Customer Reviews

Making Working Wooden Locks (Woodworker's Library)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The idea of making functional locks completely from wood is great. This book accomplishes this task to a reasonable degree. Although, I do have some reservations about this book. There are five lock projects, two of which are extremely similar. Rather than waste pages duplicating instructions, this space could have been more effectively used describing additional locks. Some drawings are actual size, some are not, which is frustrating. Beware that this book was printed with more than one front cover which is very misleading and tacky publishing practice!!!! The content is identical! The cover shown with this book description does not show the actual locks that are described. Do not get mislead!!!

Another customer from Ontario wrote [quote]The cover shown with this book description does not show the actual locks that are described. Do not get mislead!!![/quote]

In actual fact I own the original book and when I saw this one advertized here, I ordered it assuming it would contain instructions to make the locks depicted on the cover.

When I received a copy of the original book, I simply assumed it was an error and returned it.

Another was sent to me immediately but turned out to be the same as the first. It was then I realized the cover as shown was not what the book contained.

I did receive excellent service from Amazon in rectifying the problem and all credits were applied to my account.

The old addage, what you see is not always what you get, certainly applies in this case.

I fail to understand why Amazon doesn't simply show the cover from the book in stock.

As also mentioned by at least one customer, two of the locks are very similar and considering the author has made many different ones, it's a shame he chose to do this.

Hopefully his next book "More Working Wooden Locks" on order since October, will contain plans for 5 distinctive locks.

When I first flicked through the pages of this book I was impressed with the quality of the photographs and diagrams. The step by step instructions are remarkably clear and encourage you to get started right away. I am sure that any woodworker with the correct tools will be able to produce a presentable wooden lock on his/her first attempt. I am a master locksmith and appreciate the workings of all the locks. To readers in the United Kingdom who still use measurements in inches this book is an added bonus, we have now changed mostly to metric measuring.

The only thing over which I would take issue is that the author implies that the locks can be make with a few simple hand tools. I have a pretty complete shop and I used most of the tools in it. It also requires a fair amount of skill to complete one, however, when they are completed they are really kind of neat. I plan on making more of them. I also wish that the author had included plans for making the push button lock.

I have only read thru the project list for the first of the 5 locks but I'm already itching to try my hand at constructing several of them. The instructions are very detailed and with full size drawings, the only difficulty will be finding the time to get started. Although the plan dimensions will generate seemingly large locks as compared with their metal counterparts, it should be of little difficulty to scale down the plans.

One reviewer commented about how two of the locks are fairly similar and I would agree that a unique type of lock should have been included instead. Hence the 4 rating.

Of special consideration is that the cover posted directly on the Amazon ad is not the accurate cover. However, if you "Look Inside" the book, the scanned cover is correct.

The one thing that should be made clear is that this book does not function as a guide to locksmithing. The plans are clear for building the locks but provide little explanation in terms of how the mechanisms work so a bit of tinkering will be necessary if you want to venture away from his designs.

Otherwise, I'm thrilled with the purchase!

I really enjoyed making all of the locks. I made all Five within a few weeks. I just couldn't wait to finish one so I could start on another. Although most of the instructions were quite clear and printed to actual size, Mr. Detweiler made you do your own layout on a few of the locks. Mr. Detweiler book started me thinking of different kind of locks I can make on my own. It was a great book!! I wish that Mr. Detweiler would write another book on more of his projects.

This book leaves nothing out. Very simple woodworking skills and this book and you`re all set. Very impressed with the drawings and demensions. Simple and straight forward. I like this book ALOT! Well worth the money.

Got the first lock in the series made and it works. It's not an easy project, but the directions and patterns are clear. Lock is larger than expected, but a conversation piece. I'd recommend this for fairly advanced woodworkers.

making working wooden locks by tim detweiler. this book was amazing - i'd never seen anything like this - was so plain and easy to follow. it sure keeps me busy.

I got this for my father, who works with locks at his job and then loves working with wood in his down time. He said that the book was very thorough in explanations for making the locks, but he hasn't yet made one. The locks are actually about 6 to 10 inches tall, which is a little bigger than I had thought, and the book was less substantial than I expected as well. But I think he was pleased with the book, and I hope he will be more so once he finishes a lock.