Reviews (2)

Norm is my American Idol!
Since purchasing and renovating a turn of the century farmhouse I have read everything I could get my hands on, including almost every back issue of TOH magazine. I could not put this book down until I finished it. I didn't even know what a joist was when I fell in love and decided to buy a house in the country. I learned so much by reading this book. Thanks Norm!

A Cut Above the Rest of Home Improvement Books
This is an excellent book..answers questions to many (very many) questions on home improvement.A great book for novice and expert alike (trust me, you're never to old to learn).basement, doors, ventilation, Oh, my...I liked it.Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Do-It-Yourself - General    3. Dwellings    4. General    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. Houses    8. Maintenance and repair    9. Miscellanea    10. Remodeling & Renovation - General    11. Repair   

Editorial Review

Unlike conventional framing, which is destined to be hidden by other building materials, timberframe homes leave massive beams and smaller supports exposed to be seen and admired as a finished and an architectural element. Tedd Benson divides Read more

Reviews (4)

Beams!BEAMS!!
This book is full of stunning photographs of timber frame homes, accompanied by engaging text both technical and philosophical.The book is divided into locations, such as prairie, mountain, and coastal homes.Not a guide to building, this is more like the ultimate coffee-table book. Beams and More Beams
If you love beams, and more beams, lots of braces, and complex joints; then this book is for you. Visually powerful architectural & design reference.
This colorful survey of the post and beam home examines a construction method which dates to the Middle Ages, and is the first to explore the design potentials of the form. 400 color photos, drawings and floor plansprovide excellent architectural reference and design insights in thiscontemporary exploration of timberframe potentials. Visually powerful andhighly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Design & Construction    2. Design and construction    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. General    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home    7. House Plans    8. Wooden-frame houses    9. Building skills    10. House & Home / General    11. House maintenance    12. Houses, apartments, flats, etc    13. HOUSE & HOME / Design & Construction   

Reviews (4)

Excellent Book
Excellent book! Well laid out and thought out plans.Now if only we could have Norm to run the band saw for us and cut out those curves for the chair.

Good, detailed, and well explained plans.
He's got this book laid out so that each chapter is it's own project.That's a good way to do it to make sure there's enough info to do it right.However, That means that in this relatively fat (expensive) book there areonly 10 projects or so. The only project I really liked was the Adirondackchair, the others were too specialized for my simple tastes.

Good content and informative
I enjoyed reading and studying some of these projects. Each one of Norm's books have something new and interesting to learn about. My only question is when will there be a next issue? The TV projects are great and it wouldbe nice to review the available plans and be able to order them on the net. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cabinet work    2. Cabinetwork    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Furniture    6. Furniture making    7. General    8. Hobbies/Crafts    9. Woodworking    10. Home furnishing & decoration    11. House & Home / Design & Construction   

Reviews (15)

A blend of technique and journal...
This book is a blend of personal insights and techniques that shows not just what it takes to be a master carpenter, but the path this particular one took to get there.The book reads like a cross between tips and tricks of the trade and a diary.

IF YOU LIKE NORM....
I originally bought this book just because Norm Abrams wrote it and I am a big fan of THIS OLD HOUSE and THE NEW YANKEE WORKSHOP.But, it is an engaging read and one I find myself going..."ahhhhhhhhhh" or "ahhhhhhhh, hahhhhhhhhhh!" to. Add it to your "toolbox." It will help you be better at whatever you do.
A Peek Inside Norm's Toolbox
Norm Abram is the much admired and even beloved host of the PBS show New Yankee Workshop and a longtime fixture on This Old House. In Measure Twice, Cut Once, we get a peek inside Norm's extensive toolbox, as Norm simply talks tools -- his likes, his dislikes, and, of course, more than a few helpful tips.
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Subjects:  1. Cabinetwork    2. Carpentry    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Do-It-Yourself - General    5. Furniture    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. Woodwork    9. Woodwork - General    10. Woodworking    11. House & Home / Woodworking   

Reviews (11)

Norm does good work!
As always and as expected if you have watched his shows, Norm Abram has done a really good job explaining how to put together really nice pieces of furniture.

A good book, but with a few problems
I think others have gone over this before.A few of the projects have some errors in the lay out.Kind of bad IMO, but is made up for in the very pleasing aesthetic of these items.I have made a few of them and all I can say is they look very nice when done.They have a clean Shaker style that works well in most homes andIMO is fun to make.Most items are not difficult to build and while they have some fun design elements that can make you work a bit, are not hard for the average woodworker to finish.As others have noted, Norm like the power tools.That is not a big deal, in that just because he uses them does not mean that you have to.I approached this book is like most "how to books".You look at the pictures, take what you like and discard the rest.How you put it together depends on the type of tools you have and what techniques you like to use in the shop.I do not think the average woodworker will have much problem with these projects and the beginner will have lots of fun building very respectable things that will look nice in the house.

Pretty good
I've built the blanket chest, bookshelf and chest of drawers.The only problem I had was with the chest of drawers.The dimensions allow for only an eigth inch overhang on each side of the drawer front.By adding one eigth to each side of the drawer width, you only get the width of the opening, not an overhang, and a lot of side-to-side play in the drawer.You need to make the drawer about 1/2" wider than the plan.Other than that (which should of been caught by Norm's general caveat of measure twice, cut once), I really like the book and the narratives that go along with the project.Compared to the measured drawings that you can buy directly, you are better off buying the book and interpolating a few measurements. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cabinet work    2. Cabinetwork    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Furniture making    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. Woodworking    9. Business & Management    10. House & Home / Woodworking   

Reviews (3)

Shaker Furniture Making "Barney-Style"
This book is fantastic.Detailed pictures, lists of required tools and woods, and step-by-step instructions help you create great-looking Shaker furniture.I used this book to create a Shaker blanket chest, which was my second "large" woodworking project.The quality of results surpassed my expectations.This book is a must for the beginning woodworker who wants to produce quality items while at the same time learning or re-learning basic techniques.

Just like having Norm there with you!
Perhaps I'm biased, I think Norm is to woodworkingwhat Carl Sagan was to science. The projects are described in detail with Norm's hand on your shoulder. Complete and well detailed with out wasting time. I recommendthis book and the rest of Norm's books highly.

very good;excellent instruction; furniture clean
I bought one of Norm Abram's book on outdoor furniture.I built the adirondack chairs, and then the garden bench.I learned alot, they turned out very well, and I subsequently bought all his other manuals.I wish he'd do some more.His plans and choices of projects are the best among the current title offered. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Furniture    3. Furniture making    4. General    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. Shaker furniture    8. Woodwork - General    9. Woodworking    10. Crafts & Hobbies / General    11. Furniture & cabinetmaking   

Editorial Review

The function of power tools is to enhance the speed and force of those tasks originally performed by hand tools, but as useful as power tools are, there are still many tasks which simply cannot be done with a power tool. Mastering basic hand tool use is crucial to any renovation or repair around the house, and this book laysout the basic collection of important hand tools needed by any do-it-yourselfer, explains their purpose and proper use, and will give any beginner the practical information necessary to get started. It is generously illustrated with color photographs of new and historic tools. Read more

Reviews (1)

A Good Read
This book is a good read and a practical reference.Read more

Subjects:  1. Do-It-Yourself    2. Dwellings    3. Equipment and supplies    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home / Hand Tools    6. House & Home / Remodeling & Renovation    7. Houses    8. Maintenance and repair    9. Remodeling & Renovation - General    10. Tools    11. Hand Tools    12. Home    13. Home Improvement    14. Remodeling & Renovation   

Reviews (3)

Beyond me, but wonderful
I received this as a gift, and I'm simply not equipped to produce any of the six pieces included. I don't have the tools, or the time, and the previous reviewer is correct that - if I *did* have the tools and time - I'd probably want to buy the plans for the projects. A nice collection
This book presents a very nice collection of Norm Abram's kid-related projects, and the text and photos are a great help to actually building any of the projects. Having built the cradle project, though, I'd certainly recommend purchasing the set of plans that goes with each project . The plans are indespensible.

Fantastic Book!A Great collection of Projects for Children
This book is aptly named and is loaded with "Kids' Stuff".Projects include a cradle, toy chest, a block wagon, and a 1/16" scale model of the New Yankee Workshop, and more! I just got this book yesterdayand will be getting started this weekend on the marble roll which I know my2 year old will just Love!If you have a child or know one you want tomake really happy get this book and get to work! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Carpentry    2. Children's furniture    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Design and construction    6. Furniture making    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Woodwork    9. Woodwork - General   

Reviews (4)

Home-building from a master craftsman's point of view
A charming and informative look at the process of building a house by someone who understands the process all too well. The book has lots of good information about decision-making and building techniques, but what really shines through is Abram's admiration and respect for the craftsmen who built the house with him.

GREAT BOOK, LOTS OF BACKROUND INTO THREE GENERATIONS OF NORM
GREAT TO READ ABOUT NORM'SPROBLEMS AND THE FACT THAT EVERYTHING DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK RIGHT. THE BACKGROUND ON NORMS FAMILY AND THE FACT THAT 3 GENERATIONS WORKED ON NORM'S HOUSE MAKES THE PRICE WILL WORTH IT...I HAVEREAD IT TWICE AND MEASURED IT ONCE.

Norm's shows the pride of craftsmanship
If you are a follower of Norm Abram since the beginning of PBS "This Old House", you would enjoy this book.He has taken all the lasted innovations from all his shows, and built a beautiful home for his wife andfamily.The barn restoration where they had timber frame construction,used that method for the great room with the carvings up in the beams hasallowed Norm to express his talent.Then the eyebrow window placed overthe wing, had to cut each and every roof shingle to fit the angles. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Carpenters    4. Construction - General    5. Crafts & Hobbies    6. General    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. House construction    9. Interior Design    10. United States   

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Carpenters    4. Carpentry    5. Construction - General    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House construction    8. United States    9. Abram, Norm   

Reviews (1)

A necessary book for the wood worker with a back yard!!
This book has a fantastic collection of outdoor projects for the wood worker.Each step of each project is clearly explained and illustrated.Norms personality is certainly carved into these pages which makes it easyto understand and enjoyable to read. If you are a fan of The New YankeeWorkshop, this is a must add book for your collection. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Do-It-Yourself    2. Garden Furnishings    3. Garden ornaments and furniture    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. Outdoor furniture    7. Woodwork - General    8. Woodworking    9. Home furnishing & decoration    10. House & Home / Woodworking