Replies

1. 
   tom_gattiker | Jul 23, 2002 05:32pm | #1

   Working with Wood by Peter Korn got me started.  It teaches basic skills (jointing, planing, mortise & tennon, dovetails, frame and panel) in depth as it teaches you how to make 2 nice projects (a stool and a cabinet).  Most other books teach skills (e.g. joinery) , but not in the context of a project, or they emphasize a series of projects with only an introduction or single chapter on the skills & tools needed--not in enough depth.  In my opinion it is best to learn things in context, and  Korn's book is fairly unique in using this approach. 

   BTW the book teaches multiple approaches (hand and power tool) for most tasks.

   Have fun.

2. 
   millikm1 | Jul 24, 2002 05:28am | #2

   Scoop, I started hacking wood about ten years ago as a very minor hobby. There were three things that I did that got me interested in it becoming a more serious hobby.

   First I watched Norm on PBS. There is a huge thread right now going on about this and everybody has an opinion about Norm. Although sometimes he is not technically perfect in how he does things, if you have no clue where to begin at least he shows you a way to try to start.

   Second I started buying Fine Woodworking, first off the shelves and then a subscription. When I first bought the magazine I was amazed at the things people did with wood and just couldn't wait to read how they did it. Now I'm a little more experienced but I still can't wait to rip the cover off my Fine woodworking. People have lots of opinions about how Fine Woodworking has changed over the years but it is still a good reference and I still have all my copies. I also buy Fine Homebuilding for different reasons.

   Last and most important I tried lots of small projects. Yard furniture and fancy decks and found out that I was actually capable of cutting a straight line. The first time I created something that actually looked like furniture was a turning point. After that the tools got better (and more expensive) and my skill improved (still think it was mostly the tools though at that point). Now I get irritated if my joints don't come out just right (which is still most of the time actually). But I know I'll get better and hopefully it will have more to do with my skill than the tools. Anyway for what it is worth that is what I did. -Mike

3. 
   MikeS | Jul 25, 2002 05:57am | #3

   Bob Flexner's "Understanding Wood Finishing"

   Mike

   It's O.k. to think out of the box,           Just don't walk off of the plank!

4. 
   timburnisher | Jul 25, 2002 06:42am | #4

   Two of the first woodworking books that I read are much more books about the approach a woodworker should take when building furniture than about how to execute certain projects or joinery techniques.  The two books are The Soul of a Tree by George Nakashima and The Fine art of Cabinetmaking by James Krenov.  I've heard that the other books by Krenov are also just as thought-provoking and insightful.  Both Nakashima and Krenov are woodworkers of the finest caliber, and I think that there is no better way than reading these two books to start figuring out how you want to set up your workshop and how you want to approach this fine art.  The more valuable of the two books, I think, is Krenov's.

   Good luck,

   Tim 

5. 
   goldhiller | Jul 25, 2002 06:44am | #5

   scoop,

   Here's a post I've put up a couple of times in response to questions just like yours. Hope you find it helpful.

   Here's a list of books I own and can recommend as worthy of the money spent. Many of these may well be available through the Taunton Press which also publishes Fine Woodworking magazine, as well as collections of the best shop techniques in a series called the "Techniques Series" ( these are articles concerning shop techniques) and the Fine Woodworking " Design Book Series" (which are collections of what is considered to be some of the best works in furniture and the like based on style and appearance). Any and all of these collections are very much worthy of the money spent for sheer inspiration and ideas, not to mention the knowledge and expertise. The more recently published books in the series are probably "better" than the very earliest of the series published many years ago. Also, be sure to check out the book offerings of the Woodcraft catalog for books about the use of specific woodworking machinery and tools. I would look for books in particular that they give a " highly recommended" rating or refer to as "essential", as I always found their recommendations to be trustworthy. A subscription to Fine Woodworking may prove to be worthwhile or you could wait until the end of each year and buy the compilation book of the best techniques articles for that year.

   For comprehensive general basic knowledge and techniques, I can recommend the following books:

   Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking - Tage Frid (both machine & hand tool techniques)

   Cabinetmaking And Millwork - John L Feirer (may be out of print – do a search)- (both machine & hand tool techniques)

   Encyclopedia Of Furniture Making - Ernest Joyce (may be out of print – do a search)- (both machine & hand tool techniques)

   Woodwork Joints - Charles H. Hayward (mostly hand tool techniques)

   In the beginner's lathe work category, I can recommend Woodturning by Dale Nish and any other book the man has published. His books cover the type of work that the average guy can do with a basic lathe and a few affordable tools to create " artsy" stuff in a simple shop. Basic lathe techniques are covered in Cabinet Making & Millwork, if I recall correctly. I think Taunton Press has many good books on beginning and advanced lathe work to offer.

   Absolute "must have" books for any serious woodworker are Understanding Wood Finishing by Bob Flexner, as well as Understanding Wood by Bruce Hoadley. These are definitely essential and will save countless hours of frustration trying to figure out what went wrong.

   Know Your Woods by Albert Constantine is a comprehensive guide to identification and is helpful in the selection of wood for a project.

   While I am sure that there are many other worthy publications out there today, I can recommend those above for the basics, even if a couple of them are "dated". I've seen many books on basic woodworking that do not have enough information in them to warrant the money spent, but I feel that these definitely do. Worse yet, some of the books I've seen are full of dis-information.

6. 
   TomFerreira | Jul 25, 2002 06:58am | #6

   Scoop,

   Try visiting http://www.cambiumbooks.com. They have everything and they separate into catagories.

   Good Luck.

   Tom

7. 
   James1 | Jul 26, 2002 04:18am | #7

   If you can find it and you are interested in doing hand work I would reccomend The Stanley Book Of Woodworking Tools, Techniques, and Projects, by Mark Finney. Betterway Books If you can get past the fact that in this book all tools are Stanley I found it an excellent resource. It starts with tools how to use them, techniques what to do with the tools, then projects how to put what you have learned into practice. The first project is a workbench and it prgresses to an Oak end table with dovetailed drawers.  The best thing is the book explains how to do everything with only handtools.   

8. 
   Lilshaver | Jul 26, 2002 05:02am | #8

   "Adventures in Wood Finishing" by George Frank. He is a master who will teach you a few things. The book is also entertaining. Many of his adventures are a hoot!