Customer Reviews

Creating the Perfect Wood Finish with Joe L Erario (Popular Woodworking)

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

 

 

This is the first book I've purchased on finishing. I found it to be extremely informative and well written. I have watched the author previously on TV as one of the "Furniture Guys". He injects just enough humor to not detract from the subject, and he puts a lot of emphasis on safety which can be critical with not only finishing but all woodworking.

This is the book to get. I used to watch Joe on the PBS series, and let me tell you that the "spit coat of shellac" is the trade secret that makes all the difference. This book is truley instrunctional and fun to read.

i gave it 4 stars to be nice.
its your average informative type book
large type alot pictures in most cases basic info.
you can fiy though this book in 2-3 hours
its a nice easy read. has a few tips and tech. you dont see else where.
but i gave it 4 stars for 1 reason. there are 4-5 pages on how to strip old finish.
that were worth the purchase price alone.
if you are stripping any type of a project larger than a cigar book
those few tips will help alot.
yes ive stripped and done many misc. projects.
but the author gives you a specific order of how what and why.
yes stripping is still amajor pain, no quick easy fast way.
but even worse is spending 20 hours $200.00 and still not having a clean piece of wood.
i was stripping 2 fireplace mantels right when the book arrived.
they are the same in 2 diff. rooms. same size same wood. first one took 35 hours
second one i did after i read the book took 20 hours. note there was alot of detail and
8 or more layers of every paint and wood finish known to man. plus the second one turned out better
the bare wood looks so good i am using a clear finish only.
those 5 pages plus about 6 good finish types or tips made the book 4 star.

When I saw that Joe L'Erario had written a book on finishing, I had to pick it up. I had stumbled across the Men in Toolbelts show many years ago and thought it was the funniest home improvement show I had ever seen (oddly, funnier than the comedy show). He and Ed Feldman knew what they were doing and knew how to explain it in a fun way.

And his book didn't fail to impress. The day I received it, I sat down and read it cover to cover.

The first section is a comprehensive volume on removing and repairing existing finishes. I had expected this to be a book on finishing woodworking projects, so that was a pleasant surprise.

The second section includes several techniques for finishing, including some I had never considered before, such as using lye to age cherry. He also includes a diatribe on hand-rubbed finishing which is the most comprehensive explanation of a finish I've ever seen.

The final section goes through 2 projects, a refinishing project and a finishing project. These are mostly application of knowledge, but do show the techniques in action.

great book with great info on wood finishing,but of course it's from Joe, so with his quirky humor mixed in, but he knows his stuff about woodworking

I just expected more given his expertise. This is at best a
very basic book covering highlights of each subject.
Would have liked to see more on fine finishes such as french
polishing.

The book, Creating the Perfect Wood Finish with Joe L Erario (Popular Woodworking) was purchased as a gift and my daughter-in-law said she really has enjoyed reading it. She has not made any projects yet, but she has gotten several good ideas from the book.

I picked up this book because i have read just about every finishing book there is and saw the other 4 reviews and said why not...

If as much thought went into the technical content as the "humor" i might have given it a 3 star rating. Give this a pass and pick up a book by Flexner, Jewitt or Dresner.

I found the information in this book good but there could have been information on certain areas. He went over some areas quickly. The information provided was very good and helpful