What woodworking books do you own?


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I'm asking what woodworking books that you have decided to purchase and use as a reference. I already own Hybrid Woodworking by Marc so that suggestion can be checked off already. I am thinking of any topic and not looking to neglect or turn down anything at this point. So I'm open to any suggestions and if possible a link to the book would be appreciated so I can find the book that is being mentioned. I hope that this hive mind of great woodworkers can help me trim away the redundant books that are out there. 

 

Thanks

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The Taunton "Complete Guide" series is a fantastic reference. Check out all of those. Anything by Krenov and the other masters is a priceless resource. Chris Schwarz "Workbenches" is insightful and an all around good read. Check out Darrell Peart's books for Greene & Greene info. A good book on wood is nice to have as well. There are countless others but those are some of my favorites.

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flexner - "Understanding Wood Finishing" is the book I go back to most often.

 

Others I like

Peter Anderson - "building fine furniture with power tools"

Yeung chang - "classic joints with power tools"

Bruce Hoedley - Understanding Wood

 

I have a bunch others but those are the ones I refer to most often.  My workflow is more geared to machines and power tools so I like book that take that emphasis.  I look at the Flexner book most often because, lets be honest, most joinery mistakes can be fixed.  Finishing mistakes are a bigger headache.  I am happy to improvise when building but I like to have a plan when finishing.  

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I recently ordered a few books from amazon.  I've always been intrigued by Japanese joinery so some of them reflect that.  The other is because of my current project. 

 

Workbenches -  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1558708405/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

The Art of Japanese Joinery - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0834815168/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Making Shoji - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0941936473/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Measure and Construction of the Japanese House - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0804814929/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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Understanding Wood Finishing by Bob Flexner
 
Illustrated Cabinetmaking: How to design and construct furniture that works by Bill Hylton
 
Woodwork Visualized by Ross Cramlet - Basically a shop class in illustrated book form. It is completely hand tool centric. Introduces the tool, shows the basics of using it, and practical applications of the tool like how to set a bevel square to specific angles without using a protractor. Covers wood shop geometry. Covers wood movement - how and why of warp, board feet, selecting wood for specific purposes like handles (straight grain and fast grown). Also much more like finishing, sharpening, filing, rasping, etc.  It sounds very basic, and it is, but is also dense with information, much of which is probably missing from the average woodworker's education. The book is low fluff, it's basically pages of illustrations that teach you more in one page than most books do in a chapter.
 
I believe that Understanding Wood Finishing and Woodwork Visualized would answer most how-to woodworking questions on forums.
 
The Complete Woodworker's Companion by Roger Holmes - I really enjoy flipping through this book. The layout, content, illustrations, and photos are all perfect. It doesn't try to teach you everything, just how to build basic furniture pieces.
 
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I own but have not read all of:

 

1).  The Anarchist's Toolchest - Christopher Schwarz

 

2).  By Hand and Eye - Jim Tolpin and George Walker

 

3).  Foundation of Better Woodworking - Jeff Miller

 

4).  Why We Make Things - Peter Korn

 

5).  The Perfect Edge - Ron Hock

 

6).  Hybrid Woodworking - Marc Spagnuolo

 

I also have the Flexner book and the Impractical Cabinetmaker by Krenov.

 

One thing about most of these books is that they tend to be broken into topics, as opposed a single narrative, which explains my partial reading.  I read the parts that deal with the issues I am dealing with.

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I believe that Understanding Wood Finishing and Woodwork Visualized would answer most how-to woodworking questions on forums.
 

 

+1.  I am always happy to help people, but sometimes I want to say "just buy the damn book and stop asking so many questions" :)

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Here's a starter set of fifty books... :)

 

A beginner’s list: Flexner, Hoedley, Hock, Taunton’s Hardcover Boxed Set, Anarchist Tool Chest, Frid 1-3, The owner's manual from every tool you purchase

 

Hand tool and 'next-level' add-ons: Fidgen, Charlesworth 1-3, Everything from Lost Art Press, Anything from Saint Roy

 

Zen level: All things Krenov, Nakashima

 

 

I own all, and have read all -- except the owner's manuals... :)

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Along with the books listed... 

 

I would also suggest buying this Frank Klausz dvd.

Watching a true master go through a project is certainly worth the $40, and a few hours of a saturday morning. http://www.shopwoodworking.com/joinery-master-class-dvd?r=googleshopping&utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&cid=200&mr:trackingCode=FAD13893-19DE-E411-90D3-BC305BF9268C&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=c&mr:adType=plaonline&gclid=CjwKEAjw0-epBRDOp7f7lOG0zl4SJABxJg9qnaD-k3E5pxz5HPhMY_T_6wOgXJCR9l7c7KehG-o_KRoC4c3w_wcB

 

While we're on DVD's... This one will bore you to tears, but is one of the best on the subject. http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/planesharpeningdvdcharlesworth.aspx

 

Back to books, :) : Anything here. If you are new to hand tools, Essential Woodworker is well, essential.  http://lostartpress.com/collections/books

 

Other things are style specific, like the Greene & Greene books. Which Peart makes the best ones, the Lang books aren't too shabby either. 

 

 

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