Customer Reviews

The Complete Book of Woodworking: Detailed Plans for More Than 40 Fabulous Projects

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

 

 

I've been hesitant to review this book because, despite its title it is by no means a 'complete' book, and yet it is well written, and what it does it does well. It is well written, and covers many of the important subjects - Setting Up Shop, Designing Projects, Introduction to Wood, Joints, Finishes, etc. And it provides a host of projects suitable to the beginner. It's hard to fault what it does do, but there are several problems with what it doesn't do.

First and foremost of these gaps is that the book is entirely power tool oriented. Given that a woodworker rapidly gets surrounded by a host of machines, it never hurts to spend time on saws, planes, and the other hand tools that are part of good woodworking. Good hand tools are berely cheaper than machine tools, and selecting the right ones is one key to achieving top-grade results.

The book flies too high to provide important detail on the tools that it does cover. Power saws, planers, drill presses and anything else require knowledge in order to be used safely and successfully. And to make the right choices when purchasing. This book would serve best the beginner who has access to a full shop, not one who is in the process of putting a shop together.

The projects are very straightforward - too simple in some cases to keep the attention of someone who wants to attain levels of artistry. There is no effort to rank the projects by complexity, or connect the skills required to section of the book. This can trap a beginner into a task that takes experience to complete. I'm also informed that some of the shopping lists are incorrect, so make a point of checking before buying. Nothing is more irritating than having something become scrap because you followed the directions.

So be warned that this book is of the greatest value t someone who is both a complete beginner and has access to a full shop. Access to a competent woodsmith wouldn't hurt either. If you fit in that niche the this could be a satisfactory purchase. If not look about you. Several of Taunton Press's efforts may be more useful to you.

This book is good in the descriptions about wood selection and wood types. It has a wide variety of woodworking techniques and operations. However, the overall techniques used range from good, to absurd, to dangerous. The problem is, a beginner may not be able to know the difference between a good technique and a dangerous or poor technique. Also, some of the projects are good, and some are poor. The main problem with this book is lack of consistency. The positive is that there is good stuff in it and a wide breadth of subject matter.

I have purchased or checked out from the Library probably 30 books on woodworking in the last 6 months. This one I'd rate as the Very Best, of the none specialized books on woodworking. You simply must get this book, especially if you are just getting started into woodworking. As far as I am concerned, this book is a bargain.

Of all the woodworking books I have bought, this is the best book I have. In saying this, I think it's an excellent book for woodworker beginners, there is general information (but not in-depth) on all facets of woodworking. On top there are may plans for interesting, not too hard, projects easily accessible to beginners.
It's nicely layed out, good printing (colors), lots of images for inspiration, and good plans.

Overall the book is very good. It gives you many alternatives to achieving a goal without resorting to buying the latest most expensive tools. My only complaint is that I don't think the writer actually built the projects listed in the book. (at least not the saw horses) If you look at the shopping list for the saw horses it calls for 1 piece of 3/4 x 2 x 4 foot plywood. From that you need to cut (2) 29in x 16in shelves and (4) 8 5/8 x 6in gussets. I challenge anyone to get the two shelves from this one piece of plywood. So check the plans BEFORE you shop and you'll be a lot happier with this book.

I just got this book a few days ago, and I've had a hard time putting it down. There are lots of full-color pictures, with thorough descriptions of almost every aspect of woodworking. I've already learned a lot about different types of wood, how to make several kinds of cuts with several kinds of tools (including suggestions for what to do even though I don't have a large selection of power tools), and have some projects picked out to start as soon as I can get the lumber! It is a very thorough book, unlike several others I looked through at my local bookstore. I would highly recommend it to anyone who's interested in woodworking! It is both fun and informative. Almost half of this substantial book is general background information and instruction, including a detailed glossary, and the rest is a good selection of detailed, well-illustrated plans.
Enjoy! Go make sawdust.

I had high hopes for this book because of the reviews here, but I thought the book included WAY too much basic instructional woodworking (and yes, it is all power tools as another commenter wrote).

So since more than half the book is taken up with instruction, I thought there wouldn't be enough room for 40 projects. Thing is, the projects are mostly VERY simple and functional. There really does not seem to be any sort of eye towards craftsmanship and design. And they are almost all ugly. The picture frames included are literally the ugliest I've ever seen. Obviously, style is in the eye of the beholder, but I can't be making furniture to go in my home that looks like that, and my home is Ikea, Crate and Barrel, and Bombay to give you an idea.

This is one book that won't be getting much use, I'm afraid. The only good thing I can say about it is that the projects are explained thoroughly (or appear to be, I haven't made any of them) and the techniques described in the front probably will make the book worth having around for reference.

The book is divided in 2, the first 1/3 talks about tools, wood, joinery, etc. It's a great reference, and I find myself going back to it for reference.
The last 2/3 of the book are projects. There are many varied projects in the book. Some are too hard for a beginner, some are too easy. You're liable to find something you can do, and you'll learn a lot in the build.

Other reviewers have pointed out the flaws of this book and I will concur: not enough drawings, inaccurate parts lists, over simplified projects..ect...However, this is not a bad book if you are a beginner, and like another reviewer said have a good selection of power tools. For somebody who is not a novice you may find 3 or 4 projects that will challenge you. There are much better books, such as Christopher Schwarz's Workbenches, which will teach you techniques such as mortise and tenon, drawboring, hand planing, and the all important task of making a proper workbench. A more accomplished woodworker will begin to design his or her projects after learning the basics of joinery and wood selection. This book will be better suited to a beginning woodworker or a person who may be interested in starting the hobby..

This book explains all woodworking techniques for people of varied experience. It is clear and easy to understand. The projects are great to use the information learned. Enjoyed this book and it is a great addition to my library. Not just for men.