Do you want to learn how to build just about anything? The US Army Carpentry Field Manual will teach you how.

This manual is a basic training guide and reference text for army engineers who are responsible for the planning and construction of all types of buildings. It describes techniques and procedures for reading construction drawings, the preparation and use of a bill of materials, building layout, forming for concrete slabs and foundations, frame construction, finish carpentry, roof framing and coverings and bridge and wharf construction. It's illustrated by hundreds of clear drawings, details and diagrams.

The chapters are formatted as a series of individual lessons on each aspect of the building process. Because of that, anyone can use it as a step-by-step guide to construction for most building projects, large and small.

In addition to the lessons, there's a great glossary of building terms, linear measure and area conversion tables, lists of standard architectural drawing abbreviations and symbols, work time estimates for various projects and reviews of common building materials and finishes.

Although the book is full of sound advice, you'll need to use a little common sense when using it. The Army and National Guard are trained to build permanent facilities, but also to build quickly in the field during emergency situations. Sections of the book include notes like: "Some field conditions require expedient framing techniques. For example...chicken wire and water-resistant bituminous paper can be sandwiched to provide adequate temporary framing in temperate climates...poles trimmed from saplings or bamboo can be constructed into reasonably sound framing and may be secured with native vines if necessary." You'll probably want to build with more substantial materials than chicken wire and vines.

The Carpentry Field Manual was published in 1995. Building codes and standards are evolving quickly, and today's best methods are not always what are shown in the manual. Make sure to review your ideas with your building department or with an experienced building professional who knows local conditions and regulations before you purchase materials or start to build.

Download the US Army Carpentry and Building Field Manual here

This is a 223 page, 4.5 MB document. Allow a few minutes for it to download to your computer.

Don Berg, Today's Plans