New Fix-It-Yourself Manual by Reader's Digest (1996, Hardcover)

The original Reader's Digest Fix-It-Yourself manual is a great book to have around the house, even though it was written back in the late 1970s. Many of the concepts it discusses are still relevant today, although some of the things discussed have changed.

In 1996, a new edition of the Fix-It-Yourself book was published. This new book is about the same size as the original, but it adds many more illustrations, is printed in full color and discusses many of the things found in a household today that weren't yet popular when the first book was published. The improved illustrations and added topics make this book a worthwhile purchase even if you own the previous edition.

I'd been curious about the newer edition of the book since I received an advertisement for it back in 1996. That is why I decided to buy this book, so I could see how it compared to the original.

Curiously, some of the content from the original book that would still be relevant today--such as the information on basic car repair (both body work and mechanical repair) and diagnosis--is missing completely from the 1996 edition of this book. Also curious is the inclusion of information that the average homeowner may never need, not be able to utilize safely or not understand. For example, a quick guide to locating and replacing the horizontal output transistor in a TV is given. This guide, while interesting, doesn't really provide enough detail for the average person to replace a TV part.

Some of the information given in the book is misleading, perhaps in the interest of oversimplification. Vacuum tube based audio and video equipment is covered, but it is suggested that such equipment cannot be repaired as the parts simply do not exist to repair it. Even today that is not so, as many collectors and restorers demonstrate.

Generally, however, the information given in the 1996 edition of the Fix-It-Yourself manual is clear, accurate and well described in both text and illustration. My recommendation if you plan to buy this book is to also buy the older, late 1970s edition as well. Between the two of them, you will learn a lot about the things in your home, whether you elect to repair them or not. Even if you hire the repair work done by someone else, this book can tell you what to expect and give you some knowledge about what the repair entails, keeping you from being taken advantage of.

Looking over the Fix-it Your Self Manual,,it covers Lots of normal house hold things...exp. canister vac,,shop vac..hair drier,,blenders the list I could go on with also went into large things like washers and driers.
It will help me to repair things about my home, safely that I would have other wise put in the trash. Or if they were repairable free cycled,as I use an give to free cycle wen I can.
This Book was also I beleive in Perfect shape, Will Buy from This Seller Again if Able

Sincerely
Wendy S
mommad36

I have the 1977 version of this book and it still is very useful. I heard that there was a 1996 edition and thought it was time to update. The book gives great diagrams and instructions on how to fix almost everything in your house. It has saved me a lot of money because I'm not mechanically inclined, but with this book I can see what the problem is and decide to either do it or get an expert.

I bought this book because I just moved into a new home. We had a toilet that sounded like it was draining even when it wasn't used. I got this book because it looked like it would help me solve the problem and it did. The book helped me troubleshoot the problem and found out it only cost me $5.00 to fix the problem. I thought I was going to have to call a plumber which would have been a lot more. I browsed through the whole book and I think it has a lot of good tips and is a must have for any homeowner. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

I bought this book as a gift for my son, who recently bought a house. I have had a copy since 1996 and have used it many times to guide me through "do it yourself" appliance and household repairs. It provides trouble shooting information that I have used to repair my washer, dryer, refrigerator, "whole house" air conditioner, microwave, VCR, blender and other appliances. I have reduced repair bills significantly by following the book and only buying the parts. As examples, I spent 2 hours and and $12 to repair the "dead" microwave/convection oven, 3 hours and $45 to repair the air conditioner, and 15 minutes to unstick a "stuck" set of blender blades.

It is appliance generic, not brand specific, so one has to have a basic understanding of repairs or at least a desire to learn it.

I highly recommend the book!