Building by yourself

[nocluecaptain]

I am interested in any books that will be based on the build by yourself theme..Anybody out there know a good author that gets into this subject??
I recall seeing a posting about this in the past but am having no luck locating it....I will mainly be building alone, and would like some tips on the subject.

[Steve]

I think you are thinking about the book Working Alone by John Carroll (http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FWorking-Alone-Tips-Techniques-Building%2Fdp%2F1561585459%2Fsr%3D8-1%2Fqid%3D1171923679%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dbooks&tag=l-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325).

[nobleknight]

02-24-07

I have the book "Working Alone". If you have never been in the construction trades, the book can help you with lots of ideas. If you have no help and work by yourself, it can save you time. His ideas keep you from getting hurt. He has built houses all his life by himself. So, the ideas are tried and true.

Tom
nobleknight
class 01-15-05

[rocklock]

I had the book... before I loaned it out... but anyway the first tip that pays for the book is carrying large sheets of plywood up a ladder by using a 6 or 8 inch C clamp. I would have never thought of that... This is one of the reasons that large C clamps or on my tool list...
Anyway, he mentions in the book that some things he does hire others to help doing some things... Plumbing - it think...
I am not a big fan of working at heights - hence roof work in a prime candidate for someone else...
Dave

[jawasan]

Sounds like a good book for someone like me too... although my wife says i should get the book "Learning to Work Well with Others". The key here being "others" = my wife.
Just hearing the partial tip from rocklock makes me want to check this book out. Most of the days spent of our cabin will be by myself. Thanks for the link Steve.
Leo

[jawasan]

Just ordered a copy...used of course as to save some cash. $7.31 plus shipping. :)
Thanks again.
Leo

[Basil]

I've got it, most of it's just common sense. There are a few good tips, lots of warnings to be careful, but don't expect it to revolutionize your thinking, either. It IS worth having, though.

[greenthumb]

I had the book... before I loaned it out... but anyway the first tip that pays for the book is carrying large sheets of plywood up a ladder by using a 6 or 8 inch C clamp. I would have never thought of that... This is one of the reasons that large C clamps or on my tool list...
Anyway, he mentions in the book that some things he does hire others to help doing some things... Plumbing - it think...
I am not a big fan of working at heights - hence roof work in a prime candidate for someone else...
Dave

Those vice grip C clamps are handy for this. Get the vise grip brand, not the cheap harbor freight ones. The made in china ones are not as heavily built and will bend easily.

[Jane Doe]

And here my anxiety has just resurfaced...

A lot of info in this book seems to be common sense, you say? And yet I don't even know what vice grip C clamps are :(

I've ordered the book.

[panderson03]

very easily learned, Jane. don't worry to much about it. most of us went into this knowing very little!! but if you walk into a hardware store and ask them 'tell me everything I need to know about C Clamps, they'll give you a great education. and google's a great tool too. YUP there's a LOT to learn, but i think you're up to it. hang in there. its quite a ride!!

[Basil]

Common sense and knowledge of tools are two different things...It's just another learning curve.

[spiralsands]

And here my anxiety has just resurfaced...

A lot of info in this book seems to be common sense, you say? And yet I don't even know what vice grip C clamps are :(

I've ordered the book.

Jane,

I didn't know what a lot of stuff was either. But now I several sets of different types of clamps. I also have 3 chainsaws, a table saw, a reciprocating saw, a jigsaw and a scroll saw. I had a tile saw but I sold it in FL before I moved.

If there's something I have trouble with I look it up on line. I actually fixed my dryer by watching a video that was posted on Youtube about replacing a dryer belt. So instead of spending 75 bucks for a service call and a new belt, I spent 12 bucks and did it myself.

I have shelves of books that I use as general reference. You don't have to understand everything you read right now. These are the books that you go back to when you need a bit of information. There's one book I have that was talking about building a roof and it said, "Cut bird's mouth at 15 degree angle."

"DUH", I said...and I meant it. So off to the computer I went and found out what a 'bird's mouth' was.

Frances

[Jane Doe]

My book arrived today. Google has been such a blessing in regards to researching unknown terminology!

[Danita]

Just ordered mine--sounds like a good one to have on hand. thanks ya'll