1 comments about Woodworking for Dummies.

1. Being a late in life beginning woodworker, I needed something that didn't assume I knew all there was to know about the tools I had and how to bend the wood to my will in order to end up with items I could be proud of. This book helped a lot in that regard. While I won't always use some of the shortcuts and techniques the author recommends, knowing that you can get from point A to point B professionally was a big help. This is a valuable addition to my woodworking reference library and I will refer to it often.

4 comments about Audel Pipefitter's and Welder's Pocket Manual.

1. Although the information in this book is factual, I find that the contents do not match the name of the book. Most of the information should already be known to the tradesman. When looking at a pocket manuel, I am looking for quick referances, pre-figured math tables, and or drawings. A better title for this book would be, Pipefitter's and welder's pocket manuel for beginer's.



2. I've been waiting for a revision of this Audel book for almost 10 years, and it's finally here! I always have a devil of a time finding any useful books about my trade-pipe fitting. The only thing I ever found was the old edition of this book, I guess that reviewer who wrote that review dated 2000 was talking about the old edition because the new one just came out-in late 2003. And what an improvement. I'm giving one to each guy on my crew!



3. I always have this book near me at work. It's an excellent reference, particularly if you're in your first few years in the trade.

   The book has seventeen chapters, plus an appendix. Here's the table of contents from my copy of the book:

   1. Math and Metrics.
   2. Calculating Offsets.
   3. Pipe Welding with Oxyacetylene and Arc.
   4. Automatic Fire Protection Systems.
   5. Steam Heating Systems.
   6. Hot-Water Heating Systems.
   7. Air Conditioning and Refrigeration.
   8. Process Piping Using Plastics.
   9. Grooved-End and Plain-End Piping Systems.
   10. Learning to Use an Instrument Level.
   11. Pneumatic Control Systems.
   12. Gas Piping.
   13. Tungsten Inert Gas Welding.
   14. Trouble-Shooting Tips for Arc Welding.
   15. Pipe Welders' Definitions.
   16. Definitions of Heating and Air Conditioning Terms.
   17. Glossary of Terms Relating to Plastic Piping.




4. Great book that I take every were I Go. One that no welder should be with out.

3 comments about Masonry Design and Detailing.

1. I found the masonry details to be very good in showing how a masonry building goes together and as such would be very good for Architects and Contractors. However, as a Structural Engineer I was looking for a book with more detail regarding the design methods and equations. I was looking for a book that would teach a beginning engineer the basics of masonry design. After the engineer had mastered the basics and could design a masonry building using the equations then, with that understanding and experience, could make use of the design tables in this book.

   We have this book in our library and I can say that it is seldom used. We design masonry buildings using hand calculations, the UBC and computer programs.

   Bottom line is that this book is great for Architects and Contractors building small masonry structures. It is not as useful for the serious Structural engineer.




2. As the previous reviewer, I also am a structural engineer and have not found the book to be very useful for my line of work. It does have some nice details and empirical information that would probably be useful for architects and contractors.



3. If you want to build more than a backyard wall or barbeque, the information contained here will put you on the right track. Most masons will follow a building plan, but this book gives the framework for the plans. This text will cover in depth structural design and problem solving associated with layout, material, and construction of masonry structures.

No comments about Site Planning and Design Handbook.

2 comments about Building Construction: Methods and Materials for the Fire Service (Brady Fire).

1. Being a firefighter involves a pretty wide range of "Knowledges". Nobody could say that they know everything or else that they are self-confident 100% in each areas of "Knowledges". For my part, building construction was (and is still!) an area that I have to study hard. This book, is an excellent tool. Even if my primary spoken language is french (I sure have some basis in english...), I can say that I have improved my knowledge of building construction with the help of that great book!



2. A very detailed and exhaustive text on building construction. This book goes a long way to bring all aspects into play so the firefighter can understand building construction very well.... I am still in the process of finishing the book but it appears to be very good.

1 comments about Planning, Estimating, and Control of Chemical Construction Projects (Cost Engineering).

1. I am about 50% through the book, and it has provided me with a good baseline approach to small & large projects. I have worked in process engineering, manufacturing, and process automation/control, but I have never professionally executed a chemical construction project. The book has everything you need to formalize a project execution methodology, including estimating rules-of-thumb and expected outcomes of each phase in the project. The only problem that I've seen is the author's repeated incorrect usage of the word "insure" -- in most cases, Pablo should have used "ensure". OK, so I'm picky..

4 comments about Total Construction Project Management.

1. Easy and comprehensible step by step guide to project management, very helpful for both experienced and entry level project management engineers



2. This book has the basic knowlegde tha every CM must know, its easy to read, and it give you a better and required professional overview of construccion projects.



3. This book breaks it all down. Time management, budgeting, dealing with staff and technical issues. For those in the field already, its a refresher and a confirmation of what you're doing. For those new to the field, it can serve as an operations manual for guidance. Appendix B that describes the job description is invaluable.



4. Yes, it's the better Construction Project Management Book I have ever read, and I can say that I've read some ones. As the autor states in the second paragraph of the Preface, the book focus on the mental side of CM rather than the technological side. It is, what you will get from the book is the behavioral aspects of CM, the knowledege you need to better manage your construction projects.
   One very good thing I found in the book was the indication of what kind of bibliography, and the right titles, the CM might have in his (her) library. By the way, I could read some books recommended by Ritz, and I can say that the autor have the very reason recommending those tittles.
   I recommended the book to my friends, and recommend it to all of you, because it is one that devote to the every day tasks of the CM, one book that let you to research the way you have to apply the principles stated by the autor. He just direct the way the reader have to behave to be a successful CM. Definitively this book is a must in a CM's personal library. Read It.

No comments about Heavy Construction Cost Data 2008 (Means Heavy Construction Cost Data).

5 comments about Inspecting a House (For Pros by Pros).

1. I purchased this book and found that I should have listened to the bad reviews written about this book before buying. The postive reviews are too good to be true - buyer beware. I agree with the comments of some of the bad reviews exactly:
   "The author of this book needs to learn proper home inspection procedures before he sells himself as knowledgable. I have been inspecting homes for 19 years and often give lectures on the topic. After reading most of this book I realized what a waste of money it was because the information was incorrect or incomplete. I can't believe how many mistakes I found in this book. I'm glad I returned it for a refund on my money but not happy I wasted my time reading it!"
   
   Don't wast your time reading it either!



2. While being far from comprehensive, Cauldwell gives you enough information to get started, and with plenty of photo references-- good beginner's guide



3. Informative and easy to read. A great tool for first time inspector and experienced ones. Also a great resource for homeowners to avoid costly problems.



4. 
   A well written book that is a must for anyone studying to be a home inspector. Good system discriptions, and easy to follow inpsection methods.



5. I'm just an ordinary homeowner, but I found this book "for pros by pros" to be extremely understandable. It has great photos and drawings and the writing is clear and concise. It's a great help for both homeowners and people in the market for a home. I recommend it.

No comments about DEWALT Blueprint Reading Professional Reference (Dewalt Trade Reference Series).