Hardcover 9 3/16 x 10 7/8 in. 320 pages, with color photos and drawings
Published 2005 ISBN 978-1-56158-769-8 Product #070830
Woodworking is a craft that has evolved over millennia. And there are many methods to accomplish all the tasks woodworkers perform, from the low tech approach of handtools to the speed and efficiency of sophisticated machines. This book will help woodworkers of all levels choose the right method and tools to bring great results, pleasure and satisfaction to working wood.
Part of the appeal of woodworking is the wide range of tasks that go into making even a simple piece of furniture. We begin by milling wood square and then dimension it to make parts. To make a piece that will endure the stresses of seasonal wood movement, we cut joints to hold the parts together. Along the way we set up, use, and sharpen tools. Finally, we apply a finish to protect the wood and bring out its beauty. And thats just the beginning. To add interest to a piece, we shape wood by adding curves, moldings, and edge treatments. And moving beyond the basic project, requires a knowledge of the architecture of furniture and cabinets. Woodworking is a craft that has evolved over millenia. It has many methods to accomplish all these tasks, from the low tech approach of handtools to the speed and efficiency of sophisticated machines. Choosing the right method depends on many factors including your skill level, the tools in your shop, and whether you need to work quickly or can take the time to savor the process. The process is the purpose, isnt it? Its the pleasure and satisfaction of working wood, whatever technique you choose.
This book collects in one volume the essential information that every woodworker needs to know. Its taken from the subject-specific books in The Complete Illustrated Guides series: Joinery, Furniture and Cabinet Construction, Shaping Wood, Finishing, Sharpening, Using Woodworking Tools, and Working Wood. The selections included here are my own, based on teaching woodworking classes and editing woodworking books for the last dozen years. If you dont find your pet technique, please accept my apologies. A single concise shop reference must have, by definition, limits. If you own the volumes that comprise The Complete Illustrated Guides, this book is a manual you can leave in the shop as a basic reference. If youre just starting out in woodworking, it can be your guide to the skills and techniques youll need to master to become a woodworker. Wherever you are in your woodworking path, I hope The Complete Guide to Woodworking gives you a taste of the rich variety of ways to work wood and keeps you coming back to the shop to learn more.
Helen Albert, Executive Editor
Taunton Books
Customer Reviews from Amazon
Average Customer Review:
Mile wide, inch deep, July 20, 2008
I have been trying to find the perfect book for a novice woodworker and this is not it. The word "complete" in the title implies that it is for beginners -- as an experienced woodworker would most likely buy more specialized books -- such as a book just on dovetail joints.
For example, it has a chapter on all the different kinds of joints you can make -- which is good for a beginner. But then they have a how-to on using a hollow-chisel mortiser - a machine that no novice has in their shop.
They will often show how to do things on upper-end machinery that is out of the price-range or has too large a footprint for a beginner. Some of these things can't be done as well (if at all) with entry-level tools (like cutting down the width of a board with a band saw).
So it is good if you want to understand the big-picture world of wood working, but it is equally silly to give quick lessons on how to use upper-end tools that a beginner just wouldn't have.
If anyone from Taunton is reading this, it would be great to have a book geared toward the beginner who mostly has bench-top tools and doesn't have tools like jointers and shapers.
What can I add?, January 8, 2008
I have been a woodbutcher for many years. I did this as an advocation. Wanted to dedicate serious time to fine furniture, and cabinets. As reviewers who rate this text positively note. "It is a great book for getting started." I have had discussions with woodworkers who have different levels of expertise. They have shared similar information to what I can find in this excellent text. It is criticized for being "pedestrian" and this is actually a good quality. Habits and skills come from practice, making mistakes, and doing what works for me. I have other similar books, They are more cutting edge, but this is seriously a great book for people who want to reduce personal mistakes in building mental skills toward planning and preperation. It is not a simple "how to book" but a mentoring manual.
Greatest Book !!!, February 6, 2007
This is the greatest book to learn how to woodturn. You won't be sorry!
Crisp, great photos, lots of content and pedestrian, March 22, 2006
Taunton does an excellent job of producing attractive, well written wide market appeal products. The content of Complete Illustrated Guide is a convenient collection of the same articles you will find in their "Fine Woodworking" magazine. The authors are knowledgable, and very successful in thier space. Unfortunately, in building the mass appeal formula, Taunton had to give up anything edgy, its all vanilla and no "rocky road". A recent copy of Fine Woodworking for example rated central dust vacuums. They rated 3 "best" each was from the product line of one of the top three manufacturers each of whom advertise heavily in thier publications. As I recall there is usually one "best" and then others follow. This straddling is what I mean by no edgyness, they are trying to appeal to everyone and offend no one. In the end this approach results in what I believe is the best vanilla product out there and I love to consume what they produce, just have to take it for what it is, mass production. If you have progressed in woodworking to the point where you are becomming an artist or want to learn something new, look here for foundation and elsewhere for creativity. Most folks will benefit from both.
A brillient starter book, March 21, 2006
This book is excellant for those people starting out in wood working as it shows what can be done wihtout overwealming the reader. Althrough there is not enougth detail to pick up all the tricks, it does give you enougth basic ideas to be able to get a more advanced book and actually know what it is talking about. On the strength of this book, i will be buying most, if not all, of the Taunton's Illustrated Guides.
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