Customer Reviews

Working Wood: A Complete Bench-Top Reference

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

 

 

Just starting to dabble in woodworking as a hobby, I have acquired several books, but this is definitely one that I keep coming back to, and there a several reasons for that.

First and maybe most important is that it's bound in such a way that I can lay the book flat on the table. It allows me to go set up a tool, and constant refer back to the book without having to put weights to hold the book open, photocopies, etc. It's at much a tool as anything else in the shop.

Second, it covers all the major power tools, and their intended uses. It doesn't just tell you what each tool is, and how they work, but the best methods of how to use the tool.

Third, it is chock full of all sorts of tips and tricks to help make the work that you're doing easier and/or more precise. While sometimes it may be hard to remember exactly where a particular trick may be, the book does have a well put together index to help finding things.

This is easily the most important book that I have in my workshop, and have recommended it to others that I know. Now if only other book manufacturers would bind their books in the same way.

This is a good reference book - there's just enough information to be useful, not too much so that it's overwhelming. If you are looking for your first woodworking reference, this is a good overview of all the basics, from wood types, to tools and techniques, project design concepts, and home shop setup. There's a really nice appendix at the end the book, with a list of other recommended reads, and lots of "woodworker geek charts and graphs" to ensure that this book stays in the shop. Lots of good info at a value price.

There is a lot of info in this book for the experts, too. I am usually very leery when the word "Complete" appears anywhere in a book's title or description. This book is very complete, though. While you could go through it from front to back, its value is as a look-up source.

Tolpin writes as if he's visiting with you in his shop. His explanations are clear and his tips are practical and do not require ownership of every power tool made.

This would be a great gift for anyone interested at all in woodworking.

Great book! It'll help novice and experienced woodworkers. It's well worth having in your shop!

As other reviewers have noted this is a great reference book for the workshop and I know I will use it constantly. My disappointment lies in the fact that the book jacket is terribly flimsy and made of really thin card. I can't imagine it lasting long even given that the spiral binding makes the book easy to use.

This is a great reference. There is so much information in this book, in an easy to read format, that is has become my primary reference around the shop