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Index
Preface
Acknowledgements
Dull but Important Safety Notice
Introduction
The Story so Far…
I Don't Know Where to Start…
I Always Make a Rubbish Job…
It Takes Me Too Long…
I’m Really, Really, Really Hopeless at DIY…
But I'm Not Clever Enough…
Willing to Learn and Have a Go
Finding the Confidence
Perseverance vs Life
What's Different About This DIY Book?
Learning 'On the Fly’
What's in it for me?
Show Me the Money
Oh, the Personal Satisfaction
Getting Your Work Done on Your Terms
DIY, Fun and Keeping Fit
Saving the World
How to Use this Book
Developing Practical Knowledge
R.E.L.E.A.R.N
Observe
Noticing the Physical World with Practical Eyes
It’s All in the Details
A Process of Elimination of Logic
Colour
Random Stuff to Look Out For
Hidden Things
Record Your Observations
Store Observational Inspirations
Listen
The Sounds of Doom
Blah, Blah, Blah or Not?
Feel and Touch
Thumping the TV
Yield!
Being Careful
Smell (no, no; not you. I mean all the other stuff…)
Information
Brochures and the Dreaded Instructions
Online: The 'All Seeing' Internet
Searching Images
Searching Videos
Join Online Forums
Contact Technical Departments
Books, Libraries, Journals, Magazines and TV
Ask People You Know for Help
Ask a Local Professional for Advice
Learning About Your Home
Experience
Don't Ignore the Warning Bells
Intuition is Usually Right (so don't ignore it!)
Solutions
Developing Practical Skills
Practise Makes Perfect (corny but oh, so true)
Practise by Helping Others
Warning: Do Try This at Home Kids
Understanding How Tools Work
Alignment
Force
Shock
Speed, Glorious Speed
Using Tools Correctly
Hand Tools, and Some Examples
Minimise the Risk…
How to Use a Pencil
Marking Hole Positions with a Pencil
How to Use a Tape Measure
How to Use a Screwdriver
Removing Screws
How to Use Spanners and Wrenches
Extreme Force for Tight or Corroded Fasteners
Cross Threading
Replacing Fasteners: How Tight is Tight Enough?
Tightening in Sequence and Stages
How to Use a Hammer
How to Use a Handsaw
Exit Strategy
How to Use a Metal Saw (hacksaw)
Power Tools (plus a couple of examples)
How to Drill Holes
Knowing Your Material
Choosing the Right Drill Bit
Material Drilling Tips & Techniques
Straight, Level, Plumb & Square
Straight (in line or flat)
Level (horizontal)
Rise and Fall
Plumb (truly vertical or straight up and down)
Square (90°)
Working Efficiently & Productively
Break down Projects into Tiny Pieces
Always Be Finishing Something
Working Efficiently
The Two-Minute Fix
An aside about Productivity
Quality Work and Compromise
Preparation and Plans
Overview
Preparation
Make a List of What You Need
Planning
Before You Start
Stick to the Plan (or make another plan)
Have a Back-up Plan
Half and Half
Buying Stuff
The Budget
Quality and Compromise
How Much Is This Going to Cost Me?
Where to Spend Your Money
Local Suppliers
Online Resources
Trade, Retail, Auctions and Private
Trade and Specialist Suppliers
Retail Stores
Real World Auctions
Online Auctions
Local Private Sales
Timber
Notes On Timber Types, Species & Grading
Odds, Ends and Other Useful Stuff
The Dangers of Hoarding
Tools, Tools, and Even More Tools
Big Brands Versus Home Brands
Minimum Tool Kit
Hand Tools
Power Tools
Tool Maintenance
Hiring ‘Expensive-to-Buy’ Tools
More Advanced Tool Kit
Hand Tools
Power Tools
Fixings and Fasteners
Screws
Choosing Screw Type
Choosing Screw Heads and Threads
Choosing Screw Length
Choosing Screw Gauge or Thickness
Choosing a Screw Drive System
Special Screws
Frame Fixings
Lag Screws or Lag Bolts
Construction or Structural Screws
Masonry Fixings
Heavy Duty Expansion Anchors
Nails
Choosing Nail Type
Choosing Nail Heads
Choosing Nail Length
Choosing Nail Gauge or Thickness
Special Nails
Powered Nailers
Timber Connectors and Hardware
Nuts, Bolts, Machine Screws, & Washers
Strength
Bolt Types
Threads
Bolting Timber
Improvised and Temporary Fixings And Fasteners
Assembling & Installing (flat packs etc.)
A Few Words About Ikea
It’s Not Rocket Science
Read The Instructions (no seriously, I really mean it)
Dry Runs
Fitting and Installing After Assembly
Discrepancies in the Fitting Area
Maintaining Stuff
An Expensive Example
What Needs Maintaining?
The Five Absolute Basics of Maintenance
Cleaning
Regular Cleaning is Effective (and easier)
Lubricants
Common Lubricants
Making Timely Adjustments
Loose Stuff
Stuff That’s Too Tight
Replacing Service Parts
Typical Service Items
Maintaining Different Materials
Proper Preparation
Timber Maintenance
Masonry Maintenance
Roof Maintenance
Pipe Maintenance
Silicones and Caulk Maintenance
Metal Maintenance
Plastic Maintenance
Rubber Maintenance
Fabric Maintenance
Maintenance Schedules
Unscheduled Maintenance
Vehicle Maintenance
Repairing Stuff
But I Want a Shiny New One!
Think About the Environment
It’s Broken, Where do I Start?
Four Steps Before Reaching For The Tools
Making a Diagnosis
Add In Any Circumstantial Evidence
I Can’t Find Anything Wrong!
Going Inside
It Says, ‘No User Serviceable Parts Inside’…
Fancy Fixings
How to Get It Apart by Looking at It…
Things to Watch For Going Inside Plastic Stuff
Things to Watch For Going Inside Metal Stuff
Brute Force and Ignorance
Working Out the Logic
Mechanical Stuff
Foreign Bodies
Electronic Stuff
Wiring
Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs)
Repairing and Reassembly
Repairing Individual Broken Parts
Replacing Individual Parts
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)
Pattern Or Aftermarket Parts
Fitting Replacement Parts
Hooray, It Works, You Fixed It!
Oh Shoot, It’s Still Busted
Recover Anything Useful
Example: Repairing a Broken Power Lead
Repairing Different Materials
Timber Repairs
Masonry Repairs
Roof Repairs
Pipe Repairs
Drywall Repairs
Metal Repairs
Plastic Repairs
Rubber Repairs
Fabrics Repairs
Glass Repairs
Dismantling & Demolishing Stuff
Understanding the Risk
Minimising the Risk
Communicate the Plan
Brute Force and Ignorance
Dire Consequences
Removing Different Materials
Masonry
Removing Concrete
Removing Stud Walls
Removing Pipes And Wires
What Shall I Do with All the Stuff?
Improving Stuff
Evaluating What You Have
Deciding What You Want
What Do You Need
Improving Your Home
Getting Advice
Getting Approval
Planning Permission
Permitted Development
Building Regulations
Keep Good Records
Improving Your Garden
Soft Stuff…
Hard Stuff…
Improving Other Stuff
Restoring
Modernising
Physical Removal of Finishes
Making Necessary Repairs
Renewing Paint and Other Finishes
Making New Stuff
What To Build and Seeing It Though
Resources for Plans
Some General Tips & Techniques
Setting Out
Working With Timber
Sheet Materials
Working With Masonry
Working With Concrete
Upcycling
Health and Safety
You Are Everything!
Keeping Your Blood Where It Belongs…
Take Your Time
Use Proper Personal Protection Equipment
Fitness
Poor Judgement Or Decisions
Using the Wrong Tool for the Job
Thinking, It’ll Only Take a Minute
Using The Wrong Materials Or Fixings
Thinking, a Ladder is Fine
It Won’t Happen To Me...
First Aid Kit
Epilogue (enough now…go forth and be handy!)
Appendices One (some online resources)
Appendices Two (stuff there wasn’t room for…)
Glossary
Getting in Touch
About the Author
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