Wood Engineering and Construction Handbook

This book provides the details one needs to know before building structures from wood. It is not just a matter of buying some boards and nailing them together. There is math formulas, logistics, physics, and a host of other sciences involved. Once you have your loads calculated then there is the matter of fastening pieces of wood together. But perhaps first you need to bend the wood. All of these details and many more are contained in this volume. Carpenters should be particularly interested in this, but also the do-it-yourselfer. Having this volume on hand will allow the builder to understand what is needed to know before the project begins.

This book is one of the best on the subject, but it definitely needs to be updated! Check out "The Encyclopedia of Wood" from the USDA to get a comprehensive and up-to-date guide to wood.

This book remains open next to my keyboard when I'm designing residential structures. The other books remain in boxes in my garage. Faherty's use of examples is wonderful. Everything from shear walls to glulam technology is explained.