Hi Lurker
We've sort of done this before from time to time, but I'll give you what I consider to be a few worthwhile books to get the ball rolling (all of these are on my shelf in front of the PC):
1. Joinery & Carpentry
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"Carpentry & Joinery" by Brian Porter publ. Butterworth-Heinemann
Three part publication (i.e. there are books 1 to 3) dealing with all aspects of City & Guilds CGLI 585 Carpentry and Joinery (in other words the trade course)
"Carpentry & Joinery" (2nd Edition) by Peter Brett publ. Nelson-Thornes
Two part publication (i.e. there are books 1 to 2) dealing with all aspects of NVQ 2 and 3 in Carpentry and Joinery (in other words the trade course). These two books ara analageous to the Porter books and contain much of the same information. I finfd Brett to be much better on Building Regs stuff, though.
"Manual of First and Second Fixing Carpentry" by Les Goring publ. Butterworth-Heinemann
Want to undestand how to install doors, frames, casings, etc. also how to fit windows, floors, roofs, staircases and much more then this is the book to get. No how to make stuff at all, but plenty of how to install properly
2. Furniture Making
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"The Technique of Furniture Making" by Ernest Joyce publ. Batsford
A tome still used for teaching furniture crafts at C&G and higher levels. A bit sketchy in parts but nonetheless still about the best book of its type published in the UK
"The Woodworker's Bible" by Alf Martensson publ. Pitman (1982)
Now out of print, so you'll need to find a second-hand copy. Martensson covers a huge amount of ground in just 288 pages from tools to finishing with almost everything in between nand with some superb examples of design by people such as Alan Peters, Martion Grierson and John Makepiece. A bit light in some areas, but with some useful insights into how to do things with just basic equipment (including a home-made table saw). A lot of the machine usage stuff is out of date and some practices are now proscribed, but nonetheless an excellent read (my own copy is very dog eared!). Good enough to have been recommended by both Mr Grimsdale (Jacob) and Dom Valante
3. Specialist Skills
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"The Complete Manual of Wood Veneering" by W. A. Lincoln publ. Stobart-Davies
An excellent work on the subject of veneering and other forms of decorative work. A bit sketchy on hammer veneering and modern vacuum bag vaneering (for which I'd actually recommend taking a look at the
Joe Woodworker web site.)
4. Finishing
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"The Complete Manual of Wood Finishing" by Frederick Oughton publ. Stobart-Davies
Another classic work and one used for C&G and higher levels
"Spray Finishing" by Andy Charron publ. Taunton Press
Probably the only book on spraying to have been written from the perspective of a wood finisher as opposed to a car spraysr (and they are different). Lots of information on use of LPHV, too, although possibly not the most up to date of texts as regards materials.
5. Timber Recognition & Technical
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"World Woods in Colour" by W. A Lincoln publ. Stobart-Davies
Another standard text, this one on timbers of the world. If you're serious about woodworking then you'll need this on your bookshelf
"Understanding Wood" by Prof. Bruce Hoadley publ. Taunton Press
If you want to understand why and how wood moves in response to it's environment then this book is a must, although it is quite turgid in places. A standard text for anyone taling a higher qualification in furniture making
6. Wood Machining
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"Machine Woodworking technology for Hand Woodworkers" by F.E. Sherlock publ. Stobart-Davies
Another standard text for teaching safe wood machining practices. However, as with all things in a fast changing field it is advisable to read the book in one hand and have the current data sheets from the HSE to hand in the other (
found here) as books can go out of date quite quickly
Anyone who has been through college in the last 10 years will probably recognise these titles as forming the basis of a training library. There are many other books, but all of these I'd recommend as ways of learning how to do the job properly
PS For anyone interested I find the best supplier of wood technical books to be:
Stobart-Davies Ltd
Stobart House
Pontyclerc
Penybanc Road
Ammanford
Carmarthenshire
SA18 3HP
Tel: 01269 593100
Fax: 01269 596116
Email:
[email protected]
No affiliation other than having been a customer for nearly 30 years. I used to spend many a happy lunchtime in their stockroom in the days when they were based in Worship Street on the edge of the City of London - and on occassion I even bought a book or two :wink:
Regards
Scrit
Edit: Added in Andy Charron's book on spraying and Alf Martennson's book after prompting
