2 comments about Troubleshooting and Repairing Major Appliances, 2nd Ed..

1. I have a 13 month old dishwasher that cost me $650. It started making a loud noise while in use. I called the company's repair center and they gave me a rough estimate of about $400-500 to repair. According to Consumer Reports, I should have trashed the washer and bought a new one! I had to search high and low to find any books on appliance repair. Evidently, this knowledge is a state secret! I guess our disposable society doesn't want to fix anything. I did a lot of searching on the web and did find some general info on dishwasher repair, but they didn't offer any concrete details. This book saved the day. I read the repair chapter on dishwashers, grab my tools and removed the dishwasher, diagnosed the problem (bad motor--after ruling out other issues), went to the company's web site, located the motor and ordered it for $225. The motor arrived, I removed the old motor and popped the new one in, reconnected the electricity and water supplies, restored the power, ran a cycle and eureka, IT WORKED! The cost of the book, some of my time and I was able to saved my self hundreds of dollars and not be a prisoner of some repairperson. The book offers chapters on using the tools, multimeter, etc. you will need to diagnose the problem. They are clearly written and not overburdened with "technobabble". The chapters on each appliance help you troubleshoot and rule out other possiblities. To be fair, I do have a strong tool background, so I have the equipment needed. If you don't have a multimeter, etc., you would be better off calling a repair tech, but if you do have to tools for the job, grab this book and fix the problem yourself. The sense of satisfaction and competence you feel by doing something for yourself and saving your appliance from the landfill make the effort worthwhile!



2. Having had used the old Time-Life books or Franklynn Peterson's book to repair most of my appliances for the past 25 years I was highly unimpressed with this book. Unfortunately, someone "borrowed" my oldest Time Life major appliance book that covered front load washers and they didn't cover them at all for 10 yrs so when my frontloader acted up I needed a newer book.
   
   So when I saw the title and the fact it was a 2007 book I figured (wrongly) that it would cover current appliances and might be a something I could use. There might be some areas with useful stuff in there but but on first job that came up it failed.
   
   The first illustration of a washer is a front loader, but, all maintenance and repair information and all diagrams are for older agitatator models when it is covered at all. Also the list of symptoms has nothing to do with the repair contents or at least not on logical basis.
   
   For example when you go to the washer section and you look up Symptom "water will not drain" it gives possible causes but does not reference what page you would find that information on, there is no diagram of what the inside of the washer looks like, no illustration of what the pump looks like. Where it gives info. like check for air lock in the pump it never covers instructions on how to check for air lock,in the case of check to the sure that the motor is not runing in the agitation direction there are no instructions on how to check that or what to do if it is.
   
   So far for me it started with a total failure first time out of the mailer. Doubt I will ever pick it up again to even bother checking it on other items.
   
   By the way I have rebuilt 1 electric stove, rebuilt two diswashers, two washers and one dryer in the past so none of this is new to me is just been 8 yrs since I had to repair a washer and this one is 20 yrs younger with newer controls so I thought an updated book would help.

5 comments about Digital Fundamentals (8th Edition).

1. When I took digital design class, I struggled to find a book that is easy to understand. I tried to read several books, including Roth's book, all of them are hard to understand. Thankfully I bought Floyd's book and his book is the best digital design book I have ever read so far.
   1.) It has lots of colorful diagram that clearly illustrate the topics in each chapter.
   2.) Each topic has its own exercises, and each exercises has solutions provided at the end of each chapter. Doing the exercises improves my understanding of the subject.
   3.) Lots of examples in each topic. If you read and understand the examples, you can do the exercises.
   4.) It covers some digital technology, including the PLD.
   5.) Once you finish reading this book, you will be ready to read advanced digital design book.
   Good job Mr. Floyd!



2. As a software engineer working in embedded applications environment, I needed to pick up digital electronics fundamentals fast. This book was extremely helpful, and enabled me to better understand the often-cryptic datasheets of microcontrollers.



3. One of the finest books on Digital Logic Design. Read it cover to cover make full use of its content.



4. I had to have it for class. The aurthor does some things the hard way.



5. Can somebody please advise what the basic differences are between the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th editions of this book, to the better or the worse?

2 comments about Digital Electronics: A Practical Approach (7th Edition).

1. William Kleitz takes a more practical approach which will benefit you now and prepare you better for the future, if you prefer digital over analog. Although I was forced to use Floyd's edition in college, Kleitz goes much deeper in detail for designing digital circuits taking small steps to learning, which then all come together as one. Generally speaking, all logic tables, using simple gates, their behavior appears static in all text books which are currently published. However, Kleitz reveals very interesting concepts and ideas, which appealed my interest in reading his book.
   My experience with troubleshooting digital circuits leads me to believe that this a better overall text, no question about it. His remarkable approach, and style of teaching should be noted by all, but with most digital textbooks, most of them don't go beyond simple logic predictions, and material that never leaves the classroom floor.If your seeking advanced digital concepts with basic fundamentals included, then your best bet, is the text I'm reviewing here today by William Kleitz.



2. Book works well in a classroom format when you have time to go over the various waveforms. The Instructor package has several useful items.

1 comments about Understanding & Servicing Alarm Systems (Newnes).

1. Maybe my expectations were too high. The fact is that this book offers you very little unless you really have no clue about how electricity works. The book is also poorly organized. I really couldn't figure out a logical sequence. The book also seems to be very dated. There is virtually no mention of electronic security panels and common programming tasks. In my opinion, it's a book to avoid.

2 comments about Household Conveniences and How to Make Them.

1. This book, a Lyons Press reprint of an 1884 publication, is a gem. Even though the text is over 100 years-old, it is up-to-date in many ways. The homesteader, the do-it-yourselfer, those curious about the old-fashioned way of life, and history buffs will be delighted with the many innovative, practical projects detailed in the book -- some of which make more sense than their modern-day counterparts.

   Gain ideas to help you make a substitute for a cistern, filter water, make your own lye leacher, flour box, cheese press, clothes drying racks, ice boxes, water heaters, to carve a turkey, make a lamp shade and chairs from boxes and barrels. For the gardener are instructions to make a flower box for the yard, hanging planters and plant stands. There are dozens more "conveniences" detailed under the categories "Around the House," "The Cellar," "The Kitchen," "Pantries, Closets, and Cupboards," "The Dining Room," "The Sitting Room," "The Library," and "The Sewing Room."

   Instructions for making some things are very sketchy, and while there are many wonderful illustrations, there are few that will enable the less experienced builder/creator to sit right down and build a spice box. Some projects require the services of a blacksmith or tinsmith!

   For winter relaxation reading, for historical interest sake, for real practicality for those living the lifestyles mentioned in paragraph one, this book is a winner.




2. As our standard of living declines, these gadgets will come in handy once again. When you really need it, you won't have the money to buy it!

5 comments about Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide to Sharpening (Complete Illustrated Guide).

1. I have two books on sharpening. Which is a lot when you consider that sharpening is more of a chore than anything else. But it is a very important chore (second only to sweeping up), and one that can make woodworking a pleasure or a great pain. Until you develop good, disciplined sharpening techniques your work will be spotty at best. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a hand tool purist. But one of the reasons I have so many power planes, routers, and shapers is that, for a long time I was a very mediocre sharpener.
   
   Thomas Lie-Nielson makes some of the finest planes in the world. I have three, and each has proved out its value repeatedly. Much of the reason I bought this book was to see what he had to say, even though my copy of Leonard Lee's 'Complete Guide to Sharpening' has stood me in good stead. Unfortunately, Lie-Nielsen is a much better toolmaker than he is a writer. His presentation is quite dry, and not as detailed as I would have liked. And for some strange reason the photographer managed to 'miss' the action or make it difficult to puzzle out what was happening.
   
   In spite of this, Lie-Nielsen manages to explain somethings that Leonard Lee left out. He also offers more discussion on shaping the steel as well as sharpening it. His section on sharpening axes is a classic of straightforward clarity and brevity, for example. But While I am a fan of Taunton's 'Complete Illustrated' series, this time their offering falls short. Lee's book is half the price and every bit as useful



2. This is a very practical book on sharpening well illustrated which covers almost any sharp tool used in woodworking that has an iron cutting edge (not carbide). Unfortunately I got a defective copy (with some pages misplaced) which Amazon promptly replaced at no charge.



3. After an introduction to the basics of sharpening, the author take you step by step through the process of sharpening all the different kind of tools you can think of.
   
   The author start by exposing the different method of sharpening from using sand paper to using expensive ceramic stone. It is up to you to decide which one is for you based on your budget and taste.
   
   I would have given it a 5 stars if the picture don't always illustrate the point properly and because I would have liked more information on using a wet sharpener which as become quite popular nowaday.



4. An enjoyable read. great info on many topics, even some that you never though of but great background.



5. This book is for wood carvers and not for the neophyte wondering how to best sharpen a kitchen knife or a lawn mower blade. Lots of information and photographs, but it's hard to figure out what motion is going on from the still photography.
   In the first hour of looking through the content, I found several typo's and even more "wordo's". e.g. Page 70 - "Some Japanese stones have only one bevel." I don't think that "stones" have bevels - guess they meant "knives". Stilted language could be replaced by some simple advice. How about some straight-forward step-by-step instructions for sharpening a knife?

5 comments about Electrical Design Guide for Commercial Buildings.

1. It seems difficult to find a good general guide for electrical engineering pertaining to commercial buildings. This book manages to cover the essentials, adds in some experience related data and some of the theory behind the concepts. It does not provide the type of information contained within books such as the American Electrician's Handbook (also recommended), but is valuable nonetheless.



2. This book needs to go back through editorial review. Many figures are mis-labeled and out of sequence. Most of the details and drawings are so small that you cannot read them even with a magnifying glass. The general content is practical and useable. I'd give the content a "B+", but the presentation and delivery a "D-".



3. This book might have a lot of useful information, but it definitely wasn't what I expected. The book is literally too small. What I expected was a very large book with many photos of electrical equipment in commercial buildings, enough photos to thoroughly educate someone in the design of commercial building electrical systems. It seems that everyone compromises when writing a technical book like this,,,,,,,,and that is what makes people like me return such books.



4. My main grips is what he says about fiber optic cables (P. 73)
   
   "They are sensitive to magnetic fields from motors, air handling units, and other large electrical appliances."
   
   Completely untrue. One of the BENEFITS of fiber is immunity to EMI/RFI interference.
   
   "Fiber opric cable is extremely difficuit (i.e. costly) to splice".
   
   This may have been true oh, say back in 1968, but modern splicing and repair techniques make this much simpler and cost effective then ever before.
   
   Oh, also on page 330: "Most HVAC designers are lazy". Now, how can he make a blanket statement like this? That is like saying most garbage men are Mexican!
   
   Bottom line, its a good book for someone new to the field either as a designer, drafter, engineer, or electrician. It explains the basics of power systems for commercial buildings, and what major choices influence the design process. I would give the book an A- grade if only for the points mentioned above.



5. The previous reviewer comments on my saying fiber optic cable is difficult to splice. He takes my words out of context. I said what I did to emphasize that only skilled, experienced individuals should work with fiber optics. No one can deny that splicing copper cables is not as challenging as splicing optical networks, or that people without proper training and certification should not do so.
   
   He also comments on my disparaging remarks about HVAC designers. I am licensed to seal mechanical and hvac projects as well as electrical. I have another book published with McGraw-Hill "Retrofitting for Energy Conservation" which is mostly mechanical. In proper context, I said that HVAC designers are lazy when specifying electrical components for HVAC systems. For example, they routinely spec variable frequency drives for all motors, globally. Assuming that VFD's are the most efficient options. Another important factor is the facility - a small, rural, or remote facility might be better served with a two speed motor, which is almost as efficient as a VFD. My comments on this were intended to motivate electrical designers to get more involved in the specification of mechanical systems, so that the most efficient system can be provided to the client.
   
   I will clarify these points in the next edition, and I appreciate their being brought to my attention.

2 comments about Residential Construction Academy House Wiring (Residential Construction Academy).

1. I thought this was a great book. It explains the process from A-Z and throws in NEC code references. For those without any wiring knowledge at all, it will be very beneficial to get you up to speed. I will use this book along with Rex Cauldwells book and the Black and Decker home wiring book to wire my next home.
   I also have the Residential Series Plumbing book also, which I highly recommend.



2. I ordered and received this item and was totally satisfied with the entire process and the product

No comments about Instalaciones Eléctricas Básicas.

1 comments about NEC® 2008 Need to Know.

1. I had high hopes for this book, and intended to use it in a class I teach. Unfortunately as soon as I downloaded it to my Kindle and started browsing I happened to skim to Fig. 2.4 which attempts to illustrate the "6-ft rule." This author clearly does not understand the rule as evidenced by her diagram indicating that receptacles are required every six feet. WRONG! If she gets this simple rule wrong it begs the question of what else she got wrong. We shouldn't be using or promoting books or authors that are suspect. My vote - skip this one.