Carpentry & Building Construction: A Do-It-Yourself Guide

I can hardly build a dog house and I was able to build a nice home with this book.

This book is an overwhelming source of information for the homeowner, amature do-it-yourself person, professional contractor and even students who are taking courses or apprenticeship training. But not overwhelming in a negative context. This book is formatted in such away as to provide a steady flow of information that brings the reader to the next level in his construction needs. You can open any section of the book in area that interest you, read it, learn from it and then proceed with your task. It isn't necessary to have to read the first seven chapters in order to understand the information presented in the eighth chapter. I believe this will be one of those books that you'll always find on top of the bench in your shop, with the corners of the pages well-thumbed from constant referral to the information inside. With over 2000 pictures and illustrations for referrals and examples, it far exceeds its book value. Section I covers all of the common sense requirements for safety on the job site, building codes and regulations, and the how to's on reading architectural drawings and specs. A lot of emphasis is placed on falls which seems to be a major concern. Ideas like placing hand rails in wall window openings and on gangway planks is repeated. With good intentions too because I've been to many job sites where this practise was not followed. Also depicted are some very good diagrams on how to build scaffolding on site. Bracing is a key ingredient. All kinds of charts listing wood dimensions versus span/weight capabilities. Building codes and zoning regulations are summarized with an outline as to what a builder/owner can expect when starting the initial planning stages of building a structure. A buildable area of a site is determined first by the setback. Setbacks are the minimum distances from the perimeter of the property to which a building's exterior can be constructed. The architectural drawings and specifications section goes into very good detail as to how to read drawings. Charts and diagrams showing methods of measurements, architectural scales and symbols, window, door and piping symbols, electrical symbols and abbreviations can greatly help even the layperson to read plans and drawings. Detailed drawings on how to read floor, frame and elevation plans can really boost the knowledge of anybody who wants to know "what is what" and "what goes where" in a building that is being constructed. Building Codes and Regulations are touched on giving the basics but I would recommend to check with local codes first. Architectural Drawings and Specifications goes into great detail about measurements, scales and symbols. As well as how to read foundation, floor, elevation and reading plans. Section II shows you all the how-to's for using the different types of leveling instruments found on the job site which include tapes and surveying equipment, leveling rods, laser levels and the Vernier scale. It also gives particular information necessary

I bought and built a good sized house kit home but wanted to know how a house is really put together and proper terms after all my years of remodeling and odd jobs in construction. This book covers it all from safety to setting up a table saw to building on site scaffolding or a simple ladder. Not to mention how to build an entire house! I still constantly use this book as a reference on many projects.

A complete do-it-yourselfer's guide to residential carpentry from basements to balustrades. If you're the type who wants to know how to do it right, this is the book. It's really an omnibus of carpentry because it deals with rough and finish carpentry, drywall, floors and flooring, cabinets, insulation, doors and windows, tools and safety and more! It also explains how lumber and plywood are graded in the U.S. and Canada and includes great charts explaining architectural drawings and symbols. If you already know what a Phillips screwdriver is you don't need half of the "home improvement" books out there. This one is different. Mr. Spence has placed homeowners in his debt with this exceptional volume.

This book was informative. I have been remodeling for over 25 years and still I learn things in every job. This book can be used as a guide to building any part of a house. I liked it so much after reviewing from the library that I bought a copy as a reference book.