Replies

1. 
   ian | Jun 02, 2004 08:31am | #1

   BUMP

2. 
   nikkiwood | Jun 02, 2004 09:12am | #2

   There are car loads of books out there, but I doubt if there is one that covers the broad range of what you are seeking.

   Maybe if you can narrow it down some, and tell us what you want to do ........

3. 
   RickL | Jun 02, 2004 02:35pm | #3

   You should go to a bunch of different libraries and bookstores to actually flip through books to see if they have what you want. You'll end up with a stack of books not just one or two. I have several hundred just on the subjects you mentioned and some overlap while others have info that no other book has. William Lincoln's book  World Woods In Color is great. Hoadley's books on wood are a treasure of knowledge and the list goes on.  It's up to you to do the research on what works for you.

   http://www.cambiumbooks.com

   http://www.woodcentral.com has a book review

   Taunton press has a good book section just a few clicks away.

    

4. 
   MikeWalsh | Jun 03, 2004 04:46pm | #4

   Here's a start --

   Understanding Wood: Finishing and Protecting Wood  by Lonnie Bird.

   Identifying Wood: Accurate Results With Simple Tools by R. Bruce Hoadley
   

   Fine Woodworking on Wood and How to Dry It: 41 Articles Selected by the Editors of Fine Woodworking Magazine

   
   Fine Homebuilding: Understanding Cabinet Plywood by Scott Gibson

   Fine Woodworking: Selecting Sheet Goods by Mark Edmundson

   Exterior plywood/OSB/engineered wood is covered over at Fine Homebuilding -- the magazine (sometimes) and the Forums.

5. 
   MatthewSchenker | Jun 03, 2004 05:51pm | #5

   Duffsaw,

   If you are looking to build a library of good woodworking books, I can recommend a few. I divide these books into three categories -- those that are "essential," which you want to read from cover to cover; those that are "useful," which you'll want to read sections of and refer to often; and those that are "good to have around" for occasional reference.

   ESSENTIAL:

   1. "The Glue Book," by William Tandy Young. Excellent review of all major types of woodworking glues, their composition, and when and how to use them properly. I wrote an extensive review of this book on Amazon.com.

   2. "Understanding Wood," by R. Bruce Hoadley. Covers all the technical aspects of wood, how it reacts, and the nature of wood, even down to the cellular level! Has a good section on various species. You'll really understand why wood acts the way it does.

   3. "Understanding Wood Finishing," by Bob Flexner. As its title suggests, it covers all the various types of finishes, what they are good for, when to use them, and what their strengths and weaknesses are.

   4. "Encyclopedia of Furniture Making," by Ernest Joyce. Good overview of general woodworking techniques, including hand-tool usage and some methods that may seem outdated. Very detailed explanation of all sorts of joints and woodworking knowledge.

   USEFUL:

   1. "The Portable Router Book, by R.J. De Christoforo. Great introduction to the router, both as a hand-held and a table-mounted tool. Covers proper uses, bit selections, useful jigs, and some creative uses of the router that you might now have thought of (like how to use the router as a planer).

   2. "The Band Saw Book," by Mark Duginske. Similar in scope and nature to "The Portable Router Book." Covers basic uses, special uses, blade knowledge, and some jig-making ideas.

   GOOD TO HAVE AROUND:

   1. "Rodale's Illustrated Cabinetmaking," by Bill Hylton. Has a good overview of various period-style furniture designs, and a terrific overview of the various kinds of woodworking joints. Explains the proper proportion of the different joint parts when cutting. Written in a very easy-to-follow manner. Contains a number of project ideas, with pictures. It doesn't have the cut lists or plans for these projects, but gives you references to other books or magazine issues that have the actual plans.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 6/3/2004 10:51 am ET by Matthew Schenker

1. 
   Sancho | Jun 11, 2004 06:16pm | #6

   Any book by Danny Proulx 

   Darkworksite4:

   El americano pasado hacia fuera ase la bandera

6. 
   10fingers | Jun 11, 2004 09:05pm | #7

   Check out the LEE VALLEY catalog for: Wood Handbook-Wood as an Engineering Material.  It is written by the USDA and is updated every few years and has 480 pages.  It sells for $22.95.  It lists physical & mechanical properties etc.

1. 
   RickL | Jun 11, 2004 11:19pm | #8

   The Woodhandbook is available online at the Forest Products Laboratory site and is in PDF form. It's not as updated as I would like to see it. Mostly domestic woods and the jointery is still lacking in areas but a nice bunch of info overall.