A treehouse is a wonderful idea, but how in the name of creation do you actually build one? In this delightfully illustrated handbook, David Stiles, the unofficial world grandmaster of the treehouse, shows how. Not assuming anything about the treehouse builder, Stiles starts with the basics: how to nail, how to buy wood, what kind of screws and nails to use. Then it's on to an A-frame design so simple that it can be built in a weekend out of four sheets of plywood, followed by lean-tos, a tree hut, and a Tarzan-style jungle hideaway. There are also forts of every description, including a 21-foot-tall lookout tower modeled on one George Washington built to keep an eye on the redcoats. Stiles also adds a design for a snowball catapult, an igloo and even a Nerf-loaded cannon. Written for children, with an adult peeking over their shoulder, Stiles's TREEHOUSES, HUTS, & FORTS is a dreamer's handbook, offering practical results.

Collins Complete DIY Manual has sold over 3 million copies and is the most comprehensive and authoritative DIY manual ever produced. For novices, DIY enthusiasts or professionals, this essential book continues to be the most in-depth, up-to-date and user-friendly DIY book on the market, covering everything from decorating and repairs to electricity, plumbing and much more. This fully updated version features an even more accessible design to help you navigate easily through the info, and thousands of new photographs and illustrations to make sure you get your job done quickly and safely. There have been many changes to regulations in recent years, particularly in electricity (the new Part P legislation and changes to cable colours) - the Manual not only lists but also clearly explains these new regs and helps you work with them. And as we all become much more conscious of the environmental impact our homes have, new material on energy-saving DIY is essential reading for any householder - saving you money too in the process.

The fun and easy way to repair anything and everything around the house
For anyone who's ever been frustrated by repair shop rip-offs, this guide shows how to troubleshoot and fix a wide range of household appliances-lamps, vacuum cleaners, washers, dryers, dishwashers, garbage disposals, blenders, radios, televisions, and even computers. Packed with step-by-step illustrations and easy-to-follow instructions, it's a must-have money-saver for the half of all homeowners who undertake do-it-yourself projects.

The bestselling alternative energy reference book in North America--now in an updated edition

Want to take advantage of solar power in your home? Whether you're looking to save on your energy costs by adding a few solar components or you want to build a solar-powered house from the ground up, "Solar Power For Dummies, 2nd Edition" takes the mystery out of this energy source and shows you how to put it to work for you

This new edition gives you hands-on tips and techniques for making your home more energy-efficient though solar power--and helping the planet at the same time. Plus, you'll get all the latest information on changes to federal, state, and local regulations, laws, and tax incentives that seek to make solar-power adoption more feasible.Expanded coverage of the technology that underpins full-scale solar-power systems for the homeNew small- and mid-sized solar products, projects, and applicationsRik DeGunther is a design engineer who started his own energy consulting firm

Featuring ten of the easiest and cheapest DIY solar projects, "Solar Power For Dummies, 2nd Edition" is the fun and easy way to meet your energy needs with this clean power source

Being a homesteader today may seem difficult; the world is full of so many gadgets and conveniences, many of which most of us consider necessary to live a full and happy life. In this collection, edited and arranged by Jay Cassell, you'll see that going off the grid, adapting to your surroundings, and depending on yourself and your land is really not as challenging as one may think. With the information and tips you learn in this book, you'll easily find success as a modern-day homesteader.

The essays featured in "The Ultimate Guide to Self-Reliant Living" were written by some of today's most respected outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen, nature enthusiasts, agricultural professionals, and successful homesteaders. Through the information on these pages, you will learn the best techniques and approaches concerning:
Hunting, fishing, and trappingForagingGrowing and preparing your own foodAnimal husbandryLiving off the gridBuilding barns and outbuildingsGreen livingCountry skillsAlternative energy, such as solar panels and windmillsPrimitive survival skills, such as making fires and finding shelter

Packed with over 200 shortcuts and tricks, this might just be the most helpful book you will ever own.

When Sidney Raz hit 30, he realised there was so much advice no-one had ever bothered to tell him. So Sid went on a mission to make his life as easy as humanly possible. He began posting his discoveries online and quickly built a following of millions, all eager for his next hacks. This book is a culmination of that work, presenting Sid's greatest tips, tricks and life hacks to make cooking, chores, and life in general far more efficient. It's all stuff you wish someone had already told you, and now they have. Share them with everyone you know!

Hacks that take you one step closer to domestic god status include:

• Placing a wet paper towel by an onion will stop your eyes from watering
• Putting plastic wrap in the freezer makes it easier to use
• The shoulder strap on a leather jacket will stop the strap on your bag slipping off

Creating the perfect loaf of bread--a challenge that has captivated bakers for centuries--is now the rage in the hippest places, from Waitsfield, Vermont, to Point Reyes Station, California. Like the new generation of beer drinkers who consciously seek out distinctive craft-brewed beers, many people find that their palates have been reawakened and re-educated by the taste of locally baked, whole-grain breads. Today's village bakers are finding an important new role--linking tradition with a sophisticated new understanding of natural levens, baking science and oven construction. Daniel Wing, a lover of all things artisinal, had long enjoyed baking his own sourdough bread. His quest for the perfect loaf began with serious study of the history and chemistry of bread baking, and eventually led to an apprenticeship with Alan Scott, the most influential builder of masonry ovens in America. Alan and Daniel have teamed up to write this thoughtful, entertaining, and authoritative book that shows you how to bake superb healthful bread and build your own masonry oven. The authors profile more than a dozen small-scale bakers around the U.S. whose practices embody the holistic principles of community-oriented baking based on whole grains and natural leavens. The Bread Builders will appeal to a broad range of readers, including: Connoisseurs of good bread and good food. Home bakers interested in taking their bread and pizza to the next level of excellence. Passionate bakers who fantasize about making a living by starting their own small bakery. Do-it-yourselfers looking for the next small construction project. Small-scale commercial bakers seeking inspiration, the most up-to-date knowledge about the entire bread-baking process, and a marketing edge.

For avid gardeners, the biggest down-side of the hobby is the limited growing season in much of the country. Gardening during the winter is often reduced to tending house-plants and browsing seed catalogues for next summer's tomato choices. Master Gardener and builder Roger Marshall enthusiastically presents his case for home greenhouses with a thorough examination of everything the potential builder needs to know. Marshall's coverage of the subject begins with a careful consideration of the various purposes served by greenhouses. Will the structure be used as a damp, warm hothouse for rare orchids? A tropical paradise for banana and citrus trees? A friendlier environment in which to get a jump on a summer vegetable garden is the goal for many gardeners, while an inviting setting for a year-round hot tub surrounded by lush greenery has an undeniable appeal. What ever its eventual use will be, Marshall helps the reader examine every option and make an informed choice. After determining the type and style of the structure, Marshall progresses, chapter by chapter, through the construction elements of the greenhouse - from choosing a site, to laying the foundation and determining which glazing material will work best. Plumbing, heating, supplemental lighting, misting, and automatic venting systems are also covered for the truly committed reader/gardener. The final section-of the book includes detailed plans for nine actual greenhouses, from a simple cold frame to an elaborately detailed framed, detached structure. Whatever the greenhouse goal, Marshall opens the way to longer growing seasons, abundant organically grown fruits and vegetables, and many more happy months playing in the dirt!

Question
Unpack
Evaluate
Eliminate
Neaten up!

It's a foolproof sorting system for even the most devoted packrat: Question the best possible use of a room, a closet, a drawer...Unpack all of your clutter to get a sense of what you have (and what you need to do with it)...Evaluate each and every item you own...Eliminate unwanted possessions without guilt or regrets...and Neaten up your belongings in their newly decluttered space. You'll find your home and your life organized like never before as you conquer clutter in the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, attic, basement -- even the garage!

The key, says the Queen, is to start small...and soon you'll be revved up and ready to straighten out every nook and cranny of your home. Her down-to-earth clutter-busting advice is built for speed; in a flash she sorts through and tidies up wallets, purses, drawers, closets, pantries, clothes, shoes, cosmetics, junk mail, linens, toys, books, videos, photos, collectibles, and much, much more!

The Queen makes even the most dreaded organizing tasks a breeze with hundreds of easy and practical tips! Find out how good it feels to be a savvy manager of all that threatens to invade your orderly domain with these simple and effective strategies from America's #1 housekeeping expert, the Queen of Clean®.

Following in the footsteps of the successful Beginner's Guide series, The Beginner's Guide to Upholstery takes readers gently by the hand and shows them the simple techniques they need to bring their love of fabric to upholstered items for the home. This is not a dry, highly technical professional upholstery manual, but a bright and accessible book that presents 10 simple projects using modern methods that are quick and easy to achieve. Readers are taken step-by-step through the process of how to upholster desirable pieces of furniture - using items found at antique markets, street sales and thrift stores that are designed-up and given a modern twist. Readers will learn about fabric choice and other materials, discover essential upholstery techniques and then embark on the projects. which include a simple stool, a vintage sewing box, a blanket box or ottoman, a fluted headboard, a Danish dining chair, a bedroom/nursing chair, a patchwork armchair and a mid-century design two-seater sofa, all guided by the author's expert instruction.

In "Working Windows, 3rd Edition," Terry Meany (aka Mr. Window) explains with detail, humor, and accessibility everything you'll need to know to repair, replace, or restore almost any window--regardless of its age.
Inside you will find:
- detailed instruction for disassembling and repairing various types of wood windows
- repair hints and tricks of the trade you won't find anywhere else
- easy ways to clean and restore original hardware
- safe and efficient methods of stripping, refinishing, and painting
- effective ways to eliminate drafts and rattles
- methods for glass cleaning
- invaluable information on tools and materials and more.
"Working Windows, 3rd Edition" is the only fully illustrated guide to repairing and refinishing every part of an old window, from weather stripping, pulleys, sashes, hopper vents, and casings to old hinges, paint, and glass.
Whether you are a craftsman or a do-it-yourself homeowner, you will find "Working Windows, 3rd Edition" packed with essential advice and instruction to get your windows looking great and operating smoothly.

Once upon a time, in a world fraught with shrinking jeans, dry-cleaning debacles, and endangered delicates, laundry was a dreaded chore. Then one happy day, the Queen of Clean® put an end to the vicious washand-dry cycle -- with her all-new collection of ingenious tips and natural solutions for stress-free washing, ironing, sorting, and stain-busting!

Let the Queen show you how to:

• sort laundry like a pro
• remove spots, stains, scorch marks, and odors
• soften hard water-and save clothes from a dull, gray fate
• make your own fabric softener sheets in a snap
• say good-bye to pink socks, with a foolproof colorfastness test
• line-dry clothes without hanger lumps or clothespin marks
• decipher those fabric care symbols on clothing tags
• get the scoop on home dry-cleaning kits
• discover the secrets to lint-free drying-and quick fixes for when tissues, crayons, and other foreign bodies take a spin in the dryer

The Queen provides a complete stain removal guide -- and ransacks your cupboard for amazing, inexpensive spot removers including
lemon juice • meat tenderizer • WD-40 • lubricant • salt • shaving cream...and more!

Whether you turn around family-sized wash loads seven days a week, air your dirty laundry at the local laundromat, or are among the seriously "laundry challenged," consult the Queen for no-nonsense advice -- and fabulous results!

One of the best ways to get power to remote, off-grid locations, whether in developed or developing countries, is through the use of solar electric systems. This practical guide describes how to plan, design and install solar electric systems in a manner that is hands-on, graphic and technically complete. Highly illustrated chapters cover: solar energy basics components of solar electric systems (modules, batteries, regulators, inverters and appliances) installation practice on planning and servicing systems water pumping refrigeration village electrification. This is the must-have guide for electric technicians and designers, development workers, and anyone who wants to install their own off-grid system.

Each season is divided into chapters for early, mid, and late, with each chapter opening by identifying signs of the times: mud, flood, blossoms and baby animals mean early spring, for instance, while grass growth and insect populations both peak in early summer. Handy lists and accessible sidebars highlight the season's tasks and priorities, while narrative sections focus on one especially timely topic for each chapter, including plant rotations and soil building in late spring and sustainable woodlot management in mid-autumn. Individual season-by-season charts on what to do when for each topic, such as tractor or equipment maintenance, orchard care, and animal cycles fill out the appendix. Readers have plenty of room to check items off lists or leave notes such as, "Didn't do this in Feb, remember in March!" or "Need new gate latch by summer," making the format of this book a welcomed workhorse.

'Helps motivate you even after reading one page' Reader Review, Welcome to The Easy Life, where your kitchen always sparkles, your closet is organised and your to-do list has an end. It sounds almost too good to be true, but TV's Queen of Clean, Lynsey Crombie - mother of three, pet owner, Instagrammer, This Morning cleaning expert and head of her own cleaning business - has all the tips, tricks and routines you need to create a happy and healthy home environment. In her latest book, Lynsey expands on her eco-friendly, tried-and-tested tips for cleaning, while also providing a series of interactive to-do lists, quick cleaning challenges and hacks to take the stress out of managing your home. Organised by season, the book's bright, colourful design aims to make cleaning quick, easy and fun. Whether you're finding you now have time to finally get to all those deep cleaning tasks or that having all your family at home means you need every trick to keep life organised, Lynsey has you covered. What readers are saying about The Easy Life: 'So bright & cheery, as well as being packed FULL of so many hints & tips! Seasonal cleaning starts here' 'Home, Cleaning and Family Life all rolled into one to help achieve the perfect life balance!' 'Packed with amazing cleaning tips and various To Do lists ... very colourful and very enjoyable to read' 'This book is absolutely brilliant, it has everything to keep your home clean and organised throughout the year' 'I like the fact it goes by season so works all year round and has some amazing tips' 'Amazing book! Not just lists to tick, but structure, tips, hints and recipes'

DIY vir Divas is 'n eenvoudige gids vir die vrou, uit die oogpunt van 'n vrou. Die nuttige boek leer jou meer oor die verskillende soorte gereedskap en toebehore wat nodig is vir basiese huisreparasies en doen-dit-self-projekte. Daarna lei dit jou stap vir stap deur 'n aantal projekte. Begin met klein projekte en opknappingstakies en kort voor lank sal jy die vertroue hê om moeiliker take aan te durf!

This homeowner's guide shows you how to build 35 useful and attractive outdoor features to enhance your garden. Complete Book of Outdoor DIY Projects is the ultimate resource for constructing a wide variety of professional-looking, stylish structures, using stone, brick, wood or water. With step-by-step instructions and clear colour photographs, all you need is basic equipment and easy-to-learn skills. Projects include stone paths, garden archways, Japanese stone gardens and bamboo fountains, raised and free-standing brick planters, pavers, decorative screen walls, rustic benches and much more. Each project is accompanied by detailed information on which tools to use, exactly what materials are required, how long it will take to make, and the level of difficulty involved, along with handy tips and time-saving techniques.

Authors David and Jeannie Stiles give readers all the information they need to build their own cabins -- whether it be as a wilderness retreat or a backyard studio. The authors describe each step in the process from buying land to obtaining services, from finding qualified construction help to deciding on and developing plans for a structure that suits their lifestyle and budget. Cabins is packed with detailed illustrations, plans and common-sense advice.

Chapters include classic construction methods: how to build a log cabin, pole-built and stick-built cabin, post-and-beam, stone, cordwood and kit cabins. Construction methods are clearly illustrated in photographs and drawings and the advantages of each are explained in detail. Foundations, windows, doors, insulation, roofing, installing utilities, water and sanitary systems and heating are all discussed.

Many designs are presented as inspiration and to help readers select the cabin that is perfect for them: homesteader log cabin, writing cabin, guest cabin, Japanese moon-gazing cabin, lakeside retreat, pyramid and A-frame, and hillside Mediterranean cabin. The authors include personal reminiscences from successful builders and cabin owners, and discuss furnishings and accessories that can help readers get the most enjoyment out of their newly built wilderness retreat.

Written in a simple, easy-to-understand language by a skilled programmer with many years of experience teaching CNC machining to industry and in the classroom, this new edition offers a new chapter on feature-based Machining using Siemens, plus a new chapter featuring Fanuc NC guide I programming. It provides full descriptions of many operation and programming functions and illustrates their practical applications through examples. It provides in-depth information on how to program turning and milling machines, which is applicable to almost all control systems. It keeps all theoretical explanations to a minimum throughout so that they do not distort an understanding of the programming. And because of the wide range of information available about the selection of tools, cutting speeds, and the technology of machining, it is sure to benefit engineers, programmers, supervisors, and machine operators who need ready access to information that will solve CNC operation and programming problems. Ken Evans has held a variety of machining and related jobs throughout his career; and is currently a CNC Programmer at a prominent aerospace company. Ken was a Machine Tool Technology instructor for 20 years at Davis Applied Technology College in Kaysville, Utah, where he taught a variety of courses throughout the machining curriculum, including Mastercam CAD/CAM. In addition, he has trained other educators from around the region on how to set-up, program, and operate their CNC machines; and has been a Training & Applications Specialist for a local machine tool distributor. Part 1: CNC Basics Part 2: CNC Machine Operation Part 3: Programming CNC Turning Centers Part 4: Programming CNC Machining Center Part 5: Computer Aided Design & Manufacturing Part 6: Introduction to Featured-Based Machining Part 7: FANUC NC Guide Programming Part 8: Mazatrol Conversational Programming Appendices A1-A12 Answers to Study Questions

Handmade Tile is a contemporary guide for ceramic artists and anyone interested in custom tile installations-from making, designing, and decorating to designing your space and installation. No matter how many years of experience you have as a ceramic artist or how many home-improvement projects you've tackled, nothing prepares you for the unique world of ceramic tile. From concept and design, through firing and installation, ceramic tiling is one of the few places in a home where art is permanently installed as a feature of a room. In Handmade Tile, Forrest Lesch-Middelton shares everything he's learned as the founder and owner of the custom tile business FLM Ceramics and Tile. From his years as a one-man operation to his current production facility, Forrest has seen it all and helps you every step of the way. Whether you want to make your own tile, or want to use artistic and custom-made tile in your home, this book has everything you need. Key features of the book include: Making Tile: key tools, rolling, cutting, extruding Decorating: glazes, image transfer, cuerda seca, underglaze, slip Designing Your Space: tile in context, choosing your tile, codes and standards Installation: removing old tile, backing, preparing surfaces, setting, grouting Galleries and interviews with today's top workings artists in tile round out the package. Featured artists include Allison Bloom, Boris Aldridge, Disc Interiors, PV Tile, and more.

One of the best ways to get power to remote, off-grid locations, whether in developed or developing countries, is through the use of solar electric systems. This practical guide describes how to plan, design and install solar electric systems in a manner that is hands-on, graphic and technically complete. Highly illustrated chapters cover:

• solar energy basics
• components of solar electric systems (modules, batteries, regulators, inverters and appliances)
• installation practice
• on planning and servicing systems
• water pumping
• refrigeration
• village electrification.

This is the must-have guide for electric technicians and designers, development workers, and anyone who wants to install their own off-grid system.

Readers with a hunger for knowledge and an interest in the myriad ways people have taught themselves to make, grow, and build will discover the ins and outs of how to do everything they've ever wondered about in this colourful, inviting volume. With dozens of useful and intriguing visual tutorials that cover how to carve a turkey, capture a swarm of bees, predict the weather by the clouds, darn socks, create a butterfly garden, set up a dog agility course, keep a nature sketchbook, navigate by the stars, and more, this rich compendium will educate, fascinate, spark conversation, and inspire new hobbies and experiences.