Woodworking Books?

[wizer]

Right I'm being pressurised to finish my xmas list and I thought I'd put some books on. I like to make a big list, so that whatever I get is a surprise. Whilst I can't stand the run-up to xmas, I quite like that day itself and surprise is a big part of the day (in our non-religious family).

Anyway. I've got quite a few already. Joyce, Hylton, Colins, Tolpin. Just before I went into hospital I got the Alan Peters book, but I'm finding it hard going at the moment. Probably the pain/drugs.

So anything you think should be on my list? I fancied the Finck Wood Handplane book but it's gone out of print and mega bucks.

What about the Krenov books? Maloof?

 

[Mr Ed]

Chris Schwartz's workbench book is good.

The Krenov books are good, but not really light reading.

Toshio Odates book on Japanese handtools is excellent and has some good autobiographical tales as well as factual tool stuff.

Ed

 

[woodbloke]

The Krenov books are good, but not really light reading.

Ed

I tend to disagree on that one Ed, I find his style of writing quite entertaining. Agreed, it's not a 'light' read but it's not Tolstoy either.

A book I'd go for is Robert Inghams "Cutting Edge Cabinetmaking" which is excellent and any of the books by the late Jim Kingshott are also well worth a read - Rob

 

[Evergreen]

In view of your poorly state of health, I prescribe a copy of Garrett Hack's Classic Hand Tools, published by Taunton.

It's a beautifully photographed browsing book of the best old tools you'll ever see. Yes, it's tool **** but tool **** with a lot of class!

 

[9fingers]

How about the Which? book of tablesaws Tom?

:lol:
Bob

 

[Mr Ed]

The Krenov books are good, but not really light reading.

Ed

I tend to disagree on that one Ed, I find his style of writing quite entertaining. Agreed, it's not a 'light' read but it's not Tolstoy either.

Yes, as I said its not light reading - I didn't say its bad, or not enjoyable, but I don't count it as something you would pick up and skim for 5 minutes. Not saying thats a bad thing, just that this is how I see his writing.

Ed

 

[wizer]

Bob I knew you'd come out with that! :lol: I actually have a couple of TS books

The Toshio Odate is a good idea, I'm very interested in Japanese joinery\furniture. Not sure if I'm all that fussed about Jap Tools tho particularly.

I came across Robert Inghams books while browsing around Amazon, but I'm not sure if I like his work. I find some of it a little busy\ugly. Think I'll save that til I can have a flip through it.

Will look into the Kingshot publications, not come across him before.

I'm not all that bothered by Workbenches, so I'll pass on Chris Schwarz book. I'm waiting for his new one to come out.

Evergreen you know me too well. I do like a good balance of text to pics. Maybe it's dyslexia, but more likely laziness. I'll try Garrett Hack's book.

I'll pass on Krenov. I will read them one day but for now, I'm not a massive fan of his work.

Top of my book pics has to be Tom Fidgen's new one. I didn't realise it was out yet.

 

[Paul Chapman]

I came across Robert Inghams books while browsing around Amazon, but I'm not sure if I like his work.

I have Robert Ingham's book, "Cutting Edge Cabinetmaking". His work is superb but his methods (and his workshop) are difficult to relate to. Rather like engineering in wood, undertaken in an operating theatre........

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[wizer]

Thanks Paul, As I say, I need to have a flip through that one. The engineering in wood thing actually interests me so I will probably enjoy it. I just found work like this:

Turned my stomach :lol:

 

[Paul Chapman]

I just found work like this:

He even made the lock for that :shock:

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Dave S]

So anything you think should be on my list? I fancied the Finck Wood Handplane book but it's gone out of print and mega bucks.

Not so, Tom. I got my copy just before stocks of the second print ran dry - after that the prices did go up to £100 or so.

But the good news is that David Finck has published the thrid print himelf and it's available from hiswebsite at a more sensible price.

I'm glad I bought the book and find it an interesting read - I would say it's more making than mastering planes in general.

cheers
Dave

 

[wizer]

I just found work like this:

He even made the lock for that :shock:

Cheers :wink:

Paul

I don't discount the skill. But the design is just very busy to my eye.

 

[wizer]

Cheers Dave. Bit complex for my lovely family to order from abroad. I'll pick up a copy in the new year. I'm in half a mind to make a little smoother to ease me back into proper wood working, mid Jan.

 

[wizer]

On the subject of books, I find it fascinating and a little odd, how the Americans are so obsessed with English woodworking history

http://villagecarpenter.blogspot.com/20 ... maker.html

A book written about English History by a group of American writers and not a peep of the book over here, at all.

 

[Paul Chapman]

I think Robert Ingham's stuff is good to read and see in terms of pushing the frontiers of technical excellence but, frankly, I find his writing a bit heavy-going. If I want a bit of inspiration, I'll flick through the Alan Peters book but I'll only refer to Robert's book if I want to read up on a particular technique.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Ironballs]

I did something similar Tom and after browsing on Amazon will be getting a Maloof book, the Taunton Design book number 5 or 6 I think and a book of 500 chair designs in for coffee table style inspiration - want to get into making some chairs

 

[frugal]

Chris Schwartz's workbench book is good.

Got it

Toshio Odates book on Japanese handtools is excellent and has some good autobiographical tales as well as factual tool stuff.

Got it

A book I'd go for is Robert Inghams "Cutting Edge Cabinetmaking" which is excellent

Got it

In view of your poorly state of health, I prescribe a copy of Garrett Hack's Classic Hand Tools, published by Taunton.

Got it

Ooops!

 

[Harbo]

I can ditto frugal's list and add:

"The complete guide to Sharpening" by Leonard Lee (Lee Valley Tools!)
Tage Frid's "Teaches Woodworking" - numerous joint types but clearly set
out.
Jim Kingshott's Books and DVD's
Garrett Hack's The Handplane Book

I generally buy from "The Book Depository" which sell at a discount and include postage. (No DVD's though)

Rod