complete Do-it-Yourself Manual Newly Updated https://www.amazon.com/dp/1621452018/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_3-sHzbRJE9KW2

u/jldude84 · 3 pointsr/HomeImprovement

Hmm...most useful things for $300. I would recommend Lowe's/Home Depot, but since you're limited to Amazon....

u/uberphaser · 2 pointsr/AskMen

Invest 25 bucks in a hardcover copy of The Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual it's a TREASURE HOUSE of info. It's also a good barometer for "Should I hire a contractor?" If it's not in there, you should.

u/thisSidehasbirdsonit · 2 pointsr/HomeImprovement

Came here to to say this as well! Use the amazon smile link and donate to charity!

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/1621452018/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

u/mslindz · 2 pointsr/HomeImprovement

Looks like there's a newer one from 2014, which is what I bookmarked to buy. The other poster linked the one from 1991 and then from 2005. There's also an edition from 2009. I searched it on Amazon to make sure I had the most recent version. Thanks for the heads up, though!

u/hilldex · 2 pointsr/DIY

Huh cool! Is it OK that it's 25 years old? I'm new to DIY so I'm not sure how old that is.


EDIT: found a newer version from 2014!

http://www.amazon.com/Complete--Yourself-Manual-Newly-Updated/dp/1621452018/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1464908260&sr=1-1&keywords=Do-It-Yourself+Manual

u/Rick91981 · 2 pointsr/HomeImprovement

Something like THIS is a good start, but really YouTube is probably your best resource.

u/dromio05 · 1 pointr/HomeImprovement

YouTube is good. Google is good. This book is good. Friends and family are good. This sub is good.

A lot of home improvement projects are actually surprisingly simple. Swapping out a light fixture, for example, is usually pretty much just disconnecting a couple wires from the old one and reconnecting them to the new one exactly the same way. Whatever it is, just start small, take your time, triple check everything before you do something irreversible, and remember that it's your house so you want to do it right.

u/goodhumansbad · 1 pointr/CasualConversation
  1. Definitely invest in a good basic home DIY book (you never know when the power/internet will go out and then where will Youtube be as you grapple around in the dark trying to fix your hot water heater?). This is the one my dad has: https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Yourself-Manual-Newly-Updated/dp/1621452018/ref=dp_ob_title_bk

  2. Keep all manuals for appliances and read them (especially things like washers/dryers, ovens, etc.). Proper care will extend the life of all appliances and can prevent dangerous incidents like fires or floods due to misuse or wear & tear.

  3. Prevention is always better than cure! For example, a toilet plunger and a sink plunger are two things you want to have on hand before you need them. Invest in some basic tools - a multihead screwdriver, hammer, wrenches and a power drill will definitely come in handy.

  4. On a similar note, learn where everything is (I know this sounds basic, but you'd be amazed at what people don't know about their own homes) e.g. shutoff valves for each toilet/sink, the shutoff for the water to the whole house, breaker box, etc.

  5. When you're buying the house, ask as many questions as possible before the sale: What kind of wiring does it have? Has the roof been redone recently? How about the brick pointing if applicable? How old is the furnace? Are their warranties on any of the structural elements like the roof? Is it transferable to a new owner? Make sure you know all this stuff and write it down in a "house bible" if you will - that way if something goes wrong and you need to hire a professional, you can answer their questions quickly and efficiently.

  6. Finally, when it comes to fixing things know your limits. It's great to learn DIY and try projects yourself, but remember that there are professionals out there for a reason! If you're not sure, put down the hammer and ask - ask an expert, ask at Home Depot, ask your friends/family, ask the internet, but have all the facts before you start.