Library offers guides for spring DIY projects
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Looking to improve your home? The St. Joseph Public Library has lots of books to help you get started. This is part one of our handyman book reviews, with part two coming in May. These books are available at the St. Joseph Public Library, at other Missouri Evergreen libraries or from one of the SJPL eContent vendors. Visit the library’s catalog at sjpl.modiscovery.org to find these or other great books to enjoy.
-- "Woodworking: The Complete Step-by-Step Manual" by Alan Bridgewater. Divided into four major categories, tools, techniques, woods and projects, this book makes it easy to find what you need. The table of contents breaks down each section further. Tools are subdivided into hand tools, power tools, stationary and machine tools. Woods are subdivided into softwoods, hardwoods and veneers. Twenty-seven types of joints are illustrated. Projects range from small projects to more intricate projects. Extensive photos match detailed instructions. A glossary and index are included.
-- "Bookcases, Built-ins & Cabinets" by Taunton Press. For the more advanced woodworker, this book is well illustrated and presents some distinctive projects. Divided into "Basics," "Bookcases and Shelves," "Built-ins" and "Cabinets," differing styles are included, from arts and crafts to modern. A desk that converts into a “Murphy” style bed, kitchen cabinets and an island as well as bookcases and cabinets are a few projects included. Well-illustrated, this book is for the craftsman or a person looking for ideas. Taunton Press produces both Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding magazines.
-- "Family Handyman Whole House Repair Guide" by Home Service Publications. More than 300 repair topics are covered, from the quick and easy fixes to the more labor intensive. Step-by-step instructions with more than 850 illustrations give the unhandy homeowner a fighting chance to fix their problems. Tips from the professionals are provided. The 100 problems you can handle in 20 minutes section is a good starting point. Appliances, furniture, pest control and cleaning various surfaces are included topics. The chapter headings are supplemented with an index that includes problems, tools and parts.
-- "The Family Handyman: Handy Hints" by Home Service Publications. This book is a compilation of hacks that is interesting to read for fun and you will learn something new. It is full of simple ways to solve problems. Categories include cleaning, organization, maintenance, safety and security, everyday solutions and tools and techniques. Learn about cleaning antique bottles and jars with BBs, washing your shower curtain with vinegar to help kill mold or mildew and making a soaker bucket to water shrubs.
-- "The Holmes Manual: Expert Answers to Your Most Common Home Maintenance Questions" by Mike Holmes. According to Holmes, always work from the outside in and from the top down to protect your investment. The book moves downward through the house to the basement and foundation, ending with materials, finishes, household hazards and pests and an index. The book is full of little informative side notes. At Map-Testing.com you can see the efficiency of your toilet. Or you can figure out how warm or bright a replacement bulb is by reading its Kelvin score.
