Reviews (5)

Don't take it as gospel . . .
I built the #332 Morris Chair from the plans in this book and found a huge mistake in the measurements: the chair was fully 4" too wide (I caught this in time to fix it, thank goodness).In Mr. Lang's drawings the seat area is measured at 27" wide; in all the Stickley catalogs, it's clearly labeled as 23".Several of the other dimensions were also questionable.
Nice book but bad measurements
This book is an excellent compendium of arts and craft style furniture, but boys and girls, check your measurements when you start some of the pieces.I built the wardrobe No112 and have pretty good shop experience.I found errors all over that particular wardrobe.I can understand bad measurements but some were obviously the planners fault. "Shop Drawings" useful and fun
Ever since building our first piece of "Stickley" style furniture I've been looking for a book with more ideas. This one certainly filled the bill. Given the time, I could outfit my whole house with these attractive pieces! Mr. Lang's stylehelped make it an enjoyable read while his hints and advice came in useful from the start. An added benefit was the facinating history of the Stickley company. It really gave me some insight as to the designs. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arts and crafts movement    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Design - Furniture    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Drawings    6. Furniture    7. House & Home    8. Measured drawing    9. Woodwork - Furniture/Cabinetry    10. Woodwork - General    11. Woodworking    12. Furniture & furnishings manufacture    13. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles   

Reviews (6)

Crisp, great photos, lots of content and pedestrian
Taunton does an excellent job of producing attractive, well written wide market appeal products.The content of Complete Illustrated Guide is a convenient collection of the same articles you will find in their "Fine Woodworking" magazine.The authors are knowledgable, and very successful in thier space.Unfortunately, in building the mass appeal formula, Taunton had to give up anything edgy, its all vanilla and no "rocky road".A recent copy of Fine Woodworking for example rated central dust vacuums.They rated 3 "best" each was from the product line of one of the top three manufacturers each of whom advertise heavily in thier publications.As I recall there is usually one "best" and then others follow.This straddling is what I mean by no edgyness,they are trying to appeal to everyone and offend no one.In the end this approach results in what I believe is the best vanilla product out there and I love to consume what they produce, just have to take it for what it is, mass production.If you have progressed in woodworking to the point where you are becomming an artist or want to learn something new, look here for foundation and elsewhere for creativity.Most folks will benefit from both.

A brillient starter book
This book is excellant for those people starting out in wood working as it shows what can be done wihtout overwealming the reader.Althrough there is not enougth detail to pick up all the tricks, it does give you enougth basic ideas to be able to get a more advanced book and actually know what it is talking about.On the strength of this book, i will be buying most, if not all, of the Taunton's Illustrated Guides.

Great Manual!
Unless you are a seasoned professional, this book actually will guide you through what you need to know to get the job done. This book serves as a great woodworking companion. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. Woodwork    6. Woodwork - General    7. Woodworking    8. Woodworking tools    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork   

Subjects:  1. Carving    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Decoys (Hunting)    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Painting    7. Technique    8. Wood-carving    9. Woodwork - Decoys    10. Woodwork - General    11. Woodwork Arts And Crafts    12. Carving & carvings    13. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork   

Reviews (14)

Building Cabinet Doors and Drawers
If you want to see what kind of doors you CAN make, this book is not bad. If you are hoping to learn how to make a particular type of door, this book is not very informative. It lacks a lot of details that you'd need to know if you were going to actually make the door that the book describes.

Very helpfull
This book is great for the beginner or intermediate woodworker looking to gain insight into the process of cabinet doors and drawers. Lots of photos and step-by-step instructions. Great suggestions on hardware, tools and techniques.

Very Disappointing
I eagerly awaited the arrival of this book after reading the 5 star reviews by other readers.I do not know where to begin to express my dissapointment with the book's contents.I guess I am a more advanced woodworker than I previosly thought.I am starting my own business specializing in custom made, solid wood, raised panel doors.Obviously, I already know how to make them (one would hope !). Since this is what the book's title is all about, I figured I could pick up some good tips.Well, this book is obviously for beginners only.With this in mind, I feel bad for any beginner trying to make sense out of some of Mr. Proulx's "formulas".I got to the chapter where he shows a picture of drawing an arc for an arched panel door.I thought, "Hmm, at least I can see if he as an easy formula I can adapt (there are many !) to draw an elipse/arch based on the door width".Nope, he states the radius of the arc once, with no explanation of why, how, where he arrived at this figure.To add insult, in later pages/chapters involving similar cuts to be made, he says "Refer to chapter #, or page so and so where this procedure or formula was explained/illustrated".Aggravating to say the least.Also, all door types made are with a router and router bits (no mention of shapers in here).Nothing wrong with this, but while I have always gotten by making raised panel doors on a table router all these years, I would think that a pro/author of such a book would mention that a shaper is the way to go, especially when rasing a panel !.He also mentions 3 possible thicknesses of panels to be used in conjunction with frame (rail & stile) thickness.He completely omits my favorite: a 3/4 thick panel that is "back-cut" to make the panel flush on front and back side of the door.There's a lot more, but I'll stop here.If you already know how to make a cabinet door and drawer don't waste your money on this book.If you don't already know how, you can pick up some decent general basics.However, if you're a beginning woodworker, don't even try to understand the section on european hinges (drawings and explanations).These belong in a more advanced edition. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cabinetwork    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Doors    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Woodwork - Furniture/Cabinetry    6. Woodworking    7. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork   

Reviews (9)

one of the most authoritative guides to furniture and lighting designs of the 20th and 21st centuries in print
The third edition of Jerryll Habegger and Joseph H. Osman's SOURCEBOOK OF MODERN FURNITURE should be on the reference shelves of ANY serious interior design collection. Appearing in its third revised edition, SOURCEBOOK provides one of the most authoritative guides to furniture and lighting designs of the 20th and 21st centuries in print, pairing color photos with features of works by hundreds of notable designers. Photos arranged by type of furniture or fixture make it simple for quick look-ups, while lists of suppliers and indexes of designers and manufacturers provide invaluable cross-referencing.
new edition
did not someone write that they are coming out with a new edition in fall 2004?this is the only problem with this edition.it is not updated.soon to be resolved it seems.

When the best gets better!!!
As predicted, the 3rd edition is OFF THE HOOK!!! The 3rd edition, published in 2005, has close to 700 new entries. Nearly half of the photos are in color and the authors have included web site information for manufacturers. This latest edition is in the collection of prominent museums and academic institutions across the globe, especially universities which have significant design and architecture programs. This is certainly a must have edition for the intellectually astute connoisseur of furniture and design.
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Architect-designed furniture    5. Art & Art Instruction    6. Catalogs    7. Design - Furniture    8. Furniture    9. Furniture Arts And Crafts    10. Furniture designers    11. History    12. Reference    13. Furniture & cabinetmaking    14. Product design   

Reviews (4)

Would suggest more complete book
Book covers basics well including triming an open stair case.However, it does not include triming details for closed stringers

Not too diverse.
If you want to know the very basics of building a straight simple stair case this book is ok.But if you want different ideas on staircase design, trimming, railing, etc. don't buy this one.I'm still looking for a good book w/ ideas about railing, trimming an open staircase, alternate ways to build skirts, etc.This book explains very well one (complicated)method for stair case design and construction and then offers 1 page on design alternatives.

Master the basics
I just received this book and read it straight through. The pictures are good, the writing is clear and it's advice, as far as I am able to tell, is sound.Read more

Subjects:  1. Construction - Carpentry    2. Design & Construction    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Do-It-Yourself - Carpentry    5. General    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. House & Home / Design & Construction    9. Woodworking    10. Home   

Reviews (3)

Great source of ideas
Reading this book has prepared me well with ideas to consider in setting up my first real workshop when I move to a new house in the coming year.Good graphics and photos too!

Excellentinformation
The book gives outstanding ideas in all areas of building your workshop.Learned a whole lot from this book!Well worth the price. A+++ in my book

Best concise shop design book out now.
This is the best concise shop design book out now in my opinion. It covers quite a few areas in detail like lighting, adding a wood floor on top of concrete, dust collection issues, various layouts, essential tools, and more that make it an essential book. Aim high in making your shop as good as any tool you have or project you make.This book encourages that and helps you make wise, cost-effective decisions. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Design and construction    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Equipment and supplies    4. Equipment, Appliances & Supplies    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home    7. Machine Shop Practice    8. Power Tools    9. Woodworking    10. Woodworking tools    11. Workshops    12. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork   

Editorial Review

The title of this book could not be more explicit or apt. With 40 actual wood specimens in popular use, descriptions of grain, color and texture, how to identify trees by their leaves, fruit, and bark, and much more, this is a small encyclopedia for woodworkers, carpenters, hobbyists, dealers, architects, craftsmen, nature lovers, teachers, or anyone with the urge to learn about wood. With small, aromatic samples of 40 varieties of wood, from afrormosia to zebrawood, this book even smells good! --Read more

Reviews (4)

Focus On European Not USA Species
This book is of little value for the woodworker trying to identify woods commonly used on the American continent.When the species are described (with wood samples provided) the European varieties are given to the exclusion of woods from this continent.Species vary enough from the Euopean continent to make the book of very little use in identifying American woods and can even be misleading. The grain pattern on Birch is a classic example and Birch is used a great deal on funiture. Quiet and straightforward
This is a very friendly and straightforward book. It starts with veneer samples (quite small, but big enough) of 40 woods and finishes with descriptions of the trees that yield these 40 woods. Great samples. Great book.
If your working on a project involving exotic woods, then this book should be added to your library. The REAL wood samples are great. The book also has very useful information about many types of wood. I find this book tobe a handy reference tool and am glad to have added it to my collection. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Forests and forestry    2. General    3. Home Improvement / Construction    4. House & Home    5. Identification    6. Reference    7. Trees    8. Wood    9. Woodwork - General    10. Woodworking    11. Reference / Handbooks & Manuals   

Reviews (6)

Beautiful Antique Furniture Reference
"The Bulfinch Anatomy of Antique Furniture" is not only a wonderful reference book with lovely illustrations and photos, but it makes a great coffee table book as well.I highly recommend this book.It is a great value for very little money.

great Book and reference.
Totally a collectors bookhas great pictures and wonderful informationshowes the designs well.helps you learn what to look for in antiques

all high end euro type stuff
its all high end stuff in here and it didnt help me place a single item I own or have seen in auctions in new england. This is a basic type book with neat color pictures but its not helpful unless you want a coffie table type surface reader type book on high end euro stuff. I mean I hardly saw any american stuff in here and even that was only the super rare stuff. ick! I need another book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Antiques / Collectibles    4. Antiques/Collectibles    5. Collectors and collecting    6. Expertising    7. Furniture    8. Furniture Arts And Crafts    9. Reference - General    10. Styles    11. Antiques & Collectibles / Furniture   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Design - Furniture    4. Furniture Arts And Crafts    5. Furniture design    6. Graphic Design    7. Art / General    8. Interior design   

Reviews (1)

A "Must-Have" whittler's book.
I recently purchased this book after seeing Chris Lubkemann demonstrate his rooster carving techniques on the FYI channel. With the help of this book and a little previous wood working experience, I was able to whittle three roosters and a hen from branches collected in my own yard. This book is a tidy, complete, well-illustrated user's guide to whittling twigs and branches.He provides clear step-by-step instructions, and openly shares his opinions and experiences with various types of wood, knives, finishes, etc. As with all really good reference works, I find myself going back and forth between whittling and re-reading the book. I learn something new with each closer look at these pages. Lubkemann's rocking chair philosophy explores what an average person can accomplish with a twenty-dollar pocket knife and a few branches that are absolutely free. I applaud not only his uncluttered approach to this noble craft, but his genuine desire to pass it along to anyone who is interested. An aside: this book is an excellent gift idea for anyone interested in folk art, woodcraft, or chickens. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Carving    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Twigs    6. Wood-carving    7. Woodwork - General    8. Carpentry    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork   

Reviews (4)

Not as in-depth as I hoped
I bought this book hoping to cull some ideas for an idea I have for a box with inlay.However, this book is just straight ahead projects.The book does cover other things, like hand made dove tail joints, and making wood inlay - but they weren't as in-depth as I was hoping.If you have a shop full of various power tools and chisels and saws, etc - this book is for you.If you're looking for ideas on box designs/construction, and have a limited set of tools - I wouldn't recommend this one.

Woodwork as art
A woodworker with little experience with inlay technique often thinks these beautiful projects are beyond their capabilities.This book takes the mystery out of inlay design with its copious photos and descriptions of work in progress.As a modestly experienced woodworker, I found the projects somewhat challenging, while the end result was truely magnificent.The book is a course in appreciating wood for its natural beauty.The boxes are relatively plain, however the projects represent nature's most beautiful art form.A definite must for any wood library.

Great book
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, not only for the techniques and beautiful boxes, but also for the sidebars on the philosophy and observations on woodworking.Read more

Subjects:  1. Box making    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Marquetry    6. Wooden boxes    7. Woodwork - General    8. Woodworking   

Reviews (4)

A real positive- you can do it book
This is a wonderful, inspiring book for the alternative minded owner builder. Lots of useful information.

Very practical manual for owner builders
Rob and Jaki Roy have done a nice job of organizing their cordwood manual into useful chapters for the differnet stages of owner built cordwood house construction. The included photos of other cordwood houses was bothexciting and informative.The best part of the book is how they tell youwhat products and methods they recommend highly, those they don't, andthose others have tried. A must have practical manual for anyoneconsidering building their own cordwood house!

The final word on this building method
This book is a great read on an excellent method of alternative house building.The author has written a series of books on cordwood construction and in doing so has arived at what could be called the final word on thismethod.The book is well laid out and illustrated but watch out forimportant tidbits of info. that are sometimes buried in the text . Whenread cover to cover , the reader gains both valuable information andconfidence and I highly reccomend this one to owner/builders everywhere. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Architecture    3. Construction - General    4. Design and construction    5. Earth sheltered houses    6. General    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. Log-end houses    9. Masonry Construction    10. Carpentry    11. NATURE - Animals TRD PB    12. Woodworking   

Reviews (1)

OUTSTANDING !
An outstanding book for a beginner or more experienced woodworker. I am truly impressed. I am a fairly experienced woodworker. I own many books on the subject. Glen Huey has produced a very fine book on period furniture.
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Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Furniture    5. Furniture Arts And Crafts    6. Furniture making    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Home Furnishing    9. Reproductions    10. Woodwork - General    11. Woodworking    12. Furniture & cabinetmaking   

Reviews (7)

Could you follow this book to make a plane
There is lots of great information in this book, but unfortunately I found it too disorganised. I used it in conjunction with David Marks DIY segment on European planes and in that manner it was very handy to have as a shop reference. A worthwhile book to have as a reference book, but not as a how too. Overall I am satisfied with it, but if I did not have the DIY segment to refer to it would have been difficult (not at all impossible) to build the plane using this book alone.

Excellent reference - great book
Another great reference for any of us who have been inspired by Krenov. I've made several planes through the years after reading Krenov's books and this certainly helps the process. The instructions are clear and there is multitude of photos to add detail. There are added helps about using and tuning planes both homemade and purchased.A real help in any woodshop. Continues the philosophy of `doing' something with thought and skill rather than `just making a bunch of stuff.'

6 stars!!
A great step-by-step book, not only how to make planes, but how to tune and use the planes you make, and the planes you already own.Much better than any other book I own or have seen.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hand Tools    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Planes (Hand tools)    6. Woodwork    7. Woodwork - General    8. Woodwork - Tools    9. Woodworking    10. House & Home / Woodworking    11. STUDY AIDS - Series Study Guides   

Reviews (3)

Woodcraftantiques
Great and very historic book, can't wait to get busy building some of the furniture shown in this book.Very clear diagrams, explainations, and items were shown in model rooms.

Plans Without Frills
By happenstance I came across this volume before encountering the first volume.While it provides the minimum basic information to build some 30 pieces of furniture based on Arts & Crafts designs it failed to inspire me to purchase the first volume.The primary reason is that while the information provided is good, there is nothing to inspire me to build or adapt any particular piece.Why?Because Robert Lang relies a bit too much on my imagination. Great Book of PLans, But Beware of Errors!
I have both of Robert Lang's books on Craftsman Furniture.They are perhaps the best books of their type that I have seen. I am on my third project from his books and look forward to completing many more.The plans in the books are not for the novice as there is no project-by-project advice or guidance.You must figure-out the cuts and details for yourself. There are 16 pages of general information that is quite helpful to those who know how to apply such information to specific situations.Read more

Subjects:  1. Arts and crafts movement    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Drawings    5. Furniture    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Measured drawing    8. Woodwork - Furniture/Cabinetry    9. Woodwork - General    10. Carpentry    11. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork    12. Furniture & cabinetmaking    13. Woodworking   

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Hobbies/Crafts    3. Metal Work    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Woodwork - General    6. Technology: General Issues   

Reviews (8)

rustic furniture
Inspiring ideas for tools and furniture for someone in the coppicing industry in United Kingdom.

Practical book, but too little text
This is a practical book for working with dry softwood logs. Among others, it has 15 pages on tools, 35 p. on some basics (joinery, finishes...) and 50 p. on various projects. However this includes some big pictures and a lot of white space, or wasted space (e.g. a check list covering 4 pages, with only 15 items /page, and looking useless andstupid to me, pp. 37-40), so that in the end there is not much text per page in average. Although some traditional tools are exposed, everything in the book is meant to be made with power tools (but one could also use traditional tools).
A good starting place
There are few reference works available in this category. Fortunately, this one is a useful, helpful, and clear guide to the art of making log furniture. We have yet to faithfully follow any of the authors' detailed step-by-step plans. The text and pictures were clear enough to enable us to start right off making our own derivative designs. Thanks, guys! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Furniture making    4. House & Home / Furniture    5. Rustic woodwork    6. Country furniture    7. Crafts / Hobbies    8. Furniture    9. Furniture Arts And Crafts    10. House & Home    11. Woodwork - Furniture/Cabinetry   

Reviews (11)

Excellent hands on book
I have owned this book for several years and refer to it often. It is not just for model railroaders. It is perfect for anyone that wants to build dioramas of any type that look realistic. I build fantasy dioramas of castles, knights, dungeons etc. and this book is perfectly suited for that.
Usefull
I am a beginer and after I read this book I think that I am not anymore.Very recomended.
Usefull
I am a beginer and after I read this book I think that I am not anymore.Very recomended.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Model Railroading    5. Models    6. Railroads    7. Woodwork - General   

Reviews (9)

Nottoo bad,but not complete
I found this book to have a lot of good information in it,but it leaves you with the need to ask some questions.It would be excelent as a Class book,with a teacher in front of you.
Not the book you need
Disclaimer: I am a beginner at guitar building, but woodworking is something that I have been doing as a hobby for quite a while.
a side dish, not a meal
Liking books in general, I did not hesitate to purchase just about all of the guitarmaking books that I could get my hands on when attempting to build my first guitar. Jim Williams' book is certainly inexpensive, and has the added bonus of ring-binding that allows you to open it flat in your work area. It is not a comprehensive volume and if you could only have one or two books on lutherie, this one probably would not make the cut. That said, I actually found it quite useful at times when building my first guitar, a kit project purchased from a well-known American guitar company, in that Williams' overall method of assembly lent itself well to the assembly of the kit.
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Subjects:  1. Music    2. Music/Songbooks    3. Musical Instruments - Construction And Repair    4. Musical Instruments - Guitar    5. Reference    6. Woodwork - General    7. Music / Musical Instruments / Guitar