Customer Reviews

Power Tools: An Electrifying Celebration and Grounded Guide

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

 

 

Wow! If you love power tools like I do (or have a dad, husband, sister or friend who does), this is terrific book that treats the topic extensively. Sandor has done a great job of showing all the different kinds of tools there are--both portable powertools, benchtop machines, and full-sized woodworking machinery (Sandor beautifully photographed the book as well as writing it). He shows us what the differences are between similar kinds of tools (e.g. joist drills vs. hammer drills vs. heavy-duty drills) reveals each tool's important features, tells about the latest technologies and offers frank, informed ideas about which tools are best for various kinds of jobs.

There are lots of tools here that you've seen at your local home depot, but also lots of more "exotic" tools and machines from Europe (Festool, Metabo, Fein, Lamello, etc.) that you probably haven't seen before. And lots of great accessories are shown; some obscure ones I've never seen before included a thing that turns an ordinary circular saw into a chain-saw beam cutting saw! A source of supply at the end of the book tells where you can buy these neat accessories (and the tools too).

To add to the fun, each chapter has a "vintage tool" section that teaches a bit of the history of that drill, belt sander, bandsaw, etc. This section also shows us some really cool vintage tools--like a 3-wheel Craftsman belt sander from the 40s with a streamlined-looking art deco body and an early cast iron Boice-Crane jig saw that's just beautiful.

An impressive coffee-table-size, thick volume (that's beautifully printed), I think this is a great book to give as a gift--although you'll want to buy one for yourself too (I did!) A "must have" book.

What a great way to get educated before you start stocking your garage or shop with tools. This book covers the essential aspects of what to look for before you make tool purchases that can last a lifetime. Combine the knowledge of this book with a power tool comparison shopping site like http://www.powertools.info and you'll never have to regret a purchase.