Homebuilding Basics: Carpentry [Hardcover]

Larry Haun (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1999

Homebuilding Basics: Carpentry is the essential manual for anyone who isn't fortunate enough to have a carpentry teacher as wise and knowledgeable as Larry Haun. With close to 50 years of production framing experience, Haun offers newcomers to the trade smart ways to build efficiently, accurately, and safely. It's the only current book with complete coverage of basic carpentry techniques. Beginning carpenters, vocational teachers, and homeowners will find step-by-step instructions, clear illustrations, color photographs, and drawings on every aspect of building.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A longtime teacher of carpentry with nearly 50 years of experience as a production framer, Larry Haun is considered to be one of the masters of his trade. His expertise in building accurately, efficiently, and safely makes him the perfect writer for this book on the fundamentals of carpentry. In straightforward prose, Haun shares his expert advice on a number of topics, including the basics of using hand and power tools, how to read plans and order building materials, how to understand and choose the proper grade of materials, and a rundown on the steps to building an entire house from the ground up. Haun's love of wood and woodworking comes through clearly in this well-illustrated, diagrammed, thoroughly indexed, and comprehensive guide to basic carpentry. --Mark A. Hetts

From Library Journal

Haun, a carpenter with nearly 50 years of experience who still volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, has produced an excellent guide that will prove useful to amateurs and professional carpenters alike. Haun's pleasant and informative writing style makes readers feel as if they are working by his side, just like the apprentices he has trained for more than two decades. Sections cover both hand and power tools plus numerous skills such as framing and stairbuilding. The instructions are presented in a clear, step-by-step manner, and the illustrations and numerous color photographs are excellent. Those needing a truly basic title may want to consider Step-by-Step Basic Carpentry (Better Homes & Gardens, 1997); however, Haun's book is preferred because of the wealth of personal experience he provides. The first in Taunton's new "Homebuilding Basics" series, this superb title is recommended for all public libraries.AJonathan N. Hershey, Akron-Summit Cty. P.L.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Taunton Press (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561581674
• ISBN-13: 978-1561581672
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #561,855 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars first time framers and apprentices line up, March 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Homebuilding Basics: Carpentry (Hardcover)

I would recommend this book to beginning framers, apprentices, and homeowners who want to learn to do there own work. Professional carpenters and journeyman should pass it by. The book itself is very well layed out and complete. It is rather low tech and somewhat dated in the new world of 'hurricane and earthquake' code requirements. But, I like it. it does not promise more than it delivers and what it delivers in content is well presented.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best Tools You Could Buy, June 4, 2003

By 

"brianthebook" (Phoenix, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Homebuilding Basics: Carpentry (Hardcover)

"Homebuilding Basics: Carpentry" may just be one of the best
carpentry tools you could buy. Larry Haun, a production framer
and carpentry teacher for over 45 years, wanted to "share with
others what I have learned from my teachers." He has certainly
succeeded.

He begins by covering both hand and power tools and explaining
how to choose one version over another depending on the task.
Safety tips and tricks for more effective use are presented in
sidebars.

The jobsite section explains the frame structure of a typical
home in detail: nomenclature, whys and wherefors, and sequence
of tasks.

Next, Haun moves through the actual frame construction from the
foundation sill through the completion of the structure and basic
finishing in sections on framing floors, walls and ceilings, roofs,
stairs and finish details.

This large, well-organized handbook will prove invaluable to anyone
planning to build a home, remodel one, or simply wanting to be able

to recognize proper framing methods and high quality work. It
provides an introduction, list of sources for tools, supplies and
books and an index as well as a slew of excellent illustrations.

Larry Haun currently teaches carpentry in Coos Bay, Oregon and is
the author of "The Very Effectient Carpenter" and a long-time
contributor to "Fine Homebuilding Magazine".

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended...., August 12, 2002

By 

Gr Haynes (Chattanooga, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Homebuilding Basics: Carpentry (Hardcover)

This book is the best I've ever seen as a teaching tool on this subject. It assumes no prior knowledge, everything is very clearly written, and the illustrations make it simple to understand. (In fact, if you scanned through the book and only studied the pictures and read their captions, you would learn a great deal without reading the book's text.)

If you choose to buy this book, it's money well spent.