The Basics of Craftsmanship: Key Advice on Every Aspect of Woodworking from Fine Woodworking (Essentials of Woodworking)

Although I have played with wood all my life (50+) this gave me ideas and told me why some of my projects did not turn out well. It now has an honored place in my garage/workshop.

As a beginning woodworker, I can't recommend this book enough. It covers just about everything to get you going - laying out a shop, table saws, hand tools, ideal tools to own, dovetail joints, finishes, the list goes on and on. I'm constantly referring back to it as questions pop up.

My desire to get back into woodworking after many, many years has led me to purchase about a dozen different books on setting up shop, buying tools, woodworking techniques, etc. Now I wish I had found this book much sooner.The book itself is a collection of articles from "Fine Woodworking" magazine. For the most part, the editor's choice of articles is excellent. For example, the Setting Up Shop section has three articles:... Read Full Review

If you're a complete newbie to woodworking, you may find this book is not the "starting point" you are looking for, but I would advise you to buy it anyway. The information is basic, even fundamentally important to all aspects of the craft of woodworking. Sooner or later, you're going to need to put a finish on something you've made. You'll have questions about what the advantages and disadvantages of different finishes... Read Full Review

When I started woodworking I had no idea how little I knew. Each question seemed to launch five more. What tool do I need, how much space, where do I get wood and how do I choose what I need? The list of things I didn't know enough about was endless!This new book from The Taunton Press addresses these kinds of questions. It discusses setting up a shop, what tools to buy (both power and hand tools) and shows an example... Read Full Review