Finish Carpentry (Best of Fine Homebuilding) (Paperback)

~ Fine Homebuilding Editors (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In this collection of articles from Fine Homebuilding magazine, you'll learn the secrets of the master carpenters on designing and installing baseboard, molding, window casing (including elegant curved casing), fireplace mantels, paneling, and built-in storage. Inside, learn how the pros fit trim to uneven surfaces, choose the right tools for any finish carpentry job, install baseboard efficiently, re-create historic molding profiles, case windows and doors for weathertightness and good looks, build an elegant fireplace mantel, and design built-in bookshelves.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Taunton (May 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561581836
• ISBN-13: 978-1561581832
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 8.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,850,960 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not if you want detailed explanations of trimwork...., March 10, 2002

By	M. Hochberg (Gaithersburg, MD United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Finish Carpentry (For Pros By Pros) (Paperback)

I'm a big fan of Fine Homebuilding and Fine Woodworking so I figured this was a great opportunity to capture some very useful information on "how to" (as the book is billed) install trim work. I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED. The book's articles are dated (pneumatic nail gun review from several years ago!) and not all apply to trim work. To make matters worse, there are not too many detailed tips to actually use. Just short articles which merely touch on the subjects. Definitely not worth the money if you're looking for any sort of ideas or lessons on finish carpentry.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars It helps, but this book is not comprehensive., May 26, 2005

By	B. R. Kmack (New Orleans, LA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: For Pros by Pros Finish Carpen (Paperback)

Being new to carpentry, I purchased this book to get aquainted with finish work. Previous reviewers spoke of this book being outdated and I agree. However, as an apprentice, I found useful methods including tips for scribing and fitting interior finishes. Putting these methods in the back of my mind has facilitated my work.

The organization of material is haphazard at best. This is not a textbook, but a collection of articles from Fine Homebuilding magazine. If you are looking to familiarize yourself with some basic techniques and universal situations in finish carpentry, this book will be a decent start. For the experienced carpenter, look elsewhere.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Very Accurate, June 13, 2004

By	David Pantone (brooklyn, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: For Pros by Pros Finish Carpen (Paperback)

I was completely new to hanging molding. This book will cover what you need in order to cut crown molding (molding closest to the ceiling), however, do not expect to learn how to chair rail or baseboard molding correctly. In my opinion, theis book, "touches" on the subjects, thus not providing enough info to get your job done as efficently as possible.

To restate the point on crown molding: This book will teach you a mathematical formula so you can hang ANY size crown molding correctly.

All in all, there are about 6 pages in this book that helped me out a bunch, but its definately not worth the buy. The book is EXTREMELY OUTDATED! They speak of Pnuematic nail guns (no one uses them anymore.) In addition, a COMPOUND MITER SAW will get your job done in a snap as compared to using a POWER box or POWER saw.

Craig savage came out with a DVD this year (2004). I'm going to purchase it and see if its any help.

David