Do It Yourself Book

**Redwood** · 01-01-2009, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by GabeS

Redwood,

I actually read that article and used it under one of my kitchen sinks. The idea was to keep the piping towards the back away from damage and also to increase the drain size coming off the strainer by using a pvc fitting on the outside instead of a washer would collects dirt and closes the opening a little.

I'd like to hear all of your points on what is wrong with that setup.

Bye the way I also read two other books by Rex and it says he's a licensed plumber and licensed electrician. Don't know if they would lie about that. The taunton does publish a lot of stuff. Never actually confirmed any of the information myself. But then again, I never confirmed the moon landing either.

I think Rex Cauldwell is less like the moon landing and more like Roswell, New Mexico....

I would hook up the sink drain in the conventional manner with the pipes crossing over between the 2 sinks as high as possible to keep them up out of the way and avoid possible damage. I would also use slip joints to make it possible to disassembel for cleaning if needed.

His methods are definitely hacker handyman at best.

**Furd** · 01-01-2009, 10:38 AM

I find this very interesting. I purchased a copy of Mr. Cauldwell's book on inspecting a house at Half Price Books a few years ago. I was NOT impressed with the chapters on electricity, plumbing or heating systems.

Later I read on another website how the "For Pros By Pros" series of books were among the best a person could read and they especially recommended Mr. Cauldwell's book on wiring a home. I freakin' couldn't believe it! Of course, to be fair I must admit that every DIY type of book I have read has gotten at least on thing flat out wrong.

I'm an engineer but the title "engineer" means very little to me. I've known far too many "engineers" over the years that I wouldn't trust to oil the wheels on a kiddie car. I've known electrical engineers that couldn't plug in a toaster or change a light bulb and do it correctly. I've known mechanical engineers that couldn't grasp the simplest concepts of machinery. Yet many of these "engineers" not only had the degree but also a state-issued "Professional Engineer" license.

I've met tradesmen (and women) that claimed to have thirty years of experience but really had one year of experience thirty times over. I'm quite leery of ANYONE that has to brag about their degrees, licenses or years of experience. I've found out over the years that it is often the soft-spoken person that rarely pushes his (or her) thoughts onto others, and even more rarely cites any "qualifications" that is the person that REALLY knows what needs to be done and how to do it. Luckily, we have a number of these people on this board.

**Thatguy** · 01-01-2009, 12:14 PM

Come to think of it, I've never seen any post-install testing instructions in DIY books.

**Thatguy** · 01-01-2009, 12:30 PM

http://www.thatgirltv.com/

Hmmmm. . .what do you see in this inkblot?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rorschach_inkblot_test

Of course, when this show was on I wasn't even born yet, nor do I remember Kay Starr, Dion, Laugh-In, Three Mile Island, Nixon, etc., etc..

**Redwood** · 01-01-2009, 06:12 PM

Marlo Thomas is that girl!

**Cass** · 01-01-2009, 06:20 PM

I can't stand her husband Phil Donahue...

**Cass** · 01-01-2009, 06:38 PM

I love the work she does with what her father, Danny Thomas , started.

It is really a great thing for children..

**kingsotall** · 01-01-2009, 08:20 PM

Even though this thread has gone way off topic I think the original post was spot on and information on recalled books as such can only benefit Terry's forum. I want to be kept informed by other tradesman such as threads like these.

**Cookie** · 01-02-2009, 04:27 AM

Kingman,

That is why I suggested having a spot telling about bad books and good books. Kind of like in some video stores a video recommendation, but instead a book recommendation. What do you think? It kind of goes with your idea of citing recalled books, wouldn't you agree?

**rgsgww** · 01-02-2009, 08:32 PM

I have some clue, but not much, about what you people are talking about (the off topic posts) because I'm am alot younger than all of you.

I've read some diy books that I've had for a few years, though I never use them, because I don't have to.

Some of the information is incorrect, and seems to make its way to other books, like "cheater plugs". In the books they say you can use them if you have conduit or bx, problem is, they don't mention bonding strips, what if the bx doesn't have a bonding strip? This creates a hazard.

**Terry** · 01-03-2009, 12:40 PM

Maybe that should put a disclaimer on The Bible too.
Follow it's advice at your own risk.

That book uses a lot of writers too.

**GabeS** · 01-04-2009, 07:08 AM

What are all the things wrong with rex's setup under the sink?

I thought AAV's were allowed in some jurisdictions.

**99k** · 01-04-2009, 08:16 AM

Caveat emptor ... let the buyer beware when purchasing how-to books. I will say that I live very close to Taunton Press, know one of the editiors, and have purchased many of their books. Some of the books on decks, stairbuilding, framing, etc are fantastic ... it really isn't fair to broadbrush all the how-to books they publish as garbage ... they are one of the leading publishers. There are several problems, first Taunton Press better start having some of the info in these trade books verified by qualified professionals and second, DIYers must learn their limitations! Sometimes I will answer a DIYer request on this forum with "I suggest you hire a pro" because this is not a job for a DIYer ...