No comments about Green Building Products, 3rd Edition: The GreenSpec Guide to Residential Building Materials-3rd Edition.

1 comments about How to Fix Everything For Dummies.

1. It's incredibly lame for amazon to require a comment in this field in order to accept a rating. 4 stars is 4 stars. deal with it, amazon!

4 comments about Sprinklers & Watering Systems (Garden Maintenance).

1. Scotts Sprinklers & Watering Systems is a complete and thoroughly "user friendly" guide to planning and installing landscape irrigation for the home. Profusely illustrated, this "how to manual covers every aspect of planning out a sprinkling system to be as cost efficient to install as it would be to operate. Included in the planning process are detailed materials and equipment comparisons as this superbly organized "how to" manual takes the homeowner and do-it-yourselfer through the planning and design process from beginning to end. Then the reader is taken step-by-step through the installing process with clear instructions and illustrative photography which will eliminate any operational problems later one. Also included is the maintenance, care and upkeep of the installed watering system including occasional repairs and replacement of parts. Finally there is an invaluable section on using the installed water system, getting the right amount of water in the right place at the right time. If you are wanting to include a sprinkler or other kind of watering system as part of your landscaping, then give a close and careful reading to Scotts Sprinklers & Watering Systems -- it will save you not only time and money, but help you to avoid aggravation and error!



2. A very good book for the homeowner with a sprinkler system. Lots of good info on how systems work, and how they can be modified. Worth the money.



3. This book has a detailed description of just about anything you can think of when it comes to installing your own sprinkler system. From planning bluelines to selecting sprinkler head types, it covered all bases. I was a totally new to the world of sprinkler installation when I read this, and now I feel like a pro!



4. I couldn't be happier with this sprinkler.
   It's very nice to be able to point the heads in separate directions.
   The quality is top rate.
   Be sure to get more than one though as it's not practical to try to move it to different spots in you yard or garden.
   You don't want to be resetting the directions of you sprinkler heads all the time.
   It does take a little bit of time to begin with to get them adjusted to where you want them to go.
   I'm going to be buying more of these and my daugher is going to buy some for her yard as well.

3 comments about Code Check Electrical: An Illustrated Guide to Wiring a Safe House, 4th Edition.

1. All these code check books are excellent resources for contractors and field inspectors.
   However, I am very disappointed about the fact that Code Check never puts down what version of code book referenced. Instead, they simply put "updated to the latest version of xxx code"
   As we all know, every State adopts a new code every few years (typically 3 years).
   HOW AM I SUPPOSE TO KNOW IF THE CODE CHECK IS CURRENT IF THEY DON'T TELL US WHICH CODE IS IT BASED ON ?
   This product is getting 3 stars from me because without knowing which code it's referenced, it's no different than any "build a safe house" for DIYers, which we already have tons of these laying around in any hardware store.
   If Code Check takes the time, compare and update their content concurrent with the code updates, then it's worth 6 stars.



2. Excellent information. I also liked the hard cover pages to keep from getting damaged. Very easy to understand also.



3. I am not an electrician but as a licensed builder and home inspector I find the various Code Check's (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, etc) to be outstanding references, and the illustrations are a great help. Contrary to another rating comment, all the Code Checks I have do identify the particular code and year, either on the front cover or in the introduction. Anyone who pounds a nail or shops the electrical section at the local "big box" store should have copies of Code Check. Homeowners are notorious for saying (especially with electrical repairs) "Well that's the way my father taught me." Times and codes have changed and Code Check will keep you up to date and SAFE.

5 comments about Small Woodworking Shops (New Best of Fine Woodworking).

1. Reading this book has prepared me well with ideas to consider in setting up my first real workshop when I move to a new house in the coming year. Good graphics and photos too!



2. At first when I started reading the book I thought I was in store for a long treatise on how to build a professional workshop. If you are in the market for that information, I am sure this book will get you started. Where I found the book most useful was in seeing how each person used the space available. In one instance, the shop design was a professional spread with a specific location for each step of the woodworking process. In another instance, the shop design was for a professional who had limited space. Both extremes helped me visualize how my home workshop (my garage) might be better used. I gained a lot from reading the book. Reading it is not a necessity, however. You may gain the same information the authors did by making the same mistakes as they did or you can learn vicariously from them and the examples.
   
   Now, one thing I recommend for most hobbyists; while reading the book, do not get discouraged or dismissive. Read the book for ideas about how to make your workspace more usable and more efficient. If you do, you will not be disappointed.



3. When the first couple reviews for a book are all 5 stars, I tend to wonder whether the author's friends and relatives are doing their part to pump up sales. I'm writing this review in case you're like me in that regard. Fear not, I've got no connection whatsoever with anyone involved with this book.
   
   As a new woodworking hobbyist, I found this book informative and helpful. The writing was clear and readable, the photos and graphics well-done. More importantly, for me the breadth and depth of information was just right. Example: there was a simple, informative piece on the best power tools to start off with -- and then there was another to offer a different perspective. Some goes with coverage of dust control, with several different angles presented.
   
   This book doesn't try to be all things to all people. I doubt anyone with serious woodworking experience would find this book worth buying. On the other hand, if finances or space limit your tool choices to a circular saw and a drill, look elsewhere -- this book really is for folks setting up a shop with the tools to go with it. Its also more oriented towards power tools than hand tools.
   
   I think the ideal reader would be someone with a garage to fill and a $5000 budget to spend. That's not me on either count, and I do wish the book had focused more on small hobbyist starter shops and less on professional, two-car garage shops with every tool.
   
   But I still got a lot out of it, and I'd buy it again without hesitating. However, I don't own any of the other books on setting up a shop, so can't compare their relative merits.
   
   
   --- Coming back to this review a month later, I think I was wrong to give it only 4 stars. This has been the one book I've turned to the most as I continue setting up my shop, and I get something useful out of it every time. Amazon doesn't seem to let you change your star rating after the fact, but now I'd give it 5 stars without hesitation.
   



4. This is a 'second-stage' book suitable for those with potential for plenty of space, time and machinery. It has minimal coverage of basic workbench and hand tools practice, and simple handyman projects, although storage and space-saving ideas are well covered. The book is ideal for those aspiring to make the big jump to a larger, machinery equipped, productive work place, with better and safer work practices (and will certainly guide my future and hopeful aspirations).



5. This book has its positive points, but encouraging someone who wants to create a small workshop is not one of them. Instead it tends to make you feel bad about not having 1000+ sq. ft. of space to allocate to a wood shop. They've reprinted six articles that describe wood shops, but only one fits my definition of "small." The rest describe spaces 600, 720, 1296, and two at 2400 sq. ft. I guess if you are making a "small" commercial shop, 2400 sq. ft. is not out of the question, but if woodworking is just a hobby, 200-400 sq. ft. is a more common limitation.
   
   It also has two (related, overlapping in content) articles on dust collection; one of the articles is useful, but another seems redundant. Seems like the editors were looking for filler articles.
   
   I would have given this book more stars--3 or 4--if it hadn't claimed to be about "small" shops. However I wouldn't have purchased it in that case, because I already have general woodshop design books--and in fact almost all the information in this one I've seen in my other books. And it really is just a collection of articles rather than a coherent whole.
   
   In particular, I find How to Design and Build Your Ideal Woodshop (Popular Woodworking) to be much more appropriate. It talks about how to design a small workshop in much greater detail. I also have an earlier edition of Setting Up Shop, Completely Revised and Updated: A Practical Guide to Designing and Building Your Dream Shop, which is quite good.

5 comments about The Art of Faux: The Complete Sourcebook of Decorative Painted Finishes (Crafts Highlights).

1. Great resource book. Cool techniques...a bit intimidating for a beginner but full of information.



2. This book contains excellent descritions of equipment and techniques used for decorative painting. It is well inllustrated and easy to read.
   
   GM



3. Pierre's book is considered the bible of Faux and is a must have reference guide for the experienced faux finisher!
   
   A great example of the marbles he is so famous for can be found in the Morrocan mural he co-painted with Sean Crosby in the hot new book benefiting charity "The House that Faux Built" Transform Your Home with Paint, Plaster and Creativity The House That Faux Built check out the search inside feature.



4. I purchased this for my daughter who is a faux painter. She loves the book. She says there are many techniques in here that are new to her and she is enjoying doing them.



5. The most in-depth reference book I could have asked for. Exactly what I wanted and needed.

2 comments about Electronic Technician (USPS) (Career Examination Series).

1. Should have come with a CD for the section on following oral directions.



2. I took the USPS Electronics Technician Exam. I am not a postal worker but a Postal Employee friend suggested I study as I am currently unemployed.
   
   I bought this book and, although it covers a lot of the test material, the book provides only answers to the questions not detailed solutions.
   
   The book was helpful in assessing my weak spots and I THINK I tested well--will know in late July '08.. There were a lot of questions on Mechanical Operation, Pulley operation, etc. Also-- this book's section (part 1) on listening skills/following instructions was helpful since I have never taken a test such as this before-- this was helpful.
   
   I wish the author had provided some solutions for th Electronics Questions such as he did for the Math/Algebra questions--there were some Math/Algebra/Geometry on the test also.
   
   The book also contained a lot of Electrical Engineering Questions-- such as Imaginary Numbers, Vectors, etc.-- I experienced few if any test questions such as this on the exam.-- I would need a scientific calculator to conjure an answer anyway--LOL
   
   Study the series and parallel circuits portion of this book-- you will a few similar questions on the test.
   
   overall, 3 Stars-- could be better but fairly helpful--

5 comments about Electrician's Exam Preparation Guide: Based On The 2005 NEC (Electrician's Exam Preparation Guide).

1. Book, which was received in good conditions and on time is an excellent review of the NEC 2005, for elecricians and engineers. It provides clear and precise explanations of NEC articles, and with examples.
   Thank you
   Joseph



2. I think that this book is a good book to review most of the questions, but I was a little disapoited when I was told by the local general inspector told me that the questions would be only about 200. It is a good book don't take me wrong and I am sure the format would apply many other places, but definetely not here in central Illinois.
   Thanks,



3. Before I got this study guide I took the journeyman's exam one time previously and failed. I saw this guide on Amazon and bought it. Received it shortly and began studying. It came with a cd rom study guide. AWESOME! The practice tests helped greatly. The tests give you direction to what you need to improve on. If you follow the study guide carefully and allow ample study time you will pass the exam. After following the study guide I passed with no problem. I felt calm and confident during the test. I even had extra time to review my answers. I would definitely recommend this guide.



4. Put your face in this book for 20 minutes a day for at least a month before your exam and I guarantee you'll know more about the NEC. You can't beat a good code class but this will certainly supplement any studies. After using this I took the Maine Journeyman's Exam and passed with flying colors.



5. This is exactly what I was looking for. Step by step through the calculations. It should go far in preparing me for the Master Electrician Exam that I plan to take before year end.

5 comments about Wiring A House (For Pros by Pros).

1. 
   Lots of good reviews here already. I would add that this shouldn't be
   the only book you get. It's got lots of really good tips that you
   don't find other places, but it is by no means a substitute for a
   good NEC code book or textbook like Ray Mullin's.
   
   It's also an intermediate book and assume that you know something.
   If you grab Fine Homebuilding every month, you're the ideal reader.



2. Unfortunately, in my humble opinion, this book is not worth the paper that it is printed on. The book is based on generalities with no specific information on wiring 3-way switches etc....no wiring diagrams for new circuits etc. I would never recommend this book to anyone.



3. We are building a log home & doing everything ourselves. Picked up this book after reading a framing book in the same series (For pro's by pros). This book covers all the basics, & includes many pictures, diagrams, anything you could ever want.
   
   Highly recommended.



4. As other reviewers have pointed out, this is an excellent book for someone with a bit of house wiring experience. It doesn't cover all the basics, and it doesn't completely cover everything one would need to wire a house, but it is chock full of ideas for doing a better wiring job, and making sure you are following the National Electric Code. I especially like the Above Code recommendations--all of which aren't applicable for wiring my cabin, but I've incorporated quite a few.
   
   I'll be going back to this book again and again as my wiring progresses through the final stages. I highly recommend this book as an addition to a library of house wiring resources.



5. This series, For Pros by Pros, is the very best series for practical, detailed information on Do It Yourself projects. Too many books just give general information that leaves you hanging if your situation is not exactly like the description in the book and don't give you sufficient information to completely describe what to expect. This series actually helps you complete the job by telling you what you really need to know.

5 comments about The Black & Decker Complete Guide to Home Wiring - 3rd Edition: Includes Information on Home Electronics & Wireless Technology (Black & Decker Complete Guide).

1. I bought this book because I was clueless about residential electrical wiring. Everything in this book is well illustrated in full color. Also, new electrical installs are covered, as well as upgrading/modifying existing wiring. This will be my "go to" book for electrical wiring for years to come.



2. I'm completely gutting and redoing the upstairs in my house built back in 1902. Using this book as a resource for planning new circuits to replace all the old knob-and-tube wiring. This book gives GREAT sample diagrams showing not only the circuit view, but a realistic "this is what it looks like in the real-world" views. Very helpful at figuring out and simplifying more complicated circuits (such as 3-way and 4-way light switch circuits, etc). Got this on a recommendation from a friend and it was WELL worth the money!



3. I found this book to be an easy read. I have no prior electrical experience, and this book was very useful in explaining a lot of things. I own a 90 year old house, and they actually covered some of the old wiring and components that you would find in an old house. I found this to be well illustrated and thoroughly outlined. If you are new to home wiring or just unsure how to perform electrical work, I feel this book will be a good start to guide you. If you just need to replace a receptacle, install outdoor lighting, or even setup home automation, this book will be a good tool to aid you in the right direction.



4. The book is incredibly rich with photo's showing details of each topic. I have not read through all of the content yet but what I have read is very thourough and easy to understand. The pictures tell an incredible amount of the story. I also like all of the references to related information in each section.



5. This book is in my opinion the perfect electrical guide even for the narrow minded electrical apprentice.
   
   Henry A.