Most of my woodworking experience has been hands on trial and error. I would like to compile a reference section of say 20 reference books and a dozen how to books. have any favorites?
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Replies
Any of the books by James Krenov.
I would say it's a personal preference. Go to the library and Barnes and Noble and see what looks interesting. Andy Rae's book is a good overall guide. Anything at Cambium is worth a look...http://cambiumbooks.com/books/furniture_projects/1561584029/
I like the "Complete Illustrated Guide to ___ " by the Taunton Press. "Understanding Wood Finishing" by Bob Flexner is the best finishing book out there in my opinion. Other than that I just pick up a hodge podge of books that cover specific skills and techinques in woodworking.
An old Classic.........Cabinetmaking and Millwork, John Feirer.
"The Woodworker's Bible" by Alf Martensson is a fund of hand and machine information. "Woodwork Joints" by Charles H Hayward is a must have.
See this thread:
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-knots/messages?msg=22737.10
There are great books on woodworking, but outside of 2 or 3 "everything about" books, it's a good idea IMHO to get books on specific aspects: joinery, finishing, cabinetry, etc.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Q:
Here are some of my favorites (in no particular order):
Measure Once, Cut Twice (Jim Tolpin)
Essential Wood Carving Techniques (Dick Onians)
Grinling Gibbons and the Art of Carving (David Esterly)
Hand Tools (Aldren Watson)
Old Ways of Working Wood (Aldren Watson)
Dictionary of Woodworking Tools (R. A. Salaman)
The Handplane Book (Garrett Hack)
Furniture Making Techniques [Vol 1 & 2] (David Charlesworth)
Choosing and Using Hand Tools (Andy Rae)
Restoring, Tuning, and Using Classic Handtools (Mike Dunbar)
American Furniture of the 18th Century (Jeff Greene)
The Workbench Book (Scott Landis)
The Toolbox Book (Jim Tolpin)
Traditional Woodworking Handtools (Graham Blackburn)
Taunton's Best of/New Best of FWW & FWW On... _____ [your subject of interest -hand planes, wood shops, finishing, etc.]
The Complete Dovetail (Ian Kirby)
The Woodworker's Guide to Hand Tools (Peter Korn)
Classic Hand Tools (Garrett Hack)
Woodcarving: Tools, Materials, & Equipment [Vol 1 & 2] (Chris Pye)
Complete Illustrated Guide to Period Furniture Details (Lonnie Bird)
Hope that at least a couple of these will be of some use to you.
Tschüß!
Mit freundlichen holzbearbeitungischen Grüßen!
James
Quietude,
So most of your woodworking experience has been "hands on, trial and error". I believe that statement is true of all woodworkers everywhere. Some may have had an "expert" closeby to help, but it still comes down to trying it yourself, hands-on, and adjusting what you are doing to achieve your goals.
Therein lies the problem with your question. You want a list of books that's best for you. But you didn't list your goals. Are you trying to emulate Krenov. If so, then the answer from gb93433 is perfect "Any of the books by Krenov." Are you trying to do 18th Century reprodutions using only hand tools? If so, stay away from the Krenov books. There are others that are more appropriate. Are you trying to become the next Norm? IF so, try the books that ghostwriters have written for Norm.
To my way of thinking, you got two great answers so far. One is from RickL who said that it is all personal preference!!! Right on, Rick!! He suggested you go to the library. That is a great suggestion. Read through all the books and see which ones you want to buy so you can keep them close.
Then there is the grea answer by Forestgirl, who must be very young, because she can remember where the last thread was that asked the same question. I remember that thread after I looked up her reference to it. I like many of the suggestions. But doesn't mean that you will. It is a great way to start searching, besides going to the library.
For heavan's sake, don't go buying a bunch of books that you have not read. Read 'em first. That is unless you are independently wealthy.
Hope that helps.
Mel
Measure your output in smiles per board foot.
Thanks for the suggestions. And feel free to add more. As Mel pointed out my post was a bit vague. I am interested in furniture and cabinetmaking primarily. I am not trying to limit myself to only tools and techniques of a certain period, but i do have a healthy respect for and love of hand tools. I am trying to read a few books so i know the terms people are using. For instance... have been having a devil of a time figuring out what " stickering" wood is. I know it has to do with storage, but not how it is done. Instead of posting the three hundred silly questions like that that i have i thought if i read a few books I could ask for more specific advice after. Thanks again.
luke
http://www.ul.ie/~woodtech/doc_pdf/3_Cooper.pdf#search=%22stickering%20wood%22
Stickering is typical for kiln drying but it's commonly used for milling wood. The idea is to rough mill oversize and sticker it for a few weeks to let it move and then finish mill to size. Typically a board or two may cup or twist more than is acceptable. Learning to google search will typically find all your answers. Very few new questions out there, just new people asking the same old questions out there. There are at least 50 woodworking related forums out there from carving to general woodworking. Probably more if you include carpentry and DIY stuff.
quietude,
One of the best books for your current needs is Ernest Joyce's Encyclopedia of Furniture Making(Barnes & Noble). Like any encyclopedia, it's a good reference to a particular topic, not too deep but sufficient for good understanding of the topic. I refer to it frequently.
Tage Frid, Vol 1 and 2, by Taunton Press.
If I were you, I'd start at Amazon.com and read the reader reviews, regardless of where and if you plan to buy the books. Get a start with some of the lists posted and see where they lead you to similar recommendations.
Use your library and hope they have a good selection. Dewey Decimal Sections 684 and 741.
With the possible exception of some classics like Frid and Hayward, more recent vintage books have better photos, better editing, and are easier to follow than older books. For example, books from the 60s all tend to look the same, poor and sparse B&W photography, "Illustrations courtesy of Delta International," pieces of pine with arrises highlighted in pencil, etc.
In the beginning, One of my favorite books was Understanding Wood Finishing by Bob Flexner. An often used book back when finishing was a problem. Many Q & A, Fact and Myth comments. A great book to have till you settle in on a couple of favorite finishes.
Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
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