Customer Reviews

Basic Box Making

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

My favorite hobby is making keepsake boxes, and my favorite teacher is Doug Stowe. His previous book, Taunton's Guide to Box Making, taught me most of what I learned to get me started. His other box making books are also excellent. But this one will be by far the most useful for new novice box makers. He takes you through the construction of each box in very great detail over many pages so you're not left in the dark on any step. The boxes that he makes in this book are very nice ones, too. I only wish I could have had this book a few years ago when I was getting started. There is a companion DVD of the same title that is surprisingly low-priced and it's well worth the money too. I would give them each 6 stars.

The DVD on Basic Box Making by Doug Stowe has not been out of my computer since I bought it.
It is so full of "how to" and Jigs that make it easier to produce excellent small wooden boxes, and I re-run different chapters every night.
So far, I have made 4 of the jigs described by Doug, and my box making and general wood work is improving simply because of his easy to understand narrative and excellent camera work.
I also have the companion book, and combined they are the best instructional series I have ever purchased.

I just bought the book and did the cover project.Easy steps to follow.project came out great and I am begining the pencil box, however you must have a full woodworking shop,router,table saws,jointers etc.If your looking to make boxes with hand tools, this is not the book.

I have yet to make a box, however I have read through the book and it explains many questions I had about making elegant looking boxes. Wether for gifts or for selling, this book will help. Photography is great, paper is heavy weight, a quality publication. As a woodworker, I find working with thinner stock is actually more difficult, the book helps remove some mystery to that as well.
Update August 2009-I have now made a box using this book. I have to say, it went very well. The dimensions were spot on, the photos and how to's were excellent. I made a jewelery box for my niece, and it was received very warmly indeed.

I purchased this dvd because I wanted to use up some scrap lumber - unknowing how Doug Stowe made this process so simple. I had to laugh when he talked about his equipment - the age - and yet he produces some master projects. Doug keeps things simple - gives the basis of how to do instructions and what you can come up with is many, many different styles just by changing some simple procedure in the crafting of the box. The tips are great and with this dvd you can keep busy all winter long - making something that you will be proud of. I incorporated the Green and Green style - and most of Doug's tips and came up with some fantastic boxes. My thanks to Doug for sharing his knowledge with us.

Very good printing. Very good photos. And very BASIC box making. There is nothing wrong with the book. It just tells you the very basic about box making using a table saw. I bought the other book Box-Making Basics together with this book. I found that Box-Making Basics was more informative than this book although the printing in Box-Making Basics was not so colourful as this book.

I was killing time in a book store today and found this book. At first I thought it was a reprint in paperback of the excellent box making book by Mr. Stowe back in '04. But I checked the copyright date and started paging through it. It looks like all new and interesting boxes. Some basic jigs thrown in, but some neat new approaches to box making. A very nicely done layout with excellent pictures and disciptions and instructions. I said to myself if this is $20 or under I'm buying it. Bam, $20 on the money. Well worth that, too. And it's for less here if you combine it with something for the free shipping. Ok, I'm going to enjoy reading through this and then it's off to the woodshop.

If you want to read a book where almost every step in the box making process is done with a table saw, this book is great. If you want to learn about joinery or any hand tool techniques you need to look elsewhere.

I need b-a-s-i-c box making. BASIC. This book is a basic box making book for Norm Abrams, Master Carpenter.

I'm still looking for a basic box making book. I might be able to use this one AFTER I've practiced making simpler boxes for about 8 years.

This book is not for beginners!
If your shop is "not" equipped with a table saw, band saw, router, joiner & planer this book is not for you.
The book is very well written, as is the presentation of the DVD, but not for the everyday DIY'er.
The title is very mis-leading!
If you have all of the equipment, then this is the book for you. If not - save your money.