Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Woodworking Techniques for the Real World Shop, August 30, 2002
In an entertaining and well constructed text, the author reviews basic layout techniques, shop geometry for laying out more advanced pieces, sharpening and glues. The text moves on to cover the preparation of stock including surfacing rough lumber, saws, resawing, crosscutting, ripping and gluing. Part 3 covers joinery. Part 4 picks up the shaping of legs, moldings, curves and panels. Part 5 discusses the construction of shop jigs and fixtures.I learned a new way to do almost everything in the shop, often finding explanations for why some things failed in the past. The text acknowledges that most of us don't always have the optimal tool for the job and explains how to work around that issue with other tools we might have at hand. While not a design book, the text does encourage design. And, while not a safety book, the text explains why some techniques have problems and suggests ways to mitigate those. Few instructional texts qualify as "page turners," but I found this one genuinely hard to put down. I hope to read more from this author in the future. Finally, this deserving text is hardbound.
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great info and fun to read., March 13, 2002
Other books put you to sleep sometimes, even though they have great info. With this one, you never forget that an actual PERSON wrote it. He doesn't try to disguise his preferences, which is great. You can usually see through that anyhow. Instead, he explains why he prefers one method over the other and leaves it up to you. The author also has a great sense of humor. (like most woodworkers) He gives three ways to accomplish each task, and explains where one method might be better than the other. The illustrations are either hand drawn or they're computer generated to resemble hand drawings. At any rate, they are much easier to decode that a comparable photo. They are excellent and everything you could ask of an illustration. If you're only going to have two woodworking books, make them this one and "Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking Volumes 1 and 2" This one is slightly more interesting to read, but I think Tage Frid's book has more info packed into it. Also, you will be hard pressed to beat Amazon's price. For what it's worth, I have three all around woodworking books, and the Nick Engler library, and if I could only have one, this would be it.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great resource for beginners and experts alike!, July 17, 1998
I've always had the philosophy that the first step to becoming skilled at something is to know what tools are available to help you succeed. Once you know what choices you have, you can become skilled at each one as you need them. This book teaches you what tools (both hardware and techniques) are available to help you succeed in woodworking. It will inspire you, guide you, and teach you as you hone your woodworking skills. Highly recommended!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
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by Gary Rogowski
by Tage Frid
