How to Build Shaker Furniture [Paperback]

Thos. Moser (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 31, 2001

Complete instructions for building your own beautifully simple Shaker-style benches, desks, chairs, cupboards, much more. More than 350 photos and measured drawings. “Moser’s discussion of the building process is unparalleled.”—Popular Woodworking

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Traditional American furniture styles have enjoyed an enduring popularity, which makes titles about them ideal choices for most collections. Lang offers measured drawings of 27 examples of Craftsman furniture designed by Gustav Stickley. Because they were created by measuring actual Craftsman antiques, these drawings will prove invaluable to those interested in historical accuracy. Designs for chairs, bookcases, tables, and beds are included, each with a bill of materials and a number of illustrations. A section on woodworking techniques and materials rounds out this title. Moser's work covers over 50 projects, based on the Shaker style, that unlike Lang's are not absolute reproductions but either near facsimiles or Moser's own adaptations. Designs include furnishings of all types, from small household items to major pieces of furniture. In the first half of the text, Moser provides an excellent introduction to the Shaker style and the techniques required to reproduce it. The balance consists of measured drawings of each item. Both titles are excellent; Lang receives the nod if one is interested in historical accuracy, while Moser offers a wider range of projects for woodworkers of all skill levels.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Tom Moser grew up in Chicago, learning to work with his hands from his father. While in high school, Tom met Mary Wilson, whom he married in 1957. During the early years of their marriage, Tom and Mary supplemented their income by purchasing old furniture, refinishing it in their home workshop, and reselling it. He returned to school earning a bachelor?s of science degree in Speech Education. After graduation, he began teaching English in High School, and eventually earned both his master?s degree and doctorate in Speech Communications, moving on to teach at state colleges in Michigan and New York.

In 1972, Tom left his tenured professorship to turn his woodworking hobby into a career. In April 1973, Tom and Mary launched Thos. Moser Cabinetmakers. What began as an intense exploration of craftsmanship has evolved into a business that employs more than 125 people, and has residential, professional and academic customers worldwide. Tom remains active in the business, along with three of his four sons. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Sterling (December 31, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080697267X
• ISBN-13: 978-0806972671
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,865,671 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best woodworking book I own..., October 23, 1997

By 

Jeffrey H Stong - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Build Shaker Furniture (Paperback)

Over the years I've collected several woodworking books. I find this book one that I come back to again and again for ideas and inspiration. Unlike most of the project focused books on the subject, Moser communicated the tenants of the craft. He stresses the basics that you need to know to be successful whether it's a bed or a dresser you're building. This book just makes sense. When you combine it with a more technically detailed book like "Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking" you've pretty much covered the range of "stuff" you need to know. I have friends in Europe and Singapore who have become interested in woodworking. The first book on the subject that I've given to both of them is Mosers. I highly recommend this book.

39 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not up to snuff, February 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Build Shaker Furniture (Paperback)

I dislike books with misleading titles. This one containes mostly the authors watered down ideas of Shaker furniture. The whole effort is sub-par: poor quality photos, and crude drawings yeild a low quality book. If you want authentic Shaker pieces, try Kassay, Rieman or the new book The Shaker Legacy. Don't waste your money on this one.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wide-ranging discussion of Shaker furniture, October 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Build Shaker Furniture (Paperback)

In this book, Thomas Moser mixes instruction with philosophy, and both are much improved as a result. He lays out the Shaker philosophy early on in an effort to explain Shaker design, and then he shows how to realize the classic Shaker forms in clear, concise hand-drawn illustrations. This book recalls Eric Sloane's similar books about the technologies of early America; it's a must if you're interested in classic American forms.