Great Woodworking books...

[chopnhack]

Ok folks, its the season of giving so lets share our collective knowleddge. Please post a woodworking book that you found particularly useful or enjoyed reading.

Jim Tolpin's Table Saw Magic

Although somewhat choppy, lots of good jigs can be gleaned from the book!

[sweensdv]

The New Woodworker Handbook by Tom Hintz. (ISBN 978-1-56523-297-6) Just a great all around read for the novice and pro alike.

[Stormbringer]

Woodworking with the Router by Bill Hylton

[Uncle Cracker]

Great Wood Finishes: A Step-by-Step Guide to Beautiful Results by Jeff Jewitt

[LarryG]

Classic Joints With Power Tools by Yeung Chan.

Massive +1 on the Hylton router book.

[Garasaki]

Understanding Wood Finishing by Bob Flexner

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Great Wood Finishes - ISBN-10: 1561582883 – Jeff Jewitt – Taunton Press - A comprehensive book reviewing the various stains, dyes, finishes and methods of application. Covers some advanced techniques such as multi-layer glazing, refinishing and surface prep. Solid 5 star book and required reading for those interested in getting ahead of the finishing curve.

Understanding Wood Finishing: How to Select and Apply the Right Finish - ISBN-10: 0762106212 – Bob Flexner - Readers Digest – This book supplements the Flexner book rather well. This is a more technical approach to the finishes themselves rather than the application of finishes. Flexner has a very in depth knowledge of the subject matter. Warning: Flexner has no problem letting you know that he is aware of his greatness on the subject matter. Some folks call it “hard hitting” others think it is just abrasive. Either way, there is some great information in this book. This and the Jewitt book will set you back about $30 and could easily be the only two books you will ever need on the subject matter. 4 star book.

Table Saw Magic - ISBN-10: 1558706771 – Jim Tolpin - Popular Woodworking Books – This book is highly regarded for all aspects of table saws. From picking a table saw, to alignment, set up, use and tons of jigs this book comprehensive in its approach. So I have no solid explanation as to why I did not like this book. I admittedly am not a “jiggist” so maybe that was my problem with the book. However, even if one is into jigs I found the rough sketches of jigs rather than actual plans to be disappointing. I don’t think the set up and alignment section was all that comprehensive. I found a FWW article that was much better on table saw set up and alignment. Amazon reviewers give it 4 out of 5 stars. I personally rate it much lower at 2.5 stars.

The Handplane Book - ISBN-10: 1561587125 – Garrett Hack – Taunton Press – Remember the U2 song, “Still Haven’t Found What I Am Looking For”? That is kind of the way I feel about this book. This book has a lot of strengths. It covers a wide range of planes, scrapers, specialty planes, etc. It has history, plane mechanics, tuning a plane, plane makers and has tons of wonderful photos. I guess my issue with this is that I was looking for two specific things. First, I wanted to know how to use a plane and two how to tune a plane. Out of the 260 pages 42 pages were devoted to this material. Don’t get me wrong, it gave me some of the basics but the treatment was kind of middle of the road. Too simple for advanced users and too vague for beginning users who may need more info. Having said that I did enjoy the book in its entirety thus giving it 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Edit: This is such a frequently asked question I decided to create a Word document where I review my library of WWing books. The ones above just happen to be first on the shelves, except the finishing books which I specifically included due to their overall greatness.

[Tom Hintz]

Understanding Wood Finishing by Bob Flexner

Absolutely an amazing book for anyone that needs to apply finish to wood.

[dkerfoot]

Woodworking with the Router by Bill Hylton

I'll 2nd that.

While on the topic, something I frequently forget - try your local library first. I have found some great books in mine.

Including coincidently; Woodworking with the Router and Understanding Wood Finishing!

[chopnhack]

Ditto on Understanding Wood Finishes and Router Magic, I have read both and like them too.

[siloamga]

Few years back I scanned the entire BT3 site and pulled together a list of all the books that folks seemed to like. Here is a link to that thread...

http://www.bt3central.com/showthread.php?t=613

Probably time to update the thread. Just haven't had time...been too busy reading and making sawdust.

Keith

[chopnhack]

Awesome, thanks ever so much for your efforts!

[leehljp]

"Understanding Wood" by Hoadley. This book has helped me tremendously in recognizing wood movement, temp and humidity. This book is not about joints and finishing but about the characteristics of wood, upon which cuts, joints, finishing and painting can be properly accomplished. It is about why woods do what they do. Great book!

[bluzcat]

While probably not for everyone, "The Art of Segmented Turning" by Malcolm Tibbets is a great book. He makes a very complicated looking piece look do-able. If you have never checked out his websight, The Tahoe Turner, you're in for a treat!

http://www.tahoeturner.com/

[jziegler]

Another vote for Woodworking with the Router.

Add Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking by Tage Frid (there are 3 volumes, I have only the first two).

If you're interested in hand cut dovetails, The Complete Dovetail: Handmade Furniture's Signature Joint by Ian Kirby is very good.

For plans, all of the Danny Prolux books are very good. Pick what you'd like to make and get the book that covers it.

Jim