know this has been a topic before, but new things get published all the time.
As a 1 person “shop” (pro or serious DIY) what should I have in my “library”. books, magazines. CDs, forums to visit etc. thinking about all sides, business and technical.
what would I be doing? everything from small jobs to additions, all trades.
bobl Volo, non valeo
“But when you’re a kibbutzer and have no responsibility to decide the facts and apply the law, you can reach any conclusion you want because it doesn’t matter.” SHG
Replies
TP - I like cushioned unscented myself.
Some one had to start the tread off right.
Now you know I have my tag line.
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Edited 2/12/2007 12:00 pm by BillHartmann
Now for real.
I am about where you are, except I do more "handyman" repair and low level remodel. Just did a job for a friend when I took out a vanity and replaced it with a pedestal sink. Which would not have been too hard that the drain line was slanted down high (the main stack was off plumb) and was full of junk and the end snapped off. And I laid new vinyl floor and put in new baseboard.
I like both JLC and FHB.
For books I have Fergusons one one Drywall and Byrnes Tile book. Several books on trim, finish carpentry, and Toplins on built ins.
And while I have not used it yet I have the book on old houses (Nash?).
And several electrical books. Including the NEC Handbook.
If I was doing anything structure I would like an illustrated or commented code handbook if one is available.
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
I am about to purchase the JLC Fieldguide, both Volumes- http://www.jlconline.com/cgi-bin/jlconline.filereader?45219dfb001b586e27177f00000105a1+EN/userpages/37
Heard lots of good things about it
That will be the first significant purchase for my library. I did buy the Best of FHB DVD in December. Worth the price, but not the most user-friendly interface.
How do we dance while our world keeps turning?
How do we sleep while our beds are burning?
I don't have the JLC version, but have a interior and structure (or whatever it is called) version from Tauton. Good for seeing how all of the parts of a house go togehter..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
suppose I should say what I have.
subscribe to FHB and JLC (They're breaking Coastal Contractor out, sad to say)
Books:
Contruction Manual Concrete and formwork
Building Construction Illustrations
Hand Tools and their ways and workings
Masonry
Building the Timber Frame Home
So You want to fix an old house
Mordern Capentry
Roof Framing
Carpentry and Building Construction
Hydronic Radient Heating
US Span book for major species
have one of the Guirrela handbooks but misplaced it.
forums:
breaktime
jlconline
quittin' time
been awhile but Joe's site
If I didn't have FHB then I'd consider their CD, same with JLC.
bobl Volo, non valeo
Baloney detecter WFR
"But when you're a kibbutzer and have no responsibility to decide the facts and apply the law, you can reach any conclusion you want because it doesn't matter." SHG
http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eopsterminal&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Consumer+Protection+%26+Business+Licensing&L2=License+Type+by+Business+Area&L3=Home+Improvement+Contractor&sid=Eeops&b=terminalcontent&f=dps_bbrs_building_code_6thedition&csid=Eeopsforgot urls, this should be the Massachusetts building code.
bobl Volo, non valeo
Baloney detecter WFR
"But when you're a kibbutzer and have no responsibility to decide the facts and apply the law, you can reach any conclusion you want because it doesn't matter." SHG
This is one of my favorites:
View Image
Rex Cauldwell's wiring book.
jt8
"One of the fondest expressions around is that we can't be the world's policeman. But guess who gets called when suddenly someone needs a cop." -- Colin Powell
I like what the others have said so far. In addition:
- mfg installation manuals.
- trade association manuals.
- catalogs: woodcraft, woodworkers supply, Lee Valley, Enco, Reed Industrial Supply, trim styles, cabinets, cabinet doors, Simpson StrongTie, etc.
- Code books: IRC, UBC, local amendments, quick check flip charts.
- Organize information by subject and make everything easy to get to. Use magazine holders for handouts, printouts, magazines, etc. Use labels so it's easy to find and use.
- Go to bookstores and browse. It's amazing what you'll be interested in. Buying one book a month if you need it or not is a good rule of thumb. Look through various magazines that you normally wouldn't.
- To support your goals for growing the business, focus most of your efforts and purchases on those main areas. If you want to get more into finish work don't buy a new framing book.
- Get a dry erase board and list the things you'd like to add to the library, tools to purchase, etc.
- Start folders for each trade area, special projects, etc. for clippings, photos, etc.
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
The Nash book (restoring old houses) that Bill mentioned is a great one.
Renovations, Vol 3, by Litchfield. Must have, covers a little of everything for remodeling.
I find Building Construction Illustrated very helpful, I think you mentioned having that one.
The Very Efficient Carpenter, by Larry Huan, is a good one if you'll do any framing.
Working Alone is good if that's what you do.
Running a Successful Construction Company is very informative if you're pro.
Get yourself some inspirational stuff too. I've got a good book on treehouses, Building the Japanese House Today, and some cabinetmaking books by James Krenov, all of them really want to make me create.
zak
"When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone." --John Ruskin
"so it goes"
I find Building Construction Illustrated very helpful, I got that one too.Now I wil say, an old high school trig book and any old, very old flea market engineering books, I like those around 1915, easy to read. stuff on soil, concrete, the civil book is good, the old leather cover ones.
Gonna give us any specifics on soil and concrete books? or would it all be over my head?zak
"When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone." --John Ruskin
"so it goes"
all the very old engineering books are basically the same, but easy to read. It will give detail on footing and foundation, soil types, compaction, piling, etc. They are usually dark red, or green in color
well, you've got a lot of basics covered -
and if you have that covered, what you need is inspiration -
I'd suggest a complete set of Eric Sloane - his research in to tools, techniques, and Americana, along with great story lines make for a great value -
Wallace Nutting - 'Furniture Treasury' - 5000 illustrations of the best the new world offers -
Russel Haws Kettell - 'the Pine Furniture of Early New England' - more rustic and simple pieces than in Nutting - wonderful stuff -
Ken Kern - 'the owner built home' - and 'the owner built workshop' - kinda '70's, but he touches on a lot of thought provoking subjects -
Christopher Alexander - 'a Pattern Language' - most highly recommended - infact, certainly it should be the first mentioned here - 'A Timeless Way of Building' is the prequel, and is good, but 'pattern language' is the meat and heart of his knowledge -
Liegh French Jr - 'Colonial Interiors' - I picked this up at a library sale - great detail interior shots of both primitive and refined early America - measured drawings and profiles -
if you don't have the first 10 years of FHB, I'd suggest them also -
and of course, 'Penthouse Letters XV' - who knew there was so much trouble and confusion?
and search here - https://www.abebooks.com/ - an inexpensive source of the aforementioned books - (relatively speaking) -
bobl
Not a book, but a great source to get contruction related books.
http://www.buildersbooksource.com
They have a physical store and an online store as well. I go there (online) every few months to see what they have.
I would also recommend JLC's Contractors Legal Kit. If you don't have a standard contract, this is a good place to start. Even if you do, I found this book to be very informative for the business end of things. It made me re-think how to charge for my time in various tasks. My contract started from here and with the help of an attorney I was able to tailor the document to my needs. The cost of the book and the attorney fees were less than $300. Considerably less than having a contract written from scratch, IMO.
Also- the Sarah Susanska books. In particular, "The Not So Big House" Chapter 5 Dreams, Details and Dollars. This can really be helpful for clients to help define their project.