DO-IT-YOURSELF

Fences: for Town and Country

by John Stacpoole. 264pp paperback. pub 2005. $19.95

This has long been a specialist title, produced by the author and selling in ever-increasing short runs. Now it has been taken over by The Worsley Press, given a professional facelift, and printed in quantity.

The latest edition has extended the coverage to vine trellising, dry stone walling and pet enclosures. It remains the best handbook on fencing of all kinds for the Australian property owner, handyman and for the builder who wants to extend knowledge of an important aspect of life in rural and suburban areas.

It is aimed solidly at the Do-It-Yourself renovator, hobby farmer and weekend workshop.

For the rural fencer

For the rural fence builder there are guides which help decide just what a fence has to do, how tall and strong it has to be, and which fencing materials will do the necessary job at minimum cost. Fencing needs for various animals are specified — horses, sheep, cattle, pigs, goats — and what is needed to keep pests out.

For the suburban fence builder

For the suburban fence builder, there are many ideas for something different, from pickets to stone, from wire to wrought iron, and more. How does the home owner keep control when a fencing contractor is employed? How do you make sure you’ll get a good job? What materials suit what purposes? What are the special requirements for pools and pets?

What timber will I use?

by John Stacpoole. 176 pp paperback, pub2005. $19.95

This is the essential timber guide for Do-It-Yourselfers, renovators, woodworkers, crafts persons and students

Contents include:

Why use timber?; A key to common timber usage; Planning your project; Getting it right — structurally; Buying and selecting timber; Learning to use tools safely.

It also contains a buyer’s guide to commercial timbers from Australian native species, imported timbers and regional native species which have limited local availability. There is also a species index.

Glossaries link botanical to common names and provide explanations of timber terms.

This is an invaluable guide for all those using new or recycled timber. The references to native species with limited local availability is particularly valuable when recycling, as many species have virtually disappeared from the new market due to having been grossly over-exploited locally in the past. A rapacious timber industry continues the trend today.