Book for beginner about tools/home improvement

[mikebee23]

Greetings!  I was wondering if anyone could recommend any books that teach the basics about tools (power and non-power) and home improvement?  My baseline knowledge is about as primitive as there is.  Thanks!

[Agg97]

Back in the day, I would have said Home Depot's "Home Improvement 1-2-3".  However, the wealth of knowledge on YouTube would probably be my number one source now. 

Agg97

[chemgeek]

We haven't bought yet, but I've started collecting books for reference. We have the Home Depot 1-2-3 book which we like. They have more specific books depending on what your project is ( kitchen, bathroom etc). We've been binge watching Rehab Addict, and wanted to learn what everything was. So we bought this book and really like it. Demystified all the "guts" of a house for us. 

http://www.amazon.com/How-Your-House-Works-Understanding/dp/1118099400/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425309565&sr=8-1&keywords=how+your+home+works

[zolotiyeruki]

Greetings!  I was wondering if anyone could recommend any books that teach the basics about tools (power and non-power) and home improvement?  My baseline knowledge is about as primitive as there is.  Thanks!

You'll learn best by doing.  Choose a specific project or repair.  Do some research on how to do it, watch some youtube videos, etc.  Then go out and buy the tools and supplies and do it yourself.

Is there something  in your house that needs fixing?

[thurston howell iv]

x2 what Chemgeek said. The hd book was my first source. I would read, ask some questions at the store and jump in. It wasn't all pretty but I've learned a lot since then. Both my wife and I can do most any of the work in our home and on our cars thanks to the internet... Google and you tube are your friend.

[Greg]

There's a book I've seen called something like "How Stuff Works" that is a good starting point, even though it covers topics other than homes and home-related stuff.

Tauntan Press makes and sells books that you could find helpful.  I've seen these at my local lumber yard as well as larger hardware stores.  If you don't want to buy them, you can probably find them at your local library. 

Another thing to look for is whether or not your local area has classes for homeowners, tool libraries and how-to book libraries.

[ArtieStrongestInTheWorld]

Agreed that You Tube is incredibly useful (although totally uncurated.  You need to be careful that the advice you're getting is accurate.  In general, watch several videos on the same topic to see what they agree on.)

If you're looking for an actual book, I've used Renovation by Michael Litchfield.  (http://www.amazon.com/Renovation-4th-Completely-Revised-Updated/dp/1600854923/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425318396&sr=8-1&keywords=renovation)  It does a good job of giving a cursory overview of a variety of home improvement topics.  It has done well for me to read this book for general guidance, and then look to You Tube for more detailed instruction.