"Cut & Dried, A Woodworker's Guide To Timber Technology"

[custard]

"Cut & Dried", the newly published book from forum contributor, Richard Jones, arrived in the post today.

Only time for a quick glance, but it looks absolutely superb. Densely packed with information and I've already spotted plenty of things I was previously unaware of.

England vs Croatia will take priority this evening, but I'm looking forward to a cover to cover exploration over the coming days!

 

[MusicMan]

Ooooh I am jealous, mine hasn't arrived yet!

 

[Sgian Dubh]

"Cut & Dried", the newly published book from forum contributor, Richard Jones, arrived in the post today.
Only time for a quick glance, but it looks absolutely superb. Densely packed with information and I've already spotted plenty of things I was previously unaware of.

custard, you are the second person here in the UK I've heard that's received their copy of my book. It's great news for me to know that books are now being shipped out to UK buyers from Classic Hand Tools, whereas North American buyers received their pre-ordered copies something like four or five weeks ago.

Your initial positive impression of both the overall appearance and learning of things of which you were "previously unaware of" is encouraging. I wrote the book with the intention of there being knowledge or information for a wide range of woodworkers, from novice to experienced, and across different woodworking fields. Having said that I am admittedly primarily involved in the craft furniture sector, which I believe is apparent to a reader. Many thanks for your positive first impressions.

Incidentally, if other visitors here are curious about the book's content, there's a link below to an excerpt from it, including the Table of Contents. Slainte.
https://lostartpress.files.wordpress.co ... xcerpt.pdf

 

[Tasky]

Looks seriously in-depth and would probably make for interesting reading even for Newbs...

I might wait until I can at least cut/chisel/saw/plane my stuff straight and square before I start on jigging around with the science, though!!

 

[Sgian Dubh]

Ooooh I am jealous, mine hasn't arrived yet!

Any sign of it yet Music Man? I've heard from other people, not participants here, that have got their copy. Slainte.

 

[Sgian Dubh]

Looks seriously in-depth and would probably make for interesting reading even for Newbs...

Perhaps reassuringly, I use elements of what's in the book to introduce timber technology to woodworking beginners, e.g., furniture students, joinery apprentices, etc. By definition, they're novices, i.e., they don't know much coupled with very few woodworking skills, all of which can, and usually improve with time and effort on their part. I teach both theory, including timber technology, and practical woodworking to beginners because the two really do go hand in hand, or at least that's my opinion. Slainte.

 

[MusicMan]

Ooooh I am jealous, mine hasn't arrived yet!

Any sign of it yet Music Man? I've heard from other people, not participants here, that have got their copy. Slainte.

Not yet, though they took the money a while ago! Can't wait! Will post when it arrives.

best, Keith

 

[custard]

I've had the chance to read through in more detail, and I have to say I'm impressed.

When I ordered it I was unsure how it was going to find any fresh areas between established timber books, in particular the "big five".

-The New Silva, by Hemert & Simblett
-Understanding and Identifying Wood, Hoadley's pair of volumes
-Handbook of Hardwoods/Softwoods, the HMSO pair, now unfortunately out of print but still widely available.

The answer is it fits very well indeed, finding plenty of original space for itself. For example, the analysis of moisture content is more comprehensive and better explained than in any of the other books, taking the reader from the growing tree through to finished furniture.

Strongly recommended!

Incidentally, one further book you might want if your interest in wood is more antique related, is Bowett's "Woods in British Furniture Making".

 

[Sideways]

From the excerpt, this looks great. I've solved a Christmas present problem

 

[sundaytrucker]

I have been looking forward to this release for a while, Classic Hand Tools did say they would contact me when it was available to order but I am yet to hear a peep.

Nice to see a positive impression from such a respected forum member as Custard and I will look forward to grabbing a copy in the near future.

 

[Sgian Dubh]

Not yet, though they took the money a while ago! Can't wait! Will post when it arrives. best, Keith

Well, hopefully soon then! Slainte.

 

[Sgian Dubh]

I've had the chance to read through in more detail, and I have to say I'm impressed.
Strongly recommended!

I appreciate the positive review custard. You've picked up, I think, on my aim in writing to explain some difficult concepts for the 'general' reader. By that I mean many woodworkers, whether professional or amateur are not timber technologists or learning about timber technology as, for example, undergraduates of a wood science course.

I've read or studied many books and papers on wood science by respected researchers and practitioners, and for the most part there's an expectation on the author's part that the intended reader already has in place a certain level of knowledge: quite reasonable if your intended readership is primarily those in the same field.

In my writing on the topic(s) I took the point of view that I'd frequently need to find ways to put in place some relatively easily assimilated basic information as building blocks towards understanding. I'm certainly not a wood scientist, and there were many elements of the subject upon which I had to work very hard to understand so, in a way, I used myself as the prototype 'general' reader.

Again, many thanks for your positive review. Slainte.

 

[Droogs]

just got back from holiday and ordered mine richard, nows it's out

coimhead air adhart ris

 

[Sgian Dubh]

Thanks for that Droogs. I hope your looking forward is well rewarded. Slainte.

 

[E-wan]

Copy ordered

I did a year's plant science course as part of an undergraduate biology degree which was one of the most interesting things I studyed. Looking forward to learning more about the whole process. I might in time contemplate purchaseing a small woodland. Not sure if your publication is likely to encourage me or put me off.

Thanks

Ewan

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

 

[Sgian Dubh]

Not sure if your publication is likely to encourage me or put me off.
Ewan

I can't think of any reasons in the book to put you off buying and maintaining a woodland. I do hope you find the book interesting and useful. Slainte.

 

[Sgian Dubh]

I came across another positive review a few days ago. I hope it's okay to post a link to it here.

Moderators: if not, delete this post. Slainte.

Link: https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/woo ... eview.html

 

[woodbloke66]

From the excerpt, this looks great. I've solved a Christmas present problem

Same here. Now on my Amazon 'Wish List' for a seasonal gift - Rob

 

[custard]

I might in time contemplate purchaseing a small woodland. Not sure if your publication is likely to encourage me or put me off.

I used to own a small mixed woodland, just a few acres so nothing to write home about. The price for woodland climbed to such a sky high level (nothing to do with timber prices, woodland is exempt from inheritance tax so it's increasingly used as a tax dodge) that eventually I sold it. But I still miss it as it was such great fun for wild camping and generally playing at being Robinson Crusoe when the kids were younger! If you get the chance to pick up something at a reasonable price then I'd say go for it.

 

[Sgian Dubh]

Same here. Now on my Amazon 'Wish List' for a seasonal gift - Rob

Hi Rob, I'm guessing that's a metaphorical wish with Amazon? It's not available through them, as I assume you know. Slainte.