By Mike & Carolyn Russell
Camden House Publishing, 1993
Soft cover, 8.25" x 10.5", 175 pages

Twenty years ago, Mike and Carolyn Russell transformed a room in their sixth-floor apartment into a soundproof workshop. Using the elevator during low-traffic times, they smuggled in enough materials to build a houseful of furniture. The Russells' youthful escapade laid the groundwork for their self-taught do-it-yourself approach, and in , they share their hard-won secrets.

Committed yard-sale and flea-market buffs, the Russells demonstrate that reclaiming materials can be a way both to cut costs and to preserve the environment. But even more valuable is their strategy for helping the beginner bridge the gap between uncertainty and self-assurance by outlining basic skills and offering practical tips that guarantee success. How To Build Almost Anything includes a down-to-earth discussion of setting up a workshop, a list of must-have tools and how to use them, a thorough outline of wood products, fasteners and finishes and plans for 25 simple, adaptable projects. The Russells' irrepressible enthusiasm will give every hesitant do-it-yourselfer the confidence to begin.