Replies

1. 
   BG | Jan 04, 2009 03:52am | #1

   Mr. Bill,

   I like Joyce's Encyclopedia the best. It touches on just about everything with pretty good detail and then I can dig down elsewhere for further insights if needed.

2. 
   ring | Jan 04, 2009 08:43am | #2

   I second the suggestion of Ernest Joyce's Encyclopedia of Furnituremaking. Very comprehensive and a great place to start. Some of it is a bit dated, and the language may provoke occasional chuckles in American readers, but it's still a great book.

   David Ring

   http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e

3. 
   Floss | Jan 05, 2009 05:09am | #3

   Woodwork Joints by Charles Hayward.

   F.

4. 
   Thorvald | Jan 05, 2009 05:50am | #4

   Bill,

   If you can find it, John Feirer's Cabinet Making and Millwork is a pretty comprehensive text on the basics - and it is a text book; the preface in my copy says it is intened for an "advanced woodworking course."  I expect it has been updated a few times since I bought mine in '87.

   If you're interested in the philosophical side of the business, get your hands on any of James Krenov's works.  A Cabinetmaker's Notebook or The Fine Art of Cabinetmaking ought to get the cerebral juices flowing.  Even if you don't become a Krenovian, he'll make you think about why you do the things you do in your shop. 

   Happy Shavings,

   Verne

5. 
   a_Furnitologist | Jan 05, 2009 01:09pm | #5

   If you can get your hands on the older books, I believe they provide more detailed information.

   Feirer and Joyce are goods one my favorite is Furniture Making and Cabinet Work by B.W, Pelton.......loaded with topics and information. Good sketches, evploded views, its very good.

   Neil Lamens

   My video blog......... recent episode on the Design process

   http://furnitology.blogspot.com/index.html]

6. 
   dkellernc | Jan 06, 2009 12:24am | #6

   That depends.  If you're mainly interested in solid-wood construction by traditional techniques, then Carpentry for Beginners by Charles Hayward and Cabinet Making for Beginners is what you want.  Despite the title, there's a lot of in-depth information in these books, and that's why the sell for quite a bit on the used book market.

   If you're interested in "modern cabinetmaking" with engineered wood products, veneers, and power tools, I'd start with the Taunton book you mentioned.

1. 
   TaunTonMacoute | Jan 06, 2009 11:50pm | #8

   Two of my favorite books without a doubt.

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Jan 07, 2009 04:15pm | #9

   TT or is it Charles?

   Charles H. eh?  Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

   Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

1. 
   TaunTonMacoute | Jan 07, 2009 04:35pm | #10

   I don't know "Bob." Is it Dave or Mike, or.....who cares? Dunno.Your parents sure gave you an unusual name - Kidderville Acres? Is this right? Is Bob right? How many Bobs are there in New Hampshire?

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Jan 07, 2009 11:14pm | #11

   Charles,

   Awwwh I can't think of a good response.  Yourn left me speechless right now.  I'll think of sumpin.

   Hey, why don't yall come up and see us sometime?  We'll treat you to some hard cider that'll leave you, uh speechless.

   Best Regards - a NH,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

2. 
   TaunTonMacoute | Jan 08, 2009 12:03am | #12

   We'd love to, but guess what - my wife and I have a baby due in April! Our first. We're having a girl. I'm beyond thrilled.We still want to move to the Northeast eventually, but in the short term Jennifer is uncomfortable just sitting around much less traveling. And she of course would not be able to enjoy your superb hospitality in the form of hard cider until after the baby is born.

3. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Jan 08, 2009 05:54am | #13

   Well I'll be dipped! 

   Congratulations and hope all goes well for everyone. I'll just set the bottle down in the root cellar for now.

   Properties are for sale all over the place up here - and WAAAAY underpriced too.

   Best Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

4. 
   TaunTonMacoute | Jan 08, 2009 04:32pm | #14

   Thanks... your neck of the woods is where we'd like to be.

7. 
   SteveSchoene | Jan 06, 2009 10:43pm | #7

   The Taunton series The Complete Illustrated Guide to ...  does a pretty good job and often offers alternative methods including even hand tool concepts.  But it's not one book, though you can/could get a boxed sets.