The Complete Table Saw Book [Paperback]

Tom Carpenter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2003

- More than 600 beautiful photographs and illustrations- 10 custom projects using sheet goods- Detailed exploded diagrams- Clear step-by-step instructions.-" A Main Selection of Woodworker's Book ClubPart 1, Table Saws and Techniques- Table saw basics, tune-up and maintenance- Choosing and preparing lumber for the saw- Selecting the proper blades- Safely setting up your saw and your shop- Mastering 1 table saw cuts- Joinery techniques, and table saw jigs you can makePart 2, Woodworking with Sheet Goods- 10 custom projects- A special section on selecting plywoods, handling and storage, successful cutting, joinery, applying veneers, making and installing doors and more.- Complete shopping lists- Complete cutting lists- Estimated building time

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Tom Carpenter lives in Minnetonka, MN.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Landauer (IA) (August 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890621668
• ISBN-13: 978-1890621667
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #314,617 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource and the new woodworker, June 23, 2004

By 

Harold McFarland (Florida) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Complete Table Saw Book (Paperback)

Written primarily for the beginning to intermediate table saw user "The Complete Table Saw Book" provides thorough coverage of the art of using a table saw. The first part of the book examines the table saw itself and the coverage is excellent. Starting with an education on the various parts of the table saw it progresses through different types, blades, and functions. Next comes a thorough section on table saw maintenance and how to select a used table saw. The analysis of what to look for and how to determine the condition of a used saw is very detailed and well illustrated.

The next section covers basic cuts, joinery techniques, sawing accessories and basic jigs. One of the things that I really liked about the book is the detailed information on making your own jigs. Making the cuts to create a specific joining method is fine but it can be a pain to do several of them in a row by hand. So, he not only teaches how to make the cuts to make the join but also teaches how to make a jig so that it can be used to make the cuts quicker and easier. This shows that the author not only knows his joining techniques but also has the real life knowledge of how professional woodworkers actually do it. The last section of the book contains several projects you can make using your table saw. These projects include various cabinets, a play table and chairs, and an entertainment center.

"The Complete Table Saw Book" is an excellent reference that I can highly recommend to anyone who wants to learn about table saws and how to use them for everything from basic cutting to cabinetry. Filled with illustrations so you can easily understand everything in it, you can't go wrong with this book.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Kindest Cut of All, July 24, 2004

By 

Marc Ruby™ "The Noh Hare™" (Warren, MI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Complete Table Saw Book (Paperback)

For me, buying a new table saw is not only a cause for celebration, but an opportunity to shuffle through the shelves to find a book about my new toy. This one struck my eye - mostly because it was thicker than the others, was well laid out and seemed to cover all the salient points. Possibly not the best criteria in the world, but they have stood me in good stead for a long time now.

For the most part, my initial assessment was accurate. The editor Tom Carpenter, has gone out of his way to maintain a solid, plainspoken approach to the subject matter, with a great number of illustrations and photographs. I can honestly say that there are enough ideas, pointers, and explanations to greatly enhance what you get for what is often the most expensive piece of equipment in the shop.

Chapters cover Basics, Tune-up & Maintenance, Chosing Saw Blades, Basic Cuts, Joinery Techniques, Sawing Accessories, and Essential Jigs. That covers the first 160 pages. The second section, which is about the same size, is devoted to some information about Woodworking With Sheet Goods and a collection of ten projects.

This latter section, while useful, is not up to the same level of quality is the first part. Not that it's shabbily done, but that the projects, which range from a bookshelf to an entertainment center, are a bit clunky looking. They are training projects rather than works of art. As such there is a good deal of explanation to help the budding sawyer.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Table Saw Book, March 28, 2011

By 

Jack of All Trades - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Table Saw Book (Paperback)

Very good quality book. Pages are thick and coated to aid in protecting the life of the book. Content is good. Has several jigs to build for your table saw, general information on table saws, and several projects to build.