Router Joinery: With Gary Rogowski

I bought this book 'hot' off of my first project, my Joints needed help, and I loved to use the router - the title just sold the book to me.I wouldn't clasify this book as a beginer book, nor would I say it's an advanced book. However it does have something for everybody, and it's very easy to follow.Personally I think that every beginer wanting to do more than plywood boxes should pick up a copy. It starts you out with basics of a router (good to read before you buy one, though not diffinitive in that area).This book really shines with all the stuff that a beginer doesn't know to worry about - how different boards are sawn from the log, and how that effects the way that they shrink/expand. How to plan your project so that the changing seasons do not cause it to self destruct. While this sounds out of the scope for a beginer - it is very easy to understand and will help anybody (short of a seasoned pro) get the most out of their work. And this is all before the basics of joining wood.When it comes to the different joints the book is layed out from easiest to most complex. You can work to the back of the book as your skill and knowledge improve.Everybody should have it, and beginers should not feel intimidated by it!

I can't think of anything to add that the prior reviewers didn't say already. It's very well written, and easy to read and follow the diagrams. There are plans for versatile but simple to build and use jigs.This book has inspired my woodworking and also helped me simplify many processes. Highly recommended!

I came across this book originally in a bookstore. I thumbed through it, and read bits and pieces. Then I got online, and ordered it...it was cheaper...I've purchased several woodworking and handyman type books in the last 3 or 4 years, and this book ranks up with the best. It is very easy to read, and the author does not assume the reader has volumes of prior knowledge, like some other books do. It starts out describing types of routers, and bits, moves onto what can be done with each type. And, the segway into joinery is seamless. It is well written for both beginner and experienced woodworkers alike.

I've looked around for a good book that explains how to make joints with a router. The others I've seen do not explain the whys and hows as well as this book does. There are pictures and very good drawings. One of the things I like most about this book is that it explains clearly the mechanics of jointery; why should you choose this joint for this application and the strengths and weaknesses. It explains about how wood expands and contracts to effect the joint.The book is broken into three main parts; 1) intro to routers, 2) intro to joinery, 3) joinery with the router. More than half the book is spend on this third section.In all this is the best book I've seen on routers and makeing joints with routers.