Great Outdoor 2 X 4 Furniture: 21 Easy Projects to Build (Paperback)

~ Stevie Henderson (Author), Stevie Parris (Author), Mark Baldwin (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This book is ideal for the would-be woodworker who has the desire, but may not have the know-how or experience, to build simple, attractive outdoor furniture and garden accessories. Using the step-by-step plans and measurements, anyone willing to work with a hammer and saw can use inexpensive lumber to build some downright elegant chairs, mailboxes, birdhouses, stools, tables, a lattice bower, a potting bench, a planter, a loveseat, and many, many more items. Before launching into the individual projects, the author starts with the basics of materials and supplies, tools, techniques and safety tips; explains how to choose wood for the projects; lays out lumber dimensions and grades; interprets the differences between finishes and stains; describes the different fasteners and screws used in any of the prescribed projects; and gives the reader useful tips on cutting and sanding techniques, along with sound advice on safety needed for any woodworking project.

This is a "can-do" book that will encourage beginners to build finished outdoor furniture and fixtures of simple but pleasing design and solid functionality, and there is nothing to stop an enthusiastic woodworker from embellishing, enhancing, or customizing any of these projects to suit individual taste or fantasies. --Mark A. Hetts

Product Description

This volume features attractive and inexpensive outdoor furniture to build with basic tools and off-the-shelf timber. All 21 projects come complete with instructions, colour photographs and detailed drawings.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Lark Books (NC); 1 edition (June 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157990047X
• ISBN-13: 978-1579900472
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #919,630 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book for a beginner, July 11, 1999

By A Customer

I took my first furniture/carpentry class at the local community college and built the garden sofa pictured on the front cover. I'm a woman and had never tried such a project. The instructions and pictures were terrific and my completed project now has a place of honor in my garden. I highly recommend this book if you're a beginner.

43 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Novices beware!, June 28, 1999

By A Customer

Upon beginning my first project from this book, I was taken aback at the number of mislabelings, wrong dimensions, incorrect drawings and unclear (or downright confusing) instructions. Since this book is meant to appeal to woodworkers with little or no previous experience, it surprises me that so much misinformation found its way into print. A second, corrected, edition could make this flawed first effort into a truly useful resource.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Beginner Book, August 10, 2001

By A Customer

I bought this book for my husband who had no experience with building furniture and little experience with power tools. He has made every project in this book, and several from other "2x4" books with terrific results. The instructions are simple and clear and everything has turned out as pictured. I have recommended this book to everyone who admires our patio furniture and is surprised to hear it's home-made. We have even added decorative painting to some pieces and given them as gifts. Anyone who has taken junior high shop class could handle these projects.