Customer Reviews

Black & Decker The Complete Guide to Custom Shelves & Built-ins: Build Custom Add-ons to Create a One-of-a-kind Home (Black & Decker Complete Guide)

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

 

 

This bok is helpful for the complete novice and provide excellent and simple directions for some basic projects. However, if you have any background in this area, this book is not for you.

I used this book as the guide for building floor to ceiling built in oak bookshelves. It was clear and the pictures helped a lot. I also used some of the techniques described in the beginning of the book which helped a lot.

This book is what I expected and has lots of great ideas for shelving options which is why I bought it. I may end up having someone else build them, but the book is still a good one.

I found this book dated. It seems like it was written in the late 80s, early 90s and just updated some language as they released a new edition. The long explanation on how to install Formica countertops and the window seat being two projects i just don't see people doing these days. However, I did find many good tips and tricks, good pictures that clearly show the point they are trying to get across and projects that gave good starting points make this book valuable regardless.
Just know this book is a series of projects, if they are not what you want to do you might not find it interesting.

Don't waste your money. I borrowed this book from a library and read through it.

This book has some good points like including the number of sheets needed in each materials shopping/supplies list which are often missing in some other woodworking books. The construction drawings are easy to follow.

With the exception of the Laundry Center [sic], most projects featured are outdated. As an example, the photo on page 142 of the Understairs Work Center [sic] amusingly displays a vintage IBM PC, complete with 5 1/4" floppy disc drive!

Also, there appears to be no examples of relatively modern joining techniques like Biscuit and Pocket, which offer simpler alternatives to say dados.

The projects reflect the amateurish designs typical of the 1970s and 1980s designed by dopey carpenters rather than university trained designers or architects.

Even as a largely armchair expert, I can see that as far as this book goes, in this case, retro is definitely NOT cool!