Product Description
A woodworker's guide to building professional-looking cabinets and shelves. Even a novice can build any of the 20 classic cabinet and shelving projects from some of the country's best woodworkers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

great insight into varying furniture designs
This book has helped me with multiple projects throughout the years.While some of the projects are not things I generally build, the collection of pieces throughout this book provide the fundamentals required to design and create almost anything.I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to learn or simply needs ideas ... one of the best books I ever bought.

great insight into varying furniture designs
This book has helped me with multiple projects throughout the years.While some of the projects are not things I generally build, the collection of pieces throughout this book provide the fundamentals required to design and create almost anything.I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to learn or simply needs ideas ... one of the best books I ever bought.

Advanced Woodworkers only
If you are looking for a book on fine furniture type cabinetry which will never be within the ability of the average homeowner, then get this book--it would look great resting on a coffee table.However, if you are looking for practical nuts-and-bolts information about construction of cabinets then buy Danny Proulx's book: "Build Your Own Kitchen Cabinets".

Cabinetry: The woodworkers guide to professional looking cab
I think the book is great for beginers as well as advanced woodworkers.I am a woods/cabinetry teacher. I have 25 of these books that I use as text books in my advanced woods classes. This is the second school I have usedthis book in.I have made a work book that covers the first half of thebook asking the students to find many of the tips and techniques given inthe book.The kids like the book more than an ordinary textbook because itgives information to them that they can use right now.Many of my studentsmake these projects or we modify them to meet the needs of the students.Ithink it is a great book.

good for beginers how to and inspiration for experianced
I first read this book as a beginner and now five years later I still refer to it and get ideas for more intricate projects. Very well edited so any one can read it. Because it has so many differant writers you get a lotof differant ideas ... Read more

Product Description
Superbly detailed, this fully updated step-by-step guide walks readers through all the stages of planning, design, construction and installation of kitchen cabinets. It makes it all possible, even with only a few basic tools. And its practical approach anticipates readers' questions and concerns every step of the way. Danny Proulx covers:

Planning, cutting and assembly details for upper and lower cabinets

A range of cabinetry-from simple cabinets and custom appliance garages, to over-the-sink cupboards, lazy-Susan shelving and stemware storage

Practical information on kitchen design, material selection and tool shortcuts

Unique information on customizing cabinets, building strong cabinets quickly, combining traditional methods with European cabinetry techniques and hardware

Plus, a full-color gallery of kitchen designs

Danny Proulx opened his own custom kitchen-remodeling shop, Rideau Cabinets, in 1989. He is the author of Display Cases You Can Build, Build Your Own Home Office Furniture, Building More Classic Garden Furniture, Fast & Easy Technique for Building Modern Cabinetry and Smart Shelving & Storage Solutions. He lives in Ottawa, Canada. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (36)

Basic building guide to ugly cabinets
As many others have said before this is really just an overview of how to build cabinets, and ugly ones at that. He goes over a lot of the dimensions and some of the techniques involved in making the cabinets but honestly I kind of feel like this book was made by "Tim the Toolman Taylor" a regular handyman just sharing some of his thoughts on building a cabinet, he does not appear to be a pro in any way, and his techniques are fairly primitive even in this newer second edition. If you really want to read something written by a pro, and with much better techniques (and results) I'd suggest you buy Building Kitchen Cabinets by Udo Schmidt. I bought that book along with this one at the same time and I've found myself constantly refering back to Schmidt's book as it is excellent, and this one I've barely cracked since I opened the other.

Build Cheap and Ugly Cabinets
If you are interested in building cheap and ugly cabinets, this is the book for you.Most people would be far better served by going to their local Ikea or Home Depot and buying what's on sale.

There are 2 real issues with this book.First, everything in it is hideously ugly (as other reviewers have noted).There are a lot of pictures, which is a good thing.It warns you off building these things.The author is in love with particle board, and that esthetic infuses everything.If you thought the 80's were a heyday of kitchen design, this book is for you.

Secondly, the practical instructions aren't very good.I can sum up the entire book like this - make butt joints with particle board, and put on face frames with half overlap doors.If that sentence is helpful to you, then you don't need this book.If it isn't, you won't get much out of this book - that's as detailed as the instructions get, basically.The rest is just useless cut lists (if you don't want custom cabinets, why build them?)

I bought this book because its from Popular Woodworking (whose endorsement now means much less to me) and because of the ratings.Don't make the same mistake I did.Buy Lang's Kitchen Cabinet book instead, which is around 1000 times better.

build your own kitchen cabinets
Build Your Own Kitchen Cabinets (Popular Woodworking)The book was shipped in a very timly manner. Iam very satisfied with the service I recieved, and will order again. The price was very good.
Leslie Paugh Sr

pretty good book
This is a well written easy to follow book.If you are looking to make your own cabinets then this is a book you should check out.

Good book with excellent instructions for building cabinets
Overall the book was really helpful to me. Easy to understand for any level DIY'er and provides lots of tips to make the work less troublesome.

I used the book to guide me in building 3 large cabinets (30" W x 18" D x 76" H) for my garage. I applied the same techniques described in the book. However, I used 3/4" MDF for the cabinet carcass instead of the 5/8" particle board indicated by the author, used poplar for my face-frames and door-frames, and used 1/2" overlap hinges instead of the hidden euro-hinges. My cabinets came out great! and are a tasteful addition to my garage. My material costs for all three cabinets was less than $400.

The author does repeat himself a little but the book's highly methodical approach is very useful to me in providing:
- helpful material selection tips
- excellent guidance on standard cabinet sizing
- superb material cutting & parts labeling system
- method for constructing & installing the cabinets

I gave the book 4.5 not 5 stars because the author concentrated only on his style of cabinet construction. For example, he only shows one hinge system. Still, this is hardly a show-stopper.

To help me fill in the book's blind spots, I found these other sources to be good references:
(1) Quick & Easy Custom Cabinets by Anthony Guidice
(2) Building Doors & Drawers by Andy Rae

On the flip side of the above, the following refernce was not very helpful - Designing & Building Cabinets

Good luck to all. ... Read more

Product Description
Design and construct furniture that works. A visual source of information ranging from furniture styles and dimensions to joinery. 100 classic furniture pieces are captured in highly detailed, exploded drawings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (25)

A great textbook with obsolete examples
This book would be a great textbook for Introduction to Cabinetmaking.It explores history, basic joinery, and presents several different examples of end products for the basic styles of cabinetry and furniture.

Although the book has very recent publication dates (2003, 2008, 2010), the end products illustrated in the book were popular several years ago.In other words, don't expect to see plans for any of the end products in the next edition of Wood or Fine Woodworking magazine which I subscribe to.

If you're looking to recreate furniture that was popular 30-50 years ago, you've got to have this book in your library.If you're looking for examples of modern cabinetry incorporating drawer slides, casters, and soft-closing concealed hinges, look elsewhere.

Again, the book presents a great overview of cabinetmaking techniques, but falls short in showing `How to Design..." furniture for today's homes.

A good education on cabinet making
As a beginning woodworker, I was looking for information that would minimize mistakes that can ruin a project.The "little" things that most of us have to learn by experience.(i.e. the cause and results of expansion)I was looking for the techniques, that I may not realize went building furniture, that will avoid starting out to be a masterpiece only to turn into junk when the weather changes.This book was excellent.I began learning practical tips right from the first pages.It is not a book of projects with dimensions and patterns but a primer of cabinet making, the characteristics of wood and wood products, and how to cope with them.

I would highly recommend this book for anyone who would like to begin building furniture especially if you do not want to use available patterns and plans exactly.

Surprisingly informative - a great reference
I have a friend who didn't care for this book due to the lack of actual plans.However, the vast majority of my woodworking doesn't use them, which is why this book is valuable to me.The first part goes over every joint or method I can imagine.It is broken down into carcasses, drawers, runners, wall hung cabinets, tables, etc.There are great drawings that clearly show how such things are assembled.

The second part of the book has several examples of each type of furniture construction.If you don't find the furniture piece you want, you can certainly adapt what is there to a different style.If you are one for plans, there are alternative ideas complete with information as to where the plans are available.

I suspect that this is one of the few books I have that will be well worn and tattered in a short while.

No-Nonsense & Plenty Of Detail
Okay, I had doubts about this book, but the reviews convinced me that it must be okay. Okay is an understatement. Exploded diagram views of each furniture type with drawing of some of the varients that exist. This book shows how to build different types of furniture, it is not just a collection of blueprints. This book showed me how I could have avoided a lot of mistakes and built better, cheaper, lighter and stronger furniture.

Great Reference Book To Add To Collection
As most reviewers have remarked, this book is not a "how-to" technique book. It is also not a book for beginners as there is little instruction for how to actually cut, route, or otherwise shape any wood. Rather, this is a catalog of different techniques. It contains an illustrated collection of all different furniture pieces (casework, tables, and desks). It gives the user measured and exploded views. As such, it should be used to spark ideas when thinking about your next project.

If you are looking for a how-to book to create all the different joinery techniques or assemblies, I would recommend Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guides. This book is especially good when paired with Taunton's Illustrated Furniture and Cabinet Construction.
... Read more

Product Description
Designing Furniture covers every step in the design process from inspiration to construction strategy, including learning from established styles, creating plans for unique furniture, and choosing among construction options. The practical, process-oriented approach makes the subject accessible to woodworkers with no formal design training. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Very Helpful in preventing mistakes
Other reviewers have described the content of the book, the excellence of the pictures and that some parts are dry to them.

For me, I am prone to "make mistakes" and with guidance I may make fewer.

What I appreciate about all the articles is learning from a person/master in his/her craft, about methods they have evolved to design furniture.

For me, it is complex, and this helps simplify it.

Mostly it is about developing good work habits, making fewer mistakes and ideas. Some woodworkers copy others and learn from the assembly. Some make prototypes and modify the next one. Model building and miniatures may not be as much fun, but wastes less material, gives three dimentional perspective and lets the designing process be more fluid.

Do you draw?What happened to that great idea? What idea?Suggestions help me to use my strengths in a better way.

Would have given this a five star but I tend to read the reviews about what isn't right.

For me it is a great handbook to model my designing.Have started my idea book and figuring out where to put the cardboad, and modeling materials!

Missing something
I just about decided to skip writing a review on this. While there is interesting and practical information; it just didn't seem to really come together. Most of the Fine Woodworking books are compilations of disjointed articles about a subject, and I usually like them a lot.

This book is also a compilation but the title would have you believe they had added material to join the articles together into a continuous study of the subject. The result is somewhat disjointed and incomplete.

The value of some of the material is the reason for the four stars overall.

Designing Furniture (New Best of Fine Woodworking)
The book is Fine but I bought it as a package deal with it's companion book (Practical Design Solutions and Strategies) and many of the areas are identcal - right down to the photographs a furniture pieces used. The information is good and is useful - clear and concise.

Much of the book is interesting but not essential
The first have of the book is spent going over the history of furniture and how to draw up your designs for furniture.It even goes so far as to tell you how to make your own drafting table.I found the first have fairly uninformative and dry.The rest of the book does a decent job of describing furniture design.

Nice collection of articles...
As with most books from Taunton of this type, this contains articles from Fine Woodworking(It's another "Best Of" series).

The articles are informative and the images are good. It provides some good information on design elements in furniture. Though not inclusive of all areas, it provides good information and many areas. ... Read more

Product Description
There's nothing more satisfying for a woodworker than building something that can be put to use right away. Display Cases You Can Build contains complete step-by-step photos, material lists and construction plans for 10 attractive cabinets.

These projects require only basic woodworking tools and can be used to show off a variety of collectibles, including dolls, records, dishes and curios. Finished pieces range from large, room-dividing wall cabinets to wall-mounted display cases. Readers will be able to show off their favorite objects to the world in custom-made displays of their own creation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Ideas, plans, and lessons.Very useful!
This book was written in a thoughtful manner.The projects not only will be useful display cases, but the building process may teach you a new technique or two.Mr. Proulx gives plenty of room for the reader to use preferences and our imagination to customize the build process.Ideas presented in a chapter can be utilized and adapted throughout the book and added to your skill set.I feel these are quality projects using the tools that most of us have access to along with reasonable raw materials.Before the first assembly there is a review of materials, hardware, and joinery.The eleven projects are as follows:
1) Table display cabinet -the example shown is an enclosed case for a model sail boat.
2) Tall display cabinet - this is an 80" tall cabinet such that you could use for figurines.
3) Wall mounted cabinet
4) Divider wall display cabinet
5) China credenza and hutch
6) Contemporary display and storage cabinet
7) Corner china and display cabinet
8) Wine display and storage cabinet - includes details on building raised panel doors and drawers.
9) Entertainment and display cabinet
10) Curio cabinet
11) Military memorabilia cabinet

As you can see there is a wide variety of displays.I also have several of the author's other books and they ALWAYS provide fun, interesting, and useful projects and woodworking lessons.You cannot go wrong with Danny Proulx. ... Read more

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
Why should woodworkers spend money on pre-packaged tool boxes when they can create something better themselves? In this book, seasoned craftsmen Jim Stack provides clear step-by-step instructions for building 15 tool chests. Each practical and stylish design is adaptable to individual needs and provides a convenient place to store all of a woodworker’s tools.

Offering a wide range of tool chest styles--from elegant to utilitarian--and minimal tool requirements, this exciting guide is sure to have a variety of projects that will appeal to every woodworker. Readers will also find that completing these projects increase their knowledge and mastery of basic woodworking techniques.

Before becoming the Acquisitions Editor for Popular Woodworking Books, Jim Stack spent more than 20 years working in commercial cabinetmaking shops. He has contributed to Popular Woodworking magazine and is the author of Northwoods Furniture and The Biscuit Joiner Project Book. He lives in Cincinnati, Ohio. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A tool chest project book for tool nuts
A really nice book of projects for tool nuts.The projects run from simple tool totes to fine furniture versions of tool chests.Of the 15 projects, I hope to find the time to build 10 or more, if I do, there's more reason to buy more tools to put in them.Each project has 3 view drawings and materials lists and plenty of construction photos.The book covers different joinery techniques and use and care of a few hand tools that can be used while you're building.I consider myself lucky if I find a book with 3 projects that I might actually make, this book comes out way ahead of most other project books that I have bought.

Ideas and plans
A good book for ideas and plans for tool chests.As a beginner I was hoping for a little more detailed instructions on the more complicated chests as that is what I need to build.

Something for everyone, here
I am presently building a machinist's toolchest, which I designed myself, using ideas from Jim Tolpin's "The Toolbox Book" and a bunch of pictures and data from the internet. I'm happy with the results so far and confident of completing my first effort. However, if I'd had Jim Stack's book, I might have started my project a lot sooner. "Building the Perfect Toolchest" is a book of projects--15 of them--that covers almost the same RANGE as Tolpin's, but obviously not in such glorious and varied detail.

The first project is a simple plywood box with all mitred joints. Then we see a similar flip-top chest with frame and panel construction. From there we move on to a suit-case style caddy with a few simple drawers. Then, progressively, we go through multi-drawer chests, rolling tool carts, open totes and wall-mounted storage, culminating in a full-sized, professional standing cabinet in two pieces that could hold almost all you would need.

Every chapter includes complete cutting and hardware lists for duplicating the projects exactly. (A nice touch is the inclusion of inch AND metric dimensions!) The color photos are superb, the directions clear and simple and the suggestions for variations of design are very helpful.

There is a great emphasis on machining and it almost goes without saying that the router and tablesaw are used throughout the book. There are clear explanations of all fixtures, jigs and gadgets and even old hands will pick up a couple of useful tricks here. I believe the best feature of the book is its user-friendliness. Even real newbies should have no trouble working confidently, accurately and safely by following the text. Your only problem will be getting to keep any of your first efforts for yourself! ... Read more

Product Description
Finishing often seems to require more alchemy than skill. This book takes the magic and guesswork out of finishing by collecting the best recent material on finishing written by experts ranging from finishing chemists to America's best amateur woodworkers. These are practical solutions and accessible finishes, enabling anyone to get a great looking finish every time. Chapters include surface preparation, hand finishing tools and techniques, coloring wood, and special techniques. This is a must-have reference for weekend refinishers and woodworkers alike.Amazon.com Review
Any woodworker knows that the usefulness of common woodshoptools, both hand and power, is limited to a few basic functions. Thisis where the use of jigs and shop accessories comes in to createinfinite possibilities, shortcuts, and faster or more accurate ways ofusing common tools to create extraordinary woodworking results. Hereare some of America's most clever woodworkers' tips on guiding toolsand solutions for common problems found in the woodshop. Included isexpert advice on choosing the right materials for jig-making,special-purpose work benches and workbench fixtures, router tables andjigs for joinery and shaping, table-saw jigs for ripping,cross-cutting, joinery and safety, jigs for drill presses, lathes,planers, and chop saws that will show the woodworker how to producenearly any kind of finished piece imaginable in less time and withgreater accuracy. This detailed and well-illustrated book will nodoubt become a fixture in many woodshops and will be referred torepeatedly by both hobbyists and professional woodworkers. --MarkA. Hetts ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

More modern info online for free
Save your dough, buy a different book or get your info somewhere else, online for free. Ancient.

Surface Values
Finishes & Finishing Techniques is part of Taunton Press' essentials of woodworking series.It is the first of two compilations from Fine Woodworking that cover a wide variety of finishing techniques and styles.This wide spread of material, and the variety of opinions that a collection of articles can present make this a valuable resource for the woodworker, although I think that a good introductory book is still a necessity.Fine Woodworking articles are written for practitioners with a certain amount of experience and confidence, exploring a lot of the variations that are possible.This can be overwhelming for someone who just wants to put a nice finish on that all-important first project.

The structure of the book is straightforward - sections on surface preparation, coloring wood, hand finishing, spray finishing, water-based finishes, and special techniques.I found the special techniques particularly interesting in that it provided an approach to blotch free cherry finishing that has become the basis for most of the finishing I do.There are also some articles on aging, antiquing, and repairs.And even an article on not finishing at all which is a bit eye-opening.

This is all good, well-written material, but don't expect to absorb it in one sitting.When you are contemplating a new project this is one of the best resources for finding solutions and coming up with a new approach rather than the same old rubbing finish.

We can all learn new tricks
The book is filled with secrets, tips, tricks and techniques of the all elusive perfect finish.
Even after 35 years in cabinet making I found the chapters well researched and extremely informative.
Did you ever find yourself saying, "Oh yeah... that's how that works!"? You'll say that a few times when reading this one.

Very Useful Book
I found the book quite comprehensive, including information on how the "pros" do it. I was not interested in obtaining the finish found on most medium-quality furniture (lacquer applied with a hvlp spray gun).I wanted to learn about French polishing, finishing with shellac, dying vs. staining wood - generally, how to create fine hand-rubbed finishes.This book explains how. It also told you where to obtain hard-to-find materials.

Enough Books for the Weekend Refinisher!
Aren't there enough finishing books written for the hobbyist? How about a book that shows the hobbyists how they can get professional looking finishes by using professional tools, techniques and materials? Books like this keep the hobbyist at hobbyist levels, never raising the stakes or the standards. The big fault is the publisher, Taunton Press because this publisher is not interested in focusing on the true craft of wood finishing.

If other crafts were treated as immaturely as wood finishing, weekend woodworkers would build nothing more complicated than popsicle stick houses. Only the craft of wood finishing gets this bay treatment approach when it comes to publishing books. ... Read more

Product Description
Whether you're a beginner or seasoned woodworker, this straightforward, no-nonsense, fully illustrated guidebook will show you how to make detailed heirloom-quality furniture like corner cabinets and highboys. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Many Mistakes
I bought this book specifically for Lonnie Bird's two articles:The Eastern Shore of Virginia Corner Cabinet and The Philadelphia Highboy. I'm halfway done with the corner cupboard. I like to be challenged when I am woodworking. I do not mind doing my own layout based on measured drawings of the original piece but, when all the measurements are given to me I expect them to be correct. It seems to me that the editors had no one check out this article before it was printed. There are incorrect measurements in the materials list, and on several drawings. The most egregious
mistake was in the tombstone door layout. In fact, I not only lost quite a bit time but also a substantial amount of costly material due to this error. When I followed the somewhat vague instructions and measurements of the author I ended up with a horribly proportioned door that looked nothing like the piece represented in the photographs. It makes me feel that not only were the editors sloppy but also that Lonnie Bird was vague about this article. He has since released a Book with Taunton Press called Shaping Wood. Much of what should have been included in this book, Handcrafted Cabinetry, can be found in Shaping Wood. Also in the past, Mr. Bird, has run classes, very costly classes, at his school building this piece. I would like to beleive that Lonnie did not mislead woodworkers in order to sell his upcoming book nor to capture students for his woodworking school. I do not begrudge Lonnie making a living but, surely not at the cost of frustrating new woodworkers with incorrect and misleading articles.
I'll review Lonnie's Philadelphia Highboy article from this book when I get to it. ... Read more

Product Description
An indispensable, authoritative manual on everything you'll ever need to know about woodworking tools, techniques, design, and materials. It provides the amateur woodworker with the skills and tricks a master brings to a project. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Woodworking Wisdom
This is a very complete reference.It should be in the library of every woodworker.It is a great first choice for a beginning woodworker.

One of the best
I've been working wood and reading about it for 25+ years.Overall, I would say this is the best book on general woodworking that I've ever had.It's the one I keep.I was working wood for 20 years when I got this book and I still learned a lot from it.I found myself saying "why didn't I already know that?" every few pages.This guy knows his stuff.

Essential Shop Reference
This book is essential in any home workshop.There is a jig for virtually every kind of job, and detailed instructions on how to make and use them.

The depth of knowledge covers the woodworking spectrum; history, design, tools, techniques and finishing, and LOTS of practical material.It has a design for the best router table I've come across, and the description of dove-tailing is perfect for a home woodworker.

The material on tool maintenance and understanding, and the extensive cross-referencing makes this a must-have book.You will not be sorry.

A wealth of great info, some weak areas
The prior reviewers are correct in their criticisms about the vagueness of Engler's diagrams for jigs. The jigs also tend to be overcomplicated sometimes. I also found the sections on finishes and glue and adhesives to be incomplete and not as helpful as other sources ("Understanding Wood Finishing" by Bob Flexner and "The Glue Book" by William Tandy Young).

Otherwise, this is the first source I consult when beginning a project. This book is a primer on most aspects of woodworking and worth having on your shelf.

Everything you could ask for- almost
Overall this is an incredible resource for any level of woodworker. Mine will definitely be a dog-eared twisted mess in no time. The only thing that makes me crazy is the detail left off of the jig diagrams. For example, the cross-cut sled is a beauty. If you are patient enough to find little details spread across four different areas of the book, you will still be left without a few details you need to build the jig. It pains me to nitpick this great collection of info, but this is a cardinal sin when presenting plans. ... Read more

Product Description

Build a table of any style for any occasion

Need a table? The Table Book is just what you need. It contains 35 projects to choose from, each with complete plans, cutting lists and detailed step-by-step instructions. You can learn new woodworking techniques or improve or update your skills. Here are some of the table styles you can choose to build:

^• Shaker candle stand

^• Greene & Greene table

^• Stickley poppy table

^• Porringer side table

^• Prairie-style coffee table

^• Maloof table

^• Creole table

^• Queen Anne side table

^• Modern occasional table

^• Nakashima-inspired table

^• and 25 more!

Product Description
The Grove Park Inn opened in 1913, at the height of the American Arts & Crafts movement and was decorated with furniture from Roycroft, one of the major commercial producers of Arts & Crafts furniture. The Inn has retained many of the original pieces and has continued to acquire a large and rare collection of original Arts & Crafts furniture. The Grove Park Inn serves as an important link in the history of the Arts & Crafts movement and is a great location to view the furniture in place. This collection is the next best thing to visiting the Grove Park to see the furniture for yourself, showcasing this rare and beautiful furniture for the first time in any book. You'll also find never-before-published measured drawings for many of these pieces, making this a wonderful collection for history buffs and woodworkers alike. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A Great Read
I mostly bought this book for the promise of great pictures. The pictures were great, but I lusted for even more than the book contained.If my review were based entirely on the pictures, it would be a bit short of 5 stars.That is my only criticism.

I have come to recognize as a new investigator into the Arts & Crafts Movement that Bruce Johnson plays a significant role in the revived interest of Arts & Crafts.What the book does provide is a wonderful history of the the Grove Park Inn and of Roycroft's founder, people and products, as well as lesser know contributions.

Before buying the book, I was unaware of the Inn and it's significance.I expected to skim the text and and consume the pictures, but I actually read and enjoyed every word.I recommend the book for all its content, and my wife and I are now considering a jaunt down to the Inn for a stay and to maybe take a few pictures of our own and to enjoy the access to the wonderful history so freely available to the public.

Unless you have already read widely on the same subjects that this book covers, I think that you will enjoy this one and come away with a genuine appreciation for the rich history of the people and contributions that make this a special place.

Grove Park Inn Arts & Crafts Furniture
This is a fascinating look at arts and crafts furniture and accessories found at the Grove Park Inn. The author presents a well-written account of the history of the Inn and other Asheville locations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Shaker Furniture
As an amature woodworker interested in plans and methods for building Shaker style furniture, I found this book very informative.It includes precise instructions for building two Shaker style chairs, a bench, threetables, a pie safe, a clock, a step stool,oval boxes and a pegboard.Italso includes directions for making jigs to simplify the the constructionof several of the projects.The jig for routing dovetails for acandlestand collumn while it is still on the lathe was shown in greaterdetail than I have seen before. The diagrams and illustrated step-by-stepinstrctions are easy to understand and show construction details that meremeasured drawings do not.For instance, the methods for hanging a drawerand attaching a table top were especially interesting to me since they werea little different than what I commonly see.This is a book written foramature woodworks like myself who appreciate well documented plans forinteresting and usefull pieces of furniture. ... Read more

Product Description
Woodworking Techniques brings together the best articles on the construction techniques necessary for both amateurs and pros to assemble, decorate, and complete fine furniture. The editors provide seasoned advice from well-known experts in the field on every type of furniture project, with special focus on details such as hinges and locks, moldings, veneers, and inlay. Over 300 illustrations and photos help move projects from the idea stage to reality. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

a book for advanced amateurs
Well written well illustrated, its a book for serius amateurs looking for a very accurate and detailed way to fit a drawer, install hinges, locks and several other tips useful for an advanced amateur or woodworker in smallscale and/or fine work. It is not for industrial scale production. Thechapter on veneering and inlay is just a copy from a good book published byfine woodworking:Veneering Marquetry and Inlay. Overall, it's a goodbook,that will give a severalgood ideas, however don't expect theultimate guide in woodworking techniques. ... Read more

Product Description
Here's all the information woodworkers need to find good used wood, clean it up without ruining their tools, then create impressive, display worthy pieces.

Inside they'll find ideas and plans for XX projects. Each comes with easy-to-follow instructions and step-by-step photos for making shelving, end tables, mailboxes and more. Readers will save money on wood and have a great time doing it. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Good book for used lumber
This is a good source for info on used lumber. It gives useful tips on where to find lumber and many uses for it. I give it a 4 star because the projects are fairly plain. It is well worth the price of the book for what you can learn from it.
Most woodworkers will read this and think of all kinds of things to do with basicly free lumber. Enjoy

Little Information about reclaimed lumber
This book is just a collection of plans, that the author made with reclaimed lumber.There are 4 pages dedicated to finding reclaimed lumber, 1 page of text and 3 pages of pictures.I was hoping to get more information about getting and cleaning up used lumber, rather than just a collection of projects. ... Read more

Product Description
Most families never have enough room for all the stuff that piles up around the house. In this book, Danny Proulx helps woodworkers, hobbyists and home-improvement enthusiasts find the extra space they need, with:

-Clear step-by-step instructions for designing, building and installing storage--all with easy construction techniques-Appealing projects that will be put to use right away, including an entertainment center, kitchen pantry and closet storage-Ideas and how-to photos for finding hidden space in nearly every room

It only takes a few basic tools to build these rewarding cabinetry and furniture projects that are sure to make any home more livable. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Interesting and useful
Danny Proulx is the author of project books that I enjoy a great deal.This is one of my favorites.There are 15 projects in this book ranging from simple adjustable utility shelves to a kitchen pantry and an entertainment armoire.Mister Proulx keeps in mind the real world limitations that most of us face including the cost of materials and tool availability.He gives several options on how to build and finish, from simple slab doors to frame and panel construction.The author teaches and stresses basic points while the project plans allow freedom to amend to the intended use, preference, and skill of the wood worker.The projects will not result in museum quality heirlooms, but that is not the intent. The resulting projects are attractive, useful, sturdy, and I am proud to show them to my friends.The results are much nicer than the "build it in a weekend" style that sometimes show up in project books.
The projects detailed are as follows:
1) Pine chest of drawers
2) Storage Bed
3) Desk work center
4) wood edged counter tops
5) frameless base cabinets
6) utility wall cabinets
7) bookcase construction
8) Kitchen storage unit system
9) simple clothes wardrobe
10) low cost storage shelving
11) closet storage system
12) corner entertainment center
13) television armoire
14) large dresser
15) bedside cabinet and bookcase

Within the projects are great ideas such as building a panel cutting jig for your table saw, making solid wood panel glue ups, making a box joint jig, installing doors with hidden hinges, using dowels, making table saw frame and panel doors, and making birch plywood drawers.This book contains a great deal of useful information that is easy to utilize in a home workshop.

Same as Smart Shelfing & Storage
I have the Smart Shelving and Storage Solutions book by Proulx and from looking at the Table of Contents of this "new" book on line at Amazon, I believe that many if not all of the projects in both books are identical or very similar.Most of the photos in the Table of Contents of Best of Danny Prolux Storage & Shelving are the same as the ones in Smart Shelving and Storage Solutions.I'm sorry that Mr. Proulx finds it necessary to reissue an old book under a slightly different title.I for one will buy a different book. ... Read more

Product Description
Setting up a home office involves time, money and careful planning.For the creative woodworker, it can also mean the satisfaction of building each piece yourself.With designs ranging from weekend projects to a fully-realized computer desk, all of the plans in this book are fresh, functional and fun to build, including a stand-up desk recalling the unique work habits of Ernest Hemingway.

Everything in this book is accessible, even for beginning woodworkers without elaborate shops.Designs include desks, shelving, room dividers and more.Easy-to-follow instructions are accompanied by detailed photographs showing all the key steps.Projects can be completed quickly, so craftsmen save money without a huge investment of time. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A Good Book- worth the money certainly.
Very well detailed book describing the construction techniques to make simple home office furniture with simple plans to follow.

Woodworking at it's finest.
I wanted a new computer desk and found exactly what I wanted in this book.

Fantastic tool!
A number of years ago I wanted to make a horizontal file cabinet for my wife. After a lot of searching online for good plans, I came across this book. Although I was skeptical, it was the best (promise of) plans I could find. The description, discussion and step-by-step instruction was terrific and the file cabinet turned out perfect! Not only did I save money by building my own, but it's more of what I wanted to begin with and I had almost as much fun building it as surprising my wife with it on her birthday. We're considering remodeling the kitchen in our new house, and Danny Proulx's other books are high on my list for new cabinets if we decide to do it. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (6)

Overall an excellant book
The projects here are all doable by a determined beginner and use common equipment.I have two minor gripes though:first they mention shelf strength with and without a 2" edging; but never define what the 2" edging consists of. (BTW the sagulator that they refer to apparently no longer exists.) Second they seem to be rather fixated on table saws as tools and don't mention alternate techniques like router, bandsaw or panel saw. ( Everyone doesn't have room for a table saw nor necessarily want one.) The information presented is very useful and the pictures actually show what is going on.I much prefer loose tendons to biscuits as tendons are much stronger and much more useful.
The strength of materials is useful in spite of them not saying what they mean by 2" edging.I didn't realize that magazines are heaver than hard cover books so that was good information.

The most affordable book that really covers the subject and a good read.

Fantastic Guide with Details
I bought this book, mainly for the section on closets and bookshelves. I got a bonus though, because the section on cabinets was also one of my favorites. It will probably be a while before I tackle that, but the photos, steps and instructions are clear enough to not feel quite so intimidating. I've taken some woodworking classes like building cabinet doors, basic woodworking where we made shelves and simple drawers, but I have always been a little nervous about jumping right in. This book makes it appear so "doable". Even the front cover made me think, ummm I could do that. I have all the tools and have made some smaller project items, but it's time I think this lady will need to jump in with both feet.

What's really helpful, because I am a planner, is the helpful tips contained in this book. For instance, in the section on shelves on page 6, it shows shelf weight limits for different woods and wood thickness and lengths. Just the kind of information I need when planning a shelf to build. I loved the section on closets (even though a little short -but I guess it IS basically boxes! LOL) because it discussed the heights and widths shelves should be, how much space a hanging clothes need and tips on planning the layout. It discusses the differences and steps when using MDF vs Prefinished vs Wire shelving for closets.

Absolutely loved the details, instructions, tips, photos in this book. Highly recommend.

Practical advice
Especially helpful if you want to build simple bookcases from 3/4" birch plywood using drywall screws, glue, brads, circular saw (with jig), and hardwood trim.No dados!Keep the shelves 32" long and 9" wide.

Excellent book!
This is an excellent book with great pictures.It does a good job of explaining some techniques and what tools are used.I bought it in order to get some ideas on how to build some nice built in cabinets.I am excited about how the project will come out!

Excellent publication
A very helpful book for those who are starting out in cabinet design and building.I found this book an excellent source of information. ... Read more