-- Discusses all aspects of laying foundations, raising walls, and more for small or one-person crews
Working Alone
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle.
Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
Carpenters will be enthusiastic about both these new efforts. Together they make a complete package for anyone interested in building. Spence has produced a hefty textbook-style guide to carpentry that covers the entire process of building from planning through finishing. The scope is impressiveA704 pages and 2300 black-and-white photographs and drawings, building codes, foundations, framing, doors and windows, exterior finishing, cabinet construction, and tools. Newer techniques, such as steel framing and popular trends, like post-and-beam construction, are covered in separate sections. The comprehensive safety section is outstanding. Many of the processes are way beyond the comfort zone of the average do-it-yourselfer; however, there is something here for everyone, beginner to expert. Most do-it-yourselfers have encountered jobs where they could have used three or four hands; Carroll, a solo homebuilder, has come to their rescue with a slim volume that shows many of the tricks he uses to safely and efficiently complete work on his own. Readers who have completed projects will be suprised at how much easier their projects would have been had they known Carroll's techniques. Using straightforward text and line-drawings, he shares a variety of tips and labor-saving techniques for masonry, framing, siding installation, measuring, and hanging drywall. He shows how to cope with problems such as the collapse of the overextended tape measure. There really isn't anything else like this book on the market. Spence's title will get greater use in the library because it is a more general reference title; but both are excellent and will appeal to both do-it-yourselfers and professionals. Recommended for larger public library collections.AJonathan N. Hershey, Akron-Summit Cty. P.L., Akron, OH
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
98 of 101 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I've been in the remodeling business since 1975, and have worked most of this time by myself.
I'm just finishing a 10 x 20 room addition for a customer. I purchased this book at the beginning of this project and have found Mr. Carroll's book refreshing and informative. There were many ideas and suggestions that were benificial. I found the rafter layout-jig very useful.
His suggestions about the "math" of the rafter was very useful, and increased my capacity to complete the job in a timely maner which helped my bottom line.
I appreciated his easy reading style and found his book enjoyable.
I wish his information on the cornice system had been a little more detailed, but found his explanations sufficent.
I found his information about clamps and holding jigs to be of special interest and enjoyed all of his book. I even bought his other book, "Measuring, Marking, and Layout", which I also found enlighting, enjoyable, fun, and benificial, to my professional standing as a remodeler.
Thanks for two great books, that help take the mystery out of some of the more complex parts of our profession.
Respectfully
Reeder Lyons IMH Remodeling & Repair
47 of 48 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
It has been some 30 years since I first helped build a 4 car garage and there have been many "working alone" projects, ranging from additions, to decks, to complete home remodels since. I'm completely remodeling a house now... Over those years I figured out many of the tips in the book myself. However, it would have been far more efficient to have had the book 30 years ago. The book somewhat makes up for not having a mentor... i.e., someone to "cause [you] to be taught Informed and Instructed in the Trade, Art and Mystery of a [builder]." (Paraphrased from an 18th century apprenticeship agreement). I'm about to order another copy for my brother...
45 of 47 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
this book was extremely helpful to me in building a detached room for my son. The book was recommended from a website about building small houses, so I reserved it through our library. Having read the book, I found the tips and explanations for framing rafters provided clarification for the sketchy instructions from the 5 other books we have about building outbuildings. Perhaps using clamps and homemade jigs to support work is a given for a professional, but it was an eye-opener for me! I did extensive renovation on my historical house, but had help from friends to do it. Building this room from the ground up mostly alone is a different matter. I wish we had this book when we were trying to square the foundation. I am now ordering the book for myself, as the library wants their own book back!!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Kindle Version a little hard to grasp
I agree that the book itself has lots of useful info, but I think its a little dated. For example, I think that most weekend warrior DIY's have cordless drills, and the likes i.e. Read more
Published 9 days ago by Lucky Luke
Kind of Repetitive
The tips are generally good but he repeats the some ones too many times in different situations.
Also, the illustrations leave a lot to be desired. Read more
Also, the illustrations leave a lot to be desired. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mark Twain999
book
The book did have some helpfull hints. The title of the book is very misleading. The book did leave me out to dry on the three things the author won't do alone. Read more
Published 9 months ago by deshkaman
self help book
This is one of the best books written to assist anyone working alone on a housing project. Great to keep in your hunting/fishing cabin or just on your library shelf. Read more
Published 12 months ago by suzie
Ok, but not the best
This book has some helpful info, however it is not very fluid when reading. I found that reading through it was somewhat like drudgery, not very enjoyable. Read more
Published 12 months ago by R,O,Brown
Read This Book Before Starting Your Next DIY Project
Ever wonder:
1. how sheathing which overhangs both the studs and concrete blocks of the foundation is laid in a perfectly straight line?
2. Read more
1. how sheathing which overhangs both the studs and concrete blocks of the foundation is laid in a perfectly straight line?
2. Read more
Published 13 months ago by David Rankin
Working Alone
Very good coverage of complete build it your self. Many many examples to get it done yourself. Well worth the price!
Published 19 months ago by Arhtur Lovett Jr
Working Alone
This Book Has some good ideas in it. A lot of it common sense. Example the cover has a picture of author carrying a sheet of plywood up a ladder with a C-clamp as a handle! Read more
Published 21 months ago by Do It Yourselfer
Yes, I can do it!
Just a quick note...the concept of working alone is inspiring. I have to do a lot of jobs around my property by myself and the ideas and the how to's in the book help a lot. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Arthur J. Falvey, Sr.
GREAT book for the handyman!
I first purchased this book several years ago for myself and I refer to it often. It is full of tips and tricks for the carpenter/handyman that likes to works alone. Read more
Published 23 months ago by W. M. Scarborough
Inside This Book
(learn more)
First Sentence:
"The human hand is a magnificent structure, and it will never be completely replaced." Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
solo builder, rafter jig, primary baseline, barge rafter, measuring triangle, plumb edge, perimeter joists, sub fascia, beam compass, rafter layout, rafter square, rim joist, trammel points, plumb cut, batter board, bar clamp, end joist, story pole, diagonal measurement, layout line, speed square, floor system, laser level, thrust block Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Pythagorean Theorem, Stanley Quick Square, Swanson Speed Square New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
"The human hand is a magnificent structure, and it will never be completely replaced." Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
solo builder, rafter jig, primary baseline, barge rafter, measuring triangle, plumb edge, perimeter joists, sub fascia, beam compass, rafter layout, rafter square, rim joist, trammel points, plumb cut, batter board, bar clamp, end joist, story pole, diagonal measurement, layout line, speed square, floor system, laser level, thrust block Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Pythagorean Theorem, Stanley Quick Square, Swanson Speed Square New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 4
books:
- Building and Designing Decks by Scott Schuttner in Back Matter
- Setting Tile (Fine Homebuilding) by Michael Byrne Dip in Back Matter
- House Framing by John D. Wagner Mr. in Back Matter
- North Carolina (His The new enchantment of America) by John Allan Carpenter in Back Matter
Books on Related Topics
(learn more)
|
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
