5 comments about Home Machinists Handbook.

1. I have never used a metal lathe or mill, but I am trying to decide if I should get a small one. I am a woodworker, with a decent woodworking shop, so I'm fairly good at mechanical things. As stated early in the book, it isn't for machine shops or starting a business. It is for Home Machinists. There is good information and introductions about what the various machines and tools are, how you use them, and what types of things they can do. Good discussion on metals, as well as tempering, etc.
   
   While I am still not sure if I am going to make the jump to getting machine tools, I certainly think the knowledge gained was worth the purchase price.



2. This Book it's a good start for somebody that is beginning in the world of machinist it's clear and an easy guide to somebody that give it's first step in machinist world and also a practice guidance for experience one's.



3. Very much for the beginner, but some good tips and techniques. More valuable for Sherline owners. Seems like there is too much detail in some places, especially in the chapter on hand tools. Later chapters on machine tools occasionally use terms that a novice would not understand. A glossary and better indexing is needed. It's a bit dated; 1983 copyright.



4. This book is very confusing. The diagrams are often several pages before or after the text that discusses them. The projects are incomplete or downright stupid. (For example, making parallel bars isn't a project, it is a trivial operation that should have been shown in the main test.)
   
   I would suggest anyone interested in a home shop purchase "Machine Shop Essentials: Questions and Answers [Illustrated]" by Marlow, Frank.



5. This book is geared towards an absolute beginner with no knowledge of machining, tools, or measuring. I thought there would be more details on how to use a lathe (i.e. setup, cutting techniques, etc). Just a basic overview of the tools used in machining. The small manual that came with my Sherline lathe was more useful than this. Other reviews on Amazon, led me to believe that this book was better than it really is.

5 comments about Working with Concrete.

1. This is the better book on pouring concrete forms that Taunton Press offers.
   When I bought the book I was a complete novice. Now after 1 1/2 years and several large projects I am starting to learn what is missing. The book does not talk about the design of the forms. For example concrete exerts 150lb/sqft for ever foot of height. At the bottom of a 2ft wall the pressure is 300lbs but at the bottom of a 8ft wall the pressure is 1200lb/sqft. The plywood, 2x4 bracing, and ties need to be set for the height of a wall.
   You can lessen the number of ties in a wall by using stronger ties but then you have to make sure the grid spacing of the 2x4's will support the plywood.
   The pressure on the plywood can also lessened if the pour is slowed down or done in two stages but if it is a small job that will take less than a hour to do the forms will get the full pressure.
   With the first form sys I rented there was nothing telling me how much pressure the forms would take. Trying to save some money I set everything up with ties on a 4'x 2' grid pattern this is O.K for say a 3ft wall but (lucky for me the guy that was going to pump the concrete told me)not strong enough for a 7ft wall.
   There are many different types of form sys if the one that is shown in the book is not available in your area you will need to do more research.
   If you are using a small inline pumper truck you need to order the concrete with small rock.
   Bracing the wall is also very important you are dealing with tons of weight so make sure the bracing holding the wall vertical/straight is done well.
   
   Forms are also called Falsework.
   
   With rebar in the form it is just about impossible to spray the form release on without getting it on the re-bar. It is better to spray the form boards before setting them up or ...
   Make sure you strip the forms 1 - 2 days after the pour then you don't need form release. Any spilt concrete be easy to break up.
   
   Added Dec. 10 2007
   
   Rent a concrete vibrator and hit the sides of the forms with a hammer to get rid of the air. Don't over vibrate the concrete or you will make big air bubbles.
   
   For form stripping buy a 5ft wrecking bar with a 90 degree end not a crow bar with a hook. The 5ft bar cut the stripping time in half.
   
   Hitachi makes a rebar bender/cutter I have rented several times it is great tool.



2. It gave a lot of great information for bigger jobs with concrete. We were initially looking for something on a much smaller scale, but we are going to be doing our driveway soon, and this book had much needed information on how to do it yourself.



3. Covered many areas and ideas that were new to me (like rebar chairs and footing brackets), but I wish more coverage had been shown on dealing with hydronic tubing in slabs. Even the hydronic books lack specificity on how to maintain tubing at uniform location in slab so as not to be too deep, yet not so close to surface to prevent damage by saw-cut control joints. Would have also like to have seen more discussion on powered trowels for flatwork, and finishing stairs so as not to see formwork impressions on riser (says to leave formwork on for several days, but that means no texturing options for the risers.)



4. Minimal coverage of additives, finishing, and concrete mix variations. Good coverage
   of form building and setting. Not as complete as the title implies; really another formwork book.



5. comprehensive book on concrete - just what I was looking for before building my own house.

No comments about The Cleaning Bible: Kim and Aggie's Complete Guide to Modern Household Management.

5 comments about Power Sewing Step-by-Step.

1. This is a good book if you are an intermediate or advanced sewer looking for ways to create designer quality garments at home. The photography in this book is amazing, and is great for ideas. Power Sewing is very much geared towards mimicking upscale clothing that lasts a lifetime. Some of the techniques are good for everyday clothing, but in general if you want to follow her techniques and suggestions be prepared to spend some time and money. Many of her suggestions require using expensive materials that can be difficult to find locally.
   
   For beginners, I suggest any of the Easy Guide to Sewing books published by Taunton. They are easier for a beginner to follow, and really go into "why", not just "how". Power Sewing is more of a manual for more experienced sewers looking to solve sewing problems.



2. Of all the excellent books that I own on the subject of sewing, "Power Sewing" is the book that I pull out every day for reference. As I make my pattern, cut it out and then assemble the garment, there is always some little trick that I recall seeing in this book that causes me to flip through the pages once again until my memory is refreshed by one of Ms. Betzina's bullet-points or by one of the pictures. There are no long paragraphs in this book -- all instructions deal directly with the matter at hand and are clearly illustrated in a format which leaves no question unanswered. Without a doubt, this book alone has guided me so that I have been producing wonderfully-constructed projects. This is a book that is practical and extremely useful for anybody that sews.



3. This is one of those books that should be in every sewing library no matter what you like to sew because you learn techniques that can be carried over from sewing clothes to sewing home decor, etc. I have been sewing for 50 years, and sewing has changed considerably during that time. This book is like going to class once again. I purchased it to go with my new computerized sewing machine, and I'm learning new skills to go with my new machine.
   
   Great instructions. Wonderful close up pictures. Well worth the purchase price.



4. This book is not a learn to sew book. This book is to refine the sewing skills that you already have. This book is what would turn a beginner into an intermediate sewer.
   
   This book is hard to categorize. It is not a typical reference book as the topics included appear to have been selected at random, it appears to be an assortment of loosely related tips and techniques.
   
   I love the creativity this book encourages.



5. Whether you are new to sewing or an old pro, you are sure to benefit from the wealth of information and ideas in this book. The fly front instructions are worth the price of the whole book!

5 comments about Dream Sewing Spaces: Design & Organization for Spaces Large & Small.

1. I ordered this book to help get some ideas to set up my new sewing room. I found a lot of useful ideas inside this book to help me create my own space to work in. It also gives you ideas to use items that you currently own in your house.



2. A sewing instructor recommended this book, and she was right. It has everything you need to know to set up a sewing space complete with measurements and layouts and recommendations for low-end and high-end materials. This will be in my library waiting until I have the money to build a really good studio in future. In the meantime, when I am ready to make a purchase, I can refer to this to make sure I am buying the right thing for my size and space.



3. This is an excellent book which I highly recommend. It is full of color pictures, diagrams and various chapters on how to set up your dream sewing space. It is very easy to read and understand, and I am so glad I was able to get my hands on a copy!



4. This book is one to dream over. I like the example rooms listed with floor plans for sewing spaces. Even if you only have a closet, it shows you how to utilize the features of a closet space for sewing! I have a storage/guest room I want to turn into a sewing area, so this gives me and my hubby lots of ideas on how to do it in the future. I am sure I will use this book to look over and over again. Happy Sewing Room Planning!
   
   This book also includes serger/sewing machine configurations. I also have a knitting machine that I plan to put in mine--just adding that table to the room is easy enough for planning--I may just need a little more space. Also, you can use this book's ideas for a quilting area/center as well.



5. I'm in the planning stage for turning a small home office into a sewing room. This book contains both layout ideas and guidelines for determining appropriate heights for sewing, cutting, and pressing areas based on personal measurements. After looking for some time, I don't believe there's a better resource available to get you dreaming and designing!

5 comments about Discipline: The Brazelton Way.

1. The advice in this book sounds very nice and gentle and compassionate but the problem is that it works only on children who are obedient and fairly submissive by nature. Lots of kids figure out the game after a while. What if your child refuses to stay in "time out"? What happens when you have taken away all the privileges? (and little kids just don't have that many). What about older kids who just laugh at this kind of approach?You'd better go buy another book because Dr. Brazelton doesn't address real discipline problems.



2. This is the most useful book on parenting I've ever read. It is clear, straightforward, practical, and respectful of children and parents. Thank you.



3. Discipline teaches our children right from wrong and to care about doing right, to think of others before themselves. Too bad we can't raise the current generation of adults all over again. Hopefully today's parents, with the help of this book, will do better.



4. I read the book as soon as I got it home. We were having discipline problems with out almost 4 year old and with a new sibling in the mix we didn't want to make drastic changes again in his life. I often read the book when I'm frustrated by my childrens actions and it helps me to understand their way of thinking and how to make the correct discipline choices to fit the exact situation. Thanks Berry Brazelton!



5. I really liked this approach to discipline in theory, but it just dosen't cut it in the real world. I have a very headstrong toddler and he walked all over me with these approaches. I really like Is it a Big Problem or a Little Problem?, which I am currently reading. It has many more real-life solutions than the Discipline book did.

5 comments about Fine Embellishment Techniques: Classic Details for Today's Clothing.

1. This book arrived in fast time and in good condition. I was surprised at how quickly I received the item.



2. I was a bit disappointed in this book. The designs are not very modern nor old in a cool way. I don't think the techniques shown are very creative, but if you are looking for standard simple techniques like simple ways of applying beads or how to do binding and piping, this book is for you. I think there's too much text and not enough pictures.



3. If anyone wanted to research early 1990's fashion for a Beverly Hills 90210/Wilson Phillips/Shanice/Alannah Myles/Milli Vanilli biographical movie, take a look at the photographs in this book. The pictures are awfully dated but the techniques are less dated. Why do designers get caught up in such non classic fabrics and colors (sandwashed silk and purple with red)? Still a useful book too if you want to set up a hippie craft stall at your local bazaar.



4. This book was pretty ordinary, if you've been embellishing cloth/clothing for any length of time. I bought it hoping for inspiration, but there was no inspiration to be had. Not only that, of the things that were included, I would never use. Today's clothing? Hardly. The techniques/effects were more suitable to vintage sewing than modern. If you must, buy this used, and then pass it along to others. In fact, I'll sell you my copy.



5. This is a lovely book for those who are interested in fabric imbellishment. I was looking for something a bit more contemporary and elaborate, but this book has enough to keep me busy for a while.

5 comments about Your Self-Confident Baby: How to Encourage Your Child's Natural Abilities from the Very Start.

1. While the book has some great ideas and questions our assumptions about how we interact with babies, some ideas of this approach seem odd. Such as seeing the act of burping your baby as hitting? Or that rocking your baby is inappropriate? I very much agree with another reviewer who said this book is written in a "know-it-all" tone, too. I only tolerate that tone when there is research to back it up.



2. Very good to get a newer version on the child care examples for which our Center is based upon.



3. Recommended to me by my college Professor a Dr. of Child Development. It was a great way to pull all of the methods we learned in class about positive and developmentally facilitating group care for Infants and Toddlers into my home so I could care for my own child while still encouraging his learning and creating a well adjusted child. Although this book does not talk about the research done on her methods, my class certainly did, and the finding were quite telling. I recommend watching video footage of the infants who have been raised and taught with these methods, IT IS AMAZING to see what a child so small is capable of doing on their own. I am excited to see my own children excel with her methods.....



4. A great book for all parents! This book gives an in depth explanation of the RIE philosophies. It is well written and organized. I think it is better written than Magda Gerber's first book Dear Parent: Caring for Infants With Respect (2nd Edition). RIE offers parents a nice structure that helps promote a loving connected relationship between parent and child. Like any parenting philosophy, it is important that parents pick and choose what feels right for your particular family. I recommend this book to any parent that wants to raise a confident baby.
   Dr. Jenn Berman
   [...]
   Author of The A to Z Guide to Raising Happy, Confident Kids



5. What a remarkable book! If you don't have time to read, you should still read this book, whether you're a first time parent or a veteran. We need this book to be an epidemic, so that RIE based child-care facilities open up all over the nation. There's only one educarer in the NJ/NY region! The only principle that I disagree with is holding your child - I have a 2 month old baby and I carry her all the time, practicing "baby-wearing". When I don't hold her, however, I enjoy the advice of the book - in essence, watch and wait. Seeing baby lie flat on her back (which is all a 2 month old can do) and look around, finding her hands, a stream of sunlight, shadows on the wall - this book has made observation a pleasure. Please read it! It states out loud the things your subconscious knows; tell the baby what you're about to do, don't tickle, don't spank, don't interrupt, stop rushing her training.... Please, please buy this book!

5 comments about The Stonebuilder's Primer: A Step-By-Step Guide for Owner-Builders.

1. I rarely write a review despite the fact that I read so many books, but felt this one deserved special attention. I am looking to build a log home in Southeast Alaska and wanted to have a nice rock wall foundation and a spectacular fireplace. After reading this book I am confident that I can do most of the work myself (except the footing for the foundation) and feel confident that it will look totally professional (and be bomb proof). The book is well written, very readable, has good photos, and is probably the only book you will need to do any and all stone work. It is not a book on slip form and it is not a coffee table book - it is for building in stone.



2. If you are considering building with stone, give this book a try. I like the author's writing style and he does a great job explaining the process.



3. The experiences of Mr. Long will interest many 'would-be' masons, contemplating construction of a stone wall of any form. The book is not a 'how-to' guide as much as a 'how I figured it out' or 'how I got the rock to the top of the wall.' Those with masonry experience will probably find this unnecessary, but anyone considering a masonry adventure will find the reading well worth the effort. Mr. Long's experiments in man-handling rock, using ramps and building scaffolds are exactly what amateur masons need to read.
   
   The book if fairly shy about the author's handiwork. The finished house is never displayed, and 'example' photos are generally shots of 19th century buildings. Additionally, there is nothing on how long it took to accomplish their tasks. There are lots of photos showing the author and wife man-handling rocks, though.
   
   The book seems to be set in the north-eastern United States, and Mr. Long's advice for finding rocks may be unsuited to other areas. As best I can tell, the book advises picking up a suitable rock when ever one one. This might happen on the shoulder of a highway, while driving past a farmer's field or wandering around old quarries. Mr. Long suggests all non-masons are overjoyed when anyone hauls away a rock. I'm not convinced.



4. This is an excellent beginning book on building with stone. No mention of necessary information regarding general house building is included. You are supposed to find that elsewhere. This is about building stone walls to become a building. The technique it presents is different than slipform wall building and creates walls that are remarkably good looking, straight and will endure for decades, maybe even centuries. Great book and I highly reccomend it for anyone thinking about using stone as a building material.



5. I was very pleased with the level of detail in this book. I was specifically looking for information on stone fireplaces and chimneys and the author does a fine job of being quite specific about measurements and practicalities of building a heavy, tall stone structure. All of the chapters appear to have explicit and careful directions. Many thanks for this valuable resource. It will remain in my library long after the house is built!

5 comments about The Ultimate Serger Answer Guide: Troubleshooting for Any Overlock Brand or Model (Creative Machine Arts Series).

1. If you are new to serging or even experienced, you will find this book a valuable asset in your sewing library. I am new to serging and have found it to be a very helpful. Most owner/instruction manuals tell you how to thread and use your machine but don't get into a lot of detail about the actual how-to of serging or problem-solving. This book covers everything from needles to sewing with various types of threads to troubleshooting with lots of illustrations and photographs.
   
   There is a reason why people buy sergers and never use them. Unlike sewing machines, sergers are a little more complicated and can be down right intimidating, so good reference books are a MUST! This book, along with "The New Singer Sewing With A Serger", have been very helpful to me. Sergers are great machines and reference books such as this will give you the confidence and ability to get through problems and master your serger.



2. My wife was a first time user of a serger that I bought her for Christmas (I know - great Christmas gift - but it was what she wanted!) - anyways, she tells me that this book is very helpful for providing a lot of useful hints past the basic instructions you get with a new serger - she would recommend it for anyone who usually needs just a little more hints tht a basic instruction guide provides



3. I am looking to buy a serger, and this book is helping me decide what features I should look for. I find this book to be very informative and is layed out well for easy skimming. This book came to me highly recommended, and I now can highly recommend it.



4. I had borrowed this book from the local library and knew I had to have one on hand as a reference guide. It's primarily a trouble-shooting book, (you won't find creative techniques or project ideas) so if you know that up-front, you can't find a better book of its type. It covers everything from understanding and making adjustments to tensions to telling you where to look for typical causes of malfunctions. (I could have saved a trip to the repair shop a few months ago if I had this book and known my breaking needle was caused by improper threading -- who'd have guessed!?) It also has a wonderful section of photos showing the use of unexpected threads in the loopers to create decorative finishes and giving tips and difficulty ratings for those finishes. For me, this was a must-have reference book.



5. I recently bought a serger. I have have never used one before and donot have technical backup from the dealer (I bought online). Anyway this book is one of three I bought on serging and it is the best and indepensible to anyone who owns a serger. The photographs and information are clear and easy to use. This book and your manual are all you need to get the best out of your serger in my opinion.