1 comments about The Way We Live Alfresco.

1. The Way We Live Alfresco I was very disappointed in this book. With the cover picture and the inability to look through the book online, I was hoping it was about Alfresco landscapes, like from Italy or Provance. The cover is misleading and so is the title. Maybe one picture fit the name of the book and everything else was very contemporary and all over the world outdoor landscape that to me was not Alfresco at all. Sure wish that Amazon would provide more access to see what is in books like these, so many of them that I looked at I was not able to look inside. It is frustrating.

No comments about The Chemistry of Cooking and Cleaning.

No comments about A Field Guide to Household Technology.

5 comments about Controlling Dust In The Workshop.

1. This book could save you life. Dust can be very dangerous. This book will more than pay for it's self when you decide to collect that dust instead of breathing it. The book is aimed a small commercial or home workshop. My family joked and laughed at me for buying a book about dust. After looking over the book, my son said it is interesting, and he was glad i bought it. I am just about finished with the instalation of a dust collection system in my shop. I used a lot of great input from this book. Peters recommends metal pipe over PVC. I have a friend who has a nice PVC system, and will be replacing the PVC with metal. In the past I had a large commercial DC system that worked very well. I expect this smaller system will work well too.



2. This is the most clearly written book I could find on dust collection. The author makes it very clear that dust is dangerous to your long term health and then concisly states through pictures and words how to help you make woodworking a life long experience. I highly recommend this as a first and maybe only book on dust collection.



3. I like this book because for one the photos are very clear and in color. All too often woodworking books come with drawn pictures or black and white photos, which I hate. One of the best things I like about this book is Rick Peters shows you how to make simple dust collection hookup for each of your machines. I already made 2, which work great. The only thing I disagree with is the fact he tells you not to use PVC for your ducting. I live in a humid climate so static electricity is the least of my worries. This topic has been debated to death, and I guess Rick is on one side of the debate, but PVC is so much easier to work with and more readily available. Plus it is [less expensive]. All in all this is a fine book.



4. I ordered this book before setting up my 1000 sq/ft shop. It really cleared up a lot of things. I was considering buying 2 of the popular (Jet or Delta) bag collectors... one for each end of my shop.

   However, after reading the book, I decided this would be a cheaper way to go, but not a better way. I ended up buying a cyclone unit and using all metal ductwork. More expensive, but safer and much more efficient.




5. When someone asks you a riddle, it is complex in trying to find an answer. Once you find it, or someone gives it to you, it seems so obvious, you may blurt out, "I knew that" Well that is what the author has done with every aspect of controlling dust in the workshop. This guy knows it so well, that he has reduced it to simplicity. No guesswork in his approach. He states it, and that is the end of it. It is a highly recommended read. No nonsense, simply put, this is the way to put the best dust collection system together.
   Here is what I decided to do, after reading the book. Although the author recommends a cyclone dust collector, I am purchasing the JDS Dust Force, with the 1 micron kit, (be sure and get the optional 1 micron kit) and a Woodstock International separator. The price of doing it that way is one third of the cost of the a cyclone unit. Home made units can be made, and he points the way on how to do it, but I would prefer to not have to build one, since I have enough projects to do already. His penchant for the cyclone unit, is that chunks of wood, or even worse metal, won't be dancing off of the fan blade, which could cause a spark. The only thing that arrives at the cyclone filter is a little powder. Additoinally their isn't any vacuum loss with a cyclone, due to resistance. Well the JDS Dust force delivers more air at 1200 CFM, so the small amount of resistance created by the Wookstock International pre separator is of no consquence. Additoinally it prevents anything other than fine powder getting near the fan blade and filter as well.
   Since the popular Oneida 2HP cyclone unit only gives you 1100, and their 1.5HP is rated for 750 as I recall, and at three times the cost.
   This book gets into everything you need to know, to set up a complete system. In addition to the book, I noticed at the Onieda-air.com site, they had a sample room layout, with the proper pipe sizes etc. Proper sizing and layout, will give you the right amount of performance, and in proportion for the varying needs of different types of tools.
   I guess I am getting a little wordy. Buy the book. It will save you way more than the purchase price in your quest for the dust free shop.

5 comments about Common-Sense Pest Control: Least-Toxic Solutions for Your Home, Garden, Pets and Community.

1. A detailed, well-indexed reference dealing with pests from lice to rats. This is a how-to book as well as a general reference, and although Common-Sense Pest Control is not always the most pleasant reading, it is a godsend to anyone in the trenches. The authors approach is scientific and non-alarmist, with an emphasis on least-toxic solutions. Excellent illustrations. An example of their style: "Few pest problems cause more panic and premature decisions among home owners than those involving wood-destroying insects such as carpenter ants or termites... Whatever the reason, you should not feel pressured. You have plenty of time to find the least-toxic treatment and decide whether you want to do some of the work yourself and contract out the rest to a professional or turn over the entire job to a professional."



2. This book is a wonderful resource for anyone who cares about balancing their own needs as residents of the planet with the needs of all the bugs out there. Insects are introduced, their contributions to their ecosystem detailed, possible ways of controlling them discussed where that is needed, and final, more dire solutions are available where needed. A great resource for those who want their pest control to be as little destructive as possible, and in many cases this is also what is most effective. A good resource to have on hand.



3. I answer garden questions (and ones about pest problems) for a living, and I'd be lost without my wonderful dog-eared copy of this book. It is probably responsible for TONS of toxic chemicals NOT being used by paniced homeowners, and belongs in EVERY home.



4. Despite the opinions of another of the book's reviewers, many responsible, ... homeowners and gardeners have the need to sanely deal with pest infestations. This is the best book for learning about the least toxic and often the most humane way of dealing with pest problems. I have used it for my own home and garden and also as a Master Gardener recommending solutions for other gardeners. I highly recommend it.



5. Ignore the two inane reviews below and read the others. You'll see what I mean....

1 comments about How to Operate Your Home.

1. "How to Operate Your Home" is a fantastic "must have" manual every homeowner should read. Rarely is a homeowner educated on how to operate the systems of their home. I give the "booklet" version to each of my home inspection clients. The maintenance and safety tips alone are well worth the purchase price.

5 comments about Home Sense: Simple Solutions to Enhance Where and How You Live.

1. Eduardo knows what he is talking about. I got this book two weeks ago and I am already inspired to redesign my home space. All of the suggestions in the book are easy, simple and they make sense. The book is very colourful and vibrant, I like it very much and recommend it.



2. We are in the process of remodeling our home. I thought this book would give me some insight, 'does and don'ts', ideas and the like. NOT! This book is targeted to small apartments, although that is not mentioned in its write up. It is the first book I have ever returned to Amazon!



3. This book has given me some great ideas in transforming a nice room into a beautiful room. I definitely recommend this book to those that value their time and try to make simple into worthwhile. Thanks Eduardo!



4. This is a wonderfully written book and is great for people in big or small places, with a big budget or even with no budget. The reviewer who said they returned the book was rather foolish. If you look at the complete title it is called Home Sense: Simple Solutions to Enhance Where and How You Live. This book is packed with beautiful pictures and simple solutions that had my mind racing with ideas. If you are looking for a book on how to take simple design elements and even things you already have in your home to enhance the rooms character than this is it. I would have never have given certain colors a chance before reading this book. This book makes "Perfect Sense" to me and it will to you. I can't wait for what tips he shares with us next!



5. This gem of a book gives great advice for designers or home owners. It is full of fabulous pictures of great projects. It would make a great gift for anybody who loves architecture and design.

1 comments about The Homeowners' Guide to Hiring Contractors.

1. Vary helpful and well written, no doubt. Mr. Kennelly is clearly well informed about the subject of his new book, The Homeowners' Guide to Hiring Contractors. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

   Trace Boyd San Jose, CA

1 comments about Home Emergency Guide.

1. DK books are famous for their photos, and this is no exception. Each page for first aid, home emergency, or natural disaster has great descriptive pictures.

   However.....directions are given in a graph-type form. It's almost like an old DOS program with the "if yes, if no" commands. Not at all easy to follow in a real emergency! I like our book, but probably would not have bought it if I knew the directions required such concentration!!

No comments about Room by Room: Kitchens: Your House Made Simple (Room By Room).