Customer Reviews

Furniture Projects (Better Homes & Gardens Wood Shop Library)

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41 projects with diagrams, photos and woodworking tips. TABLES: Coffee table, nesting tables, end table, butler's table, kitchen, drop-leaf, nightstand, early American coffee table, drawing table, outdoor folding trays, picnic and patio table. SEATING & BEDS: Kitchen chairs, patio settee (rustic - my favorite project), adirondack chair, entry bench, garden bench, porch swing, cradle, futon couch and mission bed. WORK CENTERS: Secretary, desk, computer workstation, kid's desk, hobby center, workbench, workshop center, garage work center. STORAGE: corner wall cabinet (curved face), library cabinet, pierced-tin wall cabinet, wall display, bookcase, media center, country cabinet(cover), maple dresser, hope chest, curio cabinet, barrister's bookcase, armoire.

This book covers a variety of projects and although some may not be exactly what you are looking for they provide a great starting point for customization. Each plan includes a schematic that shows all parts in relation to one another as well as scaled layouts for hard to layout parts. The instructions are well organized and detail helpful hints for each poject. Moderate knowledge of woodworking terms (i.e. dado, rabbit, etc...) will be helpful in uderstanding the instructions, which are very straight forward. I have purchased several project plans from wood working supply houses (which individually sell for more than the price of this book) and they can't compare to the clarity of instruction provided in this book.

Pros:
Book offers a wide range of projects that will keep a carpenter busy for a couple of years (if you endeavor to try each of the projects).

Each project is a very beautifully designed classic piece that a wood worker can easily add to his collection of accomplishments (every project is a practical piece of furniture that you can use every day).

This book offers very detailed drawings.

Projects motivate you to save your money for the tool store (recommends great tools to use for the projects).

I like the book because it's not for beginners and assumes that you have experience with all different types of fine joinery. The "vague" explanations make way for over 31 projects that literally fill your home and can be enjoyed by generations of family members (chest of drawers, cradles, chairs, BBQ tables, etc.). If you are tired of these "glued together" weekend projects, I would higher recommend this book. I just would recommend that you a good amount of free time, and are dedicated intermediate craftsman with money to invest for tools.



Cons:
Some of the projects require special equipment (like lathes, and power planers) that are impractical and expensive.

This book is not for beginners.

This book does not allow for personal additions to projects.

Instructions are vague and require additional referencing.

After checking this book out of the library with my daughter, we decided that it was worth owning a copy for easy reference. My daughter (14 years old at this writing) has been interested in woodworking and carpentry for several years and, with my help, has built some impressive pieces of furniture for her age. Up until now, we have pretty much built everything from scratch - from concept to design. She looked in this book for some inspiration for our next project and immediately found the plans for several pieces that she wants to build.

From the cutting list to the step by step instructions, the plans in this book are well described with 'woodworker's tips' and 'design tips' to help out novice and expert alike.