Reviews (21)

The One to Have
Leonard Lee's "The Complete Guide to Sharpening" is a wonderful (make that essential) addition to the home or shop library. A writer once told me that a really good title should only fit one book, and this one certainly does. After reading the table of contents I was awakened to the idea that almost every tool needs something sharpened, reshaped, or polished to perform its tasks the best. How about sidecut pliers, tweezers, various drill and router bits? They're covered in this book.I appreciate the photographs and illustrations of various cutting edges under extremely high magnification. The whole "a picture is worth a thousand words" cliche takes on serious meaning in this book. Some prospective buyers may look at the sheer scope of this work and think it's overkill -- too comprehensive for most hobbyists. I strongly disagree. This work should be read, followed, and kept for future reference. I would not have thought of sharpening my pruning shears, hedge trimmers or other tools had I not purchased this book. I find it well-written, comprehensive in scope, founded in facts, and easy to follow. I consider this book the equivalent of a doctoral dissertation on sharpening. Buy it and use it.

Now my tools are scarey sharp!
Prior to reading Mr. Lee's book my approach to sharpening was to fire up the grinding wheel and make some sparks fly from the tool's cutting edge.The results were less than satisfactory.I needed a mentor.
Best Book for Sharpening Skills
This is the best book by far that I've found for sharpening every tool in the workshop. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Carpentry tools    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Hand Tools    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. Power Tools    7. Reference    8. Sharpening of tools    9. Woodwork    10. Woodwork - Tools    11. Woodworking    12. Woodworking tools    13. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork   

Reviews (2)

Excellent Woodworker's Tool
A basic guide that covers just about all you need to know on the subject.Taunton is always the source to use for the best in anything to do with carpentry and home repair.

Starting Out Right
It's not like me to wax poetic over a an introductory how-to book, but Lonnie Bird's tome on Using Woodworking Tools really is one of the finest effots I've ever seen.Taunton continues to set the bar with their 'complete illustrated' guides, but this one is exceptional for even that series.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Furniture    4. Hand Tools    5. House & Home    6. Power Tools    7. Woodwork - Furniture/Cabinetry    8. Woodworking    9. Woodworking tools    10. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork    11. House & Home / Woodworking   

Reviews (7)

Yes, there is a way to fix almost anything if you have the right tool!
This is a great reference book.Before I had it a week, I had solved some mysteries about pieces and parts of stuff...and where to buy them, and what they looked like!Of course, sometimes it's fun to just graze through the book and find all sorts of items you didn't know existed. If you're into home repair, or home improvement, this gem is a great addition to your how-to collection.

Two books in 1 cover
The _"Complete Illustrated Guide to Everything Sold in Hardware Stores and Garden Centers"_ (published by Running Press/Courage Books imprint, 2002) has two parts: 1: "Complete Guide to Everything Sold in Hardware Stores" (729 pages, originally published by Macmillan in 1998) and 2: "Complete Guide to Everything Sold in Garden Centers" (368 pages, originally published by Macmillan in 1990). Because they were originally published as separate books, the two sections of this book each have their own introductions, tables-of-contents, indexes, and pagination. If you see this 2002 title/edition listed as only 368 pages, do not despair - it actually has 1,097 pages. So far, all the reviews I've seen have only reviewed the _Hardware Stores_ section. Nothing is COMPLETE
Steve Ettlinger writes books that are basic lists of explanations on various subjects. Such as:Read more

Subjects:  1. Catalogs    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. General    4. Hand Tools    5. Hardware    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. Reference    9. Repair    10. Terminology    11. United States    12. Home & House Maintenance    13. Sale Books   

Reviews (20)

Old book but very informative - shave your legs and slice that onion
I like this book. I only give it 4 stars cause it is old and not very pretty, but it is very useful. It gave me a new perspective on grinding and sharpening. I am sure there are others, but this works for me. The book outlines and discusses various thoughts on sharpening and picks up apart all kinds of traditional notions that you keep running into when researching sharpening on the web. Yes, it talks a lot about the meat cutting industry, but heck, few places demand better edges. Anything that works for their knives will work for anyone else that needs a sharp knife. It is an old book and you will not leave it on the living room table for decoration. It has basic old illustrations and cheap print on cheap paper, but that doesn't make the contents any less useful. He does promote his approach to sharpening and sells the hones etc. I bought the book and the company's 8 inch 2 hone kit (for dry grinding, nice, no oil,no water, just wash the hones in water after use). I have tried many things over the years to keep things sharp. I read the book a couple of times (which doesn't take long) and then went ahead and worked with the sharpening kit. I ground new edges and sharpened a half dozen kitchen knives, from a cheap Martha Stewart/KMart 3-inch paring knife to 8 inch chef knives (steel Wusthof and Sabatier carbon steel) and long thin dangerous looking Finnish fish fillet knives, and for fun a cheap basic thin bladed kitchen knife I found in the back of a cabinet. Every one of them now easily shaves hair from arms, legs, chin etc. They just glide smoothly through an onion, even with skin on.Very happily applying the same techniques to sharpening my chisels, planes, etc. too. Just make sure to grind until you get the burr on the coarse hone, and use a light touch on the fine hone.
The Razor Edge Book of Sharpening
Very helpful book on the art of knife and tool sharpening.I have never had knives as sharp as they are now.I would highly recommend this book.

Poorly written and mostly useless
The author presents several different "methods" for sharpening a knife. They all boil down to "scrub the knife back and forth on a stone". This will produce an edge of sorts but not a very good one. He dismisses the collected wisdom of millennia of knife sharpening as "bull" without any evidence to support his claim. The author says he has "studied" and tested his methods. This mean he tries shaving with each blade until it feels right. The rest of the book is an ad for his products. Don't waste you money.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Hand Tools    2. House & Home    3. House & Home / Hand Tools    4. Sharpening of tools    5. Tools   

Reviews (3)

As useful as it gets
This is just about the most relevant and useful quality book I have come across.It provides a comprehensive library of tools to use to solve different kinds of problems.Many of the tools covered in this book are covered elsewhere, but in this case the author has a knack for guiding the reader through a set-by-step process in a way that it was very easy for me to instantly apply the tools to my job.
A choice of a variety tools for quality
In updating this book, Tague has added more than 30 tools and several variations. This book gives easy to follow step by step instructions for the tools to be used. Second edition uses icons with each tool description which makes easy to identify the tool and the applications for the reader.

A book for the real world of problem solving !
This book is for the people that want to solve quality problems. For those of you that want to know the theory and never do anything with it but teach, would not want to read this book (no big words or long formulas).For the rest of us that are in the real world and need some structure toresolve quality problems (in the real world) GET THIS BOOK! It is acookbook of how to USE these tools and when to use them. Best front linequality tool source I have ever seen (and I have 4 book shelves full ofthem). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Decision Making & Problem Solving    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Group problem solving    5. Hand Tools    6. House & Home    7. Self-directed work teams   

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.
Read more

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)

Very good reference. Comprehensive and helpfull classic!!
This is a well illustrated and clearly written work of reference. My husband learned a lot of historical and technological facts from reading it. This is a very valuable book for the beginner to the mid-level American tool collector.

Avoid this book
This book of tools and tool values contains many misnamed, mislabed, or inaccurately named tools.Save your money and buy the latest edition of Keane's book of antique tool values, the most accurate one for tool prices, or Barlow's most recent edition of Antique Tool Collectors Guide to Value, good overview of antique tools
This book provides a good overview of many tools (including a lot from obsolete trades).Some prices are provided. A good book for a beginner looking for background on the many tools out there. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Collectors and collecting    5. General    6. Hand Tools    7. Machine-tools    8. Reference - General    9. Tools    10. Antiques & Collectables    11. Reference works   

Reviews (14)

a hand tool enthusiast
I just received this book.Wow! Because of all the good reviews, I expected a good book.This is one beautiful book and is way above my expectations.I would have been satisfied if it only contained photographs and illustrations without the text, they are very clear.I have not purchased a book that has impressed me as much as this one, ever.I can only add my positive comments to the many reviewers before me.It is well worth your investment whether you just want to scan through a beautiful book or are a serious craftsman wanting to build fine furniture for your tools.

One of My favorite books!!!
Tolpin is a refreshing change from the old bland how-to's that have been republished with outdated material year after year. This book is no exception. I love how the author takes you through the history and evolution of the toolbox. The color pictures are gorgeous.(Or maybe it's the toolboxes?) This is a must own for any tool lover. A great gift idea for that person you know with the messy shop!

Fine Bookmaking about Fine Woodworking
I turn into a box-making junkie during the winter.Every time I see a chunk of wood I start resawing it in my mind thinking of neat things I could do with it.One of the side effects of this compulsion is that you accumulate a lot of odd tools that seem to meander all over the shop.Guaranteed not to be in the place they should be when you reach for them.After looking at the prices for good commercial tool chests it occurred to me that building one wouldn't be all that more expensive.Even if it took 400 hours of work rather than a quit drive to the nearest discount store.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Boxes    2. Cabinetwork    3. Carpentry tools    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Do-It-Yourself    6. Hand Tools    7. House & Home    8. Power Tools    9. Toolboxes    10. Woodwork - General    11. Woodwork - Tools    12. Woodworking tools    13. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork    14. Other manufacturing technologies    15. Woodworking   

Reviews (3)

A great collection of information
I have read many books from the New Best of Fine Woodworking series and this is among the best of them.Though this is really just a collection of articles written by many different authors surrounding the general theme, there is a lot of very valuable information here.As always with Taunton, the writing/editing is excellent and the color photographs and illustrations are quite good.In my mind, this "collection of articles" approach is even more valuable than a book by a single author.The reason for this is that as you read expert advice from many woodworking pros, you get the sense that they don't all agree on everything.In my mind this is one of the most important lessons to learn... woodworking methods and techniques are an extension of the woodworker and as such there is no single "right way" of doing things.
Not a Lost Art
Readers should note that this book is part of a series that is a collection of articles by various authors.So, as a previous reviewer has stated, you sometimes will revisit a topic from a different author's perspective.That said, I really enjoyed this book.I began using hand planes about a year ago and had mixed results.After reading 'Working with Handplanes' I had a better sense of my planes and their use.I took the advice and "tuned-up" a new plane that I was fairly happy with.The result was a plane that performed substantially better.
Working with Handplanes (The New Best of Fine Woodworking) (Paperback)
In general, the book has good information, nice and illustrative pictures all over the place however, the order of ideas is mix since it does not follow the introduction made in each chapter, it goes back to block planes very often and the pictures in the pages do not follow the author explanation.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Construction - General    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hand Tools    4. Planes (Hand tools)    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Technology    7. Woodwork    8. Woodwork - Tools    9. Woodworking    10. Carpentry    11. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork    12. House & Home / Woodworking   

Editorial Review

In 1999, an editor of the Read more

Reviews (23)

Look around...
Look at all the little things around you that you overlook everyday. Hangers, buttons, electrical sockets. Can you imagine your life without them? Can you imagine your life without screws?
Fascinating
A charming, well researched account of something we take for granted. Now you can get a whole handful of nuts and bolts at the hardware store--cheap. And they're interchangeable. If you lose a nut, another one will fit. No one stops to think of how this came about, how the first screws and nuts were handmade and each one was unique. The story is fascinating.
An informative evening's diversion
This little volume takes about two hours or so to get through and is well worth the time if you've any interest in mechanical history.It starts with the story of how its author set about deciding what is the "best" tool developed during the millennium just ended.His object was to write an essay on the topic for the New York Times.On his wife's suggestion he settled on the screwdriver and then scoured museums and libraries for its provenance.The book, however, is not primarily about screwdrivers, but about this research and ultimately about the screw itself, which after all gave rise to the screwdriver, and about some of the machinery such helical devices enable. It is the author's feeling that the screw represented a leap of inspiration rather than a logical development based on previous devices.It may be that using screws to fasten objects together was a genius move, but in fact shafts with helical threads were earlier used in various machines where considerable pressure needed to be generated, such as oil and wine presses and their offspring. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Hand Tools    3. History    4. Power Tools    5. Science    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Screwdrivers    8. Screws    9. Technology    10. History of specific subjects    11. Inventions & inventors    12. Literary Criticism & Collections / General   

Reviews (1)

Fantastic reference
For anybody interested in making metal handplanes, this book gives complete directions.Including, history, technique, materials, etc.Beautiful color photos of the authors handiwork too. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Design and construction    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Hand Tools    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. Woodwork - Tools    6. Woodwork Arts And Crafts    7. Woodworking tools    8. Tool making    9. Woodworking   

Reviews (8)

Not recommended.
If it wasn't for Case knives it wouldn't be much of a book.
14th Edition Collectors Guide
Best collectors book I seen yet. Indespensible to any collector of Case pocketknives. I use mine every day.

He is on a roll!
I found this book vey helpful in my research!Any person who is involved in collecting knives, thisis a must-have book!I also found his website, where you can order other books about knives, and also subscribe to KnifeWorld, which I did do.It is knifeworld.com. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Firearms & Weapons    6. General    7. Hand Tools    8. Antiques & Collectibles / General   

Editorial Review

Woodworkers beware: Garrett Hack has put together a completely irresistible book, beautifullyillustrated with color photographs, drawings, diagrams, and everything you would ever want or need toknow about the handplane, the ultimate woodworker's tool. Hack covers the history of planes back toRoman times, and explains how to tune and sharpen a handplane, how to use the many different varietiesproperly, and how to purchase the right kind of plane. In a world where most woodwork is done withmachine tools and mechanized wood-shaping devices, Read more

Reviews (14)

One major part of the essentials for handplaning
Hack presents a job far removed from his name.Another pun: this is no hack job; this is a meticulously shaved job.Now, on to the review.
Excellent and useful - a classic
Another modern classic in the making. My guess is that even Thomas Chippendale could learn a thing or two from this excellent book. Every detail of planning and planes is made clear. The illustrations are superb and the writing is clear. The help on setting up and using planes will be worth the cost of the book for most people. Good book for any woodworker's library.

The Handplane Book
Been collecting and using handplanes for a while and this is the most comprehensive book I have found sofar. For the casual user or the serious woodworker I highly recommend this informative book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hand Tools    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Woodwork - General    6. Woodwork - Tools    7. Woodworking    8. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork   

Reviews (13)

Bare bones Basics...
This book is the very bare bones basics of common lock type overviews and theories on how to open them. After purchasing it I found other websites out there that had published this book on the net. Book can be read in an hour or so, save your money or search it on the web.

A Little Book... A Lotta Secrets
Steve Hampton writes with a nice and easy conversational style and leads the reader through the basic tools and locks. And along the way he offers his advice on this or that. For example, Hampton's favorite tool is the diamond pick.He also likes to make tools from everyday items. On page 18 he shows how to pick a five-pin tumbler lock with a modified screw driver and a safety pin. My favorite tools are the Magic Keys which Hampton shows on pages 34 and 35. I sometimes astonish my friends with how fast I can open their warded locks without a key. This little book has a lot of secrets on lockpicking that won't be secrets anymore to anyone who reads it.

A Little Book... A Lotta Secrets
Steve Hampton writes with a nice and easy conversational style and leads the reader through the basic tools and locks. And along the way he offers his advice on this or that. For example, Hampton's favorite tool is the diamond pick. He also likes to make tools from everyday items. On page 18 he shows how to pick a five-pin tumbler lock with a modified screw driver and a safety pin. My favorite tools are the Magic Keys which Hampton shows on pages 34 and 35. I sometimes astonish my friends with how fast I can open their warded locks without a key. This little book has a lot of secrets, but if you read it, they won't be secrets anymore ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Do-It-Yourself    2. Hand Tools    3. House & Home    4. House Plans    5. Lock picking    6. Personal & Practical Guides    7. Reference    8. House & Home / Reference    9. Household appliances manufacture    10. Household hints    11. Housing & property for the individual   

Reviews (2)

A continuation of a classic
"Fine Tools" is a classic book and this second book of a similar nature is a fitting and excellent sequel. As a certified "tool nut", I found this book as interesting and informative as the earlier volume while expanding a bit from the earlier effort. Another treasure for my library. Highly recommended.

Interesting book
The Author does a fine job of artistically photographing and describing a wide variety of rare tools. A veritable smorgasboard for the senses. I only wish I could reach into the photos and hold and examine the tools. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Collectors and collecting    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Hand Tools    4. History    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home    7. Pictorial works    8. Power Tools    9. Tools    10. Woodworking    11. Antiques & Collectables    12. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork    13. House & Home / Hand Tools    14. Reference works   

Subjects:  1. Antiques    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Antiques / Collectibles    4. Antiques/Collectibles    5. Catalogs    6. Collectors and collecting    7. General    8. Hand Tools    9. Reference - General    10. Reference - Price Guides    11. Tools    12. Woodwork Arts And Crafts    13. Woodworking tools    14. 20th century    15. Antiques & collectables: scientific & musical instruments    16. Reference works    17. c 1700 to c 1800    18. c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (7)

just what I needed
This book provides practical know-how and excellent illustrations in using western-style hand tools.There is no coverage of Japanese-style tools (which I find somewhat disappointing considering I like Japanese saws more than their western equivalents).

very good for beginners
wow. this book is simply gorgeous. for a beginner like me it is a very informative coverage on the art of woodworking. beautifully and clearly illustrated on every page it teaches. Most useful book I have bought yet
I have recently taken an interest in woodworking.Being someone who like to learn about the theories before actually doing anything, I started buying and reading a number of woodworking books, and doing some experimenting and practicing with the information I learned.Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Hand Tools    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. Woodwork - General    6. Woodworking   

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. Dictionaries    4. General    5. Hand Tools    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. Tools    8. United States    9. Antiques & Collectables   

Editorial Review

At first glanceRead more

Reviews (2)

A good book for choosing garden tools
If you are a beginning gardener and don't know the difference between a shovel and a spade, or what to use them for, this book is immensely useful. It is certainly worth the price and the time it takes to browse through it to find and understand the exact tools you will need for your individual garden before you go out shopping. In addition to pages of full color pictures of each tool, it contains historic accounts regarding the tools and some nice quotes about gardening. After reading this book I felt like I understood garden tools, whereas prior to reading it, I just used tools in a haphazard way without understanding their purpose and how they could help me in the garden.

Truly wonderful
A piece of art, fits the coffee table and yet is packed with valuable information ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Garden tools    2. Gardening    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Gardening/Plants    5. Hand Tools    6. Reference    7. Gardening / Reference   

Subjects:  1. Hand Tools    2. Handbooks, manuals, etc    3. Home Improvement / Construction    4. Metal-cutting    5. Metal-work    6. Production engineering    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Other Technologies