Customer Reviews

Finish Carpentry: Efficient Techniques for Custom Interiors

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

 

 

I'm a DIY'er who's tackled projects ranging from electrical to roofing to tile. My experience with finish carpentry was pretty much limited to base molding and the replacement of doors and their casing. I recently purchased a new home, and while walking through various model homes, I really fell in love with the finish carpentry upgrades such as crown molding, coffered ceilings and library-paneled walls. The problem with buying those types of upgrades from a home builder (or from a contractor) is the exorbitant cost. I initially bought this book in the hopes it would get me comfortable in installing crown moulding in a couple of rooms in my new home, but the more time I spend reading it, the more confident I feel in attempting projcets that are much more complex - and rewarding. Crown will now be in the rooms with the LEAST amount of treatment. This book contains many pictures and diagrams that, combined with the text, serve to really simplify the steps for a wide range of projects. The book also includes many tips that help people like me avoid angst and marital problems (like when and when not to use MDF, how to compensate for shoddy construction, etc). The best part is if I don't quite understand something the first time, I can read it again and again until it finally clicks. I've gone from looking at ornate projects and guessing how they were done to KNOWING how they were done, and being confident enough to attempt them myself.

Although the book has a lot of pictures (none in color), It is very comprenhensive. It covers diverse issues usually found in separate books:
Closets, bookshelves, hanging doors and windows, fireplace mantels, curved woodwork, etc.

All the chapters detail very well every project in a professional way: professional tools and methods to accomplish taks efficiently and economicaly. Do not expect a boring book to explain how to use every single tool or a buying guide.

This books goes directly to the target.
Great book to combine with other of the Taunton's books of the series "Build Like a Pro" or the "Traditional Woodwork : Adding Authentic Period Details to Any Home" of Mario Rodriguez.

The missing star is because of the lack of pictures in color.

This book shows it all. If you are a carpenter, or want to be one, this book will show you in exhaustive detail how to do finish work. I can say that the tricks learned in this gem of a book have really benefited me, and increased my living as a carpenter. A must have.

If there is a textbook for finish carpentry this is it and Gary Katz is the professor. If its not in here you can generalize the techniques in the book to figure out how to do it. I wish I could apprentice for Gary Katz. OOOOHHHH hes my idol.

The illustrations are of poor quality black and white, not color, and hard to make out most of the time. The information presented in this book is common carpentry knowledge, nothing new or groundbreaking here. Definitely not worth the cover price of $34.95.