5 comments about Handy Farm Devices: And How to Make Them.

1. The book has a lot of devices that stood the test of time. Is great for those that are woodworkers and also going back to nature. It has money saving ideas that can be used today as the day it was written. I feel worth the money.



2. This book is great with a ton of wonderful ideas. Can't wait to actually sit and read instead of browsing. I've already selected several items that I want to build before the summer is over. Will write more when I read it cover to cover.



3. So far i have only read about a 1/4 of the way through it, but as a machinist/welder by trade, i was expecting a little more detail on the plans and directions. i am not saying it is not a worthwhile book. With a little imagination and the basics that are stated throughout the book you can probably be inspired to make quite a few useful items. If you are looking for IDEAS to make your chores a bit easier then check it out. It is a good book as far as basics and LOTS of ideas.



4. Wonderful old farm devices, I am very happy I purchased this book. It is very simple and reminds me of how simple yet hardworking farmers were before modern inventions that make farming easier today. I think anyone that wants to still use the old way of doing things should check out this book. It is a basic book of basic tools that can assist the small farmer in their homestead. I would suggest it to anyone that wants to know more about old country living tools. This is a very basic foundation of information on old farm tools, their applications, and drawings to assist in actual building of the device. No schematics or anything complex, just drawings and informative accompanying paragraphs about the tool. I love it!



5. Being a woman trying to do all of this alone would be rather overwhelming. However, If one can get some help and plan ahead, some of these things could be useful.

2 comments about Mathematics for Plumbers and Pipefitters.

1. First found out about this book while I was studying for my Journeyman Plumbers license exam.Found it at the library and was so impressed I ordered it from the publisher. Contains very much usefull information.Explains all about simple and compound offsets. Contains all the formulas you will need for performing plumbing tradework.I have the fourth addition and still consider it one of my best resources. I recommend it to anyone who is studying for their Journeyman or Master Plumbers exams or for anyone who would like to learn the professional way of performing tradework.



2. good book to size pipe for liquid, doesnt have anything for gases that I found. Little bit of sheet metal though.

5 comments about BURIED PIPE DESIGN 3/E.

1. I received a copy of Dr. Moser's text "Buried Pipe Design, Second Edition". Upon a brief inspection, I was impressed with the breath, number of figures, illustrations, numerous example problems and extensive number of references at the end of each chapter.

   The addition of SPIDA (soil-pipe interaction design and analysis) in Chapter 5 (Rigid Pipe Products) is very valuable. The introduction to new pipe materials, particularly the discussion of profile-wall polyethylene pipe is appreciated.

   Finally, the introduction of information on pipe handling and trenching(Chapter 8: Pipe Installation and Trenchless Technology) is welcome.




2. This book is an excellent source of information on buried pipe analysis and design from theory to application. It rounds out the reader's perspective with valuable full size pipe research data. Fundamentals of buried pipe analysis and design are clearly presented as well as information on nonlinear finite element analysis of soil-structure interaction of the pipe-soil system. An excellent book for practitioners with a problem to solve!



3. This book covers a lifetime of pioneering research conducted by the author, Dr. Al Moser, on all types of municipal pipe materials. Dr. Moser studied under legends like Dr. Reynold Watkins and Dr. Marlin Spangler and has conducted research on every aspect of pipelines, the results of which are used by design engineers all over the world. This is a must-have for municipal water and wastewater pipeline engineers.



4. This is a very impressive and amazing book on what, well, what want you say, is probably not the most exciting topic in engineering. But at over 600 pages of very detailed and dense text, it's the most impressive book on the subject I've seen.
   
   Starting with the pioneering Marston equations and approach to buried pipe, and the subsequent important work of Watkins and Spangler, the author leads you through the various scenarios for pipe design. He shows how, under certain conditions, flexible pipe can actually withstand more pressure than rigid pipe, a non-intuitive result that was very interesting.
   
   There's considerable math in the book, but it's mostly algebra with very little actual calculus. The equations are some of the unloveliest ones I've ever seen, with exponents that go on for five or more terms, but then that's due to the messy conditions that determine pipe stresses and loads. Some simplifying assumptions can occasionally be made, such as flexible pipe being considered as responding like a simple spring, allowing already well known dynamics to be used.
   
   The 2nd edtion appears very up to date and discusses new materials such as profile wall polyethylene, and more; new standards from ASTM, AWWA, AASHTO, and TRB; includes a new safety section for installation specs, and more design examples. (It touts these updates prominently on the book's cover).
   
   The book is divided up into 8 main sections, which are:
   
   1. Introduction and Overview
   
   2. External Loads
   
   3. Design of Gravity Flow Pipes
   
   4. Design of Pressure Pipes
   
   5. Rigid Pipe Products
   
   6. Steel and Ductile Iron Flexible Pipe Products
   
   7. Plastic Flexible Pipe Products
   
   8. Pipe Installation and Trenchless Technology
   
   There are so many interesting application specific topics in this book that it's impossible to discuss all of them, but I especially enjoyed the section in chapter 8 on microtunneling and pipe-jacking procedures and equipment, one of the recent methods of trenchless pipe installation. The specialized boring equipment is expensive, but it provides very precise control of conditions and can be used in many types of soils, ranging from "highly unstable to very firm soil conditions," as the author says.
   
   I also liked how the author discusses a fair amount of soil geology and engineering where appropriate, since I don't know much about this subject, having read one brief book many years ago on this topic. He points out that, for the purposes of engineering, soils can be considered to fall into five main types: gravel, sand, silt, clay, and organic (basically peat), Of course, this is simplified (in the state of California, where I live, for example, the soils are classified by the U.S. Geological Survey into over 40 large regions and types). But for pipe construction and engineering purposes, it's usually sufficient to classify soils according to their ability to enhance the structural performance of a particular pipe in a certain soil. In situations like this, I like that the author will mention other technical publications, which in this case is the ASTM D 2321, "Standard Practice for Underground Installation of Flexible Thermoplastic Sewer Pipe."
   
   There are also a number of nice sections dealing with the advanced pipe testing and research facility which the author apparently designed himself with interesting photos of some of the work carried out there. Many additional technical papers and documents put out by the various standards boards and agencies are mentioned for additional reading, which you can probably get for free.
   
   Overall, this is a very impressive, detailed, and useful treatment of an important area of civil engineering. As the author points out in the introduction, the pipe infrastructure provides essential services that modern civilization couldn't really do without, and understanding how to install and maintain it is of prime importance for both citizens and municipalities.



5. I have a copy of the Second Edition. While the book does contain a wealth of information as the other reviews indicated, the Second Edition has a lot of errors.
   
   There are errors in formulas, errors in example problems, inconsistencies in the use of subscripts, important tables placed in odd places (Table 3.2 on page 70), sloppy editing, and a generally casual attitude toward consistency in terms and units, such as "load" (the term most commonly used in the book to mean pounds per linear foot of pipe) sometimes used interchangeably with pressure (pounds per square foot).
   
   Hopefully the third edition fixes these problems, and they should mail everyone who bought the second edition a list of errata.
   
   One error in the book is in example 3.1 on page 81 which you can see by searching for "Buried Pipe Design" (second edition) on Google Books.
   
   The equation for the Three Edge Bearing is given as
   
   W3-edge= Wc * SF/BF
   
   And the "D load" is given as
   
   Wdload = Wc * SF/BF * D
   
   but it should be
   
   Wdload = Wc * SF/BF / D
   
   The value of D in the example is 1.25.
   
   The Dload equation in the example is wrong because the next two lines show the value of Dload being less than Three Edge bearing, 2074 instead of 3240, which is consistent with dividing by the diameter D, not multiplying. Also on page 78 (not visible in google books) it clearly states that "The D Load is the three-edge bearing strength divided by diameter."
   
   Another mistake is in example 2.9 on page 59.
   
   The buoyant unit weight should be:
   
   yb=yd-yw/(1+e)
   
   not:
   
   yb=[yd-yw]/(1+e)
   
   Again, the answer is correct but the intermediate equations are not, very confusing someone trying to learn and understand every step. It makes one wonder what other parts of the book were similarly proofread.
   
   More errors and sloppiness are on pages 20 and 21 (visible in google books).
   
   The subtitle of the chart in Figure 2.6 is "Values of Bd/Bc for ditch conduit LEADS TO EQUAL PROJECT conduit loads". But it should surely read "Values of Bd/Bc for ditch conduit LOADS EQUAL TO PROJECTION conduit loads" (capitalization mine)
   
   And an error at the bottom of page 20,
   
   "If the Calculation of Bd/Bc is:
   Greater than that of Fig. 2.6, use Wd.
   Less than that of Fig. 2.6, use Wc."
   
   But the is clearly backwards, because it states just above that if the actual trench width (Bd) is:
   
   GREATER than transition width, use Eq. 2.5 (Wc)
   LESS than transition width, use Eq. 2.4 (Wd)
   
   So, buyer beware for the Third Edition.
   
   All in all, the errors in this book, and in other establishment pipe publications, make it rather embarrassing to be a pipe guy, and the fact that no one seems to have caught these problems suggests to me that few pipe engineers are actually crunching numbers and are instead just reading values from tables.

No comments about Print Reading for Industry: Write-In Text.

5 comments about Structural Wood Design: A Practice-Oriented Approach.

1. I just recently took a Timber Design class and this book really helped me grasp the overall concept of Timber Design. With having no experience with timber design, the book's sequence is excellent with helping the reader develop and understand the reasoning behind this type of structural design.
   
   The examples in this book are great. They are not standard textbook examples, which lack real design concepts. This book goes above and beyond with applying the examples to real world scenarios. I have just graduated and found myself going back to this book to reference examples and also sharing it with my fellow co-workers.
   
   I highly encourage people at all levels in their engineering career to buy this book to use, it is highly helpful.
   
   Jennie Wilson
   Structural Engineer



2. This book is exceptionally informative and easy to navigate. This text has been very useful in teaching/training our office engineering staff. Highly recommend.



3. I wish more text book authors would write their text in a way befitting that for students and not cryptic nor elusive. Over four years of school, and I have never until now used a text that encourages my enthusiasm and stimulated my learning interest. I can guarantee that this is not one of those text that will be used for my PC monitor height adjuster.... It is "plainly absurd" to have read and use this text and "discern" otherwise...



4. In 2007, I used this text for a timber design class. As an engineering student with a background in residential construction, I found the text to be very practical in its presentation of the design process for wood-framed structures. Following the examples and working through the problems at the end of each chapter, I became comfortable finding and using relevant codes, especially NDS codes. The progression of the text to the building design case study helped me to apply the design examples for individual members to a complete structure, more relevant to construction or engineering practice.
   
   Since I remain interested in carpentry and residential construction, this text will continue to be a valuable reference for me. I would not hesitate to use it as a guide for the design of simple wood-framed structures not requiring a professional designer.



5. The first item I noticed in reading through this book was the practical design guidance an individual with wood design experience under their belt or someone at university learning it for the first time would be able to pick up and gain a common sense understanding of wood engineering. Every engineering book has its place, this book does and it should be on your desk ready for reference.
   
   Dr. Aghayere and Jason Vigil give you one of the most complete wood design aids that will allow you to learn how to design a wood structure almost sequentially from page one through the end. With hard hit subjects with real-world examples from horizontal diaphrams, vertical diaphrams, flitch beams (rare to find covered), floor vibrations, and even connections.
   
   They are thorough enough to dive into P-delta effects with an explanation (not everyone is a structural engineering scientists) they make concepts attainable for everyone.
   
   Some of their concepts will use the building code requirements as a launch pad but actually go beyond the code requirements creating more durable, long-term effecient structural wood designs (i.e. shearwall design). Remember that the building codes are just a guidance/minimal requirements. Don't just design for today but the future and note that the building code is meant to be exceeded not just matched.
   
   If you don't understand the basis of one of their approaches vs. IBC or some other code email one of them, I am sure they would be more than happy to respond.
   
   This is a book for anyone interested in learning about wood design (they even do a case study) in a concise, practical and thorough matter. You won't be disappointed.

3 comments about Metal Building Systems: Design and Specifications.

1. The auther has poured his knowledge of metal building systems into each chapter. The material is fresh and current. The auther addressed most of the problems encountered by metal building professionals. You will find examples of the current details and designs of metal buildings used throughout the USA. Also, this book provides a guidline of the important issues in metal buildings.



2. I love this book very much and finished the translation into Chinese last year. Any body interested in the Chinese edition of this book can contact me. I'm now doing some measurement on the publishing of this book in China market publically.



3. This book explains topics only treated in a consultant's office. If ever. Newman has accurately identified relevant and otherwise hidden concepts for development in his book. Also very well researched.

5 comments about Do-It-Yourself Housebuilding: The Complete Handbook.

1. This book contains everything you need to know about building most homes. If you want to be the contractor, I recommend that this book be acccompanied by "The Complete Guide to Contracting Your Home" by McGuerty & Lester. It has sample schedules, contract, etc. But I use this book more for the know-how of building a home.

   THIS IS THE BOOK TO OWN IF YOU WANT TO TALK INTELLIGENTLY TO YOUR BUILDER AND KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR DURING CONSTRUCTION! It will tell you EVERYTHING! I started out with a builder that was planning to be shady and knowing stuff in this book scared him off. I knew too much for him to cut important corners. I asked specific questions and he fled. My current builder and I have good relations and we can intelligently talk specifics of the trade because of this book.




2. My husband and I DID build our own house over fours summers with a hammer in one hand and nails in the other. I am sitting in it right now at my computer.
   
   We began with old versions of Sam Clark's and Robert Roskind's self-builder books. (The new versions have much expanded chapters on interior finish work.) They are very good for FUNDAMENTAL concepts such as design, load limits, materials and tools needed, time estimates, etc. But it was Nash's that really gave us the DETAIL we needed to do so many of the jobs required of us, ranging from stair building to laying tile to putting up interior tongue-and-groove wall board to installing hardwood flooring. Of course, the book doesn't cover everything you MIGHT want to do. For instance, we put a concrete counter top in the kitchen and had to go to Fu-Tung Cheng's book for advice and direction.
   
   The point is that housebuilding is a BIG commitment. If you wish to, or have to, do it yourself, it will take SEVERAL BOOKS AND RESOURCES. My advice is to look at various books at your local public library then purchase the ones you think best for you.
   
   But rest assured, housebuilding is a realistic endeavor for any healthy individual. Even people over 50! But for every hour spent building, back it up with a couple hours researching. The research is invaluable and I highly recommend Nash's Do-It-Yourself Housebuilding as your point of reference.



3. George Nash has written a number of great books on carpentry around the house. This is a great book to have for those who love to understand how their house is built and how they can fix things.



4. Comprehensive! I built myself a house and am now happily working in the construction trade. If you are planning on building a stick-built house this book will serve by itself--if you buy multiple books it will be the one you keep referencing. Sam Clark's "Indepedent Builder" is helpful for design ideas (and is stronger in that area) and general contemplation, but Clark does not provide the details you need to know when you finally put your tool belt on and start building. I don't understand other reviewer's complaints about the (high) level of detail or the lexicon involved. If you are about to build a wall you should want to know everything you can about it--Nash leaves extremely little guess work. Every sentence tells something worth knowing. If you are working with all the various structural and decorative pieces that make up a house you want to know what to call them, and Nash employs a reasonably consistent terminology. The black and white pictures might be a little dark but there are plenty of very helpful and clearly drawn line drawings--parts are labeled and you can get the lingo down quickly if you really want to. Overall, you just couldn't ask for a more patient, thoughtful, and thorough writer--any gripes are so minor they aren't worth voicing. I am grateful to have this book!!



5. For the Owner-builder, or others doing very advanced home building/repair. Actual hands-on building, limited designing sections. Very condensed explanations on the various different construction techniques. Does not get 5 stars until it's updated with modern materials; i.e. SIPS and encapsulated concrete walls. Plus more on PEX plumbing and Cat 5 wiring needed. Overall, excellent reference shelf staple.

1 comments about Adobe: Build It Yourself, Revised Edition.

1. Full of good basic information. You quickly realize that unless you are a builder, you will not be able to build it yourself but that you will at least have some knowledge to help you make decisions about the process, and to oversee and talk with your builder intelligently. Very few pictures, no house plans. Does include basic information to help you draw your own plan.

1 comments about Building Tips & Techniques (For Pros by Pros).

1. I like the books in this series, as they frequently give information missing in other how-to books. This book is the least helpful, but then, I am usually looking for specific information.

5 comments about Smart Business for Contractors: A Guide to Money and the Law (For Pros By Pros).

1. Good solid information on the accounting, legal and business details of a construction company.



2. For beginners only. Written as if you don't know anything about the business, so if you don't then buy it. It will not open your eyes to anything new if you're in the business.



3. This book covers everything you need to know as a self-employed contractor through hiring your first employee.
   
   The straightforward language of this book explains the business side of being a professional tradesperson, and shows the benefits of doing things properly. It is backed by many examples of what has worked and not worked for others.
   
   The book also shows how to plan for your retirement and balance your business and personal life.
   
   Whether you are just thinking about going out on your own, or you've been running things by the seat of your pants, this book will help.



4. 
   This was an interesting book. I kind of liked it. It was certainly clear and straightforward. And I think it probably can be helpful to some contractors who are clueless as to how to run a business. There is a lot of practical advice provided here. The funny thing, at least to me, is that it comes across as preaching the same fluff that bar associations sell in the form of CLE booklets for young lawyers to buy who want to start there own law practice. Not much original content is included in this book.
   
   Those CLE booklets all talk about the billable hour and how it is how to price your services. While I agree that all business people should price their company's goods and services so the owner has a certain amount of taxable income at year-end, it is very short sighted to worry about profit margins on each hour worked PER PROJECT. You will want to factor minimum hourly rates for time into your bid, but you should ALWAYS quote what the market will bear. And this amount is higher than what this book tells you to charge.
   
   The biggest problem I had with this book is that it fails to talk about the importance of having a written business plan. A sound 25-35-page business plan would be the contractor's roadmap to success. And it covers all the things mentioned in this book and more. It would include financial reports, i.e., balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements. And if the contractor fails to do business the way the plan dictates, then the contractor could evaluate why his company is coming up short and take corrective action.
   
   Besides a chapter on why a business plan should be researched and written, I think the book should have had a nuts and bolts chapter on how to put a business plan together. And I didn't particularly like the outline of this book. I would have liked it lots better if it had been broken into four parts as follows:
   
   I. Choice of Entity
   6. Sizing up your options: Corporations, Partnerships, Employees
   
   II. Financial
   4. Managing the paper chase
   5. Drawing the line: Business vs personal finances
   7. Taxes: Plain and simple
   
   III. Operations and Marketing
   1. Money matters: Pricing, billing and collecting
   2. Contracts and beyond: Protecting your business
   12. Your first year in business
   3. Running and growing a business
   
   IV. Risk Management
   8. Insurance: Money well spent
   9. Medical insurance: How to live with it
   10. Disability: Anticipating the solution
   11. Retirement planning: Never too early
   
   Ideally the first part of the book would be retitled "Business Plans" and Chapter 6A (Why You Need a Business Plan) and Chapter 6B (How to Write a Business Plan) would be added. I think Chapter 5 should have made some mention of QuickBooks Pro bookkeeping software. And I think Chapter 7 should have made some mention of TurboTax software. More could have been written about rainmaking (growing the business) in Chapter 3. My favorite chapter in the book was Chapter 2. I just think the author did a very nice job with it.
   
   I think the chapters I label as risk management above were a little too involved for a general business book for contractors. There was so much more that could have been covered in parts 1 through 3 that I felt as though Part 4 was just too thorough. As a result, the book did not have an "even" feel to it for me. There are books that talk just about risk management and retirement planning. Why not just refer the reader to some of those books? 3 stars!



5. I'm giving this book 3 stars because its cover is misleading. The majority of the book is about starting a business - any business. It also fails to adequately address law. For example, non payment is prevalent in contracting. But the book doesn't mention bond agents, licenses, waivers, releases, etc.
   
   If you are looking to tighten your operation, learn more about a specific topic or ensure collection, this is not the right book.