Product Description
Every workbench should allow the woodworker to easily work the edges, faces and ends of boards, however most benches built during the last 100 years fail on at least one of these tasks. Workbenches is the only book that shows the reader how to design and build a good workbench and most importantly, how to use it in their shop for all sorts of tasks. This book dives deep into the historical records of the 18th and 19th centuries and breathes new life into traditional designs that are simpler than modern benches, easier to build and perfect for both power and hand tools. Two venerable designs are provided as basic skeletons and the knowledge presented shows woodworkers how to design custom workbenches, perfect for their style and method of woodworking. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (49)

Great Christopher Schwarz writing again!
I loved this book.I've always enjoyed Christopher Schwarz's whimsical writing style and this book on workbench design is no exception.I fully intend to build the French design as my next project.Really looking for to it.
Thanks Christopher for writing this book.

Workbench Book
Schwarz' book is the gold standard for history, construction detail, and use of true woodworking workbenches.The information is supported by years of research and actual use and is another of the 'required reading' works for serious woodworkers, especially those who value the history and techniques involved with woodworking hand tools.

That said, I was really disappointed to find only black and white photos, and the size and type font of text is extremely difficult to read, I think inexcusable flaws in an otherwise stellar publication... minus two stars as a result.

For those who read and build.
This book is for those who read about thoery before building .It is not about shinny photographs and late model stuff to bolt to the bench. The book is about the very old subject of workbenchs for working wood with hand tools. I must say its worth the money and your time .Chris Schwarz changed my mine on a number of subjects on this topic of bench building .At current I am gathering hardwood and hardware to build a compact rubeo bench that will be as chunkey as any eight foot long bench.Thanks Chris

something for everyone
This book is not perfect but since I could not give it a 4.5 I gave it a 4.If I was just a hand tool woodworker I probably would have given it a 5.There is also much more in here than just work benches. I doubt anyone would be disappointed with this book.Anyone should get something out of it.

Off In A New Direction
Very interesting and informative.I was looking for a workbench design and while the book has two very good designs I think I will use the background information from the book to design my own.Workbenches are not tables but instead a 3-dimensional holding fixture.Ill be using the book's concepts to best meet my own style of wood working. ... Read more

Product Description
Anyone who wants a complete, one-stop overview of woodworking basics needs this volume. Topics covered include setting up a shop, materials, tools, techniques, projects, and finishes.Amazon.com Review
This is a superb and comprehensive guide for those new towoodworking, but it will also hold a few surprises and usefulshortcuts for the seasoned pro. Included are chapters on setting upand maintaining a shop, the basic tools and materials needed in everyshop, fundamental techniques for building all kinds of furniture, andthorough information on finishes and finishing methods. An added bonusis the inclusion of a number of first projects for thebeginner. Generously illustrated with color photographs and helpfuldiagrams throughout, this is an excellent how-to book for thewoodworker who wants to become a real artisan. --Mark A. Hetts ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Great for home use
Although I have played with wood all my life (50+) this gave me ideas and told me why some of my projects did not turn out well.It now has an honored place in my garage/workshop.

Fairly good book for the beginning Craftsman
This is not too bad a book, very informative of the basics, if you have at least a rudimentary knowlege of the jargon used by woodworkers.If you don't, you will be a jargon expert by the books end, alternativly, you may end up totally confused.

Also, the first project they give for a beginning woodworker involves owning a biscuit joiner. Noone brand new to woodworking even THINKS about buying such a thing, and at $100 a pop, they may be a bit spendy for someone who just plopped down a truckload of cash on tools.

but I digress....Overall a very handy reference, and comes reccomended.

Not so hot Woodworking
I don't recommend this book. It was too general in the information that it provided and was not very useful.

Great guide!
As a beginning woodworker, I can't recommend this book enough. It covers just about everything to get you going - laying out a shop, table saws, hand tools, ideal tools to own, dovetail joints, finishes, the list goes on and on. I'm constantly referring back to it as questions pop up.

Not for complete beginners!
This is not a good book for those without any woodworking experience.There is too much jargon that is unexplained, and no real starting projects.I'm certain that there is excellent info for beginners who are looking to expand their knowledge and skills, but for people with no background who are looking for the most basic advice, I would look elsewhere. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
The table saw is the most versatile power tool in your woodworking shop. Short of applying the final finish, the table saw can do tricks you never thought possible. Ken Burton shows you how to use the table saw to make woodworking projects that will amaze and inspire you. As a bonus, this book comes with a 105-minute DVD that shows Ken giving live demos of the techniques he talks about in his book as well as how to use the table saw safely.PROJECTS:
Trivets, Cutting boards, Bookshelves, Game box, Bookstand, Mirror, Occasional table, Entertaimnent center, Cyclindrical chest of drawers, Triangle chest ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Table Saw Projects
This book is very nicely done.It's for someone who is just a wee bit more than a beginner (I'm a beginner).An expert would maybe find it a little tame.But, I have a project in mind, a couple, in fact.The dvd which accompanies the book is excellent and I'll refer to some of it more than once.I recommend this book, and will buy the new book on routers, also with a dvd. ... Read more

Product Description
This book is the ultimate guide to building high-end period furniture. Master craftsman Glen Huey packs so much knowledge and instruction between these covers that woodworkers will feel like he’s standing right next to them in the shop. Highlights include:

-A bonus DVD with real-time demonstrations of key furniture-building techniques!

-Clear, concise instruction--complete with step-by-step photos and full-scale, pull-out drawings--to answer all the important questions

-A breathtaking selection of projects worthy of the Antiques Roadshow--everything from a Federal Secretary Bookcase to a Kasper clock

With all this information at their fingertips, woodworkers will finally be able to build the heirloom furniture they’ve been dreaming about! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Tree books are the exact same
Illustrated Guide to Building Period Furniture and Building 18th Century American Furniture and Fine Furniture for a Lifetime (Popular Woodworking) are the same book.I bought the tree at the same time not knowing that.
This is a racket.

great book
I thought this was a great book. very inspiring, detailed pictures.
Lots of good pointers.

OUTSTANDING !
An outstanding book for a beginner or more experienced woodworker. I am truly impressed. I am a fairly experienced woodworker. I own many books on the subject. Glen Huey has produced a very fine book on period furniture.
Another very excellent book is Lonnie Bird's: "Period Furniture Details" I would reccomend buying both books.
This book is more step by step and informative than many.There are five main projects:1.block front chest 2.Massachusetts high chest{high boy}3.Pennsylvania chest on chest 4.Pennsylvania tall case clock 5.New England desk and bookcase{secretary} All projects are thorougly covered with step by step construction instructions.The book is easy to use in the shop with its spiral binding.There is an accompanying D.V.D That is by itself worth the price of the book! Every project has full cut lists and sources for specialty hardware.The D.V.D {82 minutes} has detailed demonstrations on: making cabriole legs,stickered miters,dye finishing,ogee feet and more. There are printable full size patterns for all curved or special parts for all projects on the D.V.D. [One negative the book like many is printed in China and in my opinion the picture and printing are not as good as many others] If you want to build one of these period pieces this is the book for you,you can do it! ... Read more

Product Description
The ultimate encyclopedia of woodworking! Inside this complete guide, woodworkers will find tips and tricks for making their woodworking easier and more efficient. Whether a novice or advanced at their craft, readers will get quick answers to all of their woodworking technique questions. Popular Woodworking Books and Popular Woodworking magazine have pulled out all the stops to bring the answers and advice readers have been looking for, including:*How to select the best wood for their projects*When to use plywood*How to make their own veneer*A basic shop set-up to get started in their woodworking*The basics of cabinet and furniture construction

In addition, Popular Woodworking's Complete Book of Tips, Tricks and Techniques answers questions on joinery, using hand and power tools, finishing and so much more! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Popular Woodworking - Complete Book of Tips, Tricks & Techniques
I am finding this book to be of considerable help as I am getting more
involved in my woodworking hobby

basic info for neophytes,NOT tips and tricks!
I like Popular Woodworking magazine as it has short illustrated TIPS & TRICKS from editors and readers. Some of them occasionally will teach even an old dog new tricks. Over the years I've seen a few novel ideas, or new wrinkles on an old theme in that magazine. So, judging by the tittle, that's what I thought this book would be: a collection of PW's best tips, tricks and techniques. Man, am I disappointed.

This is an entry-level course in woodworking topics. It has basic information about selecting lumber that only an abject novice would not know. It shows various machines, more as a "buying guide" than a user's manual. There are no "tips" or "tricks" other than basic rip, crosscut and safety.

As always with PW publications, there are photos of Chris Schwarz ("Daddy, has a plane problem...") with his popular planes, even though there is little mention of hand tools, tips, tricks or techniques anywhere.

At least they gave him a haircut during this photo-shoot. You'd think a guy who writes so much about shaving wood with expensive planes would know how to shave his face with a disposable razor! (Sorry Chris... I couldn't resist. I'm sure your wife thinks a scruffy-face looks tough-cool-sexy.) ...Feh

The "chapter" on hand tools is two pages long. The author tells a short heroic tale of hand-railing repair, which has no specific tips or unique information. Then he goes on to say, "... there is risk in deciding to use hand tools, ...[there is] a steep learning curve. There will be failures and frustrations."

Right. Just as there will be a learning curve for power-tools with more expensive/ dangerous failures and frustrations. He extols his own prowess with hand tools, then turns around to discourage any lesser mortal from using them. The un-subtle message is, "Nope, you regular guys ought to buy these pretty power tools, cause they're so much easier. Now... let's look at some more pretty pictures of stuff you want!"

The book starts with a, "LOOK at these toys!"-flavored chapter about "ultimate workshops." Then it names basic machinery, in case you didn't know what a table-saw was called.They always show pictures of the brand-names of PW sponsers. (Jet, Porter Cable, Delta) We get to see photos of pristine-clean "dream-shops" that look like a TV-show set. The overall feeling a fledgling-woodworker might get from these ostentatious yuppie-designer shops is a depressing feeling of inadequacy. It is an amusing possibility that such idyllic shop scenes could compel novices to remodel homes, thereby ruining both their homes and marriages. "If you cash in your 401K and get a second mortgage, you too can have lovely man-cave shops like these!"

While touting shiny new power-tools in idealized environs, they NEVER discuss the crude accuracy of these popular brand-name products. Nor do they talk about how to repair the gaffs these welter-weight tools inevitably cause. The publishers act as if all power tools are good and always work perfectly without adjustments or know how. There is little useful information on how to set up and adjust table-saws, band-saws and jointers. But the brand name photos are front-and-center.

You know how TV commercials have actors hold a product so the camera sees the label? Poses look forced, phony and blatantly fake. THAT is how many of the product photos are in this book. I have nothing against Minwax, they make good stuff... But why do we need a professionally photographed close-up of a Minwax can in a "tips and tricks" book? Almost every page is like that; a sponsor's product picture in a brightly lit clean shop. This book is a sales pitch. It's like paying for cable TV, and having to watch commercials for cable TV.

There is a filler-chapter called "why you should freeze your tools." The problem is, we woodworkers don't freeze our tools to cryogenic temperatures. Manufacturers do. That's a good thing for edge-retention, not so good for sharpen-ability. But the way the article is written, you'd think you were living in the dark ages if all your tools are not cryogenically-treated A2 steel. Even if you know nothing about tool-steel and treatment methods, this "chapter" comes across as a blatant advertisement for "certain" brands. "Buy cryo-steel or you're an ignorant low-tech schlemiel!"
I won't "Lie" to you. It's like they grasping for "Nielsen" ratings.

The publisher has the audacity to call this book, "The ultimate encyclopedia of Woodworking!" (Exclamation point included). In reality, it is a beginner's overview of woodworking products with heavy emphasis on low-grade power tools.

Remember those books you read to your kids before they were in kindergarten? This is like that..."See Jet. Jet is a Table saw. Saw Jet! ...Saw!"

It is not a bad book in the sense that it is ugly or wrong; There is a wealth of information in here that you might not know, if you never took shop class or helped your dad build anything in your life.

This book is not horrible, it's just miss-titled. More accurate tittles: "Tool Advertisements and Basic Woodworking Machines" or "Collection of previously-published articles for new guys" or "Lifestyles of wealthy woodworkers." I can hear Robin Leach now...

Honestly, as I flip through this book again, it makes me laugh! Of the countless REAL woodworking shops I have seen, not a single one of them was ever so neat, clean, bright and perfect like these. And NOWHERE in the real-world are company logos all face-front in any working-shop.

The book culminates in this chapter: "The 16 dumbest woodworking mistakes." That says it all...

If you ever read ANY woodworking books, subscribed to ANY woodworking magazines or actually made ANY thing from wood, you already know this stuff: How to measure, cut on the waste side of a line, mark boards so you don't get 'em upside down or backwards, don't jam your pencil into the wood, ...you know, stuff that girl-scouts learn at first-year camp.

If you are looking for an unrealistically romantic introduction to expensive mediocre woodworking, this is one.
If you already know anything about woodworking, you won't get much from this book except pretty pictures and some reference charts.

If you are expecting a collection of the best, most arcane, advanced, unusual, clever "Tips, Tricks and Techniques" that PW occasionally publishes, you will be disappointed.

Maybe I'll give it to somebody as a gift...as soon as I can find someone who knows absolutely nothing about woodworking and enjoys staring at pictures of mediocre power tools. Hey! Here comes that Girl Scout selling cookies! Maybe we can make a trade...

epilogue: She didn't go for it. I just bought six boxes of cookies and paid retail in cash. As she left I heard her say, "What kind of schmuck wants a dumb magazine full of cheap power-tool porn?"

Lots of good stuff
I like this book if you are like me and just starting out there is a lot of good information in here and they make recommendations to help you pick the right tools for the job. If you are just setting up your shop and need to learn this is a must have... ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
"A Comprehensive 'Cheat Sheet' to Woodworking Math

Features the most common woodworking formulas and conversions

Convenient binding allows book to lay flat for hands-free reading

Woodworkers need to use math every time they go into the shop, but trying to remember every formula or conversion is almost impossible. Now, woodworkers don’t need to remember anything about math — except where to find the answers! Popular Woodworking's Shop Math explains woodworking math formulas and conversions in simple layman's terms, and includes sections on working with fractions and decimals,enlarging grid patterns, converting a photograph into a dimensioned drawing and more. This handy guide makes woodworking math easy as 1-2-3! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Worth the money.
Makes it easy to find your problem and walks you through how to calculate whatever you need depending upon the situation. It's all in one neet little book instead of searching all over the place for answers.

popular woodworkingpractical shop math
this book is a must for anyone in the trades and john homeowner too. NEVER try to remember all these tips and forumals when they could be just at your finger tips. I rate it an A plus

Exactly what I was expecting.
I needed to brush up on my shop math for a test, and this was perfect. Well organized and simple explanations of math concepts.

Should be titled "Shop Math for Dummies."
Tired of trying to figure out what .0457 converts to in fractions? Tired of looking for a pencil and something to scribble on? This is the book for you. Every possible problem you might encounter in woodworking, when it comes to dimensions, sizes, volume etc., is in here. It's really just a matter of looking it up. If you never buy another book on woodworking, buy this one. Keep it handy at all times. It will reward you many times over.

All the math you wished you'd remembered.
My day job is teaching math and I find this to be a really good math refresher for the shop.It has everything from inches to meters and perimeter to trapezoids.The explanations are thorough and easy to understand.The geometry information is excellent without all the theorems and such, just like it should be taught.This book could find a home in any shop, because sooner or later you will build something that needs a bit more math than straight measuring. ... Read more

Product Description
& 400 drawings & 8 x 11.Helpful for the expert, indispensable for the beginner& Instructive line drawingsEverything woodworkers need to know about every kind of tool--saws, planes, chisels, power tools, marking and testing tools, boring tools, knives, hammers, and clamps. Learn how they are made, how they function, and how to condition them. Step-by-step exercises show proper use of each tool, and easy projects demonstrate the application of techniques.Alan and Gill Bridgewater, authors of Boxes and Chests (see page 79), have written and illustrated more than 40 books on woodworking, carving, and crafts. They live in England. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A MUST have for your shop!
You gotta have this book if you will be doing any woodwork and using tools!
Clearly tells what to do and how to do it to keep your tools in good working order. ... Read more

Product Description
While this book was written for any beginning woodworker, it has a special appeal for women. The projects, based on popular items found in fashionable stores and catalogs, are attractive, relatively simple to build, and have obvious appeal. And they are far less expensive to build than to buy. Each project is graded from simplest to most difficult, with each one teaching a set of skills that build on the skills learned in previous projects. "Skillbuilder" features in each chapter explain in detail the key operations or techniques being used to build the project. The book is written in a friendly, encouraging tone and includes not only a wealth of practical information, but also humorous tales of woodworking misadventures aimed at relieving beginners’ worry about making mistakes. Over·300 color photos and black-and-white drawings are included. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Clear, instructive, a very good introduction. Some errors.
I first got this from the library and then after studying it realized I needed to own a copy of my own.

I am a pretty big fan of this book. The author starts out by telling you the ins and outs of the various tools you need to have around the shop; why one tool might be better than another; what sizes of what kinds of chisels to buy and when to buy things as a set; which tools you should spend the money for and which you shouldn't bother with. (Hint: a router features heavily in the last couple projects, but a table saw doesn't make it into any.) In each class of tool she tells you which size and style she finds herself reaching for most often, which when distilled can make a kind of skeleton shopping list for those newbies (such as myself) with a naked workshop.

Once she's introduced you clearly to the tools and basic methods involved in using them successfully, she plunges into projects. First is the simple handmade box, next an Adirondack chair, then later comes a table, a bookshelf, and a drawered cabinet. Each project introduces a simple set of new skills and builds on the skills learned in the preceding projects; it's very like a textbook in that way. In fact the author did teach woodworking classes for many years and it shows.

I bought it because these projects are actually useful; my daughter needs a toybox, which could be an upscaled version of the handmade box once I've made them. We don't have any pool chairs, so the Adirondack chairs will be perfect. The plans for the coffee table, she claims, are easy to upscale if you'd rather have a dining table. Guess what - we have no dining table at the moment. And the bookcases... well, it's my dream to turn my family room into a Craftsman-style library some day.

The book isn't perfect - I think whoever edited it was not a woodworker. I've already found a few disappointing mistakes. In the first instruction ever given, she instructs you to cut the wrong size board (the 3.5 board, when it should have been the 5.5 board), as previously noted in some reviews. In one of the skill-builders (which are strangely inserted randomly throughout the project, instead of being placed handily right before you're going to need them to complete the next step) she instructs you on how to polish your chisels by asking you to buy 8 ascending grits of wet-dry sandpaper and gluing them, one sheet to a side, onto two sheets of glass (you do the math.) Second, because she's been a woodworker for so long she tends to call for fairly specialized tools.... or maybe my local Lowe's is just particularly crappy. (I couldn't find a Japanese backsaw, or panel clamps, or a honing guide for sharpening my chisels.)

Regardless, it is way better than the book that I bought along with it, Woodworking for Dummies, which already assumes that you own all the high-end power tools (such as a planer, etc). I think the errors are easy to work around if you don't trust her blindly, and the step-by-step instruction throughout various skill levels is invaluable. This book is well worth the money spent and I'm glad I stumbled across it.

Good beginner book
I really like this book.The projects build skills used in later projects.The reason I did not give it 5 stars was the descriptions for some of the steps in project making.I found them hard to follow, requiring several readings.I also think that there is a typo on step one on page 65.

The skill building sections, however, were first rate.I liked the section on hand tool sharpening.

All in all a good book

Mark

Disappointed in errors
I was very excited to get my hands on this book after reading some of the material covered.I have a woodworking background from a long, long time ago, but wanted a good refresher since so much has changed since the last time I held a block plane in my hand.I am currently finishing up the first project and am extremely disappointed in this book.The errors contained in the first few steps didn't become apparent until several steps later, causing me to basically toss aside my first few pieces of work.This is never a good way to start for a "beginner" like myself.I am going to have to draw up my own plans and do all of the calculating and measuring myself, since the author and editor can't provide it.

First example:Step 1 of the box project tells you to cut your 1/2" x 3 1/2" piece of wood into two 16" long pieces.Easy enough, as this was later chopped down to two 4 1/2" and two 10 1/2" pieces to make the sides of the box.WRONG!!!!The actual wood that should be used to make the sides of the box is the 1/2" x 2 1/2".First step already a mis-step, as the finger joints to be cut was specified to be 1 1/4" (which is correct for 2 1/2" tall side pieces).Fortunately, I recognized this mistype early and cut my finger joints at 1 3/4".I did have enough material to build 3 boxes when I first started - now I am going to be lucky to be able to build one, as a majority of my 1" x 4" (nominal) wood was mis-used.Frustrating. . . .

Second example:When you later cut the bottom and top of the box to begin working on the finger joints, you realize that the 4 1/2" pieces that you cut for the sides (and the 10 1/2" pieces as well) are too short, as the author tells you to buy 1" x 4" and 1" x 3" wood, but her actual measurements assume your wood is 1/2" thick, not the 3/4" thick that 1" nominal actually yields.Now the pieces that were cut from the wrong wood to begin with are useless as they are too short to form the joints.I suppose that you could cut the top and bottom pieces down further to fit, but then your box is too small to do much with other than admire.I began at this point to question my sanity as to getting back into woodworking, but as I have already squandered nearly $1000 in equipment, I decided to forge ahead.

Third example:The pictures are best ignored, save for the final project.They aren't presented with the text that they represent, so they can be more confusing than helpful.The author likes to use terms that I have either forgotten or never knew when referring to parts of tools, so I find myself re-reading and studying pictures until the concept of the written text dawns on me.I have small children, so my workshop time is limited to late at night - not the best time to decipher this text.

If you buy this book, be sure to buy some Post-It notes or book marks or tape flags, as you will be flipping back and forth continuously.The skill builder sections are nicely done, but appear in very strange places in the book.I would have put them all either before the projects or in an appendix.As it is, the first project refers you to several skill builders that are scattered throughout the pages of the first project (never on the facing page or the same page).This breaks the project text and pictures up too much.

The best thing that can be said for the first 1/2 of this book is that the projects look really neat, if you can survive the errors.I am now taking the approach to study the end product, draw my own plans, and learn the hard way (always a dangerous prospect when using sharp tools).If I could get a refund, I would - then spend the money on a different book.

Nice concept, poor execution
I bought this book since I am relatively new to woodworking and was looking for a book with some different woodworking furniture construction projects that would be fun to build and develop my skills.This book has about 5 different interesting projects ranging from simple box construction, adirondack style chair, bookcase, coffee table, and low file cabinet.All the projects will result in fairly simple yet attractive projects which are well worth the time spent working through.In the process of each project Fraser walks the reader through increasingly difficult woodworking skill building exercises.

Now for the bad news, as touched on buy several of the other reviewers there are numerous typos and innacuracies which I think are inexcusable being that this book is written by a former editor of a very fine woodworking magazine, and it is directed towards beginners which don't need the additional challenge of catching and working around type errors.

Because I liked the project, I skipped directly to the last project, the low file cabinet.The project starts out with an explanation of dimensions for the project, but for some reason leaves out a few of the key dimensions on the drawings.Then the text references photographs, but for some reason the photos don't match the text, or are not sequenced in the right order.Also, a few of the dimensions in the text are simply not correct, and unless you carefully study the provided dimensions in the drawings and make some visual scale estimates on the photos, you will end up with an incorrectly designed project.In spite of the inaccuracies I was able to successfully build the project, but it is imperative you check the drawings, photos, and text carefully and pick the source which provides the most accurate information to complete the project correctly.Not really something a novice woodworker should have to deal with.So I give this book 3 stars, a 4 for concept and a 2 for execution.

Content overshadowed by errors
The book contains good explanations of terms and techniques but there are a lot of errors in it.Errors in a book for beginners is unacceptable.It's hard enough to figure out the difference between a dado and a rabbet without being given wrong directions.Take the first project for instance.The first step in the project tell you to cut the wrong piece of wood.The author tells you to buy 1x3, 1x4, etc. wood.The dimensions given for the cuts, however, are for wood that is 1/2" thick.1x wood is actually 3/4" thick.Additionally, some of the pictures in the introduction to tools section are mislabeled.I haven't tried any projects after the first one.I'm gunshy now. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

For the Celtic Art Woodworker AND Celtic Art Lovertoo!!
If you like Celtic Art (for the beauty of it or for woodworking with it) along with all its beautiful Knotwork Patterns, then you'll appreciate this book.It has some incredible yet doable woodworking projects that are truly in the Celtic Motif. It also shows the original Celtic Art pieces which spawned the ideas for these projects along with some Celtic history and explanation of some of the symbols' and designs' meanings.It gives good instructions for the woodworker including materials and tools lists and pictures of the work being done.It also covers many different techniques of woodworking which I like as well.All in all, it's a very good book to add to your woodworking project library or to your Celtic Art library or, as in my case, both. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (3)

Crafty vs Crafting
This is very much an introductory book to craft woodworking. If you have any woodworking experience at all, you can skip this one. The book is full of bright pictures and not very well written text. It's very folksy but has nothing that is not in every general woodworking book you already own.

I hope Mr. Frost authors more books - they're real treasures!
I bought this book after buying his, "Whacky Toys, Whirligigs & Whatchamacallits" book.His writing style is truly clever and engaging, and his knowledge of the subjects he writes about is deep and beyond well rounded.

Even if you never actually pick up some tools and craft all the projects in this book, it's a great read, and Mr. Frost shares his wisdom on many topics, not just woodworking.It's philosophical without being ponderous or windy, and extremely practical.I can't praise this book enough, and consider myself blessed to have both of Mr. Frost's books.They fill in so many little gaps in my woodworking and tool knowledge (like the other reviewer, I have read tons of other woodworking books).This book has real "soul", and I urge anyone even remotely interested in this topic to buy this book ASAP!It's truly amazing what one can do with a few simple tools and a little bit of practical knowledge.

Full of wisdom, and not just about woodworking
I've been poring over books about building stuff (cabinets, furniture, built-ins, etc) on and off for years now, but rarely buy any. You can buy full-book advertisements like the books from Black and Decker (which aren't bad, actually), but you kind of need to buy the tools too.

Same goes for all the other books: they generally assume you'll somehow magically acquire a shop full of tools (not to mention plenty of space to put your shop), as well as all the materials.

Mr. Frost is a wise old dude, who has put in a lot of years of living and knows a lot of good stuff. If you're afraidpower toolslike me--I've known way too many people over the years with fewer than average fingers due to them--then this is a great introduction.

But if you're interested in graphic design (Mr. Frost designed the Gilbey's Gin bottle long ago), this is an awesome book as well: throughout, the illustrations illustrate not just the projects but also how to do illustration and graphic design.

And if you just feel inadequate because your dad never showed you how to use a saw or gave you positive feedback when you were learning something, well, you should get therapy--but also get this book. Mr. Frost is a gentle and sensible teacher, and his common sense comments (on using a power jigsaw: "Very little skill is needed to operate this saw, except to *remember not* to put your other hand *under* the board to feel the blade when it's running!") are more sincere than condescending.

Watch out, though, because someone forgot to proof read the manuscript (or else left lots of boo-boos in); it doesn't matter, it's still a great book.

So turn off "Yankee Workshop" (anyone could make *anything* with a 20x40 workshop and a hundred thousand or so in tools). This book will take you from the simplest of projects (a pair of sawhorses) to more challenging projects without breaking the bank. ... Read more

Product Description
AS A WOODWORKER looking for new ways to work with your tools, versatility and efficiency can easily be learned from the past. Author Chris Gleason recently discovered a periodical known as the Deltagram that was published during the 1930's and 1940's. It contained tons of jig and fixture ideas that showed woodworkers how to pump up the capabilities of their power tools. These ideas are still as useful and clever today as they were then. Chris has collected 24 of the best shop jigs and fixtures from these Deltagrams and reproduced and updated them for use in today's woodworking shops. The Deltagrams are almost as valuable for their historic interest as their shop applications. As an added bonus, this book includes 40 reproductions of the original Deltagram articles. Projects include:

• Spiral Turning on the Table Saw
• Table Saw Jig for Cutting Wedges & Short Tapers
• Shop-made Pocket Hole Jig
• Curved Forms for the Stationary Belt Sander
• Forming Tenons on the Jointer
• Plus Four Shop Storage Projects

Product Description
Using time-tested woodworking techniques like mortise-and-tenon joinery and solid-wood cabinet construction, woodworkers can build furniture pieces that will last a lifetime.

Fine Furniture for a Lifetime teaches them the skills they need to construct and finish traditional Shaker and country furniture.All 10 projects are fun to build and will add elegance to any home.

Glen Huey provides step-by-step instructions and photos for every project including a Philadelphia tall chest, a Shaker sewing desk, a John Seymour sideboard, a Queen Anne dropleaf dining table, a Townsend height chest and more! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Tree books are the exact same
Illustrated Guide to Building Period Furniture and Building 18th Century American Furniture and Fine Furniture for a Lifetime (Popular Woodworking) are the same book.I bought the tree at the same time not knowing that.
This is a racket.

BUY THIS BOOK!!!
This is one of the best woodworking books out there.You not only learn how to build several projects but you learn the art of case construction!

Excellent book
Now this is how a book of this type should be done.Nice easy to read detail/plan layouts/etc.Nicely done color photos.This book is a excellent choice.

Excellent Guide to Building Fine Furniture
I own this book and "Building Fine Furniture" (also by Glen Huey).They are both very detailed, providing complete cut lists, exploded diagrams of each piece, and thorough instructions with plenty of pictures.

I haven't built any of the pieces in the book, but I've use several of the techniques described in other pieces.

Every design is an elegant and beautiful classic piece.
This book is a standout because every piece in it is an elegant classic worthy of the effort required to build it. I don't know of any other book for which I'd make that assertion. More often books have just a few designs that meet the requirements of truly elegant proportions, classic design and practical utility for a modern home, while the majority of plans given are historically interesting but often display awkward proportions and have little practical value for the way we live now, and the spaces we live in. Not all old designs are good designs! The title of this book, "Fine Furniture for a Lifetime," is appropriate because the designs are so excellent that you'll never in your lifetime come to the realization that you've outgrown them, which can happen with lesser designs. Instead, I think you'll appreciate them more as your design sense matures.

The author's constructed examples are beautifully done, from what is often magnificent wood. The process photographs are clear and informative. The construction steps are well organized and presented. Suggested techniques are professional.

I do have one criticism, and that's regarding the drawings. All of them are done as an exploded view, and in perspective. Only a few dimensions are given on the drawings. You're required to refer to a separate cutting list to get the actual measurements. There are no straight on elevation or plan drawings. These drawings are well done, and together with the cutting lists the information's all there. But you have to labor intellectually a bit more than otherwise necessary to make sense of it. This is in contrast to the furniture drawings of Carlyle Lynch or Franklin Gottshall, for example, who do give you fully dimensioned plan and elevation drawings, and also perspective exploded views where needed. But in my opinion the designs in this book justify the additional effort required. ... Read more

Product Description
An A-Z reference guide to the art and science of working with wood. Topics covered include: adhesives, design, fasteners, finishing, safety, sharpening, supplies, tools, wood and workshop maths. Contains maths conversion charts, tips on shop drawings, details on the working qualities of various woods and tool maintenance. ... Read more

Product Description
The all-in-one woodworking guide for serious amateurs.

A Complete Guide to Basic Woodworking gives beginning and intermediate do-it-yourselfers everything needed to become successful woodworkers-from tips on choosing and using tablesaws and other tools, to complete plans for a variety of useful woodworking projects.

While most books on woodworking aim for the needs of accomplished woodworkers, this book is ideal for the beginner entering this fast-growing and rewarding hobby. It includes more than 600 color photos and illustrations that leave nothing to chance.

Blended with time-tested standard woodworking techniques, readers will find information on the newest tool models and accessories. The project plans make use of innovative, time-saving hardware products to create elegant, professional-looking projects with ease.

• Provides an all-in-one guide perfect for woodworkers who are enthusiastic but not yet fully experienced.
• Includes a comprehensive guide to choosing and using basic power tools.
• Project plan section includes complete plan drawings, cutting lists, and directions for 15 versatile projects for the home.

Customer Reviews (2)

A great book.
I was looking for woodworking books in my local library, as I am new to the "Sport" (It's a sport hunting that elusive 'perfect' board in your local specialty lumberyard!) anyway, I checked out several books and returned them all immediatly except this one.

It is very well written and has easy to understand advice that is current. Current as in pertinant to tools and techniques being used today, not in 1998, or even 2001

It explains various terms you come across when reading tool litrature, for example 'snipe', and how to prevent it.

There is a great deal more to say about this book, all positive, but then I would have rewritten it myself, so I'll stop here.

Suffice to say, it's a really great book for novices, and probably a pretty good referance for veteran woodworkers.

I don't usually read this type of book cover-to-cover, but I did this one. (Twice actually...then I had to return it, so then I bought one here!)

This will be a good investment and one which you will use over and over.

By the way, I don't see anywhere that Black & Decker has, or had anything to do with this book, which is, in my opinion, a good thing because a book like this should not be about advertising....but maybe I have a pre B&D copy?

Excellent resource for beginners
Recently, I have developed an interest in working with wood. I have created a few things on my own, mostly wooden toys to distribute this last christmas. Woodworking is a hobby that can be quite overwhelming in both the lack of and the excess of information available. There are so many things to consider, such as tools, wood, stains, joinery, etc. This sometimes makes the beginning woodworker feel that his/her best bet would be to put the tools back in the box and have a rummage sale.

I received this book as a Christmas present. I find the information contained within extremely helpful. It gives a breakdown on most tools available and their uses. It explains the proper techniques for working with woods, the stains available, the varying quality of the material, as well as how some woods will respond to tools and stains. I could not pick a better one volume resource. ... Read more

Product Description
Jigs and fixtures are an essential part of any woodworker's shop, but few books demonstrate how to use them in the most effective manner. Cutting Edge Router Tips and Tricks addresses this need.

Readers will first learn how to build 20 jigs and fixtures for their router by following step-by-step photos and text, then be shown how to utilize them with three simple projects that can be completed with only basic woodworking tools. Woodworkers, hobbyists, and furniture makers will gain a whole new understanding of how they can use jigs and fixtures to create sturdy, attractive pieces of which they will be proud. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Don't attempt the table
I have been working wood for a few years, and have followed a good many plans.However, I have had nothing but problems with this book.The table inside that is laid out in plans requires about [...]in materials, and thousands in headaches.It seems as if the plans were measured by a 5 year old high on kool-aid, then written down the next morning after he's forgotten most of the measurements.The carriage doesn't fit right, the plan causes the router to become locked into the table, unless you wish to remove the upper piece that holds the rod to raise the router, and the rod.By the way, that piece isn't included in the plans, either.It just assumes you figure to build it.It doesn't detail assembly, and includes grossly incorrect measurements for some pieces.After purchasing this book, it has become a great method of collecting sawdust.As a matter of fact, so has the table that is outlined within.I strongly do not recommend this book unless you are just looking for a few common sense jigs. ... Read more

Product Description
A compilation of examples from all woodworking disciplines designed to instruct and inspire woodworkers and furniture makers. The editors have chosen to illustrate top quality items, ranging from both traditional and contemporary furniture to sculpture and musical instruments. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Wow
As a craftman, this is the book I turn to when I want to get the creative juices flowing.It is inspiring, better than design book 8.It is a compilation of the most wonderful, exquisite samples of woodcraft put together in one book.Not that you will love every piece, but you will be impressed by the mastery and creativity shown in every piece.There are no drawings, plans or detailed explanations, this is not about copying, it's about inspiring.

Ideas
As a woodworker it is always good to see what some of the leading edge furniture designers and builders make. Some are conservative, to see how the profession has reached it's height throughout furniture building history, others are way out there trying out the new possibilities, all awesome work! It truly is fascinating what these books inspire in furniture designer/builders and interior designers. The photography, in most cases is truly spectacular and very detailed there where it is supposed to be detailed. The only, slightly negative, comment I have is that information is cheap at best. Don't expect any information of why a piece was designed / built the way it was, or some of the woodworking difficulties that were overcome in building a particular piece. I am sure that there would be some very interesting captions and explanations to be written about the furniture and other items displayed in this, otherwise, wonderful coffee table book.

Pretty Is As Pretty Does
There is a considerable difference between the following plans part of woodworking and the artistic design part. Like anyone else who enjoys the thrumming sounds of a happy workshop, following plans is a soothing process with a satisfying result. But getting an idea into my head (and then trying to make it real) is more frustrating - my life lacks the spare 'dream time' needed. As a substitute, I like to look at the work of others. And Taunton Press's series of design books is a fine place to start.

Each book is like a juried shop with some 10,000 original entries. There are sections on cabinets, chairs and benches, tables, boxes & chests, desks, beds & furnishings, sculpture & carvings, turnings, and accessories & musical instruments. Some 266 individual pieces are presented.While the pieces will appeal differently to different individuals, they all remarkable in some fashion and invited serious thought on possibilities and techniques.

The range of style and approach presented is wide. There is everything from the ultra-modern to the ultra-traditional, from traditional furniture to sculpture and toy.One of my favorites is the clean lines of Jay Bonaventura's dining chair, that seem echo Arts & Crafts without ever becoming that style.Another is a deceptively simplesideboard by Michael Hoffer.And then there is the jaunty enthusiasm of a Randy Morris clock.I hope one day that a piece of my work merits appearance in a publication like this.Not likely, but with such good sources of inspiration, you never know.

AMAZING
Another fantastic collection of woodworking masterpieces. Anyone can appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship of these pieces. To have this many excellent works in one book is awesome. One of the best woodworking books I have ever seen.

Inspiring
This book contains a compilation of photos of great masterpieces.This book really shows the diversity of design with an wide variety of beautiful hardwoods.This is one of the books I use for inspiration when designing apiece of my own.I recommend it to anyone with an eye for the arts andthe confidence to push his/her own limits. ... Read more