Woodworking Books

A Splintered History of Wood: Belt Sander Races, Blind Woodworkers, and Baseball Bats

Spike Carlsen

Amazon Price: $16.47 List Price: $24.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Collins Amazon Marketplace: 39 new & used starting at $13.80

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Subjects -> History
Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Crafts & Hobbies -> Woodworking
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

In a world without wood, we might not be here at all. Without wood, we wouldn't have had the fire, heat, and shelter that allowed us to expand into the colder regions of the planet. If civilization somehow did develop, our daily lives still would be vastly different: there would be no violins, baseball bats, chopsticks, or wine corks. The book you are now holding wouldn't exist.

At the same time, many of us are removed from the world where wood is shaped and celebrated every day. That world is inhabited by a unique assortment of eccentric craftsmen and passionate enthusiasts who have created some of the world's most beloved musical instruments, feared weapons, dazzling architecture, sacred relics, and bizarre forms of transportation. In A Splintered History of Wood, Spike Carlsen has uncovered the most outlandish characters and examples, from world-champion chainsaw carvers to blind woodworkers, the Miraculous Staircase to the Lindbergh kidnapping case, and many more, in a passionate and personal exploration of nature's greatest gift.

The Only Dog Tricks Book You'll Ever Need: Impress Friends, Family--and Other Dogs!

Gerilyn J. Bielakiewicz, Paul S. Bielakiewicz

Amazon Price: $7.95 List Price: $7.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Adams Media Amazon Marketplace: 38 new & used starting at $3.40

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Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Animal Care & Pets -> Dogs -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Find the remote control. Pull off your kids' socks. Open and close the refrigerator door. Bet you never imagined your dog could accomplish such feats!

In this fun, easy-to-use trick-training guide, longtime trainer and cofounder of Canine University Gerilyn J. Bielakiewicz shows you how to teach your dog all sorts of great tricks that will strengthen your bond and bring you both endless enjoyment. From simple beginner moves for young pups to complex tricks for super-smart pooches, there's something in here for everyone-including tricks that teach your dog how to:

Shake, wave, and give high fives

Play scared and be brave

Fetch his dinner bowl

Retrieve your keys, mail, and phone

Ring a bell to go outside

Put away his toys

Whether your dog's a natural-born ham or a shy guy, these tricks will bring out his best-and help you be the best trainer you can be. Tackle any of these fun tricks, and people will soon be singing your pup's praises!

Woodworking Basics: Mastering the Essentials of Craftsmanship

Peter Korn

Amazon Price: $13.57 List Price: $19.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Taunton Amazon Marketplace: 36 new & used starting at $9.21

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 20 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Concise, compelling, the beginning of an addiction 5 out of 5 stars.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.

I had nothing but a curiosity about woodworking when Amazon brought this book to my attention as a highly rated book for beginners. This book does an absolutely fabulous job of boiling the craft down to the basics for readers unfamiliar with the subject.

This book will not make you a master in any technique, nor will it cover anything in particular detail. What it will do is give you an introduction to wood, common tools (both hand and powered), and basic techniques for making fine furniture. This book was the beginning of an addiction for me, and for that I am grateful!

Editorial Review:

Based on a two-week course in woodworking fundamentals offered at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Camden, Maine, this book takes a traditional approach to teaching, with the idea that learning basic skills is essential to craftsmanship. In the process, the book covers all the bases, from working with hand tools to cutting dovetails. Over 250 color photos and drawings and two complete projects — a bench and a small cabinet — are included.

The Complete Illustrated Guide to Furniture and Cabinet Construction

Andy Rae

Amazon Price: $26.37 List Price: $39.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Taunton Amazon Marketplace: 41 new & used starting at $21.00

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 44 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

disappointed 2 out of 5 stars.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful.

I found this book very disappointing. The pictures were very pretty but that is pretty much it. The illustrations were confusing and of little use. It gives too much of an overview and no real specifics. I found woodworking for dummies to be a much better book for the beginning woodworker.

A little too general 3 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Given the scope of this work, I'm not sure what I expected, but I feel like, after reading a book on furniture and cabinet making, I ought to have some idea of how to construct a basic cabinet. While this book covers a wide variety of general techniques and types of joints commonly used, at no point does it tie them together; it discusses possibilities, but never synthesizes them into anything tangible, leaving me, at least, wondering which of the book's assorted grab bag of clever tricks might be combined to actually produce a cabinet. I already knew what a sliding dovetail was before I bought this book; what I sought to learn was the architecture and structural elements needed to design a cabinet. Strangely, I feel like I'm no closer to that knowledge than I was before I read the book.

Editorial Review:

The Complete Illustrated Guide to Furniture and Cabinet Construction is the ultimate reference work -- a graphic, step-by-step presentation of basic furniture-construction techniques. Expert woodworker Andy Rae brings organization, enthusiasm, and more than 20 years' experience to this essential book. Readers will acquire a working knowledge of woodworking materials, a higher level of control over their work and tools, and an understanding of basic design principles.

Building Kitchen Cabinets

Udo Schmidt

Amazon Price: $13.57 List Price: $19.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Taunton Amazon Marketplace: 43 new & used starting at $9.32

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 28 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Build Like A Pro-just like says!! 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

This book is well written, and easy to understand. The author gives you a solid understanding of the basics and some of the more advanced "how-tos" of cabinet making. I would recommend this book to people who have some knowledge of power tools and want to learn how to build kitchen cabinets.

Excellent book if you actually want to build cabinets 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I bought this book and Danny Proulx's Build Your Own Kitchen Cabinets (Popular Woodworking). Proulx's book focused on particleboard construction and mostly 32mm cabinets. I was very dissapointed as I was anxious to start building cabinets and particleboard is not what I was looking for. This book however, was just what the Dr. ordered. I'm very comfortable with my tools and have been woodworking for years now, but I still found some usefull tips in the book. I skimmed the book without reading all of it and immediately bought the lumber I needed and began construction. I had a completed bathroom vanity cabinet in 1 afternoon (not including stain and finish). As others have mentioned, his dimensions are not perfect, but since my house doesn't perfectly match the book, I used my own tape measure.

Even with the dimension issues here and there, I highly recommend this book for anyone who actually wants to make cabinets. I have a few other books that discuss the "idea" of making cabinets. This one tells you the tools you need and how to do it. It focuses on pocket-hole joinery but it also shows how you can use other joinery techniques as well. I can't stress this point enough... if you are planning on building cabinets, you will love this book. If you just want to read about building cabinets, this book isn't what you want.

I'm off to buy more lumber for more cabinets!!!!

Editorial Review:

Building instead of buying cabinets means not only cost savings but also better materials and a truly custom kitchen. This book shows anyone how to build a complete set of kitchen cabinets. Professional cabinetmaker Udo Schmidt covers the entire process, from preparing materials and selecting the right tools to finishing and installing hardware.

The Big Book of Weekend Woodworking: 150 Easy Projects (Big Book of ... Series)

John Nelson, Joyce Nelson

Amazon Price: $13.57 List Price: $19.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Lark Books Amazon Marketplace: 39 new & used starting at $11.63

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

This book rocks! 5 out of 5 stars.
18 of 19 people found this review helpful.

This book has so many projects in it that some are bound to interest you. The problem with books that feature, say 25 projects, is that if you find 10% of them interesting you get 2-3 projects out of the book. This has 150 projects. If you find 10% of them interesting then you walk away with clear instructions and pretty detailed plans for 15 projects. This book is well written and includes sections on finishing and material selection. I own many "project" books. This book outshines them all by a wide margin. Joinery is pretty basic and the projects run from beginner to intermediate, with most of them being the former. One point that I feel compelled to mention, however, is that most projects in this book require a machine (or hand tool) that will cut curves. Just buy it!

Editorial Review:

Every woodworker will want to own this colorful, information-packed, mammoth resource for weekend crafting. It's filled with 150 classic projects, and features an introductory section that walks readers through the various planning stages. It's all covered: selecting the right wood, working with patterns, gluing, and finishing. Novices can effortlessly make simple mirrors, shelves, clocks, and jewelry boxes, while those with slightly more advanced skills can try the small cupboard, blanket chest, or side table. For outdoors, there are whimsical weathervanes, whirligigs, plants stands, and trellises. Some of the sweetest items are just for kids, such as animal pull toys, wheeled cars, puzzles, a winged rocking chair, and vintage-style doll accessories. Every project include finishes or surface decoration options, plus drawings and patterns.

The Woodwright's Guide: Working Wood with Wedge and Edge

Roy Underhill, Eleanor Underhill

Amazon Price: $16.20 List Price: $22.50 Usually ships in 24 hours By: The University of North Carolina Press Amazon Marketplace: 28 new & used starting at $13.95

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

For thirty years, Roy Underhill's PBS program, "The Woodwright's Shop," has brought classic hand-tool craftsmanship to viewers across America. Now, in his seventh book, Roy shows how to engage the mysteries of the splitting wedge and the cutting edge to shape wood from forest to furniture.

Beginning with the standing tree, each chapter of The Woodwright's Guide explores one of nine trades of woodcraft: faller, countryman and cleaver, hewer, log-builder, sawyer, carpenter, joiner, turner, and cabinetmaker. Each trade brings new tools and techniques; each trade uses a different character of material; but all are united by the grain in the wood and the enduring mastery of muscle and steel.

Hundreds of detailed drawings by Eleanor Underhill (Roy's daughter) illustrate the hand tools and processes for shaping and joining wood. A special concluding section contains detailed plans for making your own foot-powered lathes, workbenches, shaving horses, and taps and dies for wooden screws.

The Woodwright's Guide is informed by a lifetime of experience and study. A former master craftsman at Colonial Williamsburg, Roy has inspired millions to "just say no to power tools" through his continuing work as a historian, craftsman, activist, and teacher. In The Woodwright's Guide, he takes readers on a personal journey through a legacy of off-the-grid, self-reliant craftsmanship. It's a toolbox filled with insight and technique as well as wisdom and confidence for the artisan in all of us.

The Complete Guide to Sharpening

Leonard Lee

Amazon Price: $15.61 List Price: $22.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Taunton Amazon Marketplace: 37 new & used starting at $12.00

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 33 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

A toolworker's complete guide, but .... 4 out of 5 stars.
3 of 6 people found this review helpful.

You have to admire the author. He packs a huge amount of detailled and easily read information in this book. The electron photomicrographs, showing various sharp (and not so sharp) edges using various abarasives are excellent. Leonard also seems to know everything there is to know about the history of steel making, and abrasives. There are excellent chapters on just about every kind of woodworking tool imaginable, with plenty of excellent photographs. If I were a woodworker I would regard this book as being the one and only complete reference text.

BUT... my personal interest is in sharpening kitchen knives. And the chapter on knife sharpening is the least informative in the book, and really tells the reader nothing new that is not already available on many web sites. In fact the Mr Lee actually says he only included this chapter because nobody would take his book seriously if it didn't have a chapter on knife sharpening. As a result, the chapter is not not very good. and in fact contains some wrong advice. eg using plastic book binders as edge guides: - Sorry Mr Lee, but they just do not work.

For a complete knife book, you would be far better off with Chad Ward's new book "An Edge in the Kitchen", far better than this book by Mr Lee.

I don't mean to disrespect the author, or this book. But it is really for woodworking tools, not kitchen knives.

Editorial Review:

Lee, a well-known tool manufacturer, covers the practical and technical information to sharpen tools quickly, efficiently and safely. Descriptive photos, clear line drawings and step-by-step instructions show exactly how to improve the performance and safety of any cutting tool. 255 photos.

Trim Carpentry and Built-Ins (Build Like A Pro)

Clayton Dekorne

Amazon Price: $13.57 List Price: $19.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Taunton Amazon Marketplace: 75 new & used starting at $4.00

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 27 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Beginner to Expert, Something for all. 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

I am a firm believer in the KISS method of doing things. (Keep It Simple Stupid") Every step is covered in this book so that anyone can learn from it. The "Build Like A Pro" series of books are all laid out like this one. The "Expert Tips" are great. They show you short cuts to help you do the jobs right, but in less time. This is stuff you only learn by doing the job everyday. They are trade secrets.

Good overview book sometimes misses the basics 3 out of 5 stars.
3 of 4 people found this review helpful.

This book is very attractive and informative, but I found it lacking some of the very basics, and the production steps are often not laid out chronologically. In the crown molding section, there is no suggested nailing plan, so as someone who has never done crown molding but is planning to attempt it, this book alone does not suffice.

Editorial Review:

Installing trim requires precision and know-how. This is the book that shows how to handle all common trim projects, including window and door casings, baseboards, wainscoting and crown molding -- and get professional results every time. This is a complete do-it-yourself book written by a professional carpenter and presented in a highly accessible format.

The Little Book of Whittling: Passing Time on the Trail, on the Porch, and Under the Stars

Chris Lubkemann

Amazon Price: $10.36 List Price: $12.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Fox Chapel Publishing Amazon Marketplace: 39 new & used starting at $7.42

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Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Crafts & Hobbies -> Fun with Paper & Wood, Stones & Knives
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Good beginners guide 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I went to a local wood hobby shop and looked at several carving/whittling books. This one looked good so I bought it on ebay and saved some $s.
I'm a total novice, so this book was perfect. Full of photographs that explain every step. No previous experience necessary. Tip: I've managed to cut myself a few times so I'm wearing gloves until my technique improves. A very relaxing pastime. Highly recommended. If you are wondering which beginners book to buy then buy this.

Editorial Review:

With a friendly, down-home style, this guide encourages readers to whittle away the hours. Great for beginners looking for an easy way to get started and more advanced carvers looking for a relaxing way to spend their time, this instructional manual provides 20 projects, including knives, forks, birds, animals, trees, and flowers. Chapters detail the proper whittling tools and materials, including what woods are best to carve, and how to start projects by selecting and safely sharpening the best knife for each project.