Customer Reviews

Puzzle Boxes: Fun and Intriguing Bandsaw Projects (Popular Woodworking)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have been making band saw boxes for years. Some of them have bordered on "puzzle" boxes but I always wanted something a little more in depth and thorough as far as instruction. When I saw that this book was being released I immediately reserved a copy and eagerly anticipated its arrival.

I have yet to try all the designs in the book, more out of an equipment limitation than any lack of completeness on behalf of this book. The basic design is solid and once the basics are comprehended, further experimentation can follow.

The only thing keeping this book from scoring a solid 5 stars is the fact that not every woodworker has the availability to use a paddle sander and a large vat of finish. There are other ways around these though so they aren't a major drawback.

I recommend this book highly to anyone who has always wondered "How the heck do they do that?" The answers are in this book and its accompanying DVD.

I've been renewing this book over and over from my local library and it's about time I purchased it. Easy to follow instructions, great photos, well written.

I've not made a bandsawn box before although I have made "fine" boxes. The designs in this book are somewhat rustic but the boxes are visually interesting, relatively easy to master if you have confidence in your bandsaw skills (I still have 10 fingers and so does Jeff Volmer)and are FUN long after you apply the finish! The DVD is invaluable and I read the book, watched the DVD and then went back to reread the book with a clearer understanding of the steps (which are illustrated in the book with stills from the DVD).

Safely using your bandsaw for these boxes is a bit of a challenge. I used clamps etc to grasp some of the smaller puzzle box pieces but sometimes, in order to be able to freely make the various "flowing" saw cuts, the saw guard is raised and a fair bit of blade is exposed close to your hands. However, with planning and concentration, these boxes can be safely executed by an adult woodworker.

Amazing work & experience passed for future generations.
I wish the author left an e-mail to be able to contact him because I have many following questions to ask.
A must book for band saw novices.

A very good book, the dvd is also very illustrative, I recommend this book to all lovers of woodworking

This is a well written and beautifully illustrated book - easy to follow and a lot of fun. The DVD which accompanies it is one of the best I've seen on any woodworking topic - well scripted, tightly (almost ruthlessly) edited and remarkably well filmed. Congratulations to the Vollmers on a job well done - I'm going through a lot of redwood and enjoying the heck out of it!

Why not 5 stars? I just don't feel comfortable giving 5 stars until I make a box. Not quite fair to Jeff - I anticipate 5 stars eventually. Oh, I also need to do some reading; see bellow!


I ordered the book on a bit of a whim, hoping that I might have time to try a few boxes this fall. I didn't even realize there was a DVD included.

The Book
The book s full of photos showing progressively more complex boxes, but all of the same general style. I had hoped for a variety of styles, but what it lacks in breadth, it makes up for in depth. I must admit that I have only "men's magazined" the book; I have read almost no text as yet.

The DVD
A great surprise for me! It begins with a suspendered, gruff Jeff telling you in no uncertain terms that you do NOT want a band saw larger than 14" AND you do NOT want a bandsaw smaller than 14". Yes SIR! (As luck would have it, I HAVE a 14" band saw - with riser block - which is permitted.) At first I was a little put off by the attitude but grew to quite like gruff Jeff. He mellowed some as he hit his stride too.

Once he has you on the right saw, he tells you how to set it up. Good.

Next, some practice cuts - he clearly shows (& tells) you what to do. He's done it before and I suspect my first attempt will NOT be as simple as Jeff makes it appear!

Then the real thing. Jeff (& wife?) take/s you, step by step through the making of a box, start to finish - including felting the drawer interior, etc.


JEFF KNOWS HIS STUFF! Check out his excess glue technique 8^)


Between the text & video, I anticipate making some boxes - Jeff's done his share & the rest is up to me! I'll be doing more than one practice block, I expect.

A nice hard cover book with plenty of color photographs.
Good step by step instructions,but you need to be an accomplished wood worker to attempt any of these puzzle boxes.I have not yet seen the bonus DVD.

I received "Puzzle Boxes" promptly and in great condition. There were no bent or missing pages, and it still had its instructional DVD. The book included step-by-step written and pictorial instructions for each project. My dad was very excited to receive this book.

I've been making bandsaw boxes for twenty years and I did find a few ideas in this fine book. It is a must have for my box library.