Measure Twice, Cut Once: Lessons from a Master Carpenter [Hardcover]

Norm Abram (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1996

Norm Abram is America's most famous master carpenter, appearing in The New Yankee Workshop and This Old House. In this book, Abram presents a series of sixty lessons for carpenters of all levels of expertise.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Abram, star of TV's New Yankee Workshop and This Old House, is renowned for having more power tools than a well-stocked home center. Regular viewers will therefore be surprised to see that here he deals mainly with hand tools. Abram covers items such as levels, chalk lines, and plumb-bobs, detailing his experiences with them and his preferences. Unlike power tools, these tools aren't exciting, but they're the meat-and-potatoes tools that must be mastered to do good carpentry. This type of information is passed down from generation to generation, and it is in this spirit that Abram dedicates his book to his late father, also a carpenter. Even experienced woodworkers will pick up a tip or two from this book. Given Abram's name recognition, his book will appeal both to woodworkers and to TV viewers. Recommended for all public libraries.
-?Jonathan Hershey, Akron-Summit Cty. P.L., Ohio
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown and Company; 1st edition (June 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316004944
• ISBN-13: 978-0316004947
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.8 x 7.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #100,210 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Expert Advice > Norm Abram

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I enjoyed and reread this book 8 times and took notes, April 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Measure Twice, Cut Once: Lessons from a Master Carpenter (Hardcover)

When my wife first bought it for me I did not know what to think of it. But once I started reading it I could not put it down. And I kept going back to it. Norm offers a great insight into tools I have used and never really thought much about. One can tell immediately for example when he talks about framing squares (why a quality one is hard to find)that he has the experience you should listen to and heed. Having lost my father a year before his dad passed away, I found a lot in common with his feelings. I did take notes and reread it 8 times. Norm impressed me with how much he really knows about tools. And his experience in using them day after day, year after year taught me how much I have to go inorder to be called a Master Carpenter.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Measured Inspiration - A Nice Gift, June 26, 2001

By 

R. Baker (Athens, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Measure Twice, Cut Once: Lessons from a Master Carpenter (Hardcover)

I was wary of this little book at first. Little inspirational volumes are popping up everywhere, and are usually less than inspiring, and far less than useful (there is a plague of these in recent fishing literature).

Norm Abram's book is different. This is inspiration, yankee carpenter style. Abram discusses hand tools in a fair amount of detail, with some notes on proper use, level of efficiency, and personal preferences. A small smattering of stories about his father and his childhood experience doesn't detract from the practicality of all this; instead, Abram manages to show the roots of his profound knowledge, presumably leading us down the path of agreeing with his choices in an area where agreement can be difficult to reach.

I am a novice carpenter at best. In fact, that's probably overly generous, but I can say with some confidence that any beginner will benefit from Abram's take on the evolution and utility of hand tools. But I'd also go so far as to say that even more experienced carpenters would enjoy this book. It's a rare opportunity to learn, from a master, some of the details about everyday tools that even experienced users might not be aware of.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative and enjoyable to read, July 22, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Measure Twice, Cut Once: Lessons from a Master Carpenter (Hardcover)

This book not only gives a novice tips on what tools to own and why, but also provides insight into how a craftsman chooses his tools, the importance of choosing quality tools, and how those tools help make the craftsmen what he is. Norm is a craftsman who appreciates good tools, and the tools discussed in this book are among the most basic tools any carpenter should own. This book will help explain why.