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The Impractical Cabinetmaker: Krenov on Composing, Making, and Detailing Paperback – February 1, 1999

by James Krenov (Author)

29 customer reviews

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James Krenov's delicate, lyrical cabinets have inspired a generation of wood craftsmen, as has his impassioned insistence that one do his very best work, no matter what. In this volume, first published in 1979, Krenov invites the reader into his workshop, where he shares his techniques and uncompromising approach to craftsmanship, along with thoughts about his work and its place in the world. Photo sequences show how Krenov composes a cabinet directly in the wood, without dimensioned drawings. He also discusses working with shop-sawn veneers, the technique of fitting curved doors, and the problems of accuracy and mistakes. The book concludes with a detailed exploration of three furniture projects: a curved showcase cabinet, a writing table with drawer, and a chess table.

The Impractical Cabinetmaker: Krenov on Composing, Making, and Detailing

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

James Krenov studied furniture making and design with Carl Malmsten in Stockholm, Sweden, and later opened his own workshops there. In 1980 he returned to the United States to start and lead the fine-woodworking program at the College of the Redwoods, in Fort Bragg, California. His other books include A Cabinetmaker's Notebook, The Fine Art of Cabinetmaking, and James Krenov Worker in Wood.

Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: Linden Publishing (February 1, 1999)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0941936511
ISBN-13: 978-0941936514
Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 0.4 x 10.8 inches
Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 29 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,631 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #16 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Home Improvement & Design > How-to & Home Improvements > Woodworking > Projects
- #28 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Home Improvement & Design > How-to & Home Improvements > Design & Construction
- #43 in Books > Engineering & Transportation > Engineering > Industrial, Manufacturing & Operational Systems

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Not recommended

ByJ Barkeron October 13, 2017

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I was genuinely looking forward to reading a book written by one of the great power houses of woodworking. Krenov's name is so respected I thought about just buying all his books at once. I'm glad I didn't. The guy just drones on endlessly akin to a college professor well past his prime. Very dry. It's rare that I can't finish a book but this was one of them. Looking for a good book by one of woodworking's greats? Check out Sam Maloof Woodworker. Another excellent book that just editorializes about woodworking is good clean fun by Nick Offerman

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"Krenov is a god"

ByDwight L. Crameron August 10, 2015

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Anyone serious about furniture making should read Krenov's books. The man was one of the three mid-20th century guys who took the American studio furniture movement to the next level, and for better or worse are responsible for the world of fine woodworking programs, summer workshops, the Taunton Press, craft shows, celebrity (?) woodworkers, etc. that we live in today. (The others were Maloof and Nakishima).

This is not a book about joinery or design, much less a how-to with projects and pointers on shop techniques. It is the ruminations of a crank with a vision. His one page chapter on 'Those People', aka customers, is alone worth the cost. Ditto for his observations on what happened to mid-century Modern (though he wrote before IKEA finished that job).

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

none like it

ByEdon May 20, 2006

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I bought this book a few years ago and I'm still reading it...or I should say re-reading it. As I progress with my woodworking skills, build some pieces, work with a different wood, etc, I find things in this book I didn't see before. There's a little bit of how-to here, but for me that's not where the real value lies. I love the philosophies of working with wood that Mr. Krenov offers -- they are worth the price of admission, and should be the reason for reading it. So my suggestion is to acquire the books you need about joinery, shaping, cabinet construction, etc., and as you go along every now and then take this book from the shelf and re-read it. Maybe not all of it, but I'm betting that as you grow in woodcraft you will react to it in a different way than you did the last time.

If all you want to do is cut out parts and fasten them together, why not get an erector set?...not so much sawdust. I agree with the reviewer who suggests that it should be required reading for every consumer as well.

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If you love the craft, read this book.

ByMelissa Szymczakon April 7, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

If you love woodworking you will love this book. He was a master who loved the craft and it comes through in this book. Sadly his demeanor took a turn for the grouchier in his later years from what I understand, but that has or will happen to many of us, my understanding is this was borne out of his passion for the craft, can't fault James for that.

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Great book that gives attention to detail

Bygb93433on December 10, 2000

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

My wife gave me this book for Christmas in 1985. After reading the book I wondered where I could find him. I was not the same person after reading this book. Eventually I found out where the author lived and found that he founded a school through College of The Redwoods. This book will not give shortcuts to producing a wood cutter. There are no shortcuts to quality work. This book gives details that are seldom written about. Although Krenov is no longer living his time tested principles and quality preceded him and continue on. Expect to notice more details, see poor workmanship, and woodworking principles violated in factories after reading this book. Some of the work done at the school can be seen on their website at [...]

What Krenov writes about influenced how I build furniture and do home interiors. Before and after I studied at the school there is a huge difference in the quality of my work and design.

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Definitely good for a seasoned carpenter

ByBTAon December 31, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Definitely good for a seasoned carpenter. Newbies wanting to get instructions should choose another book of his or other woodworker. For the person who want to go within in order to produce fine work .. this was highly recommended.