No comments about Wood Turning (Woodworking Class).

No comments about English Furniture Decoration Woodwork and Allied Arts: The Last Half of the Seventeenth Century, the Whole of the Eighteenth Century, and Earlier Pa.

5 comments about Trim Carpentry Techniques: Installing Doors, Windows, Base and Crown.

1. Very good book for baseboard, crown, door and window moldings. It has tons of pictures and illustrations. On the top of the cover of the book it says: "For Pros/ By Pros". I would agree with this assesment; but it is easy enough for a handyman type with little molding experience like me to follow also. After looking through this book, I was tearing out old molding with abondon and the confidence that I could do a good job of getting nice new stuff back in.



2. Great book on trim carpentry techniques for pros or someone who wants to do a professional quality job. Written from the practical viewpoint of an experienced pro with high standards. A bit of overkill if you are in a hurry but I would recommend it before trimming several rooms yourself or even if you want to check your contractor's work.



3. Nice illustrations, step by step procedures are easy to follow if you do not like to read. Detailed materials and tooling information is somewhat provided. Good for a jobsite quick refrence guide.



4. I was looking for a well layed out reference guide that I could learn a few tricks of the trade. This book seemed to spend way to much time setting the reader up for the first day on the job (back in the 70's and 80's mind you), then long-winded yet sparse information on actual methods of trim carpentry.
   
   If you are willing to read a book from cover to cover on this subject here's your ticket. But if your looking for concise writting, logical up-to-date illustrations, a book that you can easily reference in a pinch, you might want to steer clear.



5. sorry to say but not well illustrated and not easy to follow look elsewhere for help in this area...I wish I could recommend options but other then Old House Journal(a monthly magazine) I could not recommend a good trim refrence. I will note a couple of my own tricks though. First remember that the most complicated trims are usually built in stages or layers. Second remember that good trim starts with good framing and straight bases (the object you are trying to frame ie: window door opening ect). Last but not least if your painting don't go nuts for the perfect joint. Caulking can save your day..that does not mean to be sloppy, measure twice, cut once, remember to factor the width of the blade waste; but then use a premium grade (GE Silicone II Extreme) caulk to join butt and corner pieces. Good luck ...

No comments about Woodworkers Guide to Furniture Design.

1 comments about Making Rustic Originals: Turning Furniture Finds into Folk Art.

1. I love this book, have made several items using the instructions in this book. Easy to understand and tons of great ideas.

2 comments about Italian Empire Furniture: Furnishings and Interior Design From 1800 to 1843.

1. This is a fantastic sourcebook for collectors and dealers, and, I imagine, students. Fascinating text; high quality production (you get what you pay for) that makes it a lifelong reference and a handsome addition to one's library; fine photography of an amazing array of the best furniture from this time; and tastful, classic design. The representation surpassed my expectations--this book is the definitive, the one and only, the first thing to go to when researching a piece. I am most surprised by the historical overviews as they read extremely well. Not every piece is covered in extreme detail, but everything I've thought to look up has been there with a useful passage of at least a few paragraphs. The book is quite large and covers all the essentials and more.



2. If you like Neoclassic furniture, this is the one and only book you should have. It profiles all of the best Neoclassic furniture (in my opinion); that made in Italy.

   Besides offering a lavish production so that each piece is really viewable, this book compiles virtually every piece of the style. It's an amazing but delicious encyclopedia.

   This is a necessity for anyone who loves the style or needs authoritative information on it.

4 comments about The Family Handyman: Toys, Games, and Furniture (Family Handyman).

1. I built the rocking horse on the front cover of this book. It turned out pretty well. The drawings in the book are fairly easy to follow. However, the written instructions have some holes in the explanation. In addition, the instructions imply that stationary power tools are recommended for this project, but hand-held tools would work as well. I seriously doubt that this horse could be built properly using only a hand-held jigsaw and electric drill. The precision required to do this project *right* really call for bigger tools. One other gripe - after moderate use in the workshop, the binding on this book started to come loose, and a couple of pages came out.

   But overall, I was pleased with the project and hope to build some more toys using the plans in this book. It was worth the price just for the horse plans.




2. I made 2 of the Bunk Beds with the desk option. They turned out great. There were a few errors in the shopping list, so double check the list against the plans or you may have to make a second trip. I also made several modification to better fit our needs. The illustrations were exellent and don't be afraid to make changes. If you only use one project in this book, it is still worth buying.



3. I built the rocking horse on the front cover of this book. It turned out pretty well. The drawings in the book are fairly easy to follow. However, the written instructions have some holes in the explanation. In addition, the instructions imply that stationary power tools are recommended for this project, but hand-held tools would work as well. I seriously doubt that this horse could be built properly using only a hand-held jigsaw and electric drill. The precision required to do this project *right* really call for bigger tools. One other gripe - after moderate use in the workshop, the binding on this book started to come loose, and a couple of pages came out.

   But overall, I was pleased with the project and hope to build some more toys using the plans in this book. It was worth the price just for the horse plans




4. I also built the rocking horse on the cover (a couple of times) and some of the other projects, including a very cool wobbly fish. The review by "jeff_mcfarland" is right on the money. I can't imagine building it with a jigsaw, but I suppose it's possible.
   
   In any case, the design of some of these projects is absolutely superb. It's the most handsome rocking horse I've ever seen, and both my son and my neice love it to death -- well worth the cost of the entire book. (The plans for this horse are nearly $20 if purchased separately!) The plans are quite easy to follow, but as Jeff mentioned, there are some holes in the descriptions.
   
   My binding broke, too, also after moderate user in the shop. This is the ONLY reason I'd give it 4 instead of 5 stars. I'll probably end up taking it down to the office supply store and having it rebound (spiral bound). The pages are pretty high quality and durable, so this should work out just fine.
   
   Again, hats off to the designer -- it's well thought out. For example, the back of the head and neck of the horse on the cover is curved in such a way that you can put the head pattern twice on the same board, back to back (one upside down) so that these curves nearly meet. (The two head cut-outs share the curve.) This saves a good deal of wood. Similarly, the leg and tail patterns can be overlapped to save wood. I ended up having a lot of extra wood when I was finished the first time!
   
   This book is a bargain!

No comments about Workshop Shortcuts for Woodworkers.

1 comments about Turning Wood into Art : The Jane and Arthur Mason Collection.

1. The collection that the Masons have built out of a love of art, craftmanship and wood turns into a real gift to those who do not have the luxury to study these pieces first-hand. The photos of their home shows that their attraction with creation is not limited to wood but to light, paintings and melding life with art.

   The photos display the pieces so well that some just seem to glow and brighten on the page. It makes it difficult to look at a tree or salad bowl without imagining the possiblities.

2 comments about Unique Wood Lamination Projects.

1. Unique Wood Lamination Projects by woodworking expert and craftsman Jerry Syfert showcases thirteen absorbing lamination-based projects to engage and challenge the woodworker. By following the project designs and step-by- step illustrated instructions, anyone can learn to make clocks, piggy banks, lazy Susans, puzzles, and more. Ideal for the weekend workshop project, Jerry Syfert's Unique Wood Lamination Projects is a welcome and prized addition to any amateur (or professional!) woodworker's reference collection.



2. Lamination offers endless possibilities. Even with a little imagination one can do fantastic things.
   Do not forget to cut and paste strips of colored paper you will discover a new world.
   Bob Battini