Traditional Woodwork

Working Wood, Not Machining It If you're more interested in working with wood rather than machining it, you will be relieved to learn that expensive powered machinery isn't required to build furniture. You can also forget the dust masks, face shields and hearing protection since many of the safety concerns related to woodworking—the use of power tools—are eliminated. In this book, you'll learn to set up a hand-tool woodworking shop, then discover the toolset, practice the skillset, and understand the mindset—effectively completing a comprehensive course in hand-tool woodworking.

This is the first book devoted to authentic architectural projects and built-ins for period-style homes. Homeowners and builders alike will have the essential information and plans they need to build 13 projects of varying difficulty. Projects include a chair rail, window seat, door and window trim, and period baseboard.

The Genius of Japanese Carpentry tells the story of the 1200-year-old Yakushiji monastery in Nara and the dedicated modern-day craftsmen who are working to restore what has been lost to the depredations of time, fire and warfare. Although the full monastery reconstruction will not be completed until 2030, one of the main temples, the Picture Hall, has been completely restored employing the same woodworking technology used to create the original building. This new edition of an architectural classic is by Azby Brown—one of the world's leading experts on Japanese architecture. It contains a new preface and many new text materials and photographs—most of them now available in color for the first time. Azby Brown chronicles the painstaking restoration of the temple through extensive interviews with the carpenters and woodworkers along with original drawings based on the plans of master carpenter Tsunekazu Nishioka. An inspiring testament to the dedication of these craftsmen and their philosophy of carpentry work as a form of personal fulfillment, The Genius of Japanese Carpentry offers detailed documentation of this singular project and a moving reminder of the unique cultural continuity found in Japan.

This text shows how to use Japanese tools effectively and maintain them properly, and explains the role they play in traditional Japanese craftsmanship. It describes how to create razor-sharp cutting edges and introduces almost 50 different planes.

Rustic Italian style meets Scandinavian design in this stunning collection of simple woodworking projects. Woodworking husband-and-wife duo Andrea Brugi and Samina Langholz invite you into their magical world, where their Scandinavian sensibility for clean design is balanced with organic and aged imperfection inspired by their Tuscan home. Discover some of their key woodworking techniques through twenty simple projects for useful and decorative objects for the home—from cutting boards and simple doorstops to benches and dining tables. With striking photography, step-by-step instructions, and information on the types of wood and tools required for each project, you’ll have everything you need to start handcrafting your own woodworking masterpieces that celebrate the beauty of uniqueness and combine modern design with rustic warmth. “Our ethos is very simple: do more with less; let each project unfold organically; always be open to possibilities; welcome mistakes and learn from them; let simple, found, and readily available materials embolden your design and decisions.”—from the introduction

In 25 articles from the pages of "Fine Woodworking" magazine, the world's foremost woodworkers share their knowledge of design, proportion, and technique. Each classic project has complete drawings and detailed construction techniques.

For woodworkers, hand tools put the emphasis on the process of woodworking rather than the result. Yet hand tools also are essential to the highest level of craftsmanship, bringing a refinement to work that machines alone cannot produce. Whether using hand tools alone as a source of pleasure, quality, or efficiency, or in combination with machines, woodworker can trust the information in Woodworking with Hand Tools, a collection of 35 articles from the experts at Fine Woodworking magazine. In Woodworking with Hand Tools, expert craftsmen explain how they choose, sharpen, and use every kind of hand tool. There's advice on tool maintenance, techniques for getting the most from the tools, and projects made using hand tools. With clear photographs, drawings, and step-by-step instructions, Woodworking with Hand Tools will be a useful and necessary resource for anyone who works wood.