3 comments about Tage Frid: Woodworking Profile (Fine Woodworking Video Workshop).

1. Very well presented series of techniques for making a cabinet.
   
   Comments and tips are excellent, all presented in a very friendly manner, like learning from your Grandfather.
   
   Highly recommend for woodworkers with an interest in developing some cabinet making skills.



2. There were some useful tips to be gleaned. I'm have read Tage Frid and attended an event with him many years ago. I even bought a bow saw that he uses. So, I'm ever so slightly a fan. That is why the 4 stars. There are a few autobiographical segments that many folks wouldn't find useful. I enjoyed them. Many might find that less than a good use of the time with Tage.
   
   He's the real deal when it comes to woodworking. He can cut dovetails freehand by eye. I watched him do it. Did I say I was a fan?



3. Many years ago I got to watch James Krenov build one of his cabinets. This DVD shows Frid building what looks to my eyes to be a couple of Krenov style cabinets (I give the form to Krenov because he was older and made so many).
   
   What struck me about both was the lack of smoothness in their work. They both looked awkward in the process of working, with very, very little of the obsessive checking of angle and measurement that I go through. But when they are done they have perfect alignment on all the parts with compound joints that are tight and perfect matches.
   
   At a simple level, this DVD seems little better than an episode from a TV show. It has less detail than any of a number of the weekend shows that proport to teach woodworking. There is an enormous gap between this master, working with a chisel, and the TV hosts with their shapers and routers and special bits. But when Frid is done, his joint is perfect, or when its not, his technique for fixing it is. It really is about the craftsman not the tool, and this DVD shows that in a very understated fashion.

1 comments about 10 Wire and Canvas Decoy Patterns for Carvers.

1. I wrote this book for people who want to make some different types of decoys. Maybe you don't have access to large chunks of wood, or maybe you don't have the tools to saw out large decoy patterns, even if you have large chunks of wood. This book will show you how a form of decoy was made around the turn of the century by people on the Eastern shore who were in the same predicament. It requires a minimum of materials and carving skill, but when you are done you will have a fine looking decoy. If you are an experienced carver, you can use your skills to add more details to the head area (such as glass eyes, more details on the face and bill, etc.).

2 comments about Intarsia: Artistry in Wood: 12 Projects for Every Occasion.

1. The authers begin by helping you through a project step by step. I followed along with them and my first project was a beautiful Brown Pelican. Their Instructions included wood selection and pattern use. You are then incouraged to go solo and hone your skills. The degree of difficulty of the patterns range from basic to an intermediate level. I encourage anyone with a scroll saw to begin with this book and getting into the fasinating hobby of intarsia. In no time they will be creating items of beauty to be proud of.



2. This is an excellent pattern book for getting started in Intarsia. The book contains 12 projects varying from wildlife to Christmas to a puppy in a basket. Each project gets a little more challanging. All projects include a color picture of the finished project and full size plans to make the project, along with narration about the projects special features and 'Helpful Tips' to make the project easier to complete.

   The first project includes 12 pages of narration and 41 color photos explaining and showing the different techniques of intarsia. Just follow along, step by step, and before you know it, you have a complete Brown Pelican you can be proud to display. The second project, Puppy in a Basket, has 16 pages of narration and 58 color photos to guide your way to a beautiful completed project. The last ten projects do not go into as much detail, only a few paragraphs and the completed finished color photo. However, many of the techniques discussed in the first two projects carry over to almost ALL intarsia projects.

   A great beginner book for Intarsia, some nice simple Intarsia plans and a few challanging ones for the more experienced sawyer. A must for every scroll sawyer collection.

1 comments about Woodworking Techniques: Best Methods for Building Furniture from Fine Woodworking (Fine Woodworking Techniques).

1. Well written well illustrated, its a book for serius amateurs looking for a very accurate and detailed way to fit a drawer, install hinges, locks and several other tips useful for an advanced amateur or woodworker in small scale and/or fine work. It is not for industrial scale production. The chapter on veneering and inlay is just a copy from a good book published by fine woodworking:Veneering Marquetry and Inlay. Overall, it's a good book,that will give a several good ideas, however don't expect the ultimate guide in woodworking techniques.

No comments about Picture Framing for the first time (For The First Time).

No comments about Fine Tuning Your Radial Arm Saw.

No comments about The Illustrated Handbook of Furniture Restoration.

3 comments about The Conversion and Seasoning of Wood: A Guide to Principles and Practice.

1. This book (which is British) does a good job explaining the basics of drying wood. While it is written for English woodworkers, the tables list common American woods too. I myself have some oak logs to saw up, and I am pleased with their ideas and plan to use many.



2. This book was way more technical than I though it would be. I'm glad I have a background in Biology, or a lot of this would not have made sense. It is filled with a ton of information and will go beyond the basics for most people.



3. There's a lot of information in this book. The author not only explains every step of drying/seasoning wood, but explains why in great detail. Just about every aspect of drying/seasoning is backed up with noted research and references. Theres also great instructions on building a solar kiln, which I indent to use.
   This is a great read to anyone wishing to convert timber into lumber.
   
   I rated this book at four stars only because it is a bit dated, but still worth every penny...

1 comments about Inspirational Scroll Saw Projects: Ready to Use Patterns.

1. I purchased this book about 4 years ago, and it remains one of the most used reference book in my shop. The patterns are simple, yet majestic when finished. John Nelson has a definate flair to his projects, and these patterns are no exception
   
   I usually leave a few pattern books lay around the shop, so relatives/friends/visitors can browse for items that they like to own and display, would like to try to make or have made for them. This book is chosen from more than the "normal" book. More people try their hand at these patterns, though some are not for beginners, they give a good example reference to allow the beginner to advance in scroll saw skill.
   
   A top notch pattern book with great subjects that people really want to make or own AND display.

No comments about The Dunlap Cabinetmakers: A Tradition in Craftmanship.