UPDDATE: Shop Improvements: Outstanding ideas from the world’s finest woodworkers from Fine Woodworking magazine
Shop Improvements
Taunton Press, 2007
$19.95; 224 pp.
This book is a collection of articles from past issues of Fine Woodworking covering all sorts of things for the shop. There are lots of jig articles for the tablesaw, bandsaw, planer, router and the drill press. Also included are smart storage solutions and improvements to workstations and shop aids, like a tilt-top shop cart that handles plywood and a rock-solid plywood bench. Like Fine Woodworking articles over the years, these articles include detailed drawings and photos to help with step-by-step instruction. Quite simply, Shop Improvments is full of great ideas and would be a great help to just about all woodworkers.
Lucky Grabel is the winner. His comment was chosen at random.
Check back later for more giveaways.
Comments
I'd love to have a copy of this book
This book is just what I need to get my shop in order. Thanks for offering this up!
I'd love to do a 'book report' on it.
There is much room for improvement!
This book would be something my shop needs badly. I know it needs help and this book would me get the shop working for me instead of me work the shop.
Thank you for making a copy available to all of us.
Looks like what I need.
My shop space needs a makeover in the worst way! What can you do with a rat-infested shed whose walls are lined with four inches of styrofoam when it's just a rental?
I'd love to have it to help organize mine...
What a coincidence. I'm actually building a new lumber rack to help organize my shop today. Great timing FWW, would love to see everything thats in store in the book.
I once saw my shop as a vision of efficiency and cleanliness, a shop that needed no improvements, then I was riding a panther across the forest, then Betty White told me that she did not like it when I burned the toast, then I woke up. I really need to cut out the spicy food before bed.
I need that!
Could use some improvements to my garage shop.
Now dis shopkeeper would love some o' dat fine improvin'.
My shop could definitely use improvement. I'd love to win this book.
Who couldn't use this? I'm in!
Thanks
This one looks like a winner!
I really need this book.
I can use all the help I can get!
My shop could certainly use Improvements. :)
I could use the help!
Looks like a good book!
Looks like a book I should own!
pick me please!
Count me in.
Yep, my shop needs to be improved...count me in.
I'm in
I would sure like a copy of this book,, count me in.
Sure. Why not?
my motto is buy low, sale high and except all free samples ( and books)
I once had visions of a shop with wooden floors, wooden cabinets on the walls and a smell that reminded me of Colonial Williamsburg. Instead I have acres and acres of white pegboard and a cat box I have to kick out of the way to use the planer. I need help!
Great book! I want a copy. Count me in!
I am always open to ideas for improving, so what could be better than a free book on improvement.
Looks like a great book! I'm in!
Wife says please finish the shop. I said ok. This book would help!
Thank you!
My shop could stand some improvements - would love the book!
..putting my bid in for more shop improvement projects!
My wife keeps calling my shop a garage. Help!
Will winning this book get my newborn to sleep through the night?
Looks like a great book. I'd love to have it.
I have some of my gear in the garage - cars and sawdust!!! eeewwww....
The rest is in the shed - have to get it out to use it and shower more sawdust over my wifes car - she doesnt seem very keen on this arrangement.
I'm certain the book would help!
I'll try
If I win, I promise not to cut my hand off with the tablesaw.
this website is awesome,
book please...
Throw my name in the hat.
I need this book. My shop is a MESS!
I think I need one
I'm a beginner woodworker, just setting up shop in my garage. I know that the jigs, storage projects and tips and tricks in this book will help me maximize the use of my space and become more efficient in the shop. Thanks for sharing!
This is my comment.
Count me in
My shop needs any improvements it could get...
I need all the help in making improvements...or at least that is what my wife tells me.
I'd also like this book.
I want a book
Too bad there is just one available. So, how about a discount to all who left a comment?
Help! I'm in the midst of doing a complete overhaul of my shop. I could use all of the help that I can get. Please send me a copy of this book.
John
I'm just setting up my first real shop. This book would definitely help. Thanks.
This would be cool!
I enjoy reading good woodworking resources. This book looks interesting. May I have it?
I'm converting my small one car garage into a workshop, but right now it's just a HUGE mess full of tools and wood (my "workbench" is just a pair of sawhorses). I'm sure this book will give me the organisational ideas I need to clean it up and make it possible to work in. I've read some past issues, and missed some past issues, but what I've read has already begun to make my little lightbulb burn just a bit brighter. With this compilation, I'll be able to bring it all together to create the perfect workshop. For me, anyways.
Books are like fine wine they get better with age.
Just the picture on the cover of the book gives me ideas, imagine what the whole book could do for me. Pick me please.
This would be a great addition to my Taunton Press library.
Even here downunder we can do with all the help we can get to make our work space more efficient. Would love the book!
A chance to win a free book - it would be the first thing I have ever won; but I would be just as pleased to receive the digital version & save the trees for lumber woodworking.
I'm a new woodworker, setting up my garage (french word for shop) for woodworking. This book looks like it would be very helpful to me in figuring out how to best use my limited space.
Always room for Shop Improvement.
This sounds like a great book. I love learning new tips and techniques.
Doing major upgrades to my shop now, so this book would be very helpful.
This looks like it would be a Great addition to my shop!! Lord knows I need help!
It got two, very thorough 5-star reviews on Amazon. Sign me up!
This would be a Great addition to my shop! Lord knows I need help...
Thanks for making this available. I'm building my first woodshop right now and could really use the advice.
Thanks for this opportunity. I'm starting the process of completely rebuilding my basement workshop. This book would definitely be a help.
Sounds great!
Need to give up my present shop, will come in handy for new one..
Looks like a good title. Hope it has some tips on wood storage.
I am currently in the process of converting my detached garage into a woodshop. This would really come in handy.
Thanks for giving us all a shot at winning it.
Books are fine.
The opportunity to be mindful, to focus and an uninhibited imagination make woodworking satisfying, whether I receive the book or not.
You can never have too many books when it comes to ideas and better ways for woodworking projects and home repairs for the everyday nonprofessional handyman.
When it comes to storage and space utilization, I need all the help I can get!!
I guess I'm the new guy on the block could sure use some good help on every thing.
This can give me some ideas for my two car garage shop. Norm says you can never have enough clamps. You can also never have enough shop storage.
hi, my name is cyrus, and i'm in need of help of any kind.
esprcially woodworking, count me in too for this book.
thanks for the chance to win!!!
As I get more distinguished, (older) some things seem to get heavier and harder to handle... I sure could use a tilt-top shop cart that handles plywood in my shop! So you know when [ I ] WIN the book... it will immediately be put to good use!!! ;-D
Which reminds me.. I used to have a book that was full of useful methods and tips and "tricks" showing you to do many 2 or more man jobs efficiently - even if you are only one. Now, I wonder where I hid that one.....????
BTW: I love the content on this site.. just today I learned a great method of making a dead on square cross cut jig... and when I'm done with the honey-DO!!! projects for the day I think I'll make one for my unisaw and not have to be paranoid about getting perfectly square cross cuts any longer. :D
A person like me can always use a good book to read and learn from. I will never be too old to learn.
Thanks
At 81 years, I continue to be amazed at the steady flow of new ideas and techniques that take advantage of the progressive technologies in working with wood. "Shop Improvements" promises me assurance of learning even more than I've accumulated so far in life about the pleasures of woodworking.
I love your books and the magazine FW, it is such an eye opener for my dh, a carpenter with over 40 yrs experience. In the Netherlands where we live, it is hardly possible to have good books on woodworking, and Fine Woodworking is the best reading stuff he ever layed hands on. He even reads it in bed to calm down and feel good before going to sleep =^}
And tells me afterwards ( i.e. in the morning) what's so great about it!
It makes woodworking fun again, a learning experience!
Forever young, he will be happy to give a review!
I started out in woodworking by gutting my garage and building my own shop benches and cabinets. I love tips on making it more efficient. Here is one that I used: I like having my hand tools hanging on peg board but they get too dusty and covered with spider webs. I made vertical sliding boards (think of a sideways drawer) to put in one wall cabinet. The boards are framed peg board. I labeled the forward edge - now I can just pull out the slide and find what I need, neat and clean inside of the cabinet. I have slides for hammers, cutters, wrenches, pliers, phillips, flats, and specialty tools. Works great!
The idea of improvement is always on my mind even though I have been working wood most of my life. I still find lots and lots of room for improvement. My education is so far incomplete - adequate, but incomplete. I would not mind, in the least, adding the wisdom of this book to my knowledge base.
My interest in woodworking started a few years ago while watching TV programs like "New Yankee Workshop". But after a while seeing reruns got a little old and frustrating. Like most serious endeavors, you end up researching info in books and now the internet. I have several recommended books on woodworking, shops and woodworking tools. There is always some duplication in each one. But even more important there is always something new. Books will never go out of style.
Always welcome ideas on improving my shop. I think I work more on my shop then on my projects :)
great book i wonder how many great ideas it has that i could use
Currently combining and consolidating two workshops into one. We are out of space and looking for ideas.
Thanks for the opportunity to participate with this give away.
I am building my first no-compromise workbench thanks to Tauntons great books. Now this offer! wow! Thank you for the book.
I would love to have this book but actually I need it. I have a small shop in the back of the garage. It desperately needs organization.
Great looking book....hope the inside is as good!!!!
I want this book to not only help me improve my shop but also help improve my mind for woodworking. THANKS!
This book would make a great addition to my library; the tips and improvements in this book would certainly add to attaining higher and more consistently professional shop results, not to mention improved efficiency. I hope I win the copy but blessing to all hopefuls.
The sled article is just the push I needed to get around to building one. I really enjoy the email as well as the magazine. I like the "how to" articles more than the project articles.
I really would like to win the book.
Thanks
This book looks like it would be a great addition to my shop library.
Any Taunton Press book would be a welcomed addtion to my library, but this on will do nicely !
It's a real testament to the character and diversity of woodworkers that an article on simpler construction of a crosscut sled can introduce bloggers and blog readers to remarkable ideas and techniques. Some bloggers respond with humility, others with bravado, some with greatly expanded ideas, others with 'gotcha' or false photos criticisms. I'm just beginning to get back to woodworking after a reluctant 20 year break. The dynamic interaction offered by online articles and blogs is a feast from a mind-active community, striving to do common things better, and stretching to do the extraordinary when possible. I'm thankful for your collective influence, a usually unconscious support, suddenly felt quite deeply. THANKS !!
As a beginner outfitting my shop piece by piece as finances allow, this book would be of great help to me. Thanks for the chance to win a free copy!
Can you EVER have enough reference books in your library? Especially if they are from Taunton Press. This would be a wonderful addition to any library. Books are like tools, there is always one that is just right and you have to have it. This is one of those. Count me in!
I love Taunton's books, and am in the process of setting up a new workshop. I'd love a copy of this book!
Man i sure could use any help i can get to improve my shop abilities !!
pick me...thank you.
I have been working in a 10 x 14 foot plastic enclosed shop for over a year. Well I just built a very nice 20 x 40 foot shop with the electrical outlets dedicated. This is perfect timming as now I must start on my benches , tables, cabinets , etc.... This book would be helpfull !!!!!
Love to have this one in my library! I share BTW with others in the attempt to lure others into wood working!
I always look forward to receivng the next eletter. Thanks for all of the great tips.
When I cut, I cut too short
Or cut too long, it's close enough
If I would mark or measure right
My finished joints would fit quite tight
I've been to school and worked a lot
I've used the books like I've been taught
But still my work dissatisfies
Most people always criticize
If I could win just one more book
To read the text and pictures look
Maybe I would find the way
To do things right, the Fine Woodworking way
Getting new ideas and tips on improving techniques is a big part of developing better skills,greater knowledge of the craft and a deeper ENJOYMENT of woodworking .This book is just the ticket
One who works in a 12' x 24' shop can certainly use all of the storage and practical methodologies for generating more uses for the tools that we can currently afford.
So, how did I do?
Sure hope I win a free copy!
Hey Guys
This book sounds exactly what I need more than ever.
This book sure would like nice next to my other books from Taunton Press in my Fine Woodworking bookcase plans made.
I would love to have this book to add to my library of woodworking books. I truly love the ideas that Finewoodworking shares with it readers. This book sounds like it would be another great tool to have in my tool box of knowledge. Thanks for the opportunity to enter for the book. Stay safe and lets make some sawdust.
Robbie
if it is as good as the other books i have from taunton press it would be a nice addition to any library
I would like a copy of this book.
I would love to have it since I want to get my shop in order.
Thanks
just what I need
I may need it more that all of you, just about to launch into the big new shop, the 2 car garage is going (along with the house) for a new 4 car space monster (and a new house) so at last I'll have space for all the toys AND room to move.
This would be great addition to my library. I have very few about the shop itself
Just the book I need!!!
What a great idea to share. We are a small company doing work work for individuals with disabilities and therefore anything we can get to improve our layouts, methods, procedures and or safety would be put to good and timely use. We download the free project all the time, use the to study methods, procedures and other method.
Thank you for the opportunity to have one of your great books.
Although my shop is also my mancave, I need all the help I can get to get to the point where I can spend less time cleaning up to have more time to build things.
I am just starting to get my garage/work shop together, this book would be a great tool to guide me as I layout the plans for my workshop and save time on future projects.
Looks like a great book. Please add me for consideration. As an old timer, I could use a book like this
Setting up a new shop and I could really use some good ideas.
Thanks for the give away! My shop burnt in July of 09' and I'm just this week end building my first project. All my books were lost in the fire, so I sure could this one.
Storage solutions sound wonderful!
Excellent!
Sure could use a book like this. thanks for the chance to get one for free.
Did I show up too late for the party?
I am interested in winning the Shop Improvements book. I am back to woodworking now that I can afford to buy the dust control equipment to make it fun again. It would be helpful to see how the experts do it!
Eric Jensen
I love these books! Makes it easier to find stuff instead ol looking through my old issues. This one sounds like a great way to look around your shop and make it better!
Who doesn't want Improvements?
This book looks like a fine addition to anyone's library. I'd love to have this book, too. Thanks!
--Tony
Every shop can be improved, mine especially. Enter me in the drawing.
Tim
I'm always looking for ways to improve my shop -- in fact, sometimes I think I spend more time working on my shop than working on projects. This would be a great addition to my thinking process!
I want that.
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