This review covers the original Reader's Digest Fix It Yourself book, published in the late 1970s. This book is a good all-round guide to fixing almost anything in your home, and even a few things outside of it (such as outdoor equipment and cars). Despite a few careless copy and paste errors, it's an excellent reference even today. Many of the things discussed within its covers have changed little from the time of this book's publication. A large number of household items have sections dedicated to their repair, complete with exploded views showing major functional parts and a description of specific fault finding procedures you can use. The results of various tests are explained, and each repair is categorized according to the level of difficulty involved. Major household appliances such as refrigerators, stoves, window air conditioners, furnaces and washing machines are covered as well. Even audio and TV equipment is discussed. The book itself contains chapters on not only repairing specific items, but also how to use various types of electrical test, furniture repair, and autobody repair materials. As such, even if you can't find specific advice within this book, you may very well learn enough to apply the general information you're given to a specific situation. An extensive guide to the outdoors is also given. Whether you need to winterize or maintain a pool, fix a piece of outdoor power equipment, repair sporting goods or even rid your property of insect or animal pests and repair the damage done by such pests, this book has useful information for you. While it's not the focus of this book, some useful money or energy saving guides are provided. These guides can save you money by assuring that items around your household are used effectively and are operating at peak efficiency. Even if you don't opt to repair something yourself, this book can keep you from being taken advantage of by an unscrupulous or incompetent repair shop. This alone could save you enough money to buy this book several times over. I'd recommend anyone who has an interest in repairing things around their home, or even those who are just curious about how something works, to pick up a copy of this book without reservation. It's a very good guide with useful information. If you can buy only one "fix it yourself" book, this would be the one to choose. If possible, you may also wish to consider buying the later 1996 edition, as it differs significantly from this book and has useful information between its covers as well.Read full review
When I got my first apartment, my father got me this book. When my daughter got her first apartment I decided to do the same. Its an awesome resource that will live forever!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
great information....good value
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Great information for new home owners.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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