Replies

1. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Jul 06, 2005 05:50pm | #1

    Chests of Drawers, by Bill Hylton. 

2. 
   MBerger | Jul 07, 2005 12:21am | #2

   Here's a link to the Chest of Drawers book. You can read an excerpt, read the introduction, and view the table of contents.

   http://www.taunton.com/store/pages/070618.asp

   Matt Berger

   Taunton New Media

1. 
   ffournier | Jul 07, 2005 02:58pm | #3

   Thanks for the information. I had seen this book and wondered whther or not it would be a good choice because it did not receive good reviews on Amazon. That's why I wanted to ask the question in this forum. Aren't there also good books written by either Tage Frid or James Krenov? I'm not sure whether these authors write for the beginner or the advanced woodworker.

   thanks again,

   Francois

1. 
   DougF | Jul 07, 2005 04:42pm | #4

   Of all of the books I have reviewed on chest/box construction, if you are only going to buy one then I think Bill Hylton's book is particularly good for several reasons:

   1.  He uses different styles of chests to illustrate techniques.

   2.  Each featured chest is also a project plan with specifications and layout.

   3.  He discusses construction techniques for solid wood, man-made woods and the mix of woods.  This is, in my opinion, one of the most significant aspects of the book since you simply can not build a chest without taking the medium into consideration.

   I have built a fair number of chests and I recently decided I wanted to make one entirely from solid wood and as "technically correct" as possible.  Although I have several good books on chest construction and joinery techniques, I added Bill's book to my library and referred to it often during drawing up my plans and preparing my shop notes.

   The book may appear to be elementary to many but I assure you that behind the pictures and modern type face are proven constructing techniques which, if faithfully executed, will result in a piece of furniture of which you can be very proud and will last long after you are gone. 

1. 
   ffournier | Jul 07, 2005 05:03pm | #6

   Hi Doug,

   Thanks for your reply. I must admit that I was considering making my chest out of solid wood, but your comment about using sheet material to construct a chest is a good point. I was thinking of this wihile ruminating the idea of making a tool chest. I guess it would be a good idea to look at Hylton's book to see how techniques differ when using solid versus sheet material.

   I will probably do what I normally do and that is to look over a number of books to glean ideas from all of them.

   thanks again for your comments.

   Francois

1. 
   DougF | Jul 07, 2005 05:18pm | #7

   Please don't misunderstand, I'm not advocating sheet stock; rather, I was pointing out that Hylton discusses the construction techniques for each medium.  Using solid stock down to the back panels and drawer bottoms has been a great learning experience for me and one that I would recommend.  If you choose this route, I would recommend that you also review proper ways of laying up boards to create slab sides/panels.  

2. 
   ffournier | Jul 07, 2005 06:43pm | #8

   Doug,

   I didn't misunderstand your message. I plan on making my chest of drawers out of solid wood because of the challenges it poses, and also for the beauty of the completed work. I was saying is that for sheet material might be a better option for another project (tool chest) that I have in mind and Hylton's book would be a good reference for this project also.

   Francois

3. 
   DougF | Jul 07, 2005 06:51pm | #9

   The solid wood is a challenge when you've been used to cut it and glue it.  Its not that it is all that much harder it just requires rethinking virtually every aspect of the project.  Good luck!

2. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Jul 07, 2005 04:52pm | #5

   Frid's trilogy Tag Frid Teaches Woodworking is a great resource too, and I highly recommend it.  Both it and the Hylton book are good for newbies, while having plenty to offer the more experienced.  

3. 
   JohnH | Jul 10, 2005 02:39am | #10

   I have Hylton's book and IMHO the reviews at Amazon.com are accurate. I have built three chests of drawers. The projects in Hylton's book all assume a high level of skill, especially joinery. However, if you view the projects as EXAMPLES and can substitute simpler methods of your own, it is a very useful book.

   At a more intermediate skill level, may I suggest the Time-Life book The Art of Woodworking: Cabinetmaking. It was copyright 1992, but is still in print http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0809499045/qid=1120953696/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-5117303-7300911?v=glance&s=books

   Good luck on your project

   Edited 7/9/2005 8:04 pm ET by John Huber