Customer Reviews

The Woodwright's Eclectic Workshop

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

 

 

If I were trapped on the proverbial desert island, there is no question which book I'd bring... because with Roy Underhill's book, to paraphrase the master himself: you begin with a tree and an ax and you end up with a house and everything in it. Nobody does it better in wood, and this is another fantastic and inspiring book, like his others. I bought this book for my husband. After it arrived, I skimmed through, and ended up reading the whole thing, cover-to-cover... Roy Underhill's writing style is so addicting, you can't put the books down. And if you are lucky enough to live in a place where trees grow, you MUST own this book... all of his books. We live in the desert... no trees here... but we are both so inspired by these ideas that we are movng to a place where trees grow. If you know anyone who loves working with wood, begin getting these books for that person. Get them all. Do it as soon as possible.

Roy writes with a real flair and a touch of humor. I really enjoyed this book, however, this is not a project book for a wood worker where you're going to find instruction on how to build things, there are no real plans, etc.

That's because craftsmen didn't work to plans. Roy is promoting a entirely different way to approach woodworking from an age where straight leg dividers and morticing gauges were the the primary measuring tools.

I've worked several projects this way now and, in fact, I find it MUCH more relaxing to work this way.

Way to go Roy .... you've shown me a whole new world. (But I still like Japanese saws better than old crosscuts)

Reading any of Roy's book is like doing math without a calculator. You can do it faster and easier with modern technology, but you won't truly understand the process with machines alone. You can't read the grain with a random orbital sander nor can you split down the strength of the grain with S4S kiln dried lumber. The section on making a wide crown molder was the most inspiring part of the book.

I THINK THIS ONE IS MY LEAST FAVORITE OF HIS BOOKS HOWEVER, IT IS STILL ENJOYABLE TO READ THROUGH AND I AM SURE I GOT MORE OUT OF THAN I REALIZE. I ENJOY HIS WRITING AND RESEARCH THAT EXPLAINS THE WHYS AND WHENS OF THE ITEMS HE GOES OVER.

This was not as interesting as #3 in the series (Woodwright's Workbook), but still a great read. The majority of this book is on large construction projects. These books by Underhill make for relaxing winter reading.