Carpentry for Dummies [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

by Gene Hamilton (Author), Katie Hamilton (Author), Roy Barnhart (Author) "Experience is the best teacher..." (more)
Key Phrases: butt marker, extension jamb, hinge jamb, Whole New Way, Right Foot (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Calling a contractor out to your house can be a tiresome chore (and after you get the bill, you may wish you had never made the call in the first place). Why not find out how to perform your own minor repairs? Carpentry For Dummies is the place to start! Packed with step-by-step illustrations, this easy-to-navigate do-it-yourselfer's reference is the most recent in the series of ...For Dummies home improvement books by Gene and Katie Hamilton.

Let the Hamiltons set you up with the basics of carpentry. From tools to materials, the authors give you the information you need to get started on the right foot. The Hamiltons then take you through a carpenter's basic techniques, from drilling, driving, and fastening to cutting, shaping, and smoothing. Whether you're hanging doors or hanging drywall, with Carpentry For Dummies, you have the information you need to get your home project started off right!

From the Back Cover
"Carpentry For Dummies is a terrific guide to stay on the right track." —Richard Karn, Al Borland on TV's Home Improvement "Probably the most useful tool to have in the home workshop — solid information about everything is right at your fingertips." — Don Geary, President of the National Association of Home & Workshop Writers

Step-By-Step Illustrations Show You How to Do It!

Have you ever wanted to trim out a room — but didn't know where to start? In Carpentry For Dummies®, Gene and Katie Hamilton and Roy Barnhart show you the drill (not to mention the saw and the hammer) and guide you step by step through basic household projects. With pointers on choosing the right materials, finding the best way to put them together, and working safely, it's your ideal basic carpentry reference. Step-by-Step Solutions — from the First Cut to the Final Finish:

• Find a good lumber or hardware store — and choose the right materials for the job
• Master the fine points of measuring, marking, and gauging to make sure everything fits perfectly
• Bone up on sanding, sealing, and staining basics
• Get the scoop on safety precautions with power tools and potentially toxic chemicals

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Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; illustrated edition edition (September 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764551752
• ISBN-13: 978-0764551758
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #372,651 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A Dummie for buying this book..., August 13, 2002

By	John M. Mcnally (Huntington, NY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

You'll still be a dummie after reading this book. For those with little or no knowledge of carpentry, you won't find what you are looking for in this book.

There are no photos and almost NO illustrations (or drawings), so things are just described and you'll have to imagine how it looks. For example, the vast variety of screws and nails are addressed without a single illustration! A picture says a thousand words and helps the reader to visualize and comprehend the topic, but you won't find it here.

Skip this book and try Black & Decker's Complete Guide to Home Carpentry. It's loaded with color photos of the actual work you'll be doing and explains everything step-by-step.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Truly for dummies, January 14, 2002

By	O. Lerma "StratPlaya" (Texas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

When you read the title of this book, please take it to heart. It really is only for dummies. Who else but a dummy would need to know how to nail, how to push a button to turn on a saw, etc? There is no real information on basic carpentry skills such as the use of a framing square,framing itself, the use of leveling tools to make sure you are starting with level ground, and so on. A more appropriate title for this book would have been "Home Improvment for Dummies" as one could not take knowledge from this book and build from scratch.

I will no longer purchase "For Dummies" books without checking it out at a bookstore first.

8 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Carpentry For Dummies?, April 12, 2000

By	"pow699" (Southampton, New York) - See all my reviews

First time builders need not worry! This books explains all you need to know. From tools and uses to step by step instructions. I highly recommend this for any beginner.