Woodworkers' Essential Facts, Formulas & Short-Cuts: Rules of Thumb Help Figure It Out, With or Without Math [Paperback]

Ken Horner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2003

Workshop problems usually can be solved with mathematics, but as this interesting book shows, there's often a no-math solution too. In most situations, the savvy craftsman can get the answers either with math or by applying common-sense rules of thumb. This handbook presents both approaches so readers can choose what works best in their particular situation. With this handbook on the bench, readers will enjoy success in the workshop whether or not they are comfortable with mathematics.Hundreds of illustrations guide readers through the solutions to everyday workshop problems. Straightforward writing and a simplified approach to calculations lead readers step-by-step to the answers they need. Dozens of useful tables put essential reference information into this single, easy-to-follow resource. This practical handbook, packed full of facts, formulas and shortcuts, is essential for woodworkers of all skill levels.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ken Horner is a retired organic chemist and computer consultant whose father and grandfather were woodworkers and carpenters. He lives in Sunnyvale, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 311 pages
• Publisher: Cambium Press (April 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1892836157
• ISBN-13: 978-1892836151
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #840,756 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars very useful, June 25, 2007

By 

Lawrence (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Woodworkers' Essential Facts, Formulas & Short-Cuts: Rules of Thumb Help Figure It Out, With or Without Math (Paperback)

This is just the book I needed - good, practical procedures. I like the alternatives provided, some with and some without math needed.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Either I'm really dense, or ..., October 31, 2008

By 

Dick Johnson (Oklahoma USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Woodworkers' Essential Facts, Formulas & Short-Cuts: Rules of Thumb Help Figure It Out, With or Without Math (Paperback)

I didn't really need to buy this or it's sequel "More Essential ....". Perhaps this is meant for contractors (which I'm not), but I could have done without both of these. Not that there isn't stuff of interest in here, but I have the nuts & bolts of that from other sources. This is not a book for someone starting in woodworking. It's very hard to give a rating on this. If you need this technical information, they are both probably five star books. If you are a hobby woodworker like me, however, they are at best two stars worth of practical usage.

5.0 out of 5 stars Keep the Slide Rule Handy, June 15, 2011

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ken H 66901 - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Woodworkers' Essential Facts, Formulas & Short-Cuts: Rules of Thumb Help Figure It Out, With or Without Math (Paperback)

The two books of Ken Horner (Woodworker Essentials one and two) are NOT beginning woodworker friendly. Ken Horner jumps in with both feet with math, math and math. The first couple of days I had to read the same chapters over and over. Then it all started to click. He (Mr. Horner) talks to the reader as intelligent readers. No spoon feeding here. Sooooooo.......whip out the calculater be patient and you will get out as much useful information as you want. So basically not an easy read but both books have become the first books I grab when I get stuck on an angle cut or anything else angle related. He gives you 'Just the Facts Ma'am).