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Lawrence E. Pierce

The Art of Fixing Things, Principles of Machines, and How to Repair Them: 150 Tips and Tricks to Make Things Last Longer, and save You Money Paperback – September 24, 2011

by Lawrence E. Pierce (Author), Margit Lieder (Photographer), Adrian Horvath (Cover Design)

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You may not have realized it yet, but survival is now the new normal for many families. There was no nuclear war, super disease, or mutant virus, just years of junk products that has left many of us broke and dependent on others. This is the book you must read before you read any other ‘how-to’ guide to repairing cars, household appliances, garden machines, and farm equipment, or doing home improvements. It is a resource for smart people who have never had the opportunity to learn the basics of tool use, maintenance and repairs. It contains useful information not found in any other publication, and is the first new book in many years on this subject. Written by the third generation, in a family of self reliant do-it-yourself people, many of these 150 Tips and Tricks come to you from a time when we repaired our possessions, rather than throwing them away. For the complete beginner, and the more experienced home repairer, it contains 185 crisp black and white photo illustrations, direct, and simple explanations, and easy to follow directions, for doing repairs, and making things last longer. The information presented in this book will give you the courage, and information, to tackle simple and complex repairs. In this book, find out HOW TO: • Get your car to start. • Sharpen scissors, blender blades, pruning shears, lawn mower blades. • Start that lawnmower in the spring and snow blower in the winter. • Make new threads. • Get your fax machine, or copier to work better. • Hold a screwdriver, hammer or pliers. • Fix things with random parts. • Persuade your car’s engine to last longer. • Make fittings leak proof. • Tighten and loosen things, without damaging the machine. • Find the best appliances at the best prices. • Repair household lamps and appliances. • Buy the right nuts and bolts. And much more. IT IS EASY, YOU CAN DO IT !

Print length

161 pages
Language

English
Publication date

September 24, 2011
Dimensions

8 x 0.38 x 10 inches
ISBN-10

146629633X
ISBN-13

978-1466296336
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Product information

Technical Details

Publisher

‎CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 1st edition (September 24, 2011)

Language

‎English

Paperback

‎161 pages

ISBN-10

‎146629633X

ISBN-13

‎978-1466296336

Item Weight

‎12.3 ounces

Dimensions

‎8 x 0.38 x 10 inches

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Customer reviews

5 star		51%
4 star		18%
3 star		17%
2 star		6%
1 star		8%

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Trager

Some good stuff, some okay, and some just plain bad

Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2019

Verified Purchase

To preface, I’m an engineer with some training in fabrication and I’ve done a bit of electrical work on the side. I got this book because I’m always looking for tips and tricks, especially in aspects of toolwork that I don’t do enough. A few years ago, I did a partial business renovation with a professional carpenter, and the knowledge i picked up working alongside him was invaluable in subsequent projects.

I had been hoping that this book would offer more learning like that experience. And yes, there are some good tips. There’s also quite a bit of repetition. Then there are some points that I would actively contest — a knife steel is meant for honing, not sharpening, and you should know the difference. WD-40 should not be the lubricant of choice for things that you want to work for long periods of time, and it’s not the right thing to use in every situation.

Lastly, while I understand some frustration with Chinese manufacturing, the regular and repeated screeds against Chinese products grew irritation. Not all American made gear is good, not all Chinese stuff is bad.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Gandalfthemandalf4052

I personally like the way the book is written

Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2016

Verified Purchase

I personally like the way the book is written, and the information within. Lawrence sounds to be a shoot-from-the-hip good ol' boy, but the information is clear and concise with a dash of humor. Sure, there are going to be things in here that every handyman knows, I feel like the average millenial gen. consumer could benefit way more than someone who grew up fixing things. There is some China-bashing, but not in the sense that he ever questions the character of a person from China, just the truth that as a country on average the trend is to put out massive amounts of lower-quality products that will break under normal wear and tear with the expectation being that the consumer will just go ahead and buy another one. He doesn't call them names, he just doesn't pick up what they're laying down. I grew up around tools but never really took the time to learn about them and I've read a ton of things so far that I didn't know. If you're a pro then by all means save your money but like I say I think the average person my age (25-30) would fail a test written using this book as a reference. The fact that the pictures are in black and white doesn't bother me, hell most of the pictures are of metal objects, they're a shiny silver color, use your imagination, it's a twelve dollar book. You can scoff at tips such as "Household electrical current can kill you", but 30,000 people a year find out the hard way. Somebody needs to say it. So I'm enjoying expanding my knowledge with this book. Would I put it on my coffee table? No, but why would I have people over for coffee and then leave them long enough to have them read a book?

8 people found this helpful

Helpful

Thomas Maloney

Must have for new engineers, maintenance mechanics, and anyone else who has to fix things.

Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2015

Verified Purchase

This book is brilliant. This book truly is about the "art" of fixing things. While it probably doesn't offer the technical details most who gave it negative reviews were looking for, it does provide a wealth of hard won practical knowledge the author has gained over a lifetime of fixing things.
I've worked as a product design engineer, industrial engineer, manufacturing engineer, maintenance engineer, engineering manager, maintenance manager, plant manager, and general manager in companies of all sizes. I've hired a lot of engineers straight out of college and maintenance mechanics fresh from trade schools, and this is now one of the books that I give to them or recommend that they read. It covers a lot of the little things - and big things - that are usually only learned on the job and can save a lot of time and embarrassment for those who read this book. Will it teach you everything you need to know to fix something? No, it won't, and I don't know of one book that will. But it will regularly help you get the job done better and faster. And if you work in industry and have a problem with the author's down to earth, conversational style, you're going to have a hard time relating to a lot of good, knowledgable people on the shop floor.
If you're into the DIY or Maker movements, I highly recommend this book. You may never have access to someone with the author's level of practical knowledge of how to just get things done.

7 people found this helpful

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Bryan A Watt

Meh

Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2019

Verified Purchase

Some of it is not really tips, it's just common sense. Lacking insight and innovation. Save your money. I have been working as a technician and training others on maintenance for 20 years now. I thought this would be a great guide to basics.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Steph & Jason Heal

Great gift for a new home owner

Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2021

Verified Purchase

This is a great little book! Lots of subjects that I thought I already knew a lot about, but I'm finding myself learning even more.
The pictures in the book are quite helpful;
Though the print quality isn't as polished as I prefer

Helpful

Samantha E. Meyer

It's a great book for anyone who is looking to learn how ...

Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2015

Verified Purchase

Purchased this for my boyfriend for his birthday. It's a great book for anyone who is looking to learn how to fix things! I grew up with a father he knew how to fix just about everything and when I started to date my boyfriend, I quickly learned his father never knew/taught him how to fix things. This book helped give him some of the basic guidelines to learning and having the confidence to make a quick fix with random items at home. It also helped develop his mechanical skills.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Amazon Customer

I almost think a book like this needs to be massive in size and scope ...

Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2017

Verified Purchase

It was OK. I expected some more tips that were directly applicable to my life. I keep hoping the need to fix something that is in the book would come up, but I have had it for 3 years and have yet to reference it. I almost think a book like this needs to be massive in size and scope and cost 5x as much so it is guaranteed to be used. I would prefer an almanac of fixing thing instead a small guide.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Sun Watcher

Insulting to one's intelligence

Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2020

Verified Purchase

I bought this book, one each, for my son and his dad for their birthdays, thinking it might offer some good tips and tricks. It is inaccurate, insulting to your intelligence and definitely something you should pass on. If I hadn't already wiped the covers down, [due to Covid-19], I would definitely return for a refund under the heading "inaccurate description.

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joe_the_drummer

Very misleading title [and sub-title]

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 1, 2015

Verified Purchase

Before I start, let me make it clear that my DIY skills extend as far as successfully constructing an IKEA table. (So pretty advanced, then...!)

I have a number of issues with this book. Primarily the misleading title. According to the author, the 'art' of fixing things involves making sure they are well-greased. Genius. The book is divided into a load of 'tips', that are mainly to do with removing gaskets and opening bearings and other mechanical sounding things ... But there are no clues as to WHEN you should do any of these things, which essentially makes it useless. The rest seem to be largely common sense ... "Buy good quality tools, they will last longer" ... "Keep the service record on your car up to date" ... Wow.

There are also some pretty dubious 'tips'. Is buying a washing machine - how ever well built it might have originally been - from the mid-80s really more efficient than buying a new one?! I really don't think so.

Regarding the 'principles of machines' - I have no idea why this sub-title is there.

And lastly; the (American) author is borderline racist. The book is littered with scathing comments about the quality of everything made in China ... I wonder what his attitude would be to a Chinese cookery book that condemned all American cooking as tasteless and unhealthy?

It gets one star because I greased the runners on my IKEA table, so it now extends more smoothly.

4 people found this helpful

Jake Lishman

"Principles of Machines" may be stretching it, but otherwise good.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 18, 2013

Verified Purchase

The aim of the book is primarily to pass on those little bits of knowledge that make everything go smoother, the kind you pick up after working with your hands for a long time. It includes the best ways to use tools, what makes some tools work better (and so what to look for when buying new ones), and general tips to make repairing things go smoother.

It will teach you how to use tools, and what various parts of things are for. It will teach you "layman's safety", i.e. how to fix things without chopping your fingers off. It won't guide you through full Health and Safety at Work procedures, but that's not something you're likely to be too bothered about if you're at home.

Despite saying that it's about principles of machines, it doesn't include that much on them. It's got little bits, but they're maily general tips about what sorts of things to look for, and what sort of methods you might employ to repair them. It's not a repair manual, but it's trying to impart the mechanical wisdom that the author has about how to approach repairs.

One person found this helpful

Amazon Customer1

Useful

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 30, 2021

Verified Purchase

Common Sense way of fixing things

Paul Walsh

Some clever tricks

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 16, 2019

Verified Purchase

Some clever tricks but some run of the mill or not so useful also. Overall good for anyone who does DIY or general tinkering!

M

2/5 Sternen

Reviewed in Germany on June 10, 2013

Verified Purchase

Dachte es wäre mal eine andere Geschenkidee, aber wie sich herausstellte, ist das Buch eher eines dieser, die nach einmaligem durchblättern, verstaubt auf dem Dachboden landen...
Inhaltlich werden meist "selbstverständliche" Dinge angesprochen, wozu man kein extra Buch benötigt. Außerdem ist es extrem KFZ-lastig. Hinzukommt, dass die Tips veraltet sind, also teilweise bei der heutigen Technik nicht verwendbar sind.
Rein optisch ist es nicht gut. Cover und Aufmachung sind nicht einladend und auch im Innenteil ist alles schwarz/weiß und gestalterisch nicht wirklich eine professionelle Produktion.
Naja, für die Idee so ein Buch zu machen gibt es 1 Stern und für diejenigen, die ihrem Vater auch mal etwas anderes, mit ein bisschen Witz schenken WOLLTEN, gibt es den zweiten Stern ;)

One person found this helpful

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