Replies

1. 
   BertJ | Jul 16, 2003 05:32pm | #1

   Great Wood Finishes: A Step-By-Step Guide to Consistent and Beautiful Results
   by Jeff Jewitt

   Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking 1&2: A Step-By-Step Guidebook to Essential Woodworking Technique
   by Tage Frid, Peter Chapman (Editor)
   
   Two classics, both available from Amazon

   BJ

1. 
   Napie | Jul 17, 2003 03:50pm | #9

   I have to add a VERY strong second to the Tage Frid books.  I have the original three book set in hard cover and was fortunate to have had book number one signed by Mr. Frid himself.  This set served as my "master" while teaching myself the fundamentals of the craft, from straightening lumber to full blind dovetails, it is all there, in clear language and photos.  I have always appreciated his practical approach to getting the piece built.  While he was trained in the hand tool traditions, he was not "romantic" about them.  It is about getting the work done and done right, what ever the method. 

   Of the hundred or so WW books I own, these are always off the shelf the most.

2. 
   forestgirl | Jul 16, 2003 07:24pm | #2

   I'll second Bert's nomination of Great Wood Finishes and add:

   The Joint Book: The Complete Guide to Wood Joinery (click here) by Kelly Noll (was reviewed in FWW, current issue.  Not a definitive encyclopedia, but a great book for beginning or intermediate WWer and bound in a shop-friendly hardcover, spiral bound fashion.

   Complete Book of Power Tools (click here) by R.J. De Cristoforo, hardcover, 642 pp., 2,000 photos and illlustrations.  This book is hard to find, but well worth the search and the $$.  Covers nearly all stationary and portable tools -- safety info, techniques and tuning, plus appendices on fasteners, geometry, other good stuff.  If all us novices had read this book first, there'd hardly be any questions to post in "Tools" at Knots!!!!

   Fixing and Avoiding Woodworking Mistakes (click here) by Sandor Nagyszalanczy.  Sell explanatory title!  I don't know where Amazon gets off charging $35 though.  It's priced on the back at $19.95.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   Kell | Jul 16, 2003 08:05pm | #3

   Those are excellent choices that have been given here.  I've had good luck ordering many of these titles from the woodworker's book club.  (no affiliation with them)  Good prices and good service.  No upcharge like Jamie mentioned from Amazon.

   Kell

1. 
   forestgirl | Jul 16, 2003 08:34pm | #4

   That "upcharge" on the Nagyszalanczy book is an oddity.  Generally, Amazon's prices are lower than those charged by Barnes and Noble, which is where I go to do hands-on exams of WWing books.  I'm wondering if the $35 on Mr. N's book is a typo of some kind.  I keep forgetting about the WWer's book club.  Have to get that firmly in the Favorites list!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

3. 
   hedgehogtw | Jul 16, 2003 08:46pm | #5

   one I just found at the library

   the complete WOODWORKER'S companion

   by Roger Holmes

   Watson-Guptill Publications/ New York 1996

   gtw

4. 
   KevinLBS | Jul 16, 2003 09:16pm | #6

   I was just thinking the other day it would be good to know the sma thing you're asking about here...

   I recently ordered "Chairmaking and Design" by Jeff Miller (I think?) because it came so very highly recommended from everyone that had it and used it to build their first chairs...

5. 
   RMillard | Jul 17, 2003 01:59pm | #7

   I’ve bought very few woodworking books and none devoted strictly to tools, but here are three that I liked

   Woodwork Joints, By Charles H. Hayward

   Encyclopedia of Furniture Making , By Ernest Joyce

   18^th Century Furniture,By Jeffery Greene ( spelling ?)

   The first two are written in England so the terminology is a little weird.

   One other book I read at the book store but did not buy (I’m a cheap skate) is the second book by David Charlesworth (?). While he gets a little obsessive with jigs, but the book is very interesting .

   One book I bought long ago, and which set me back years, was the Moser book on Shaker furniture. Today, I’m deeply ashamed to admit, I used a belt sander on a piece of furniture.

                                             Rob Millard

1. 
   thebige | Jul 17, 2003 03:19pm | #8

   Greetings. I am a new member and today is my first post. I wanted to respond to you all on this topics of good books.I have found the book,used; How To Design Period Furniture by Franklin H. Gottshall to be one of the best.On the topic of Period projects this book is a must have in your library.This book has chapters on the classic styles,William and Mary,Queen Ann,Chippendale,Hepplewhite,Sheraton and etc.. The recent book by Taunton Press,In the 18th Century, does not nowhere stand up.This book I'm describing should be brought back in reprint.None other compares.

1. 
   BrianMcG | Jul 22, 2003 08:37am | #17

   Hi, Just wanted to say WELCOME!!! You've found a great forum filled with folks from every level of woodworking. Your input will be much appreciated! Brian

2. 
   GregB126 | Jul 21, 2003 08:47pm | #16

   Rob,

   I'm glad you mentioned Charlesworth's book.  I've referred to him in some form or other in a dozen or more posts here.  While he is often regarded as a "tool guru", I think the reader will quickly realize he's first and foremost an insightful teacher.  My own work was passable for a while, but really improved dramatically when hand-work learned from reading Charlesworth's Furniture and Cabinetmaking (the British magazine, the articles from which his books are taken) articles in their "technical" sections, came into play.  One example from the 2nd book (I've got both and refer to them often) is the making and use of shooting boards.  Extremely well explained, diagramed and photographed.  He's one of the main reasons I maintain a subscription to that magazine.  I don't think he is so much interested in jigs as he is in reliable repeatability.  It comes from being both exacting and an experienced teacher.  You'll see the same from the renowned Robert Ingham, another exacting teacher-maker.

   So, here are some recommendations with hand work in mind:  Understanding Wood (Hoadley), The Handplane Book (Hack)  Traditional Woodworking Handtools (Blackburn) and both volumes of David Charlesworth's Furniture Making Techniques.

   Cheers,

   Greg

6. 
   foghorn | Jul 17, 2003 05:24pm | #10

   It doesn't sound as if this would apply to you but as a beginner, I found the following book the best of the many I have bought over the last year or so.

   "Getting Started In Woodworking" by Aime' Ontario Fraser (published I think by Taunton). The descriptions are first rate and the pictures are even better. In addition, it includes a series of projects to practice the techniques being described.

   Re the comments about the $35.00 price of  " Fixing and Avoiding Woodworking Mistakes". It was published by Taunton in 1995 and is now out of print with very low availability in the used book market (attesting it would seem to its usefulness).

   Amazon has it at $33 and change. E-Bay might be an alternative way to go for this book.

1. 
   AlanTurner | Jul 17, 2003 10:46pm | #11

   I have most of the books noted above.  One not mentioned is Cabinetmaking and Millwork, now out of print but available used, according to Amazon.com.  This was a text for high school shop, I suspect, and contains much handy info, such as pilot hole sizes for reg. wood screws, grinding angles, etc.  Not high end, but handy.  A 50's sort of thing.  I use mine from time to time, but it is not wirth a full read.

   Alan

1. 
   forestgirl | Jul 18, 2003 06:58am | #13

   The author of Cabinemaking and Millwork is John L. Feirer, for those who might be searching for a copy -- mine arrived in a mid-summer Santa maildrop<g>.  forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

7. 
   Telemike | Jul 18, 2003 06:32am | #12

   Thanks to all for your replies.  What a sneaky way to put a christmas list together!

   MikeD recommended a book for beginners, noting that it probably wouldn't help me.  No, I've never had an EDUCATION in woodworking.  I do about what my dad did and learned woodworking from him and from experience - I'm almost as good as Norm, in general.  What I've learned is hit-or-miss knowledge, filled out in some places, missing in others. 

   Others are truely pros.  They've put in endless gruelling hours in japanese and european apprenticeships and formal education in our finest woodworking schools.  I'm not ever going to go to the College of the Redwoods for woodworking (my loss); I'm an ornery stubborn Irish yankee that's just gotta do it himself and isn't likely to listen to anyone else.

   The books I've read, both basic and advanced, have given me a more rigourous knowledge of the corners of the craft they address.  It's my way of educating myself and I'm going to get ahold of some of those beginner books to fill in those empty spots!  A really fancy house isn't much good without a sound foundation!

   By the way, the first books I'm going to get, most likely myself well before christmas, are the Tage Fried books.  I looked on Amazon and they look as good as folks have said recommending them.

   Thanks.

1. 
   forestgirl | Jul 18, 2003 07:05am | #14

   telemike -- I know what you mean about "hit-and-miss" education.  It's good that you recognize a need to fill in the gaps.  That being said, the book that s4s posted about, Cabinetmaking and Millwork by John Feirer would be an excellent one to pick up.  It's amazingly thorough, well-structured and well-illustrated.  Of course, the style of the funiture is dated (I could easily live without any 60's stuff in my life, and I was there!) but all the principles in design, wood selection, layout, machining, joinery and finishing still apply.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

2. 
   Napie | Jul 18, 2003 03:12pm | #15

   You'll love those books.  Regarding woodworking schools, read Chris Becksvorts comments in the latest issue of "Woodwork", he is less than complimentary.  Sam Maloof said of the schools, "spend the money on good tools and wood and get going".  Sound advice from real successes in the business.