Fine Woodworking

There's a wide range of classic table styles in this do-it-yourself woodworking book. The instructions are written in a conversational tone by nine different woodworkers. There are plenty of tips for the novice and a few for the experienced woodworker. The photographs and drawings were clear and easy to follow. I had to consult the Internet a few times to further clarify a few of the terms/concepts, but they were never gaps that would have interfered with my ability to complete a project. show more The project authors offered periodic insights into why they made a particular selection or design twist and those were helpful in deciding whether to follow the plan exactly (same wood, same finish, same hardware) or make it more personal or relevant to my environment/vision. The instructions for building workshop aids were as clear as the actual furniture plans--a real safety and economy boost. This is a nice mid-range book since it doesn't have projects that look as though they're "my first crate, I made it myself" but it also doesn't have the intimidating multi-layered, minuscule-type-font, complex diagrams that "fine furniture" books often have. show less

Some genius here. I can really appreciate the distance that the author writes from, and still manages to singe the reader with the poignancy of the flames of emotion.

This book is a collection of articles that have previously been published in Fine Woodworking. There's a lot of good advice here. I only rated it a 3 in relation to how useful it was to me personally. I have to share space with a car and other home owner errata, and most of these articles assume you will have a dedicated shop space. I still got some good stuff from it, though.

This book has a TON of information! Not just about the techniques, but about the basic chemical composition of various finishes, when to use what and why, how to avoid problems, basic safety, etc. etc. etc. I learned SO much! I got mine from the library, but I will definitely be adding this to my reference library for future projects.