Automotive Woodworking: Restoration, Repair and Replacement [Paperback]

Roland Johnson (Author), Peter Bodensteiner (Author)

Book Description

Series: Motorbooks Workshop | Publication Date: September 28, 2001

Think wood is hard to work with? Rollie Johnson is out to prove that with a few simple tools and a little insight, you can do cosmetic and structural woodworking on automobiles. This book covers techniques for repairing damaged wood, as well as finishing methods that will add a classy touch to your rod or restoration project. Thorough overviews of essential tools and the kinds of wood best suited for automotive use is included. Other chapters deal with joinery, bending wood, adhesives, fasteners, veneers, and trim work. Eliminate the mysteries of working with wood.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Motorbooks; 1st edition (September 28, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760309116
• ISBN-13: 978-0760309117
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,135,826 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A NECESSITY for restorers and hot rodders alike, August 20, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Automotive Woodworking: Restoration, Repair and Replacement (Paperback)

Restoring a woodie is a challenge for car guys used to working with metal, but almost ALL old cars have wood in them, whether it's structural or decorative. In addition, automotive wood is subjected to conditions that furniture never sees -- vibration, flexing, rain, sun, and ever-changing temperature and humidity. After 50 years or more, it always needs work.

Rollie Johnson is a writer and a professional woodworker -- he's a regular contributor to Taunton's Fine Woodworking magazine -- in addition to being a car guy. He's uniquely qualified to give us the information we need to work with wood in old cars.

This book shows you how to restore, repair, or fabricate all new wood for your restoration or hot rod project, with special attention given to the unique needs of wood in the high-stress automotive environment. Johnson shows us what woods to use, what joinery techniques work best, how to cut and shape complex pieces and even veneers, and what glues and finishes to use. It's first-rate information that any car guy should have in his library -- regular woodworkers will find it a good read too.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Save your money, September 2, 2009

By 

banquo (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Automotive Woodworking: Restoration, Repair and Replacement (Paperback)

There is nothing in this book that can not be gleaned from any book on basic woodworking and joinery. I expected a more specific discussion of the dynamic loads exerted on automotive wood framing and construction strategies to counter them. What is contained in this book is a chapter on shop safety, another on tools and saw set-up, one on wood types and characteristics, as well as one on basic joinery techniques. Other than the inclusion of some pictures of a few woodies and a few pictures of one wood framed early touring car body, there is little to differentiate this book from a basic, albeit well written woodworking text which should retail for about twenty dollars.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Woodies from a woodworkers point of view, October 13, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Automotive Woodworking: Restoration, Repair and Replacement (Paperback)

I have been a profesional woodworker for more than 25 years now. I also love cars so the two paths have converged and I am building woodies now. Mr. Johnson's book about automotive woodworking is excellent. He is the only author of automotive woodwork that I have ever read that is really a woodworker. He obviously knows his way around a shop and relates it well. This is great book for anyone interested in doing woodwork on your car, with step by step instructions right on the money. Lets hope he continues to share his wealth of knowledge of woodworking and woodies.