Two good bench/shop furniture books

[gwyneth]

As a side effect of ordering Rogowski's joint book at Hamiltonbook.com, I got these because they were very inexpensive and the workbench/shop furniture shelf in my woodworking bench still had a couple of empty inches.

Both turned out to be very worthwhile and much better than I expected.

I had very low expectations of "Build Your Own Custom Workbench" by Mark Corke because its title and description sounded sort of junky. I'd also never heard of the author, which reminded me once again not to use this criterion for judging woodworking books.

If you're looking for step-by-step plans and instructions for workbenches, this is the book. It shows 13 projects, 10 of which are workbenches (including collapsible; fold-down; grinding; crafts; metal-working; miter saw; carving; and traditional).

Fantastic materials lists, photos, and instructions. The range of the projects is great, as are the budgets and materials involved. The instructions are as clear and easy to follow as I've ever seen.

Not being an advanced woodworker, I can't say for sure whether it would be useful to one. But for beginning to intermediate woodworkers, it's much, much more practical than Scott Landis's classic workbench book.

"Danny Proulx's Toolboxes & Workbenches: 13 Fast & Easy Projects" also turned out to be much better than I expected.

I'd never read any of his books--they've had mixed reviews on Amazon, and I'd (inaccurately) assumed they'd have "professionalitis" (great projects, rotten instructions).

That's the condition Jeff Greef's books suffer from. I'm not referring to complex projects aimed at more advanced woodworkers--it's more like referring to steps that aren't there or described too sketchily; not listing all hardware and materials; or the omission of one or two critical small details that prevents intermediate woodworkers from comprehending (and attempting) project.

But Proulx's book (this one, anyway) doesn't show any of those problems. One of the few that is actually valuable for woodworkers of all levels of experience and expertise.

Even beginners can follow all of the projects, and he gives very clear, step by step instructions. The 'simple work bench', for example, is really, really simple.

The projects are great, and here's where the advanced woodworker will appreciate the book. Some of them are completely original ('truly unique' would be a better description, but the old editor in me refuses to use that phrase).

These include a mobile tool chest (think of the stacking festool containers--infinitely expandable units) and the changeable height workbench, with a note on how solo woodworkers can use a scissors jack to raise it.

There's also a mobile tool cabinet, some other great storage projects, and what looks like the best design for saw horses I've ever seen.

All in all, an excellent book.

[siliconbauhaus]

thanks

goes off to see if he can find them dirt cheap somewhere

[gwyneth]

At hamiltonbook.com Proulx's was $4.95:

http://www.hamiltonbook.com/hamilton...oducts/6220800
DANNY PROULX'S TOOLBOXES & WORKBENCHES.

The other one was about the same, but as I remember wasn't in the woodworking section but one of the crafts or do-it-yourself sections.

Great thing there, besides prices, is shipping--it's $3.40 per order, plus .40 a title.

[siliconbauhaus]

thanks gwyneth

[LarryG]

Thanks, gwyneth. I've been working up a Hamilton order and these two do sound like they're worth having.

What's your take on the Rogowski? I've seen that one online, but don't think I've ever seen it in a bookstore.

Great thing there, besides prices, is shipping--it's $3.40 per order, plus .40 a title.

Or you can print out your online order form and mail it in with a check, in which case the shipping is a flat $3.50 per order.

[gwyneth]

What's your take on the Rogowski? I've seen that one online, but don't think I've ever seen it in a bookstore.

I've got almost 200 woodworking books. As soon as I unpacked it I knew it would be in the top 10.

Now that I've looked through it more extensively, it's top 5. I'm working on a review, but meanwhile...what can you say about a joint book that doesn't just tell you that the 'secret miter dovetail joint' exists but how to measure and cut it? Of course, the joints we're actually likely to use are there too.

It's absolutely incredible. And he actually provides some warm-up routines.

(Note I'm talking about the general Rogkowski joint book,"Joinery", not the one on router joinery, which I haven't seen yet.)

[kmk]

His Joinery book is absolutely the best! Currently I'm reading it. I am also thinking of taking one or more classes this fall.

[Red88chevy]

Gwyneth! You could have your own library!

[gwyneth]

Since the original post, I've read both books more thoroughly, and I wanted to expand on Proulx's.

As I said, I'd expected "professionalitis" and was pleasantly surprised to discover the book had none.

But after I read each of the 13 sets of project instructions, I want to amplify this. They are probably the single most practically written instructions I've ever read.

One example: when he says to attach one part to another, he does something I couldn't remember seeing elsewhere--in addition to using the parts' names, he uses the parts' list and diagram designation. "Fit the rabbet in leg C to the edge of base F."

Such a simple addition, but although some writers use the designation and some use the name, a random check of eight or nine project instructions in other books showed none using both.

Even better, he walks you through the math and thinking behind the measurements: "I want the legs to be 36 inches, which means I'm going to add the 1 inch of the top to the 2 inches of the ledge, to space the cut 3 inches from... [not an exact quote but you get the idea.]

Providing that much detail in instructions for laying out is unusual, but taking the reader through the math is not just more useful--it works in valuable lessons.

Yet it doesn't get in the way for really experienced readers.

In my youth I was the editor of a home improvement magazine, and like every other editor whose publication runs "how-to" stories (even the biggies), had problems finding people who could do them well.

If they had neat projects, the instructions were awful; if they had ok directions, the projects were at best fair, and usually worse.

Proulx's projects, as I wrote in the original post, range from good to great, and though a handful of writers turn out instructions that are almost as good (Bill Hylton, at least for workshop stuff) I can't imagine any doing better.

PS: Some of the credit probably should go to the editors of the newish Popular Woodworking books--they seem to have stressed better material lists, more practical illustrations, and gone to work furthering the cause of clarity.