Replies

1. 
   allenb | Feb 20, 2007 07:39am | #1

   None.  Get to the local library and check them out for free.  Then if you run into something you really like you can pick that up later.  Magazines are great resources.

    

2. 
   flipstuff | Feb 20, 2007 11:17am | #2

   an almost impossible question, but i'll take the bait. there are too many variables re your interests and experience to suggest just one book, but i'd say you could do a lot worse than to learn about the raw material first. so i'd recommend r. bruce hoadley's "understanding wood" before any others.

   the jackson and day general intro to woodworking is surprisingly comprehensive and well-illustrated, and the tage frid vols 1-2, and the gary rogowski joinery book are both great. but at this point it becomes a pretty big pile of books.

   the library is great, yes -- or just go sit in one of the big bookstore chains and browse the woodworking section a while, have a coffee, and get a feel for what you like, see what you do and don't understand, and what excites you. as a fellow newbie i was in your shoes a couple of years ago, and did just that. trust me, you'll know soon enough what you want to do, and what you absolutely don't want to bother with.

   because for various reasons, i couldn't get into a shop space until 2 months ago, in the meanwhile i ended up buying 2+ feet of woodworking books (!) -- to explore, stay occupied, and keep my "eyes on the prize." it's a poor substitute for the actual work, of course, but it helped me to prepare for the project i'm currently building (a bed frame). so now i really appreciate having the books, and so do my shop mates.

   that said, FWW is great. they also did a piece a while ago with a list of 20 wwkg books that had influenced their editors. jim tolpin's book "woodworking wit and wisdom" (a funny and truly wise book) also has a list of his favorites.

   there are plenty of guys here with decades of experience actually working wood, and they can speak to what matters, but if you want to pm me about which of the 40-some books i own helped me more than others, and why, i'd be happy to reply.

   cheers,
   philip

3. 
   BG | Feb 20, 2007 12:00pm | #3

   Miller,

   The other answers are excellent, however they really don't give an answer to your question..'which one'?

   As your probably finding out, woodworking is a rather large discipline with concepts and techniques obscured by terminology...both foreign and domestic. An encyclopedia attempts to fill this void for a discipline and the best in woodworking is Ernest Joyce. It's been a constant desk reference for me and others.

4. 
   jeanlou | Feb 21, 2007 12:06am | #4

   Miller

   I will not give you a specific title, but I will give you a direction. Look for books that inspire you.

   Example: A 100 page book on the framing square and all it can do for you

   Another example: A pictorial catalogue of hand made woodworking joints, both Western and Asian. This is the one that inspired me the most.

   Another example: Pictorial catalogues of masterpiece furniture

   Have you thought of leaving the books aside and going to museums? There is a wealth of furniture that is shown in the museums of our country that are begging for people to study them.

   Look at the web sites of some of the contributors to Knots and FWW. There are masters here who willingly share . The work they post can be the inspiration for your next master project.

   A question to you now: are you testing or simply fishing?  :-)  JL

    

5. 
   AdamCherubini | Feb 21, 2007 03:26am | #5

   Assuming your interest is in furniture, then my pick would be : "American Furniture of the 18th century" by Jeff Greene, Taunton Press

   Greene's book is a must have for it scholarly addresses just about every aspect of 18th c furniture making from art history and style, to technique, structure, and finishing.

   Regardless of one's personal esthetic, this book offers woodworkers a sense for what was done and in some cases why. The section on structure alone, while not detailed project plans, shows successful solid wood joinery methods I've never seen anywhere else.

   This is the only book that would provide woodworkers with as thorough an education on so many aspects of woodworking. The only book that even comes close is Tage Frid's book.

   Adam

6. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Feb 21, 2007 04:37am | #6

   I think you have the best reference right in front of you - Knots/FWW!

   Additionally, define your interests as to what projects you want to make, then google the Internet for info. about these.  You'll find all sorts of info. that further support what you'll find in here and in FWW.  I'm talking about virtually anything that has to do with woodworking!

   I use my browsers Favorites to catalog my findings, so I can quickly refer back whenever I need to.  Sometimes I'll print a WEB page and make notes on it, then search some more.  My Favorites file on my PC would boggle the mind of many, but it works for me.  I can also back it up easily so I don't lose it.

   The one caveat is that you must be VERY careful how you organize it, but what's nice is that you can organize it the way YOU WANT IT!  It's my library along with FWW 1-current, several cabinet making, finish carpentry and perhaps the most important one of all; R. Bruce Hoadley's Understanding Wood!

   I do need to make a bookcase for my written material and that's the current design I'm working on, as part of my first attempt at using Sketchup.  Film @ 11, someday soon!

   Regards,

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

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

1. 
   miller | Feb 21, 2007 05:22am | #7

   Thank you everyone for your replies.  I am sorry I wasn't very clear in my question.  I suppose what I was looking for was books on hand tool skills, planes, power tools, etc..  I am looking for reference books that would help in any basic project.  Once again thank you for your time, and advice.

1. 
   PhilS | Feb 21, 2007 05:35am | #8

   I've been an occasional woodworker for a few years. The book I benefited from most was "Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking: A step-by-step guidebook to essential woodworking techniques". You can get this one new in paperback for $25 - 30.Phil

1. 
   phoneguy | Feb 21, 2007 11:20am | #9

   May sound goofy but I would start with a book about "wood". A good one about identifying wood, characteristics of wood, and choosing wood. There are some good ones out there and can be sampled and reviewed at libraries, book stores, and that new thing called the internet.
   Besides it always good to "know thy enemy" You old woodworkers know what I mean. I've lost many a battle, but the war still rages on.

2. 
   miller | Feb 22, 2007 05:56am | #11

   I will buy the Tage Frid book I have not heard anyone say anything negative about it.  Thanks for your response, and your time.

1. 
   sapwood | Feb 22, 2007 10:13am | #12

   "Adventures in Wood Finishing" by George Frank. This is a delightful read and chock full of information.

7. 
   jeff100 | Feb 21, 2007 11:32am | #10

   I have every book mentioned so far in this thread. I love them all. A book I recently acquired and have been very impressed with is The Complete Illustrated Guide to Furniture and Cabinet Construction by Andy Rae (a Taunton book). When I got this book, I sat down to leaf thru it and before I knew it, I'd read thru the book cover to cover. Excellent book. I only wish I had found this one long ago. I have the Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking books, they're also excellent, but older. As for books on machines, that's a tough one. I have books on specific machines and they are excellent, but I don't have a single book covering machine usage for every major machine in the shop. Don't know if there is such a book for woodworking machines. The Machinery's Handbook covers metalworking machines and shop processes and is the machinist bible. Does someone know if there is an equivalent book for woodworking for woodworkers??

   Jeff

8. 
   Napie | Feb 22, 2007 09:13pm | #13

   Tage Frid's vol. 1,2,3 best ever, period.  The only thing better was watching him in person.

1. 
   jeff100 | Feb 22, 2007 10:56pm | #14

   I received the Tage Frid three volume set for Christmas. It is most excellent and if you get it now, it DOES come with a Tage Frid DVD so you get to WATCH HIM too!!! I picked up some excellent pointers and techniques on hand cutting dovetails from watching the DVD that you don't get from books. Best of both worlds.Enjoy!Jeff

9. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Apr 30, 2007 04:06am | #15

   miller,

   As you can see from the date of my post to the date of your discussion, I have given your question much thought.  I am by all means not all knowing.

   Put your tools to work on the wood.  You will soon discover what is missing.  Are they sharp?  What is really sharp?  Is my wood square?  Can I make it square with the tools that I have?

   So many questions. 

   There are those who advocate machines to make wood square.  There are just as many who profess hand tools are the way to go.  If you focus on square you will be headed in the right direction whichever method you choose.

   I am sorry that I cannot offer a suggestion as to a book that will teach you this skill as I have not found one that works for me.  I have learned how to square my tools from experience and the knowledge I have gained from the helpful folks here in Knots.

   Regards,

    

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

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

1. 
   miller | Apr 30, 2007 04:20am | #16

   Thanks for the reply.  I just started buying a bunch of books, if I don't like one you can probably pick it up cheap on e-bay.

    

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Apr 30, 2007 04:29am | #17

   miller,

   Can you tell us more about your setup?  What do you have for tools?  Your interests in terms of woodworking?

   We sincerely want to help.

   Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

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