Replies

1. 
   garyowen | Feb 24, 2010 08:56pm | #1

   bombertony, Welcome back to the world of insanity!, on the front page, top right hand corner, click on shop books. They have a list you can look at, with many titles. You can also try the online book sellers, and you will get many good suggestions here from the other members. Good Luck. garyowen

2. 
   rexntex | Feb 24, 2010 11:04pm | #2

   Welcome back.I would suggest 2 magazines to start with.Woodsmith for plans and methods suitable for some one just getting started and maybe does not yet have the tools of a Norm Abrams and Finewoodworking for inspiration and the best woodworking information out there.Good Luck!!

   rexntex

3. 
   old saw | Feb 25, 2010 12:53am | #3

   If you would like some free woodworking books, as opposed to spending money, you can visit the Internet Archive at http://www.archive.org  and take a look at what they have available on the subject.  They have hundreds of thousands of books available, on virtually any subject, which one can download for free in pdf or read online.  Granted most of them are from before 1925, but they're still useful - woodworking hasn't changed all that much in the last hundred years or so.

   Regards,

   JW

4. 
   RalphBarker | Feb 25, 2010 01:26am | #4

   There are dozens of excellent books available. It's hard to go wrong with the Tage Frid series as a foundation, though

   For $56, the three volume set:

   http://www.amazon.com/Tage-Teaches-Woodworking-Step-Step/dp/1561588261/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267078890&sr=1-3

   Or, for about $20, the Book 1 and 2 compilation:

   http://www.amazon.com/Tage-Teaches-Woodworking-Step-Step/dp/1561580686/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267078890&sr=1-1

5. 
   bduffin104 | Feb 25, 2010 03:54am | #5

   " Cabinetmaking and Millwork"

   " Cabinetmaking and Millwork" Read it first. Norm can wait.

   I gave my copy to an apprentice who was a refugee from Viet Nam named Tao. He must of thought it was a gift because I never got it back but he seemed quite honored and brought me a nice gift in return. He was a hellofva worker. I started him on hand sanding and he used a piece of sandpaper in each hand and was able to sand with each hand simultaneously.

   There was a great tax credit available back then for hiring refugees. It worked out well for both of us.

6. 
   petemae | Feb 25, 2010 11:49am | #6

   I wanted to help you also, but somebody already told you about Tage Frid.  Read his books and all you will want to do is make sawdust...........good luck

7. 
   9619 | Feb 25, 2010 12:00pm | #7

   Bomber,

   I disagree with everyone's recommendations on what to read.   

   My suggestion is not to read.

   Remember what Yoda said, "Don't try, just do."

   Start making whatever suits your fancy. You will be surprised how easy it is to figure things out for yourself. If you start getting hooked on reading things to be told how to do them, it drives you crazy.  Everybody does everything differently, and most try to convince you that their way is right. 

   After you try to make a few things, go to the library and spend the afternoon just perusing woodworking books for interesting projects.   Stay away from the "How to" books.   Look for pieces of furniture that tickle your fancy.  In other words, look in the books for "inspiration" not for "how to".    

   As you start building those things which strike your fancy, you will come across things that you don't know how to do.  Try to figure out how to do them.  If you can't, then ask the question here on Knots.  You'll get fifty answers.  all different, and you can pick the one you want.    

   ENJOY WOODWORKING.  Don't let it rule you.  You should rule it.   Don't listen to what others tell you about tools, because it is not important.   What is important is: developing your skills while having fun.  

   See if there is a woodworking club near you.  THis clubs are FUN.  You meet lots of guys with different skill levels, but who all love woodworking.   You will find some who inspire you. THIS IS S GOOD THING.   You will find some who try to tell you what to do, how to do it, and which tools to use.   RUN FROM THEM.

   Enjoyl

   Mel

1. 
   WillGeorge | Feb 25, 2010 10:28pm | #10

   Remember what Yoda said, "Don't try, just do."

   I love it!

   What I have doen all my life! I got in ALOT of  trouble doing it sometimes.. I even went to reform school as a young child... Never heard of Yoda as a child, but I do remember listening to the radio and while I heard the sound. I was amazed by the glowing purple tubes in the radio that sort of dimmed and brightened with the words I heard.

8. 
   DonStephan | Feb 25, 2010 08:07pm | #8

   In addition to books/magazines on woodworking, my suggestion would be "Understanding Wood" by R. Bruce Hoadley.  Tons of valuable information on wood movement, grain, et cetera.

9. 
   WillGeorge | Feb 25, 2010 10:16pm | #9

   As to a free book look for...

   The Project Gutenberg EBook of Woodwork Joints, by William Fairham.

   I love it!

10. 
    James R. | Feb 26, 2010 01:22am | #11

    I agree with Mel, start a project.   My first was the same as "bones," the New Yankee router table.  I made the mistake of using Home Depot plywood rather than baltic birch.  The table is fine, however better plywood would have been an improvement.  A small bench was the next project for me.  The plans were in FW I think.  FW has a lot of ideas for beginners as someone else suggested.  The router table plans you can get from the New Yankee Workshop website.

    You'll make lots of mistakes, but you'll also make things and learn a lot.

    Watch your fingers,  Jim

11. 
    9619 | Feb 26, 2010 08:35am | #12

    Bones,

    I like your tag line about advice.  So true.  Sunscreen was a great writeup.   It took genius to have that kind of insight.

    But for what it is worth, and it ain't worth much, I disagree on Charles N.  I met him a few years ago at the local Woodcraft store where he was hawking his first five videos.  He gave me one of each and asked me to give him feedback. I watched each one, and took notes and gave him a page of feedback on each.  They were simple things like:

    - dont talk while the table saw is running. You can't be heard.

    - Think of your audience. If you are talking to hobbyists, you shouldn't say that an 8" jointer is too small.  Few of them have the room or the money for a larger one.

    - Make a "storyboard" of what you want to say before making a video, and go through it once as a dry run.  It will make your talk more coherent.   

    I was surprised at his reaction.  He was furious.  He didn't want feedback. He wanted adulation.  I worked for a full day, going through each of his DVDs, and taking notes, and then typing them up, and then organizing the information for him, and I asked nothing in return.   Where I come from, a "thank you" would have been in order.   I got a series of scowls and some attitude. 

    He came and gave a talk at our Woodworking Guild meeting.  He gave a talk on "Making a cabriolet leg".    Someone told him that a cabriolet is a car, and a cabriole is a leg.  He looked puzzled.   He also talked about using Bondo in repairing antique furniture. 

    I have seen one piece of his furniture, and it looked good.  I have seen the photos on his website, and he has done some great looking stuff, including a large bombe chest on chest.   I have not been able to see the details of his workmanship, or the authenticity of his designs, but let's say they are excellent.   In that case, I would find him to be a good furniture maker, but as a teacher (maker of training DVDs or as a giver or talks on woodworking, I would put him at the bottom of the list.  

    We have some GREAT period furniture makers right here on Knots.  Ray Pine lives and works just a short way down the road from Charles Niel.   Ray knows the difference between a cabriole and a cabriolet.  He is a scholar in period furniture design as well as one of the best makers.    I would recommend that people read Ray's stuff here on Knots,  We have Rob Millard who works the Federal period. Like Ray, he is "top drawer".  He has a great website.  Both of these guys answer questions quickly and expertly. 

    IMHO, one cannot be considered even an adequate period furniture maker, unless one is a serious scholar as well as a builder.   Ray is always referring us to specific books with regard to answering questions.   I have never heard Charles refer to a book.  That doesn't mean that he hasn't, just that in my two experiences with him, I haven't.   I am not saying to ignore Charles.  But I am saying that there are much better alternatives available. 

    I feel bad that so many great furniture makers have become editors, writers and teachers, and have ceased being furniture makers, because they can't make a living at making period furniture.  I hated to see Glen Huey leave furniture making to become a writer and editor.   I would have liked to see Rob Cosman continue to make furniture instedad of becoming an entrepreneur.  The list is long.   I can't imagine a furniture maker making DVDs and starting a school if they could make a living at actually making furniture.   Well, Ray Pine lives down the road from Charles, and he still makes a living at making period furniture full-time -- even in tough economic times.   Charles has made a HARD HARD push to get into the training and authoring business.  I guess that "any port in a storm" is a practical solution.    Me?  when I want to learn woodworking, I want to learn it from a woodworker, and not from a teacher.    

    There are excellent books on furniture making, and there are excellent furniture makers who are willing to answer questions.  I would recommend Glen Huey's books and DVDs. I would recommend reading the original books by Chippendale, etc.  I would recommend reading the classic books on woodwork.   There is so much great material out there that one could spend all of one's time reading and never making furniture (a bad thing).  I'd recomment folks go for the best in the written word.  In DVDs, look at the set that Taunton offers.  TOP NOTCH.  

    This message and $4 will get you a cup of coffee at  Starbucks.   

    Have fun.  Happy woodworking.

    I agree with you on giving advice.  I wouldn't listen to me    :-)  

    Mel