Customer Reviews

Encyclopedia of Wood Joints

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

 

 

This collection of wood joints is just that. If you're looking to learn anything apart from trivia about wood joints, this is not the reference for you. Lots of pretty color pictures to ooh and aah over and a good many poor to confusing line drawings make this a passable coffee-table book and an absolutely useless shop reference! Mr. Graubner apparently likes to take pictures and talk to people but is totally unwilling to teach!

The title of this book is spot on: it is a compendium of wood joinery.

Some of the joints are amazing in their finesse and detail. Some are wonders to behold. For example, the double gooseneck four way joint on page 47.

But geez, most of these joints require incredible skills with hand tools. You can easily devote a full day to making just one of these joints. On the other hand, some of these joints will add tremendous beauty to your work. It should be noted that the majority of these joints are useful for timber framing and not very useful in furniture and cabinet making.

The photos are usually excellent or very good. But some of the line drawings can be a bit lacking.

Because this book is out of print, it is expensive (>$50). One alternative is "The Complete Japanese Joinery". This book covers most the same joints as Graubner's but can be had for about $15. This book focuses on timber framing even more than Graubner's book however.

This is my favorite woodworking book. It is not a step by step guide but if you love to create your own designs this will spur your creative process. The joints are also a great pleasure to just look at.

Most books about wood are about projects and how-to instructions for woodworking. In contrast, this is an academic tome describing the important characteristics of wood in general and of many individual species. Interesting in the general sense, and most valuable when you need a detailed description of a particular species. I have not found a comparable reference anywhere else. Excellent.