DIY idiots guide/bible
Discussion
Having just forked out a substantial sum of money paying someone to fix yet another problem with my house I've been instructed by my better half to learn how to "do stuff." Right now I'm incapable of doing much more than replacing a light bulb and there are about a dozen little jobs around the house that need doing. (In all seriousness I can work a screwdriver/spanners and have fitted blinds/rails etc, but I needed step by step instructions.)
To give a flavour of the sort of thing I'm talking about the jobs that first spring to mind are replacing a faulty dimmer switch, replacing a light socket (the plastic bit where the bayonet fits in has snapped), repairing/replacing a dented wooden door, bleeding radiators...that sort of thing. I've heard there DIY bibles that will guide me through that sort of thing and a bit of digging has thrown up a few options, but the ones that seem to cater for someone of my ability tend to get reviews saying they don't cover enough subjects, and those that do seem quite comprehensive get reviews saying they aren't for the absolute beginner.
Does anyone have such a guide sitting on their shelf and can recommend it?
To give a flavour of the sort of thing I'm talking about the jobs that first spring to mind are replacing a faulty dimmer switch, replacing a light socket (the plastic bit where the bayonet fits in has snapped), repairing/replacing a dented wooden door, bleeding radiators...that sort of thing. I've heard there DIY bibles that will guide me through that sort of thing and a bit of digging has thrown up a few options, but the ones that seem to cater for someone of my ability tend to get reviews saying they don't cover enough subjects, and those that do seem quite comprehensive get reviews saying they aren't for the absolute beginner.
Does anyone have such a guide sitting on their shelf and can recommend it?
E36GUY said:
The jiffle king said:
The readers digest one I still have is ok... it was about a fiver from WHSmiths... Not incredible, but does the job
It's good enough!That being said of all the options that's the front runner.
onomatopoeia said:
I've got one published by Collins, had it at least 15 years so it has the useful stuff in that I'm not allowed to do any more, like changing a consumer unit and installing a ring main.
You can still do it just need to get the building inspectors round to sign it off afterwards.The Collins book is good though I have it also.
The jiffle king said:
It´s ok on electrics and the version I have does old and new wiring colours. It´s not going to enable you to build a house, but to do the dimmer and a socket... it will be ok.
Ive got the Sunday Times DIY manual, but it's from 1983 so they're a bit blasé about health & safety and there's none of that green nonsense! My house is mid-60's, so the book has been perfect for me.There is a book in the series about building a house.
Another vote for the Collins one, I picked mine up at Costco for a tenner a few years ago and it's paid me back many times.
The thing I like about it is that it tells you the current legislation/standards/red tape that govern things, which is quite handy because if you're about to break the law then it's best to know what laws you're actually breaking....
The thing I like about it is that it tells you the current legislation/standards/red tape that govern things, which is quite handy because if you're about to break the law then it's best to know what laws you're actually breaking....
I would say that if you can get an understanding of your tools, what they can and cannot do, nature of the task and how the substrate (wood, brick etc) behaves, then you can just do it without needing to read a book. In short, practice.
More definitive knowledge would be required before tackling electricity though, so a book is probably best for that.
And remember, 12V can kill you so you really need to go on a course
More definitive knowledge would be required before tackling electricity though, so a book is probably best for that.
And remember, 12V can kill you so you really need to go on a course
I used to have the Reader's Digest which was very good as it used to tell you silly things like when hanging a door make it so it swings shut not open. I read that paragraph too late for two doors.
One of the important things is that you will take three times as long as the tradesman. So allow plenty of time and don't rush
Buy good tools if you can work out what you need. They can be expensive. I have two De-Walt drills One for drilling One for a screwdriver. Saves hoards of time.
DIY Rules.
If it's too high off the ground or really mucky get someone else to do it.
Buy good materials Don't mess on with trying to re-use stuff.
Buy boxes of good screws
Throw away packets of screws and plugs that arrive with fittings and use your own
When neighbours find you can do stuff and ask for help get modest and say it's too much for you. You can stand back and comment but keep your hands in your pockets and admire their efforts.
When finished with a job look exhausted otherwise the O/H will have the next job lined up
One of the important things is that you will take three times as long as the tradesman. So allow plenty of time and don't rush
Buy good tools if you can work out what you need. They can be expensive. I have two De-Walt drills One for drilling One for a screwdriver. Saves hoards of time.
DIY Rules.
If it's too high off the ground or really mucky get someone else to do it.
Buy good materials Don't mess on with trying to re-use stuff.
Buy boxes of good screws
Throw away packets of screws and plugs that arrive with fittings and use your own
When neighbours find you can do stuff and ask for help get modest and say it's too much for you. You can stand back and comment but keep your hands in your pockets and admire their efforts.
When finished with a job look exhausted otherwise the O/H will have the next job lined up
I was given this book for xmas, I have only had a quick look but it's pretty decent:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/DIY-2nd-Know-how-Julian-Ca...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/DIY-2nd-Know-how-Julian-Ca...
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