4 comments about Trim Complete (Taunton's Complete).

1. I have several books on Trim and this one seems to be the most updated and exhaustive on the subject. I really enjoy the layout and the way the information is presented.



2. Excellent book. Lots of photos and step by step instructions. Highly recommended for weekend carpenter like me.



3. Previous reviewers are correct in describing this book as the best on the subject of trim work. I have many Taunton publishing books and as usual the photography is excellent! I have looked at other trim books and usually they are full of 'line' drawings. There is nothing like a great pic to illustrate how a project is being done.



4. This is by far one of the best trim carpentry books that I have read. Very well written, with detailed pictures taking you step by step through various projects. I would recommend this book to anyone.

5 comments about The Very Efficient Carpenter: Basic Framing for Residential Construction (For Pros By Pros).

1. I am doing an addition and wanted to frame it my self, knew a little about framing but not enough. Great book on the way to frame and how to build walls. highly recomended. There is a video that goes with this book buy it also. I went back and referenced both the book and the video through out the framing of our addition.



2. this is a great resource. it covers the basics and then some. if everyone on your crew was familiar with this system, you could easily frame a house in a week.



3. Mr. Haun certainly knows a great deal about carpentering and he conveys a lot of that knowledge in this book; however, terms are introduced prior to being defined or explained, which makes it a bit difficult to extract the information. If one has the patience to read the entire book, the terms are eventually explained, but it requires you to go back and re-read the parts where these mysterious terms were initially used. A little help from a professional writer/editor would enhance the value of the book.



4. I want a Larry Haun tee shirt, beer mug, calendar, tool bag and special edition saw. It is a pleasure to read a book that was written by someone who knows what he is talking about. It doesn't get any better for me. I'm not kidding, this is one of those rare books that teach a trade in an inspiring way. For what I'm up to, I will never need to look at another framing book.



5. VERY informative, need a slight tweeking for 2008 Guidelines for Los Angeles County. Otherwise I thought it was excellent reading, either at the site or in the kitchen with a cup of Coffee.
   They need to rethink the binding, the pages fall out after awhile, but Otherwise I'm ready for the next edition. Many thanks to the Author.

5 comments about Chicken Coops: 45 Building Plans for Housing Your Flock.

1. If you like chickens, you like this book. It contains many great ides for housing your flock, no matter what the size. She gives you information on where to purchase plans for each design, but I built mine just from the pictures in this book.



2. This book was money thrown away. There are no plans here that would allow any builder to make one of these. No dimensions, no schematics. Just cutesy little drawings. This is mistitled at best, misconception at worst.



3. This book has all kinds of chicken coops, whether you are on a large farm or just a small lot. It shows what you need and how to build them. This is an excellent book to get started at raising chickens.



4. This book is supposed to have plans on building a chicken coop. All of the drawings are incomplete and have no detail at all. We sent the book back.



5. While this book does have a variety of coop designs, they are mostly more whimsical and labor intensive then I needed. For a small backyard coup that is a landscape or art piece they work fine, but not very practical for most chicken coops that have flocks of any size.

5 comments about Trim Carpentry and Built-Ins (Build Like A Pro).

1. I am a firm believer in the KISS method of doing things. (Keep It Simple Stupid") Every step is covered in this book so that anyone can learn from it. The "Build Like A Pro" series of books are all laid out like this one. The "Expert Tips" are great. They show you short cuts to help you do the jobs right, but in less time. This is stuff you only learn by doing the job everyday. They are trade secrets.



2. I bought this title from the Build Like A Pro series based on a good experience with their "Build a Shed" book, which was like having an experienced carpenter explain how he would approach and resolve each construction issue.
   This title was written by a guy who obviously has the years of experience under his belt but needs a strong editor to map out the writing process. The author uses terminology several times before defining it many pages later, and in general doesn't leave the reader with a full understanding of how to proceed.



3. This book is very attractive and informative, but I found it lacking some of the very basics, and the production steps are often not laid out chronologically. In the crown molding section, there is no suggested nailing plan, so as someone who has never done crown molding but is planning to attempt it, this book alone does not suffice.



4. This book is very well illustrated and gives some great examples. I was looking for more examples on built ins and hints on what to do when you have a crooked wall. This book did not have an hints or examples of what to do in this situation. However for individuals that have other questions on how to do trim this book would be an excellent addition to your collection.



5. A great book for beginners of built-in carpentry. It starts off where every carpenter should - discussing stock and how to estimate and select it. A few great tricks and tips along the way. Well illustrated. Read it.

5 comments about Measuring, Marking, and Layout: A Builder's Guide.

1. This author is in the dark ages with respect to the use of the metric system. As a country, we've been there / tried that. We can't help it if the rest of the world is backwards using the metric system! Why was at least a whole page WASTED in talking about this? How ridiculous! It is an okay book, but mostly black and white drawings and lots of text. Perhaps if the author, and Taunton, had spent more time with the content of the title and included some color in a book that is the same price as their other titles with LOTS of color, they would have had a good book.



2. This is a well written book, in plain language. It will help any amateur considering building, or constructing brick, or wooden structures, or extensions. John Carroll makes the reader think about accuracy when approaching any building project. He provides many simple easy-to-understand methods on how and what, to measure.
   
   He shows many examples of how simple miscalculations can result in costly errors. Unlike other American DIY books, that pretend the metric system does not exist, Carroll covers imperial for the home market and metric conversions for the rest of the world. This factor, and his humble writing style and experience as a craftsman, will make this book an international best seller for anybody who will pick up a saw, rafter gauge,or masonary hammer. The book is a must for anyone who needs important tips on construction methods. In conclusion this excellent book makes you think and visualize what you want to achieve before you start the job.



3. Learn to layout. Really just a good reference book. If you are a carpenter then you must know how to layout correctly. Different techniques, good practice.



4. Stop reading these reviews and buy this book right now. It is indispensable. Once you get it, read it. Read it again a few years later.
   
   Saying this book is outdated is like saying the Pythagorean theorem is outdated. Some of the techniques in this book are centuries old and some are tricks developed by builders of the 20th century. The point of this book is to understand the fundamentals so you can be effective, efficient and flexible at any project you are a part of. It is geared toward home building and carpentry but anyone in construction would benefit from it, even if you use a laser theodolite.



5. I was a bit dissapointed in this book. Being in the building trades I was hoping to get a couple of good tips or techniques i hadn't come across. Much of the information and processes in the book I would consider outdated or too inaccurate for commercial use. May be fine for the novice home improvement crowd.

5 comments about How to Build Animal Housing: 60 Plans for Coops, Hutches, Barns, Sheds, Pens, Nestboxes, Feeders, Stanchions, and Much More.

1. As a hobby, I enjoy capturing wild animals and putting them in cages. But I am fairly new to this hobby, so I do not own many cages. This book has helped me learn how to build my own animal cages.
   
   As a child, I enjoyed going to the zoo. But something was always missing in the zoo experience. Now that I am an adult, and capturing my own wild animals, I feel more fulfilled.
   
   When I see an animal in a cage, it makes me feel important and powerful, especially if I'm the one who captured the animal.



2. This book is absolutely fantastic for those who are just starting out. There are plans and pictures for every style and taste you may be searching for. It's easy to read...with great graphics.



3. I bought Carol's book about two years ago; now it's battered and ragged because it's been hauled around the farm so much, propped up on things as we use its designs to make new stuff. This is one of my all-time favorites. If you live on a small farm and you're a do-it-yourselfer, you NEED this book!



4. This book is more for the professional builder then for the do it yourself. I would bother with this one unless you have the skills to build it.



5. Great projects, concise writing, great way to add to your design ideas for building "homes" for your "crew".

5 comments about Building Kitchen Cabinets.

1. I am a firm believer in the KISS method of doing things. (Keep It Simple Stupid") Every step is covered in this book so that anyone can learn from it. The "Build Like A Pro" series of books are all laid out like this one. The "Expert Tips" are great. They show you short cuts to help you do the jobs right, but in less time. This is stuff you only learn by doing the job everyday. They are trade secrets.



2. This book is very well laid out and easy to follow instructions to build the greatest custom cabinets. This is the best book I own



3. This book is well written, and easy to understand. The author gives you a solid understanding of the basics and some of the more advanced "how-tos" of cabinet making. I would recommend this book to people who have some knowledge of power tools and want to learn how to build kitchen cabinets.



4. This book was a great introduction to how to build cabinets. Being an experienced person in woodworking, this book gave the guidance towards me taking on this project. As a previous review stated, I also found an error in the calculation table but after doing the calculation over and over again, it seemed to have the wrong calculation formula but is was indeed correct. I did though find an area that the publisher and the author should have covered that was overlooked. When assembling the doors the author states to assemble the rails and stiles with glue, drive a couple of 1/2 inch nails into the assembly and remove the clamps. After doing this, I discovered those nails while routing the outside edges with my round-over bit. So, I will in the future take extreme care to where I place those nails, assuring that they will not be found later. I also modified my wall cabinets by using 1/4 inch plywood for the tops and in some assemblies I found that using the pocket hole method better for attaching plywood to plywood, less splitting when the screw is at an angle.
   Otherwise this book is an excellent source that gave me the confidence and courage to build my own cabinets, as I have them all built now, just waiting to stain and assemble them and install.



5. I bought this book and Danny Proulx's Build Your Own Kitchen Cabinets (Popular Woodworking). Proulx's book focused on particleboard construction and mostly 32mm cabinets. I was very dissapointed as I was anxious to start building cabinets and particleboard is not what I was looking for. This book however, was just what the Dr. ordered. I'm very comfortable with my tools and have been woodworking for years now, but I still found some usefull tips in the book. I skimmed the book without reading all of it and immediately bought the lumber I needed and began construction. I had a completed bathroom vanity cabinet in 1 afternoon (not including stain and finish). As others have mentioned, his dimensions are not perfect, but since my house doesn't perfectly match the book, I used my own tape measure.
   
   Even with the dimension issues here and there, I highly recommend this book for anyone who actually wants to make cabinets. I have a few other books that discuss the "idea" of making cabinets. This one tells you the tools you need and how to do it. It focuses on pocket-hole joinery but it also shows how you can use other joinery techniques as well. I can't stress this point enough... if you are planning on building cabinets, you will love this book. If you just want to read about building cabinets, this book isn't what you want.
   
   I'm off to buy more lumber for more cabinets!!!!

5 comments about Graphic Guide to Frame Construction: Details for Builders and Designers (For Pros by Pros).

1. This is a good reference for framing details, which I turn to frequently as we work on the design for our new home. That said, there are numerous gaps and while some might be excused as esoteric, like framing a swept roof at the eaves (though it is pictured on the cover of the book), many others are not, such as flashing at masonry entry steps. I would like to see the book updated to include more "Building Science" lessons, OVE (Optimum Value Engineering)and perhaps SIPS. Still a good book, overall.



2. Have been using this reference for years as an Architect. Probably the best one out there that covers all the basics. Not overly complicated. Could use an advanced version for more complicated details, especially in roofing (half-hips, etc.) and foundations.
   Great reference for the nomencalture of all the parts.
   Do not expect to build from it as codes and structural sizing are required and vary too much, but good, basic detailing and understanding overall with plenty of illustrations.



3. I do a lot of non-professional new construction. For me, visualizing the right way do do something is the problem. Once the skin is on a building I have no idea what lies underneath -- I have no 'guide' to model my construction after. Also, building according to convention is useful -- for instance, it's good to know that you can expect to find a vertical stud in a wall every 16 or 24 inches, regardless of who built the building and when -- and this book clarifies what those conventions are.
   
   This is a great book. The graphic representations are exceptionally clear and detailed. Many alternatives are given, and in building you simply choose the alternative that gives you the most of what you want and follow the diagram.



4. This book has a lot of good framing scenarios interesting tidbits. Both a good reference and interesting to page through.



5. A great reference for the DIY homeowner. Lots of drawings to show you the right way to do things from foundations to framing.

5 comments about Drywall: Professional Techniques for Great Results.

1. I noticed that the 3rd Edition of this book has a copyright date of 2008 and the cover of the book notes that it is completely revised and updated. Any review written before 2008 is almost certainly for the second edition. The 3rd edition is a reasonably hefty 210 pages of content; it is printed on nice paper, is nicely organised, and has an index.
   
   I am an experienced do-it-yourselfer and bought this book to get an update on the latest corner beads made of vinyl and some made of metal and paper. I also wanted a little more knowledge on available types of drywall and joint compounds.
   
   This book is very comprehensive and covers drywall techniques, tools, and materials. Consistent with the reviews of the earlier edition(s), this book focuses almost exclusively on drywall (which is also consistent with its title). There is a section on soundproofing which I believe is very useful.
   
   I would rate this book as a must read for anyone who wishes to learn about drywall techniques. The text is clear and there are many photographs to illustrate the points that the author is making.
   
   I would have liked it if the author covered skip troweling but this is a little tricky to learn from a book (so this omission did not bother me much).
   
   I already had a good amount of knowledge about drywall and this book has given me another step up in knowledge. I am completely satisfied with this book.



2. We bought this book to help us "finish" our garage with insulation and drywall. This book was great. We were first timers to this type of project. The book was very informative from choosing our supplies, tools we would need, all the way to taping and finishing off the joints. We were able to complete our project from start to finish with just the help of this book.
   
   I would definitely recommend it to anyone taking on a drywall project for the first time.



3. My husand borrowed this book from the library and loved it so much he wanted me to buy it for him for Father's Day. He is in the process of finishing our basement and found it very helpful.



4. I started out doing drywall back in 1980 and I've been doing it professionally ever since. I thought I knew everything, but Myron has shown me some methods that have improved my work. The guy who gave the 2 star review is right, it doesn't teach the pro mud applications and if you need to tape and mud 5 houses a week, you won't need this book. For the rest of us though, it really helps and I recommend it to anyone who wants to learn drywall and drywall finishing very highly.



5. This book is all you need to drywall. I found it to be very comprehensive, I learned more about the different thicknesses of drywall and the different types than I ever cared to know. It did its job though and provided enough info to drywall from start to finish.

3 comments about Good Design Can Change Your Life: Beautiful Rooms, Inspiring Stories.

1. As a designer, I read all the new home decorating books, and I really enjoyed this.
   
   Ty Pennington, the host of Extreme Makeovers, shares his talent and enthusiasm for makeovers and design in Good Design Can Change Your Life: Beautiful Rooms, Inspiring Stories. This full color book is sure to inspire.
   
   In the introduction, Pennington writes of his heartwarming successes at making over homes on Extreme Makeovers for people in need: "The experience of creating warm, inviting sanctuaries for families who really need them has made me a true believer in the power of positive thinking."
   
   He believes that a makeover can transform your life. He is also adamant about decorating to suit your own sense of style.
   
   Good Design concentrates on the bedroom, living spaces and work spaces.
   
   Part I
   The 12 steps to take to prepare for a makeover include smart ideas like taking before photos of the space.
   
   In Prep Work, he has a quiz to take to discover your style. The styles include: minimalist, traditionalist, maximalist, ethnologist, naturalist, and "You're Me" (all of the above.)
   
   There is a very good section on color and how it affects mood.
   
   Part II Sleeping Spaces
   Includes a section on art as a focal point, rooms with high contrast, the importance of lighting, and natural features.
   
   About recycling, Pennington writes that he employs "Reincarnation," which is "giving something that you might otherwise throw out or give away a completely new life." One example he shows takes posts from a front porch and using them for the posts for twin beds. Brilliant!
   
   There is also a nice section on kid's rooms.
   
   Part III Living Spaces
   
   Pennington writes about the importance of the flow of traffic, especially for the entryway, which should always be inviting. He says in Feng Shui the flow of energy is importance, but his flow is that furniture should be positioned so that people have plenty of space to walk around. (Another terrific design book that also discusses the importance of energy flowing is the award winning book, HARMONIOUS ENVIRONMENT: BEAUTIFY, DETOXIFY & ENERGIZE YOUR LIFE, YOUR HOME & YOUR PLANET. Read these together and see some magic happen!)
   
   He also writes about accessorizing.
   
   Part IV Working Spaces
   
   He impresses the importance of having a clean and simple office.
   In the appendix, he includes projects for reader to make, including a stacked bench, shade lamp and a cool shelf.
   
   If you need to be inspired to makeover your home or part of it, this book will do it!



2. This is a nice book. The photos and the stories about Extreme Makeover Home Edition are really great, and the information Ty gives is fresh. Ty is right--sometimes all it takes is changing a room to give everything a fresh perspective. Some of the ideas in this book are really simple and easy. But the best thing by far is the hilarious quiz.



3. Loved this book! Gave me a lot of great ideas and made me think there's hope for my house after all!