The Art of Fixing Things, Principles of Machines, and How to Repair Them: 150 Tips and Tricks to Make Things Last Longer, and save You Money

by Lawrence E. Pierce, Margit Lieder (Photographer), Adrian Horvath (Cover Design)

You may not have realized it yet, but survival is now the new normal for many families. There was no nuclear war, super disease, or mutant virus, just years of junk products that has left many of us broke and dependent on others. This is the book you must read before you read any other ‘how-to’ guide to repairing cars, household appliances, garden machines, and farm equipment, or doing home improvements. It is a resource for smart people who have never had the opportunity to learn the basics of tool use, maintenance and repairs. It contains useful information not found in any other publication, and is the first new book in many years on this subject. Written by the third generation, in a family of self reliant do-it-yourself people, many of these 150 Tips and Tricks come to you from a time when we repaired our possessions, rather than throwing them away. For the complete beginner, and the more experienced home repairer, it contains 185 crisp black and white photo illustrations, direct, and simple explanations, and easy to follow directions, for doing repairs, and making things last longer. The information presented in this book will give you the courage, and information, to tackle simple and complex repairs. In this book, find out HOW • Get your car to start. • Sharpen scissors, blender blades, pruning shears, lawn mower blades. • Start that lawnmower in the spring and snow blower in the winter. • Make new threads. • Get your fax machine, or copier to work better. • Hold a screwdriver, hammer or pliers. • Fix things with random parts. • Persuade your car’s engine to last longer. • Make fittings leak proof. • Tighten and loosen things, without damaging the machine. • Find the best appliances at the best prices. • Repair household lamps and appliances. • Buy the right nuts and bolts. And much more. IT IS EASY, YOU CAN DO IT !

Genres: Nonfiction

161 pages, Paperback

First published September 24, 2011

Reviews

[Trager · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good stuff, some okay, and some just plain bad

To preface, I’m an engineer with some training in fabrication and I’ve done a bit of electrical work on the side. I got this book because I’m always looking for tips and tricks, especially in aspects of toolwork that I don’t do enough. A few years ago, I did a partial business renovation with a professional carpenter, and the knowledge i picked up working alongside him was invaluable in subsequent projects.

I had been hoping that this book would offer more learning like that experience. And yes, there are some good tips. There’s also quite a bit of repetition. Then there are some points that I would actively contest — a knife steel is meant for honing, not sharpening, and you should know the difference. WD-40 should not be the lubricant of choice for things that you want to work for long periods of time, and it’s not the right thing to use in every situation.

Lastly, while I understand some frustration with Chinese manufacturing, the regular and repeated screeds against Chinese products grew irritation. Not all American made gear is good, not all Chinese stuff is bad.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think there will be a wide variation of what readers think of this book based on experiences and expectations.

It is not an all encompassing book that will tell you how to fix everything that is wrong with your lawn mower or teach a master mechanic much of anything new.

What you can expect is a book with large black and white photo with a paragraph and a few sentences of the topic at hand. such as how to free a frozen bolt, grease a bearing, how to trouble shoot problems or remove a stuck hose. You do not need a mechanical background to enjoy this.

I read a part of the book while being a passenger on a car trip and in between commercials during a tv show. It contains a number of bush fixes.

Some may be offended by his characterization of made in China tools and hardware as being cheap crap. I was not.

A practical pragmatic book that has a very 1970's feel.

[Russell Throne · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you are looking for some general fixing information, then this will give you some ideas. However I ended up getting rid of it as soon as I was done with it. From my personal experience there was a lot of things described that were just plain wrong. I kinda assume (very bad thing to do, I know) that the writer only dealt with specific brands and so some absolutes stated in this book were incorrect for other brands. I would say as a general this is what you are getting into book, it helps, but if you plan on doing repairs, absolutely find something directly related to exactly what you are fixing.

[Gwendolyn Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars rounded up to 4. I think this is book is ideal for folks that have don't have any practical experience with hand tools, DIY, small repairs, etc and therefore it's a great book if you need an overview of the basic hand tools, and ways that they are best used in the shop or around the house. If you have previous experience in these areas, then this book might be a little too basic.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative

I was hoping to learn a bit more but the information was thorough and concise while having a realistic tone and attitude which is always helpful when it comes to real life repairs that aren’t always “by the book.”

[nancybrinkley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good info.

Good photos and info. Some of the topics were a little difficult for me to understand , I would have liked a more expanded demo.

[Prince · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for ALL young men!

This book is a must read for all men, young or old.
When I started this book, I was a little skeptical add to what I could possibly benefit from it. Mind you, I've been on my own for 15 years, since I was 15.
After reading this book, I can handle any money that comes my way. Autos, forklifts, I even learnt more from this book about electricity than I did in over 50 'physics' books.

[Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why of why was this not required reading in an intro to industrial tech class? Great book, great tips.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has great practical advice on some basic tool use. Problem solving and trouble shooting. It gives some great advice on situations you might find yourself in on dozens of repairs and the like