New Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual by Reader's Digest (1996)

I bought this book for my husband last year for Christmas. He's not too much of a handyman but he tries sometimes! This book gives you step by step details on hundreds "around the house" projects.

The books has 17 chapters (over 500 pages) plus a section in the back on Metric Conversion. The instructions are very detailed and there are step by step pictures on almost every single page of the book! (It's a man's version of the ultimate cookbook!)

Ch. 1 Emergency Repairs
This chapter is a guide for such things as natural disasters (what to do to protect and repair your home in times of a tornado, hurricane, flood, winter storm, and earthquake), power failure, fires, drain and toilet repairs, and more. I think it's pretty handy being the first chapter...when it's an emergency you don't have time to look up things in the index and find the pages that way quickly.

Ch. 2 Hand Tools and How to Use Them
It gives you lists of any kind of tool you'd want to know about, how to use and repair them, plus how to build a workbench and sawhorse. At the end of this chapter there is a section that tells about some workshop tricks. I was amazed that they even show you how to use a wrench! I thought everyone knew how to use a wrench!

Ch. 3 Power Tools and How to Use Them
Same concept as Ch. 2.

Ch. 4 Fasteners and Adhesives for Joining Materials
Nails, screws, bolts and nuts, hollow-wall fasteners, masonry and concrete fasteners, all types of glues, special-purpose adhesives (contact cement, urethane, etc), and tapes are the subcategories in this chapter. It shows very detailed pictures of different types of nails, screws, bolts, etc. It gives you name brands of the products, typical uses for them, components, application, characteristics, and solvent. I was impressed!

Ch. 5 Woodworking
Types of wood, techniques, and finishes is what this chapter is all about. It begins with understanding the nature of and buying the wood to the final finishes. Now this is something I would be interested in if I had the time for a hobby.

Ch. 6 Metals and Plastics
Working with metals and plastics is a lot different than working with wood. This chapter gives you all kinds of tips on working with everything from roof flashing to tubular lawn chairs, from kitchen cabinets to window frames. Something I thought was interesting was the section on repairing dents in metal.

Ch. 7 Concrete and Asphalt Techniques and Projects
I think this sort of speaks for itself.

Ch. 8 Masonry Building with Brick, Block, and Stone
This tells you about the kinds of bricks, blocks, and stone, the tools you'll need to work with, how to lay them when making walls, patios, and such, and cleaning the concrete, brick, and stone.

Ch. 9 Structures and Planning Improvements on your House
Subcategories in this chapter: Framing, Exterior Walls, Interior Construction, Finding a Stud, Roof Construction, Planning Projects, Building Permits, Financial Consideration, Working with Contractors, and Meeting Special Needs.

Ch. 10 Plumbing Repairs and Installations
From private wells to septic systems, copper pipes to cast-iron pipe, sink and tub drains to installing a whirlpool bath. Get the idea?

Ch. 11 Electricity and Home Wiring Basics
First a must read is the understanding of how it all works. This chapter goes from Circuit breakers and fuses to smoke detectors. There are almost 30 subcategories on this subject! I think this chapter would be pretty handy.

Ch. 12 Interior Repairs and Improvements
Do you want to install wallboard, paneling, ceiling tiles, a staircase, or a closet? Are you planning on finishing your attic or do you have a damp basement? Turn to page 271 in this book and you'll have over 70 pages of these nifty projects.

Ch. 13 Painting and Wallpapering
You can redecorate like a pro in this chapter of the book. I think this is the one I will be looking at in the near future.

Ch. 14 Exterior Repairs, Replacements, and Improvements
From the use of ladders and their safety to fixing a leaky roof. From different types of shingles and slates to installing a skylight. Tips on setting fence posts, cleaning your chimney, and all about siding! There's a lot to cover here.

Ch. 15 Windows and Door Repairs and Improvement
Windows of all types are mentioned, screen repairing, installing doors, weatherstripping windows and doors, etc.

Ch. 16 Home Climate
Heating, cooling, insulation, and humidity control. It begins with insulation basics and ends with central vacuum systems. Anything you want to know about the climate of your home.

Ch. 17 Furniture Repair and Restoration
Subcategories in this chapter are Finish and Wood Repairs, Veneer Restoration, Moisture-related Repairs, Fixing Drawers, Loose Joints and Breaks in Wood, Repairing Chairs, Revitalizing Outdoor Chairs, Reupholstery Basics, Recaning A Chair, Wicker and Rattan Maintenance, and Removing Stains from Furnishings.

That's it in a nutshell. The book retails for $35 but I got it through a book club for $20. My husband absolutely loves it and has used it already to do a few projects (installing a basement window was the latest). He's done a great job!