8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
And now for a HELPFUL review..., September 11, 2008
This review is from: Sculpted Band Saw Boxes: Design, Inspiration & Construction (Popular Woodworking) (Paperback)
The first two reviews of this book seemed kind of unhelpful to me so I thought I would try to be a little clearer.
Having read and used her earlier book on bandsaw boxes, I looked forward to more designs and insight. Ms. Ventura, it is mentioned in the book, appears to have had a recent medical setback that has kept her out of the shop as much as she would like. It looks like two other very accomplished box makers consulted with her and completed the book as a kind of team effort. At least that's the impression I got. Don't we all wish we had friends and colleagues like that!
If you need step by step details and the reasons behind certain approaches, I would highly recommend the first book, "Building Beautiful Boxes with your Bandsaw." If you are familiar with the general ideas of bandsaw box building, are an experienced woodworker, or have read the earlier book, this book will pick you up and move you forward.
The directions for the boxes are abbreviated in comparison with the first book but there are several new designs to try. That's what I was looking for so I took it and ran.
I still have several that I plan to try out and getting a good handful of useful designs is how I value a book in this genre.
The book doesn't have the "mystique" of the first one where you feel like you are truly being let in on a secret as well as her committment to her craft. Since other authors are contributing, I don't think that could be avoided.
Also, in the world of woodcraft there is a fine line on copyright protection. Ms. Ventura said in the first and again in the second that these designs are intended for personal use and gifting but not for use for profit. In this one area I kind of got the idea that she might have been publishing some designs to get them out there where she can say, "Look, see that one was mine!" I guess in today's business world it is an essential thing to do.
I hope that the alluded to medical concerns are in the past and that woodworkers all over will use this book to further enjoy boxmaking!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Get the first book!, July 31, 2009
This review is from: Sculpted Band Saw Boxes: Design, Inspiration & Construction (Popular Woodworking) (Paperback)
This book is nice...but not near as nice as the first one. It has some updated patterns and photos and a few new techniques but it is not the same quality as the first. The author (Lois) really didn't write the book...two guys from FWW did. They are not near as good at explaination and think many pictures and attempts at humor will make you a better woodworker. Get the first book and if you like it and are searching for more patterns then get this one.
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6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not Much Different Than the First Book, August 19, 2008
This review is from: Sculpted Band Saw Boxes: Design, Inspiration & Construction (Popular Woodworking) (Paperback)
After going through this book it does not appear to provide much more information on the construction of these boxes than what the first book did. If you didn't read the first one, the second one will stand alone without any problem.
There are many more beatiful boxes with lots of new ideas on shapes and the use of wood laminates to dress them up. Good ideas inspire other good ideas and that is part of the charm of the book. It will make you want to get to the shop and start work on your next project.
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