Popular Mechanics How to Fix Anything

“… there are at least a handful of easy home remedies here that even major fumblefingers can successfully implement. Like touching up wood furniture with unsalted pecan or walnut meats. Using a steam iron to fix indented carpeting. Freshening up a no-start lawn mower with new spark plugs. Even getting rid of driveway stains with pulverized drywall (just allow it to sit overnight). It’s all thanks to the collected wisdom of Popular Mechanics, 115 years strong, synonymous with the ultimate in DIY knowledge. The book’s eight sections—bathroom; kitchen; walls, ceilings, floors; furniture and fixtures; gadgets; basement and mechanicals; garage and driveway; and yard—feature different formats. ‘Ask Roy’ fields answers to common questions. ‘Know your stuff’ highlights tools, materials, and their appropriate uses, whether fillers, painter’s knives, or screws. The ‘essential tool’ call-outs spotlight particular instruments that are critical to have on hand. And captioned, step-by-step color photographs bring clarity to specific tasks. From all of the above to battling moles to avoid lawn destruction, readers will count on Popular Mechanics’ advice.” —Booklist (starred review)“… there are at least a handful of easy home remedies here that even major fumblefingers can successfully implement. Like touching up wood furniture with unsalted pecan or walnut meats. Using a steam iron to fix indented carpeting. Freshening up a no-start lawn mower with new spark plugs. Even getting rid of driveway stains with pulverized drywall (just allow it to sit overnight). It’s all thanks to the collected wisdom of Popular Mechanics, 115 years strong, synonymous with the ultimate in DIY knowledge. The book’s eight sections—bathroom; kitchen; walls, ceilings, floors; furniture and fixtures; gadgets; basement and mechanicals; garage and driveway; and yard—feature different formats. ‘Ask Roy’ fields answers to common questions. ‘Know your stuff’ highlights tools, materials, and their appropriate uses, whether fillers, painter’s knives, or screws. The ‘essential tool’ call-outs spotlight particular instruments that are critical to have on hand. And captioned, step-by-step color photographs bring clarity to specific tasks. From all of the above to battling moles to avoid lawn destruction, readers will count on Popular Mechanics’ advice.” —Booklist (starred review)

Roy Berendsohn is Senior Home Editor at Popular Mechanics. He has written extensively on home care, repair, construction, and improvement. His diverse portfolio also includes topics such as blacksmithing, boat building, painting a barn, and the restoration of a 4-wheel-drive firetruck.