How to Fix Damn Near Everything :: Education by Design Store

Customer Reviews

Like the Bible, still fixed everyting I needed it for

1999-08-11
There's good reason this book is still in print after 20 years.Its clear diagrams helped me fix plumbing, repair electricalappliances and even restring an expensive drapery rod so it would last another 20 years. Not only that, but when I wrote the author for extra help, he spent time giving me the answers I needed.

Check the Date!

1998-02-20
This book seems up-to-date until you see the original print date. It hasn't been updated much since the '70s, and although some procedures haven't changed (e.g, fixing an electrical connection) that much, others have (eg, electronics equipment).

Strong Presentation With Good Results

2004-04-20
Mr Peterson did an outstanding job by writing a book that offers the reader a very good overview as to how things work, and more importantly, how to fix things around the home when they go bad.

No book is perfect, however, and the one flaw with this one is the fact that the apparent lack of illustrations may scare away those already intimidated by the workings of the hardware around their homes. But fear not because the author has gone into excellent written details regarding the fixing of all those troublesome gadgets. Before long, you will realize that the author has purposefully left out the illustrations to allow the reader to think critically and solve the problem in the most effective manner, unique to the situation at hand.

When it comes down to the nitty-gritty of the fixings around the house, your best friend will be your troubleshooting skills. That is, the five logical steps of troubleshooting *any* hardware such as a faulty dryer to a stubborn computer goes as follows:

1.Source of Power
2.Power Controls
3.Power Unit
4.Power Train
5.Use of Power

All the power to you!

1996 Edition 2003-01-12
Explains the logic of troubleshooting and repair with 300 illustrations. Helps you talk to hardware store clerks and avoid wasting money on unnecessary items by buying the proper equipment.

All words, few pictures 2002-12-17
This book is a big disappointment. Pages and pages and pages of text. Precious few photos or illustraions. No "Step 1 illustration, Step 2 illustration, Step 3 illustration..." I ordered three of this book for my sons-in-laws. I sent them all back and got the Reader's Digest "Fix it Yourself" instead. More expensive but A) updated recently, and b) profusly illustrated. Very simple to follow. Don't waste your time or money on this wordy loser.

Great for fixing older homes and contents 2000-12-14
If you're the type who likes to keep old things (including houses) until they faqll apart, this book is great. It shows with diagrams how to fix everything from old walls to old toasters. It's been a bible in our family and I gave it to my sons when they moved out.

A first alternative to throwing it away or calling in a 2000-08-31
professional. However, the biggest pitfall of this book is it's dated. At best, I think the book is useful for when you're (a) desperate or (b) about to throw a broken thing away. For example, if your toaster oven breaks, odds are this will provide enough general information to convince you it's OK to take it apart and fish around, then call the manufacturer (e.g., Black & Decker is great about this) and order replacement parts.

On the other hand, as many appliances are solid-state (e.g., no tubes) AND individual parts are difficult to procure if the manufacturer doesn't support this. [In 1977, when the book was published, you could go to your local Radio Shack and buy a 100 ohm 1/4 watt resistor. It's increasingly difficult to find such things as the business models have changed to the more lucrative cell phones.)

This is a useful book if you want a general idea of how common things work and aren't afraid to use a screwdriver. It's not going to be as helpful as it was 20 years ago, however.