Product Description
The author of The Shaper Book, The Band Saw Book, and The Complete Illustrated Guide to Shaping Wood, Lonnie Bird now brings us Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide to Using Woodworking Tools. Here the reader is given a step-by-step guide that covers the essential techniques for using hand and power tools. Along with over 900 color photographs and illustrations, a correct set-up, safe use of machines, and skillful use of hand tools is also included. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

never recieved
it's funny! My account was charged, a confirmation e mail was sent and I have still not seen the book.
The order was confirmed on 2-10-09.

Excelent
los libros de Taunton son muy buenos en general y de una calidad gráfica fuera de serie.En temas de woodworking aquí en España en libros estamos muy por debajo y una guía como esta es una ayuda extraordinaria. lo recomiendo y deseo que se publique una version en español para los que nos cuesta lidiar con el inglés.
Muy bueno el envío aunque no tenemos las ventajas de los USA.
Enhorabuena al distribuidor por el servicio.

Good book to round out the Set
I began woodworking about one year ago and started by taking some classes at the local woodworking store. I had the idea in my head to build a wooden chest and finding a good starting place was not easy. Most of the wood workers I encounter are all over the spectrum of skill. No one really had a comprehensive method for teaching woodworking or where to start with the tools of woodworking. I think that this book gives a great start when it comes to selection of necessary tools as well as some general knowledge of how to use them. Keep in mind that a book can not accurately describe the pressure and overall feel of how to use a Plane or any other tool for that matter. These kinds of skills must come from doing.

I have all the other Taunton press books in the "Complete Illustrated" set and I think that together I have a great reference set to begin designing and working with wood. They also all match each other and this makes my bookshelf look good as well. I would recommend the hardcover over the soft cover because it can be more easily used in the shop this way.

OKish book
This is a good book. However, Lonnie Bird writes not as clear as Gary Rogowski, Andy Ray or especially Kelly Mehler. This is also applied to his "Band saw" book.
There is no clear analysis of cons and pros of different tools. Use of the tools does not contain alternative approaches too. He really thinks that only high end equipment is useful.

Another Excellent Publication By Lonnie Bird
Publications by Lonnie Bird are always excellent and informative to woodworkers, and this one achieves the same high level.I am enjoying reading Illustrated Guide to Using Woodworking Tools and looking forward to more time in the workshop with this publication. ... Read more

Product Description
Hand tools (tools that are not powered, such as hammers and chisels) are currently the hot trend in woodworking purchases.

Hand tools require specialized training. Without it, the experience will be disappointing.

Learning to use woodworking hand tools properly makes it easier to understand how power tools work, plus they offer a quieter, safer and more pleasant woodworking experience. This book shows the woodworker how hand tools can be used in tandem with their power tools to produce superior work, improving and enriching their woodworking experience. Readers will learn to use mallets, chisels & gouges, wood- and metal-bodied planes, wood- and metal-bodied spokeshaves, measuring and marking tools, rasps, awls, Eastern and Western handsaws and other hand tool accessories. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

More than essentials
The book is a thorough exploration of using hand tools as an integral part of building your woodworking projects.It discusses everything from tuning your hand tools to become precision instruments on to using them to compliment your power tools, doing things that power tools can't.A variety of authors deal with a wide range of topics.

Excellent Source for Woodworkers!
Woodworking for me is a hobby. Like many, I am always looking for new methods and ideas. This book is wonderful! It covers information for the beginner, but also is a tremendous source of ideas and methods for someone more experienced. If you have evolved from using mostly power tools, this is a teriffic starting place. Ways to sharpen, ways to modify and restore old tools made in yesteryear... You can't go wrong with this book.

Great book
Great book at a great price.If you want to do great woodworking this book gets you there.Came looking new which was a bonus.

Not enough time to master all of this
I've done my first read through of this book and I think it is outstanding.It will definitely be a used reference book in my shop.Almost like having a master carpenter to tutor you.

Like hands-on for hand tools
Let me start by saying, this is a great book. I have been a wood worker since high school. Up untell now my work mostly has been with power tools. I have wanted to start using more hand tools, but have not known where or how to start. I dont realy have the time to take a class right now so the next best thing was books. One day I was roaming through the book store looking for books that would apeal to my needs. I thumbed through a handfull with nothing realy having everything in it I was looking for. I wanted something that covered a lot of differant tools, so I didnt have to get 4 or 5 differant books. I found this one on the bottem shelve and knew right away that this was the book for me. It covers planes(just about all of them), saw, chisels, drawknifes, spokeshaves, dovetails, awls, marking knives, try squares, drawboring, the rasp, and great info on sharping. I read some of the other reviewers complain about all the content on sharping. I thought it was very usefull. The editors cover all areas and let you the reader deside which is best for you. There is also a section on a great workbench close to the end. This book is as close to hands-on training a book can be. Great, easy to read writing, lots of color pictures of the things you need to see. I have read this book in part about half-a-dozen times. a great book to keep going back to. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (2)

Tool Making Projects Book
This has a lot of good, simple, and well explained for anyone wanting to learn some different techniques that goes along with woodworking.

Good Book
I found this book extremely useful and full of great ideas.I would have preferred a book with step by step color pictures but the illustrations are adequate.You do have to actually read the book to get any value out of it since the illustrations are relatively sparse. ... Read more

Product Description
Praising the simplicity and economy of customised handles and blades made from recycled materials, this manual details the construction and assembly of handmade tools that can be fitted to individual hands and are designed to keep a razor-sharp edge. An extensive section on salvage steel provides advice about choosing metal, and an in-depth analysis of heat treatment explains how to get a hard cutting-edge while keeping the back of the knife soft for greater strength. Carpenter comfort and safety is also considered, with a section on making handles recommends techniques for shaping and carving wood to distribute pressure over a large area of the heel of the hand in order to relieve stress on the wrist and arm. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

A very misleading title
I bought this book based on the title and the reviews of other amazon users. It was a serious let down. The misleading title infers that it contains info on making your own woodworking tools. I think that for many readers woodworking tools and woodcarving tools are two very different things. I purchased it hoping for plans for making planes, spokeshaves, measuring tools, chisels and the like. What you get in this book is about a hundred different hokey ways to pound out a carving gouge using everything from the back of a framing hammer to the adjusting screws on your vise. The book is just full of terrible "hints and tips" like these that will not only damage your tools but not be very effective either.
The page on making a plane includes a design for a plane that wouldn't function properly if it was contructed correctly. The "author" botched the making of the plane and couldnt be bothered to do it correctly or give you any practical tips on making or sharpening a plane iron. I didn't buy this book to learn how NOT to do something.
I think that for someone to "write the book on" a subject, that person should be a professional with a high degree of skill in dealing with it. Mike Burton is neither a professional nor a person with any degree of skill in metal working. The extremely amateurish tools in this book are clearly poorly made with burned and annealed edges. Mike does the right thing with them by hanging them on his walls and leaving them there.You would be doing yourself a great injustice by purchasing this book and following a single one of his inane "techniques".

Make Your Own Woodworking Tools
This book is a five star winner for the carver who wants to make his own tools. The author explains the process, discusses different type of metals to use. The heat treating process is thoroughly explained. Handle materials are even covered. Often times a carver will run into a situation that requires a special tool not available in the market place. This book will aid the carver in making his own skews, gouges and specialty items. So interesting I've read it cover to cover, twice!

Get this book!
Informative and Entertaining. I enjoyed this book, because he teaches you how to make things with everyday materials. For example the authors forge is made from pipe a wok and a hair dryer. I highly recommend this book.

From someone who want to make his own hand plane
I bought this book exactly for what the title mean: make my own woodworking tools. Exactly, molding hand plane.

I liked this book because:
-It is is a global and central source of reliable information in his field;
-It offers many options to "do things" to the tools makers who don't (for the moment) want to get deeply involved in blacksmithing;

I disliked this book beacause:
-It does not explain the scientific bases of the field when (I think) is could/should be requires;
-It focus too much (I think) on the autor's life. I enjoy some familiarity with the autor, but at the end, too much paragraph are about autor's anecdotes;

To conclude, I would rebuy this book without hesitation.

*** The "see inside" option played a definitive role in my purchase. I never buy a book I can't "see inside for 4 or 5 pages ***

Mike Burton should be a Kiwi!
Mike Burton should be complimented for sharing his multitude of skills with the reading and crafting public. This book is the distillation of many years of practical and academic study. To be able to take advantage of this wisdom for the paltry sum that this book cost is remarkable. Mike has the ability to take us through all the stages in the manufacture of a great variety of woodworking items. He does it in a simple, easy to follow manner and with a beautiful dry wit. If you buy this book you will be in the position to save a great deal on the purchase of essential tools by making many of your own to your considerable satisfaction. I have had the book for only two weeks and so have concentrated on my own particular interest. I now have a splendid array of woodcarving tools. They cost me very little in materials and the saving is many hundreds of dollars.The price of this book would only buy half a woodcarving tool! Mike has a fine eye for a bargain himself and it is a pleasure to be inducted into his economic ways. In the weeks and months ahead I feel that my savings, skills and satisfaction at making my own tools will increase many times. Mike you should have been a New Zealander! You would fit in very well. ... Read more

Product Description
Illustrated. Formatted for the Kindle.

... Read more

Product Description
At long last, durable joints can be made without clamps or special fasteners. And no book exists that shows woodworkers how to use this time-saving tool to create these joints-until now. The Pocket Hole Drilling Jig Project Book gives woodworkers step-by-step instructions for using a pocket hole drilling jig to create joints in a range of stunning furniture projects, including:*Face frames*Cabinets*Tables*Shelving units*Dressers*Frame-and-panel doors*And more

As with the biscuit joiner, woodworkers are learning they can't live without this small, inexpensive piece of equipment that has revolutionized how joints are made. The Pocket Hole Drilling Jig Project Book teaches them how to make the most of their new favorite tool. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

The Pocket Hole Drilling Jig Project Book (Popular Woodworking)
I needed project to build with my pocket hole drilling jig and this book gave me what I needed.

THE book for getting started with Pocket Joints
This is a great book for anyone interested in getting their feet wet with Pocket Joints. I bought a Kreg Master Kit and built the bookcase in this book as my first project.It came out beautiful without a hitch. Did my own variation for the trim but otherwise followed the plans exactly. I am planning on moving on to a chest of drawers as my next project and have no doubt that it can be done with the basic kit I have. There is one caveat, you will need some extra clamps to make working with the pocket joints a lot simpler. They are like having extra hands a crucial points in the assembly process. I read the material over and over so it is in my head when I go to work in the shop.

Decent overview
This book is not biased toward any particular brand of pocket hole jig and shows how to use a few of them, but most projects are built with the Kreg System.

It has some handy tips for making mitered corners and how to best use the pocket hole jig for that application, and has several design plans. I don't particularly like the style of the furniture but if you have your own style I'm sure you can innovate beyond these plans.One picky point I have is that there is one dining room hutch/cabinet in this book that has and angled face and cabinets, but the book skips right over the steps required to cut the angle in the face frames after they are built so that they mate together at an angle and create the beveled face of the cabinet. One thing you have to be careful with when using pocket hole screws is that if you want to plane or trim an assembled face frame or panel, you don't want to run a screw through your blades - they are hidden within and you have to remember where they are located before you start cutting.It appears that if you follow these plans exactly, the proper way to cut the face frame would be apparent, but it seemed like a critical step that at least requires more mention than simply skipping to the next step.

If you haven't used pocket hole screws before, this is a great book for ideas and should get you started pretty quickly.

Good for getting started
When I recently purchased the Kreg system, I was looking for a reference to get me started.I found this book fit the need admirably.While I am not as madly in love with pocket hole joinery as some, this book will give you a good jumping off place if you are a newcomer to it all.

Well written guide to cabinet making
If you're new to pocket joinery, this is a great book for instruction and inspiration. Easily understandable, with lots of photos. ... Read more

Product Description
This book is a complete guide to the tools used by a shokunin, or master Japanese craftsman, for both beginning woodworkers and professionals. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

The author rules.
If you think for any reason that this book is for you, then you won't be disappointed. Authoritatively written, well illustrated, and outright fascinating.

Japanese Saws
Very good intro to the world of Japanese saws.These tools are totally new to me and this book encourages me to begin purchasing and using them.

Wonderfully informative and well-written
As a woodworker who is increasingly getting away from power tools and back to hand work, reading about how Japanese woodworkers do it was fascinating. I have only one Japanese tool sofar, a small dozuki saw, but it's cut is so fine and so easy to control that I intend to aquire more Japanese tools. This book has inspired me; equally importantly, it shows the way to their use, and in some cases, how to make your own. I heartily recommend this fine book to anyone interested in learning more about Japanese woodworking, or in becoming a better woodworker with hand tools in general. In addition to being well written, Toshio Odate gives a fascinating account of his apprenticship to his stepfather within its cultural context.

Great Book
This is an excellent introduction to Japanese tools.I really love this book.This is really about Shokunin, craftsmen or artisan in the literal sense.More correctly, a Shokunin means not only having technical skill but implies an attitude and social consciousness.The qualities are encompassed in the word but are seldom written.

"The Shokunin demonstrates knowledge of tools and skill with them, the ability to create beauty and the capacity to work with incredible speed.The value of an object is dependent on a subtle combination of skill and speed; this is what the apprentices master and collegues teach, and this is what the Shokunin believes.One without the other is not Shokunin."

"The Shokunin has a social obligation to work his best for the general welfare of the people.This obligation is both spiritual and material, in that no matter what it is, if society requires it, the Shokunin's responsibility is to fulfill the requirement."

Prior to moving to the US, the author was a Shokunin and was raised in a family who passed the art to him.The passionate description of their relationship with their tools, and the proper care is really inspiring.

So this is more than just a book about the different tools and their use and care.Odate's passion and reverence for this art is felt on every page.If you are interested in Japanese architecture or are a craftsman, I highly recommend it.

A must have for the hand woodworker
This is a tremendous example of the art of japanese woodworking.From the set up of a simple work area to the explanation of the tools, how to properly care for, sharpen, and use this text will fall apart you reference it so often.I just had to find another in hard cover.... ... Read more

Product Description
Woodworking Tools & Techniques is a comprehensive resource on tools, materials, and techniques for the new woodworker. Large color photos and practical, expert instruction will help them choose the right tools, set up a shop, and use both safely.

Choosing materials is as important as choosing tools, and Woodworking Tools & Techniques thoroughly covers material selection. With dozens of detailed color photos, the book will describe the characteristics and uses of the huge variety of common to exotic hardwoods available on the market today.

Finally, Woodworking Tools & Techniques is a comprehensive resource for basic woodworking techniques from planning and preparation to joinery to finishes. Even intermediate and seasoned woodworkers will find the exhaustive explanation of basic techniques useful as they embark on increasingly advanced woodworking projects. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An excellent instructional resource
Woodworking Tools & Techniques is a basic and strongly recommended introductory guide that walks aspiring woodworker through the critically important process of choosing the right tools, setting up a shop, using tools safely, common woodworking techniques, and a great deal more. An excellent instructional resource, whether for self-instruction for even the most novice beginner or simply as a brush up for the more experienced woodworker, Woodworking Tools & Techniques "user friendly" text is enhanced from cover to cover with full-color photography to perfectly illustrate solid and dependable instructions. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (5)

Mainly For Old Tool Collectors
The tools being old, not necessarily the collectors. The vast preponderance of space is taken up with hand planes. While some attention is paid to other tools, if you do not have a plane collection, this is a costly book for topics that are covered in tons of books. The general info on sharpening and cleaning is not unique to this book. But the coverage on hand planes may not be equaled elsewhere.

Required Reading for Woodworkers
This is an excellent reference for anyone interested in the woodworking craft.The author has captured an incredible amount of valuable and practical knowledge between this book's covers!

Best of it's kind
After searching for books in this subject, I was very pleased to finally find a book that went into the depth of not only restoring, but plane and other tool usage. This book was intended for the antique tool collector who chooses to use their tools not place them on a display shelf and accept them "as is." If you are looking for old tools needing repair for many more years of use, then this is the book for you. Michael Dunbar has done an excellent job putting his knowledge on paper for the reader's benefit.

THE Manual for refurbishing tools
Dunbar's book is one of the best when it comes to repairing just about any antique tool. He patiently and thoroughly describes how to repair most any hand tools you'll come across. I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to learn how to restore antique hand tools. It should be noted that Dunbar now uses a different method to sharpen plane and chisel irons, etc. However, this is widely available in magazines. Highly recommended.

Ideal for experts or beginners alike.
I only recieved this book this morning, I began reading and can now thouroughly recommend this book to anyone who, for example has ever seen Norm Abram at work and thought 'Hey that's not fair. He's got $10,000 worthof power tools at least' Well this has to be the guide for those who wishto find, restore, and use old tools. I grew up with quality handtoolsaround me and can tell this guy knows what he's talking about. The majorityof this book is dedicated to planes - but I never realised just how manykinds there are! A must for anyone you know who heads for the 'rusty toolbox' at flea markets and yard sales. I'd love to know what you think aboutthis book too. Happy reading! ... Read more

Product Description
Boys and girls love woodworking projects! But most kids (and most parents) lack woodworking skills. That's where Kids' Building Workshop steps in. Craig Robertson, a master carpenter and renowned designer and builder of furniture, and Barbara Robertson, an art educator who specializes in teaching children, have developed an inspired method for teaching kids and their parents the basics of woodworking.

In this lively, fully photographed and illustrated book, the Robertsons present fun projects that teach essential woodworking skills. For example, the Spider-Web String Art project teaches kids how to wield a hammer, and the Drilled Name Plaque project teaches kids the safe and proper way to use a drill.

Building on these basic skills, the book moves on to intermediate-level projects. Kids learn how to make a sawhorse, a tool box, a step stool--all things that every carpenter must have to build bigger and more elaborate projects.

Finally, the kids are ready to take on seriously hip projects: a cricket cage, a book house, a dollhouse (and dollhouse furniture!), a lemonade stand, and a kids' play table.

The Kids' Building Workshop is a great primer that passes the hammer to a new generation of woodworking kids (and their parents). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Woodworking workbook for grandsons
This book and related gifted to grandsons as incentives for woodworking projects.Grandsons were also gifted with adult woodworking trade magazines along with tour of woodworker's shop to get them enthused on their own wood projects.This book is first step in actualizing a vision.

good
While I haven't yet used the book, it has an interesting selection of projects that I think my kids will enjoy.

woodworking for kids
Excellent book to teach kids woodworking.Well organized so you can just have fun with them.

Nailing Down a Holiday Present
NAILING DOWN A HOLIDAY PRESENT FOR THE YOUNG CARPENTER ON YOUR LIST

A family partnership has waved a magic wand over how-to books and brought out a present not only for the holiday season, but for all year long -- "The Kids' Building Workshop:15 Woodworking Projects for Kids & Parents to Build Together."

"We hope to share enough tips, give enough good advice, and create enough enthusiasm to allow parents and children to develop basic carpentry skills," Barbara Robertson, former director of education at the Williams College Museum of Art, said of her book.

With her husband J. Craig, an experienced carpenter, and her daughters Camille and Allegra, the family has come up with projects to help children master basic woodworking, beginning at age six with adult supervision.

"Most kids can learn to hammer at age six and our kids could use saws by age seven.Eight-year-olds can do a beautiful job with simple power tools like drills, as long as a parent is right there working with them," she said in an interview with The Sacramento Bee.

While some parents don't allow children to use tools, hoping to avoid blackened fingernails and Band-Aids, this also means that many children don't get to master the use of simple tools at a young age.

The first section of the book, "Setting up Shop:Getting to Know Your Tools," introduces beginners to basic woodworking.Robertson covers hammering to block planing, and introduces simple projects to reinforce those skills.

The second section, "Down to Business:Building Your Own Projects," offers 12 kid-friendly projects from simplest to most challenging. Burgeoning carpenters begin with string art, a project that builds nailing technique, and progress to full-size lemonade stands and puppet theaters.

The book is written in clear, precise language that is accessible to both children and adults.

Robertson's upbeat instructions are interspersed with tips addressed to parents. Robertson's daughter Camille addresses her tips to kids.There is an emphasis on safety, creativity, and experimentation.

"Everything gets nailed backward the first time.The trick is knowing how to take a nail out and start over again," Robertson says. "Mistakes are part of the learning process.Making them helps kids learn that mistakes are OK as long as you don't give up."

"The Kids' Building Workshop:15 Woodworking Projects for Kids and Parents to Build Together" is published by Storey Kids.It is available on amazon.com.

Robertson directed the Williams College Museum of Art's education department for more than a decade. She coordinated hands-on workshops, community outreach programs, museum tours, and installations.Under her leadership, the museum was recognized with the 2000 Distinguished Cultural Institution Award from the Massachusetts Alliance for Arts Education for its "instructional excellence and innovative approaches to art education." ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
A must-have one-of-a-kind resource for any beginner, and most intermediate woodworkers.

Covers set-up and maintaining accuracy, as well as the dozens of accessories available to expand each tool's capabilities,

Features a shop-friendly lay-flayt wire-o format.

For many woodworkers, buying new tools can mean a lot of guesswork and experimentation. Tool School eliminates the trepidation, saves time, and allows woodworkers to start using their tools correctly and safely. It covers everything from what to look for when purchasing tools to correct usage for safety and accuracy. Both portable and stationary woodworking tools are covered through extensive photography and illustrations. These days most tools come with what amounts to a pamphlet of safety advice that contains little information about how things work--this book is the missing instruction manual. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Will prove to be an invaluable instructional resource for any amateur do-it-yourself homeowner
"Tool School: The Missing Manual For Your Tools" will prove to be an invaluable instructional resource for any amateur do-it-yourself homeowner faced with the necessity of utilizing hand tools, portable electric tools, and stationary tools in their own workshop or garage. Profusely and superbly illustrated throughout, this 240-page compendium with its notebook style coil binding (permitting the book to lay open and flat on table or bench) is thoroughly 'user friendly' with complete sequential instructions on the safe and effective use of hammers, handsaws, chisels, drills, routers, electric saws, table saws, lathes, bench sanders, and so many more commonly encountered tools associated with woodworking and household repairs of all kinds. Strongly recommended for personal reference and community library collections, "Tool School" would make an excellent curriculum supplemental textbook resource for school shop classes as well.

Good Info
Great book to provide info on all types of tools.Probably an excellent choice for someone needing basic descriptions of what tools are for what project and how they work.

Useful only for beginners
This book is certainly not what the subtitle says, "The missing manual for your tools."Rather, it's a loose collection of mostly superficial descriptions of various tools and their functions.It might be useful for beginners, but certainly not for anyone with even a moderate familiarity with woodworking.Many of the "instructions" in the book are in the form of mini-reviews of various tools.This makes the book more of a buying guide than an instructional manual-- and it means the book will become obsolete as new tool models are introduced.

The good news is that it is a very attractive, well-made book.The pictures are large and clear, the paper is heavy and glossy, and the binding is easy-to-use and durable spiral wire.

So, in summary:Attractively presented and potentially useful information for beginners, but likely to disappoint anyone with even minimal experience. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Beautifully writen and well researched
I got very curious about this book while reading Witold Rybczynski's One Good Turn: A Natural History of the Screwdriver and the Screw and I now am a big fan of Goodman's books.

This is a very good overview to begin understanding the origins of today's hand tools.A very nicely researched history of woodworking tools studied from the European tradition. Mr. Goodman's text has a welcome twist of British wit which make for an entertaining read.

Handsome production volume with 208 pages and 201 beautiful B/W illustrations.

Survey of woodworking tools from ancient to modern times, in eight helpful sections:
The Axe and the Adze;
The Plane;
The Saw;
Boring Tools;
The Carpenter's Bench;
The Rule;
Chisels and Gouges;
Miscellaneous Woodworking Tools.
Bibliography;
Some British Museums with Displays of Woodworking Tools.

I also highly recommend reading W.L. Goodman's other book: British planemakers from 1700 on the history of 18th and 19th Century hand-planes. Both published volumes complements each others in many ways.

(For words and terms that were unknown or new to me, I used an old copy of the 1993 UPDATED and REVISED American Edition of the New Webster's dictionary and thesaurus of the English language at the very cheap price tag of ONLY 10 CENTS !) ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (5)

awesome
I bought this for my girlfriend. Now she loves to help when I decide to do a project.She has made 2 things, by herself, from this book so far and she loves it.I love it too I made the platform bed and it turned out awesome.

disappointing
I purchased this book for the furniture projects.The projects (too modern) are nothing that I would build for myself or as a gift.
The rest of the book is informative.

Sound too easy
My wife wanted this book, as she liked some of the designs. Furniture building is not for beginners! There are too many pitfalls to cover, and this book doesn't cover them. The author does start with a shop bench, but she calls for 2 x 4 spruce, which is not run of the mill.

The designs are excellent, but to call this Woodworking 101 is rather misleading. "Woodworking 305" would have been a better title. Being a fairly accomplished woodworker, I found some interesting comments.

Great for beginners and advanced alike
I bought this book for a friend who loves do-it-yourself projects and has some experience with woodworking.She found this to be a great resource, and has already applied some of what she learned about tools in particular.It's not just for women!

If it's good enough for a woman...it could be even better for a man
I'm a man and I'm getting into woodworking.I'm good with my hands and have built basic furniture pieces but never learned technical stuff.I've been reading magazines and looking for a good woodworking book.I came across this one by "accident".It was mis-shelved.Curiosity got me and I flipped through it.I was really impressed.
1. It's very clear.2. It comes from good experience.3. It's concise. 4. This lady has some creative touches in her furniture design. 5.It's no-nonsense construction.This is fine woodworking made simple. 6. It's more than 101...I'd say it's 101-401.7. This book is better than several I have seen or purchased.It is a good book as a compliment to other books.
This is not your encyclopedia.It's not a large book with 20 projects.It's small with only a few. ... Read more

Product Description
Before the machine age, all woodworking and carpentry was done with hand tools, and an amazing variety of tools evolved for a wide range of tasks. Even today, with machinery available for many woodworking operations, some tasks are more easily and efficiently accomplished with hand tools. Many of these tools are as elegant as they are ingenious, and Classic Hand Tools celebrates their great heritage in word and picture.

Both a beautiful and practical book, Classic Hand Tools reveals the rich variety and history of hand tools through vivid color photos while providing in-depth information on how to integrate their use into modern woodworking. In this book, anyone who works with wood will discover how to use these tools, how to choose the right ones for the job, and how to tune them properly. Along the way, the reader will discover the benefits of hand tool use - less dust and dirt, more quiet, and, surprisingly, more efficiency.

The color photos by photographer John Sheldon detail both the practical and aesthetic aspects of these highly useful artifacts from the past. The beauty of these tools will inspire any woodworker to take a second look at handplanes and handsaws. Also covered are hammers and chisels in their many incarnations, drills, devices to hold wood, including clamps and vises, and marking and measuring tools. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Well organized, simple, elegant...a real classic
Since opening this book, I've slowed my reading way down should I finish it too soon.It is a treasure of a book...one to keep and reference. I'd rank it a classic among books.

Classic Hand Tools
My 16-year-old grandson was already borrowing a library copy. I bought it because he values it highly

If you're into hand tools, this book is awsome
I highly recommend Classic Hand Tools for many reasons, but in a nutshell it is a book to help me get through the long winter here in Minnesota.I read it randomly and don't mind at all reading parts several times.
Not only is it well written, (I'm a "professional writer" so I'm hard to please)it is beautifully produced with many excellent photos.You get a short course of the history of hand tools... with a special emphasis on planes. Mr Hack also produced a book of this size and quality, specifically about planes.I plan to get that one on also.
The book is notlimited to woodworking tools; Hack also touches on black smithing -- the sort that many tradesmen would have had to know in the days before mass-produced tools. Also there is a chapter on how to buy used hand tools.

Great Book
The breadth of Mr. Hack's knowledge is truly impressive. The book gives enough detail to understand the history, care and use of a tool while not becoming boring. His technical understanding of tools was very good and he did a nice job of conveying it. I'd recommend it.

WOODBUTCHER HEAVEN
Garrett Hack feels that his hand tools have become extensions of
himself and are linked with what he makes and how he makes it.He
also believes that learning about hand tools and how to use them
is part of the pleasure to be gotten from working with wood.

His beautiful and informative book, "Classic Hand Tools", will
convince even the most casual "weekend wood-butcher" that he's
right.

Hack's presentation of hand tools is organized according to their
normal purposes: boring, sawing, planing, marking and measuring,
striking and chiseling and he provides historical insights into
the development of the more common hand tools.For example,
"Striking Tools" starts with axes and hatchets and moves through
twybills and throes to mallets and hammers.

Each major section surveys numerous variants of the class of tools
being dealt with, and covers use, maintenance, sharpening and
tuning. As a bonus, most sections contain informative sidebars
providing advice and tips from the master.

Although the author's bias is for Western tools built before World
War II, he includes explanations and discussion of some Eastern
hand tools and explains what's involved in making your own tools,
buying used tools and strategies for restoring old ones.There's
even a section on workshops, benches and clamps.

This handsome work is illustrated by more than 300 photgraphs and
40 drawings and features an introduction, bibliography and index.

John Sheldon's superb photography more than exceeds the exacting
standards of the Taunton Press.

Garrett Hack, a farmer, tool collector and trained architect, has
been making furniture professionally for more than 25 years.He
is a regular contributor to Fine Woodworking magazine. ... Read more

Product Description
Winner of the 1996 Stanley Award for best how-to book. "Ideas and inspiration galore".--"Wooden Boat Review". 190 color photos. 100 drawings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (20)

More more more!
First, as a Kindle owner I am cracking up that there is a Kindle version of this book. Unless you have an iPad or will be using your computer, you are going to ruin what is a very visual experience. Get the book and keep it in your shop!

While a little short on plans, this book is certainly not short on ideas and inspiration. There is nothing like it (that I can find) and is a must have. However, a word of warning. You might end up building not but things for the shop and risk never building furniture for your family or friends again!

A Must Have For Woodworkers
If you are a serious woodworker you surely have heard of Jim Tolpin.He's a pro woodworker/teacher/author.He's very good at what he does.This is one of maybe a half-dozen books he's written, and it is fascinating.You will see many examples of toolboxes, tool chests, tool cabinets, and rolling carts.Aside from seeing some beautiful pieces well-crafted, you just might pick up some good tips and get inspired to build something for your shop.For example, he gives you step-by-step instructions to build the rolling tool cart he built for his own shop.

A book worth getting
First off, this is not a great how-to book. There are a few plans throughout, but not many. I got this book more for the information & inspiration. The pictures are nice color pictures and the writing was easy to read. The only complaint I would have is, I wish there was more on the standing style cabinets as this is what I am trying to build. But because this book covers all types of tool storage I understand there is only so much room.

Full of ideas and pictures
Mr. Tolpin combines his journalistic background with imagery and thoughts of both the useage and construction of the Toolbox.Everything from Masterfull pieces in the Smithsonian Institute to Ancient functional pieces are discussed and illustrated.Due to this book, I have decided to build a pair of wall mounted boxes to display old tools and bring comonly used tools to a better location when I'm working.

Not a wealth of practical ideas for beginners
I'm setting up my first workshop. I bought Scott Landis' Workbench Book for guidance on building my workbench and this book for guidance on workshop tool storage. I found Landis' book extremely useful, but this one did not really have what I was looking for.

This book is called the Toolbox Book for a reason. While the subheading is "A Craftsman's Guide to Tool Chests, Cabinets, and Storage Systems," the focus of the book really is (often spectacular) handcrafted toolboxes. Only one chapter -- 14 pages -- is devoted to "Designing In-Shop Tool Storage," and much of that is about the generic design process (how to make a story stick, how to draw your design first, etc).

So if you're a novice like me looking for practical workshop tool storage ideas, I don't think this book is worth the money. I definitely didn't learn any more here than I have just browsing woodworking sites on the internet.

None of this is a knock on the book, really. It's a beautiful, well-written book that's gotten glowing reviews from other readers for a reason. But I think its audience may be more limited than the subheading, and some of the other reviews, might lead you to think.

... Read more

Product Description
A longtime woodworker's illustrated guide to the tools of the trade and how to use them. For those who would like to have the benefit of a woodworker's extensive experience with hand tools, this is the book to own. Crammed with practical information, it is the next best thing to looking over a craftsman's shoulder as he works with his tools, asking questions and getting straight answers in plain language, seeing how each tool is held and manipulated to get the best work out of it. From bit brace, chisel, and mallet to saws, specialized planes, drawknife, and spokeshave, Aldren Watson describes in detail the actions of the tools basic to good woodworking. All the procedures are explicitly illustrated with handsome line drawings, and an appendix gives plans and dimensions for making a workbench and other necessary pieces of shop equipment. With 450 b/w illustrations by the author. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

Enjoyable and educational
I love this book. I read it cover to cover in just a few days, and then keep coming back to it again and again. As a beginner woodworker it helped me learn what these tools are and how they're used -- which was invaluable when it came to acquiring my tools. This book does not go into general woodworking or specific joints or how-to's; there are numerous specific techniques, but they are focused on how to use the tools. I am a bottom-up learner, so it was great to get this in-the-nose-of-the-plane perspective. Does not bring a lot of historical perspective as the Roy Underhill books do; "Hand Tools" is somewhat more direct and immediately practical. The book itself is attractive and the illustrations are very nice. Overall excellent buy, and I think it would be desirable for more intermediate experienced woodworkers, too, if they aren't intimately familiar with all of these hand tools and techniques.

A Must Have for Every Woodworker
Woodworkers often look for books with the latest copyright date to ensure the most up-to-date info, and while this may be true with power tools, woodworking hand tools are timeless. Don't let the 1982 copyright date on this book deter you. The info in this book is timeless. If you think you know all there is to know about hand tools, think again. I find myself going back to this book more than any other woodworking book I own. This book is so well written and illustrated, and incredibly informative, that it should hold a prominent place in every woodworker's library.

Essential reading
Others have praised Watson's book so thoroughly I cannot add anything new and will settle for confirming the many, many accolades Watson has received - and so well deserved, for this book. It is far above and beyond anything else I've seen anywhere. Everyone interested in using hand tools should buy this book before they even buy any tools.

Hand tool essential...
Read the reviews left by others prior to purchasing this book.It certainly delivers.After reading the book itself, I must say it is an outstanding user manual for every hand tool.The pictures are hand drawn, no color pictures, etc.I didn't want pretty pictures anyway.I wanted to know how to use and care for hand tools and this is an excellent guide.I bought several books about hand tools and this is the absolute best I've seen.I am in the process of building the workbench from the appendix plan and am pleased with the design.Highly recommended!

Good Starting Point
I found that this book gives a great starting point on hand tools.There are some techniques given here that are very important and applicable with using power tools as well.Ever thing of drilling larger holes from both sides to avoid tear out?Want to use a hand plane to take off 0.001" to fit a tenon joint together?Want to use tools that help you avoid wood dust hypersensitivity pneumonitis and occupational asthma?Start using hand planes instead of sand paper.

I also found that there are other ways to sharpen chisels and hand plane blades other than keeping the angle with your hand, as the author recommends.However, the author comes from a time when sharpening jigs were not around, so I cannot fault him for not mentioning the sharpening jig.The author also proves that you don't need a lot of fancy power tools or jigs to be a woodworker.One example is to use a try square and a hand plane to mill lumber.

I rate this book 4 stars because it is a starting point for people who are working with wood.The book does not incorporate the latest techniques and improvements of hand tools.But is that really a bad thing when starting out? ... Read more

Product Description
Taking care of your tools is important.You want them to work and you want them to last.Both financially and emotionally, woodworkers make a significant investment in the tools of their trade, and proper tool maintenance is an essential skill.Sounds intimidating?It doesn't have to be.Now, expert woodworker David Thiel shows you how to preserve the working life of your power tools and insure safety in the woodshop without spending all of your valuable woodworking time stripping down tools.Inside you'll find:

A comprehensive guide to cleaning, repairing, and tuning up some of the most popular tools, including table saws, band saws, hand drills, jointers and lathes
An in-depth, illustrated look at the functions and parts of each tool
Tips on how to identify trouble spots and adjust parts to obtain optimal performance
And more!
You don't need to be a machinist to keep your tools in working order.This book shows you all the basics and lets you put the focus back where it belongs - on your woodworking. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

David Thiels Power Tool Maintenance: Power Tool Maintenance (Popular Woodworking)
Its a finepublication easy to read and understand.It gave mepictorial views of what I was supposed to do. ... Read more