This Old Workshop

When a book becomes so famous, so accepted as to be refered to simply as "Joyce", you can tell right away that this is a book you should have on your shelf. Not only should it be on your shelf, it should be in your hands OFTEN. Over 500 pages of wisdom, techniques, information, and knowledge. Even the casual woodworker will find this book useful. Extensive illustrations, photos and charts, the information is easy to follow and adapt to your situation. Any skill stand firmly on its foundations,

Ernest Joyce pours out the concrete of furniture making. Although an older book, first published in 1970, the basics of furniture making remains consistent. I ran across this book while browsing my local woodshop and quickly lost myself within its pages. Simply said, this is some good stuff, if you don't have it, get it, this is a huge reference for not a lot of money.

Daniel

If I had to choose one book to recommend to absolutely every woodworker I knew, it would be this book. Covering everything from types of woods, designing & planning, hand tools, power tools, turning, joints, carving, bending and many other subjects. The pure joy of this book is that it covers the basics of a huge array of subjects. Although a book about a single subject will cover much more detail, this one will give you some excellent basics and offers you the foundation for a broad selectiopn of topics.

If I had a dollar for every time I ponder what Paul Mennucci would do if he were here to guide me through my latest dilemma in woodworking I would be a millionaire. Mr. Mennucci was my High School shop teacher. Remember that inner wisdom that always helped you bring that project in or that little technique that made a light go on and took you to that next level. Or their was those motivational speech's that were just this side of Anthony Robins or Zig Ziggler. It is a quest for this insight a quest for knowledge that sends woodworkers to the bookstores trying to glean that that eludes than as craftsmen. In only a few hours William A. Wensel is able to help he offers wisdom that are contained in the pages of Woodworking: Beyond the Basics Right from the beginning Wensel puts you and your shop in perspective he takes you on a journey through your tool box and including but not limited to the best tool in your shop your mind. Once this evaluation and insight is complete Wensel exposes you to countless techniques and methods with a clarity and completeness many books lack The book has 17 shop jigs and fixtures explains their construction and use as you incorporate them through the 15 skill building projects each presented with a clarity seldom achieved.