Customer Reviews

The Small-Engine Handbook (Motorbooks Workshop)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I read it cover to cover in a short amount of time. However the title is rather misleading. This is definitely not a technical manual. If you have an old engine that wont run, this is not the book to help. It covers very basic workings of engines. I did find the book to be an excellent starting place for one interested in tinkering with old engines as a hobby. It inspired me to go ahead and give it a shot. After reading it I have proceeded to buy other more technical books. If you're interested in this sort of thing, it's worth reading just for the historical information.

Peter has a wonderful Folksy way of bringing his enthusiasm for a wide range of small engines to us. If you want lots of color pictures and copies of small engine adds you remember from your youth, or if you are looking for some info about that garage sale find, or if you just want to learn a great deal about a range of small engines, THIS IS THE BOOK. Lots of good practical advice as to how to fix and restore, as well as just collect. Tools, methods, gaskets Do's and Dont's ........ Even just fun to read on rainy days at the cottage. Don't Hesitate, it is worth it and more.

This is a very cool book about small engines that includes well taken pictures. After reading this book you will want to hang out in the garage and rebuild the lawnmower. Perfect for the putterer and tinkerer.

Peter Hunn really missed the mark on this book. This is not a instruction handbook. First, this book was released in 2005, but the newest engine reviewed is a 1990's lawnmower engine. It is a series of case studies of very old products. Secondly, it has only about 30 pages related to engine troubleshooting. If you want a process/methodology to repair or rebuild engines or engine parts (carburetors), look else where. Finally, Peter is certainly knowledgeable but really needs more writing help in structuring his knowledge so its' useful to the average person looking for engine repair help.

I found this book very entertaining. I really enjoyed it. It was not what I expected. I bought it hoping it would be a good book to explain the basics of small engines to my 12 year old son. It is not a good book for that. There is clearly a focus on history and older pieces of equipment. The author seems particularly enamored with old 2 cycle engines.