Product Description
Turning is a special brand of woodworking. Only a lathe and a few cutting tools are needed to shape pieces of wood into delicate pieces of sculpture or practical household objects. Considered the turning primer, Raffan's book covers all the basics, from tools to techniques. This edition incorporates new technologies. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Turning Wood W/Richard Raffan
My husband likes this Wood Turner and wanted me to find his books. Husband highly recommends this book.

Sandman
This is a well written, well organized, wonderful book from a very gifted
author. Great for someone just getting into wood turning and has pearls for the experienced turner.Highly recommended !!

Great start!
This book is great for a novice like me.I am just getting started - returning- to wood turning and this book has helped me get up to speed.The pictures and text go together very well and the book covers lots of different types of projects.

Beginner's Best Bet
I very likely own every book and DVD Richard Raffan has put out.I admire his work, with its pure and flowing form.And I'm often astonished, when watching him, with his displays of technique that makes things I still find challenging look easy.I do have one problem with most of the books and a few of the DVDs - while there is considerable information in them the overall level is a bit beyond complete beginner.It helps a good deal, for example, if one has actually attempted several boxes under someone's tutelage before attempting to make one straight from Raffan's instructions.I don't believe that this is Raffan's fault, but rather a problem of photographing or drawing the dynamic actions of the turner.I find that I get the most out of these resources when I already understand the basics.Truth would have it, there are very few books that will turn a beginner into a turner.This is a hobby where apprenticeship really pays off.

Turning Wood is the exception to this rule.Not only is the text quite clear, but there are countless photographs and drawings that actually capture the techniques and approaches.Raffin focuses on technique, which is fine, but I wish he had spent even more time discussing design.For that I suggest you take a look at Turning Boxes, another of his best books.But from a how to viewpoint, there is not better book.

I would suggest making a point of acquiring this book.It will help you develop good habits early instead of having to unmake bad ones.From here you can branch out in any direction of the myriad the lathe has to offer and know that you have what it takes to accomplish what you want.Next to having a teacher this will be your best resource.

Turning wood with Richard Raffan
An excellent book for the beginner to the art of woodturning. It is an invaluable item to have alongside the lathe ... Read more

Product Description
This text presents a collection of work from gifted woodworkers to entertain and inspire those who enjoy beautiful things made of wood. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

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.

A Short Course In Fine Workmanship
There is a considerable difference between the following plans part 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.

The range of style and approach presented is wide.Everything from the ultra-modern to the ultra-traditional, each and every one of them marvels of craftsmanship.Some of my favorites are the cover shot of two chairs 'relaxing' on a table (Richard L. Ford, Jr.),a meticulous Arts & Crafts derives Gent'schest (Dan Mosheim), and the totally outré chest as a caricature of a stove (Kimberly Keizer).This issue includes a long essay by Scott Landis on apprenticeship that made me wish I could start out all over again.

GET THIS BOOK!
Even if you are not a woodworker, this book is excellent. You will be amazed by some of these pieces of art. If you are a woodworker, you will be blown away. Every time I look at the book I am amazed by how creative people can be. Most of the other ones are out of print and hard to find, so I suggest getting this one while you can.

Great photography & variety, not all practical.
This book consists of pictures of wood designs categorized by type of work.Each design is a combination of craftsmanship and artistic creativity.The photo reproduction is excellent.The level of woodworkingskill is incredible.I'm just an amateur, and many of the works usedamazing techniques that I wouldn't even think about trying.

I was lookingfor project ideas and the variety in the book far exceeds my tastes.Lessthan 20% of the designs actually interested me, though many had ideas thatI could learn from.The book doesn't include shop drawings or buildinstructions.It does, however, reinforce my determination to continueworking wood. ... Read more

Product Description
Hand craft your own traditional Christmas nativity scene, with a twist. This book includes step by step carving, painting & finishing instructions. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review
Brazilian mahogany is among the most versatile woods in theworld. Sturdy enough for heavy construction, it is also popular forinterior and exterior joinery, doors, flooring, furniture, cabinets,turnery, carving, pattern making, sports equipment, boats, and musicalinstruments, including pianos. It's also listed as an endangeredspecies.

Good Wood Handbook addresses Brazilian mahogany'sdueling traits--its inherent quality and fragile future--in a thoroughand educational manner that leaves the reader seeing the forest andthe trees. Authors Albert Jackson and David Day organized this effortas a guide to selecting the right wood for the job. Along the way,they cover softwoods, hardwoods, veneers, and manufacturedboards. Wood production, logging, milling, drying, and seasoning areexplained, as are tips and techniques on laminating, veneering, andsteam bending. The middle of the book is devoted to nearly 150 typesof wood. Each is pictured in color and specifically detailed in anumber of categories, including what country it comes from, thecharacteristics of the tree, the characteristics of the wood, commonuses for the wood, and its average dried weight. Good WoodHandbook explains, for example, that while all wood shrinks as itdries, it will shrink roughly twice as much when cut along the line ofa tree's annual rings as it does if cut across them. (And, yes, thereare good illustrations to make such descriptions easier tounderstand.) It also covers the varieties of plywood, includingdecorative, three-ply, drawerside, multi-ply, four-ply, andsix-ply.

As with Brazilian mahogany, Jackson and Day are keenlyaware that some woods are in short supply, even endangered. They notein their introduction that it's important that any new--as opposed torecycled--wood come from a well-managed source, and that users shouldbe aware of which species are at risk. This way, they write, "informedchoices can be made and steps taken to ensure continued supplies ofthis beautiful material." --John Russell ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Great beginner's book!
This book is terrific for beginners! Get this book alongside the US Dept of Agriculture's "Encyclopedia of Wood" for the best wood books around.

Good book for the money
This book covers more than just the lumber.It explains how trees grow, how forests are managed, how lumber is cut, and some basic woodworking techniques. Endangered trees are discussed and marked throughout the book. Traditional woodworking woods, plywood, and man-made woods are covered with characteristics, common uses, workability, and finishing tips for each.There are many beautiful pictures and drawings throughout.

A few things could be improved.The wood descriptions are arranged by scientific name so a better index is needed to help locate common names.For example "Walnut" and "Black Walnut" are not in the index, but "American Walnut" is.A section of the book shows pictures of each tree species (20 per page) but instead of having the name by each picture there is a "from left to right" list in a small box at the bottom of each page.

Ideal starter's book
This seems pretty close to an ideal introduction to the world of wood and woods. After the succes of the British version of this book ("Collins_Good_Wood_Guide") there now are US, French and German versions (and perhaps some more in other languages?).

The great thing about the book is the quality of the illustrations which convey a very great deal of information very effectively. I am not entirely sure of the quality of the text, which dips into a very wide range of topics, but owing to the quick-in quick-out style the authors certainly manage to avoid saying anything stupid.

My favorite part is the 74 individually photographed wood samples (also including a bit of end-grain and a bit of side-grain, occasionally including the bark) which are faithfully reproduced at an ample size and in glorious color.

This 128-page book may not completely satify the wood buff, but it is pretty close to an ideal introduction to woods for anyone starting out doing anything with wood. Great value for money! ... Read more

Product Description
All woodworkers have a pile of wood scraps lying about, but aren't sure how to put it to use. Kerry Pierce helps them work with this perfectly good material in fun and creative ways.

In 18 projects, Pierce shows woodworkers how to turn their leftovers into great gifts using carving, turning and hand-tooling techniques.Step-by-step photos and instructions are included with each project. Woodworkers will start turning their "trash" into carved kitchen utensils, small boxes, letter openers, jewelry, mixed-wood cutting boards, small sculptures and more! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

great idea generator
Good book to help you find uses for that pile of wood cut-offs that are too good to just throw away.If you don't like his projects, then this will help you to generate projects of your own design.

Got scrapwood??
I'm just like every other woodworker out there. I generate a lot of cutoff's from my box making, that are generally too small to make another box out of, but too nice to just throw in the wood stove. Doesn't take long and the "scrap" starts taking over the shop. When I first got this book, a year ago, I hoped it would help me use up some of that pile. It did. This book is has 18 ideas and designs, that Mr Pierce goes into great detail about. Design/layout, cutting/fitting, etc. I actually think there are more pictures and drawings than there is text. His tips on tool use and finishing are excellent. After making several of the projects in this book, I began to generate idea's of my own, so many in fact, I had to start writing them down. I think this was intentional on his part. The book gets ya goin and then your imagination kicks in. An excellent book, highly recommend to every "scrap maker" out there. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (4)

Useful book
I'm very pleased with this book. The projects look good: challenging but not impossible. Illustrations are plentiful and appropriate. Finally, the book is well assembled with high quality paper. It should hold up well to the possible abuses it will encounter in the shop.

Totally impressed!
It was actually my adult daughter who bought this magazine for her father for his birthday. She mentioned that she loved it very much and that she saw many projects she would like to undertake with her father. He is supposed to receive the magazine today for his birthday, so we'll see how he is looking at it.
Sorry, I can't add any link to this review, as my husband doens't have his present yet, nor has he had a chance to make a project. Though we are convinced, that he too will enjoy it very much.
Anyway, my daughter and I found it to be quite educational, well presented, and are looking forward to seeing some created results. The descriptions on how to make the furniture is so clear that anybody could follow them. Great job in putting this magazine together. Thanks!

Good value and prompt delivery
I was skeptical about buying used books, but this was an attractive price. The book was shipped promptly and was in excellent condition.

good book for the intermediate woodworker
Although many of the plans in this book are largely derived from Wood Magazine articles (I compared the Morris chair plans), I really appreciate two things they've done to enhance the original articles:

1. The book includes jigs such as a table saw tenon jig that makes it much easier to make Arts and Crafts furniture (with so many mortise and tenon joints). I built this jig before starting the Morris chair and it works well.

2. The combination of the multi-issue plans such as the Morris chair and its companion ottoman and coffee table. While the words are the same, they've reformatted them along with the pictures so it looks like a book rather than a reprint of old articles.

My only quibble is that they didn't use a lay-flat binding, so I have to put something on top of the open page or use a book holder to keep it open. With lay-flat bindings being readily available (e.g., O'Reilly books are a good example), I don't see why they don't use them for project books like this one. ... Read more

Product Description
The latest edition of this highly regarded instructional manual. See the great reader reviews posted for the previous editions. With this book and a weekend of your time you can make a plane and learn to use it effectively. You'll also discover a wealth of general woodworking tips and acquire a solid grounding in many fundamentals of fine woodworking. Now in its third printing, "Making and Mastering Wood Planes" by master craftsman David Finck is the definitive book in the field and a classic introduction to the art of fine woodworking.Reviews:". . . the best book available on making and using Krenov-style wooden planes. Finck's advice on construction and planing techniques is a woodworking education in itself. He also provides excellent insights and instructions on tools, power-tool techniques, jigs and the theories underlying the process of planemaking. A clearly written and far-ranging treatise." -- Ellis WalentineWebmaster & Host, WoodCentral"Essential reading for anyone with an interest in handplanes. I wore out my first copy." -- Christopher Schwarz, Editor, "Popular Woodworking" and "Woodworking Magazine." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

An in depth look at a simple tool
This is a marvelous book about wood planes. Every step in the making of a wood plane is detailed here in very consise chapters. As the previous reviewers mentioned, there is so much great information here on all facets of woodworking, it feels like quite a bargain.

The First Woodworking Book You Should Buy
I've read a lot of woodworking books, but next to Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking, this is the most practical primer for furniture building. The author covers almost every necessary skill from rip sawing to making router templates. His coverage of grinding, honing, planing and shaping may be more thoroughly covered in other books, but this is a welcome addition to a book about the oft-overlooked wood plane.

Of course, what this book excels at is describing how to build a Krenov-style wooden plane which may be nearer a tool used by Romans 2000 years ago than our modern electric planes, but it finishes wood with unsurpassed efficiency and exactitude.

The only two minor omissions are a Janka hardness listing of appropriate plane-making woods and a mention of Hock Tools as a plane iron option, in addition to the author's own firm. In fact, Hock sells a Krenov-style plane kit for those who are too busy or lazy to complete a first one unassisted.

More than just Wood Planes
I purchased this book directly from the Author, so my copy came signed.

I am really amazed by this clearly written book. In less than 200 pages, with a modest list of tools, Finck details the process of wooden plane design and construction. He also covers the use and care of all the associated tools that go into the building, sharpening, and use of the planes. So many woodworking techniques and topics are covered that the text would make a great introduction and reference to wood working, while encouraging readers to make their own tools.

Topics included are: Selecting, preparing, and properly marking stock, tuning up a bandsaw, grinding/sharpening of irons and chisels, making your own marking knives and plane hammers,clamping and glue-ups, workbench use, pinch dogs and shooting boards, scraper sharpening and use, and planing techniques for stock preparation and edge joining. The list goes on and on.

I couldn't recommend it more. ... Read more

Product Description
Illustrated throughout, this book features the very best in design, functionality, quality and craftsmanship. It provides endless ideas and inspiration for creating boxes of all kinds, including jewellery boxes, blanket chests, CD boxes and more.' ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A misunderstood catalog with an unfortunate subtitle
This book does suffers from the fact that its subtitle contains the word "plans". It contains none.Nevertheless, if you have some experience as a woodworker and want to build interesting boxes, this will be a worthy addition to your library and a source of inspiration and enjoyment.

On the left hand pages are pictures of interesting and unique boxes of many different shapes and for many different uses.Some of the boxes have more than one picture in order to demonstrate some aspect of its construction.For example, there are three pictures of the inlaid jewelry box on page 44.One shows the box face-on and above to demonstrate the beauty of its construction and the quality of the wood.One shows a close-up of the open drawers to demonstrate the unusual joinery and the craftsmanship involved in the inlay of ebony and ivory salvaged from an old piano.And the third shows the lid and the drawers of the box open to demonstrate its utility. The quality of the pictures is excellent. Each box is attributed to its creator.

On the right-hand page opposite the corresponding picture is a simple drawing of the box.Here is where expectations are dashed.These drawings are hardly plans.They are simply three dimensional perspectives, mirror images of the main picture on the opposite page with the measurements of the boxes height, width and depth. From these basic drawing a skilled woodworker could reproduce some of the simpler boxes, but they would be no help whatsoever in any attempt to recreate some of the more complex boxes (like the incredible "Landscape Box" on page 50).For each box there is also a brief description of the materials used and their cost, the time spent in building the box, the finish used and the inspiration for the design.There are no descriptions of woodworking techniques, methods of joinery, or construction details.

But that is not what this book is for.This is not the place to learn woodworking.Rather this is a showcase for the work of some exceptional craftsmen (and women) who have created some interesting, unusual and beautiful pieces of practical art.Buy this book not to learn the craft but to gain new insights, generate new ideas and to become inspired to make your own beautiful creations.

Not what I expected
I bought this book thinking that it contain info on tips & techniques, as well as detailed plans; I was wrong.

The 127 pages are filled with color photos of interesting boxes, but not much else. There is a materials list for each piece, but no plans or instructions beyond a stylized isometric sketch.

If you are looking for a book on boxes to decorate your coffee table, this is the one. If you are looking for a practicle guide to box construction, look elsewhere.

Great boxes to admire, not to make
The other reviewer is correct.Certainly the title promises plans forthese boxes.The plans are just one drawing of the box with a list ofmaterials. So if you want to make these boxes, you'll have to do somefiguring out.However, if you want to be inspired, check out this book. Even non-woodworkers will page through this book and find the boxes shownto be beautiful and neat.Boxes as objets d'art... who knew?

Offers little to the aspiring box builder.
The book presents attractive photographs of a number of boxes that will stimulate aspiring beginning and intermediate box builders.

Though offered to suggest "how to" construction guidance, especially with plans, the book has only the most meager detail of construction and nothing that can truly be calledplans. The introduction warns readers that the boxes presented ought not be copied and if they are legal action is a possibility. The result is a book more bent on preventing copies of the displayed boxes than providinguseful information for the box building reader. ... Read more

Product Description
Woodworking Class books will inspire you to build or restore your own wooden furniture and get beautiful results. Even if you're a beginner, the clearly illustrated, carefully detailed and easy-to-follow instructions will transform you into a capable craftsman and home improvement expert. Instructions cover virtually every aspect of working with wood, from construction techniques to finishing, staining, painting and decorating items to professional standards. Wood Turning shows you how to use a wood lathe and woodworking tools to create a variety of items, from professionally rounded and detailed finials and table legs to decorative items such as a garden urn. Step-by-step instructions guide you through six different projects. ... Read more

Product Description
Make authentic reproductions of handsome, functional, durable furniture: tables, chairs, wall cabinets, desks, hall tree, more. Construction plans with drawings, schematics, dimensions, lumber specs reprinted from 1900s The Craftsman magazine.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

woodworking book
I bought this for my husband, he says it is ok. He can use some of the plans, but not all. It isnt as easy to use as I thought it would be. Some of the plans need better explanations. Over all a good book.

making authentic craftsman furniture
interesting reading but it wasn't what i was looking for. nobody's fault im still keeping the book because i may just get an idea from that book later on

Easy woodworking patterns.
This book turned out to be even better than I'd hoped.I can't wait to get started building some of the pieces.Easy to read and understand the diagrams. Condition of the book was great, and I've read it over and over as I plan the remodeling of my "new" old house.

Great shop guide and overview
This is a great book for someone with shop skills and tools. The book shows a good variety of furniture most likely to be of interest to a person building furniture for their own home (or perhaps a gift!).

Great Book of Plans
This book is a great "helper" for those who make Stickley inspired furniture. It has nominal dimensions for most pieces, which is a plus in helping with getting the proportions correct as well as milling lists for the projects. If you are looking for a "how-to" or complete plans you are in the wrong place.The illustrations in the book are straight from the original "The Craftsman" series. ... Read more

Product Description
The first step for any new woodworker is to gain a solid knowledge of the different types of woods.Certain woods are best for specific uses and it can be counter productive to use an inappropriate wood for a project that requires a different type.

It-s a good idea to have an overall understanding of the different classifications of woods and a discussion ofdifferent tree species and the woods they produce.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Artfully complete beginners guide
This book is a how to guide that explains the fundamentals of wood turning. From the decision to start, through setting up, safety, selecting tools, wood, and basic wood turning techniques.The authors have gone to great lengths to give the beginner, like me, sufficient information to get started.Even the spiral binding is a thoughtful touch that allows the pages to stay open, a real handy feature when you are trying to grind a bevel of turn your first square stick into a reasonably round piece of wood.

Illustrations and pictures adorn every page giving visual meaning to the text. Maybe that is not the proper order, maybe I should say that the pictures and illustrations explain the text to the point that I was comfortable with my understanding of what the author was trying to explain and not afraid to try the operation or technique.Grinding a new profile on a brand-new Sorby tools could be an expensive mistake, but I did it and it works just fine.

The book is an excellent tool. It explains fundamentals. It does go into several simple projects, but the real value is in the basic fundamental information that a beginner needs to get started spinning wood and having fun.I also found that unlike other books on this subject, the authors did not seem to convey their personal prejudices for various pieces of equipment. This was refreshing, of course, it also doesn't give me any one to blame if I buy the wrong thing.

This is a Time life book, with a 1995 publishing date and I know that there have been advances in tools and equipment, however, woodturning started many years ago probably with a stick and a string and a sharp rock. So take the information put forth and seek other sources to determine what is the latest and greatest.

In the past month I have visited our local library multiple times, reviewing various books on wood turning and this is one that I will buy.Where others good? Yes, and I have already purchased one, but that was before I found this book, which will complete the information in the book that I have already purchased. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (5)

Good book
The book was helpful. I build a bed and this book gave me some pointers. I'm sure it will be more useful in the future. I just had a different design style than what was in the book.

Nice Projects; Some Omitted/Incorrect Details
I bought this book for the quartersawn white oak blanket chest, since that is what my daughter asked for.The piece is beautiful.The milling instructions are ambiguous and confusing.On at least two occasions, the book text tells me to place the parts one way for machining grooves, and in the accompanying photo it says to turn them the opposite way.There's a lot to figure out in this project, and I had to remake the legs because the biscuit slots turned out to be in the wrong place -- about 20 hours of wasted effort.I am now struggling to make sense of the frame and panel assemblies.

I will get it done correctly, but the book could have been more helpful.

Great and Practical
This is a great practical book.Covers the basics and moderately advanced projects and techniques.Doesn't just tell you to get the ABC Jig; it shows you how to build the ABC Jig.Maybe just a little simple for the really serious, advanced woodworker, but perfect for a small home shop weekend guy that doesn't want to spend a year on one project.

Basics plus some nice obscure items
Excellent projects and good basic skills.Each skill is taught as needed--when you need a router table for one of the projects, he shows you how to build a router table. Also so good insights to less beginnery items--sharpening and using a scraper, for example.

My one star off is for the fact that measurements shown in the diagram for the first project (desk organizer) do not match the measurements given in the text! Very disconcerting for the beginner this book is aimed at.

Deftly showcases and provides step-by-step instructions for creating desks, bookcases, beds, blanket boxes and more
Furniture You Can Build: Projects That Hone Your Skills by expert carpentry and craftsman Joe Hurst-Wajszczuk provides a definitive understanding of woodworking and craftsmanship of particular pieces collectively compiled to assist one the novice carpenter in bettering and furthering their skills as a woodworker. Introducing readers to simple, yet beautiful and impressive pieces, Furniture You Can Build deftly showcases and provides step-by-step instructions for creating desks, bookcases, beds, blanket boxes and more. Furniture You Can Build is very highly recommended to all so-it-yourself weekend enthusiasts and hobbyists looking for woodworking projects that will easily enable them to follow and produce the pristine pieces they see laid out in the pages of this impressive "how to" guide.
... Read more

Product Description
This book has a wealth of information for anyone considering the restoration of a wood-bodied vehicle. It is the only hands-on, Do-It-Yourself book on the subject. Over 300 photos with concise text guide you through the complete restoration of the author's '47 Ford woodie. 112 pages with perfect, soft-bound cover. ... Read more

Product Description
Design Book Three is a wonderful celebration of contemporary woodworking--an idea book filled with 558 photographs of the very best work by today's designer-craftsmen. Each piece here was selected by the editors of Fine Woodworking Magazine for its beauty, craftsmanship and individuality. There are china cabinets, writing desks, beds, chairs, toys, instruments, carvings, even a wooden motorcycle with side car. ... Read more