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Knopf

The Complete Manual of Woodworking: A Detailed Guide to Design, Techniques, and Tools for the Beginner and Expert

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Availability: Only 10 left in stock, order soon!
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Arrives Wednesday, Nov 27
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Publisher ‏ : ‎ Knopf; 7TH PRINTING edition (December 3, 1996)


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 7


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 17


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.3 pounds


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.4 x 0.8 x 10.2 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #74,405 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #67 in Woodworking Projects (Books) #105 in Crafts & Hobbies Reference #5,761 in Reference (Books)


#67 in Woodworking Projects (Books):


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Top Amazon Reviews

    • Covers many essential woodworking subjects- I wish I had gotten it a long time ago
Beginning with descriptions of wood and how it is milled, the book then moves to tool descriptions and finally to techniques. The book has high-quality photographs and graphics making subjects understandable.
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2023 by Steve Digby
    • Not a How-To Guide, but a Fantastic Reference
As others have mentioned, this book is not going to tell you exactly how to get things done. That being said, I think that this is exactly the kind of information that will prepare an individual to discover their own methods in an effective and efficient manner. It's basically a text book that's jam packed with excellent no-fuss information about everything woodworking. It starts with the very basics in describing how trees grow, explaining the different elements of a tree and how they pertain to the craft, and quickly moves through how wood is harvested, milled, and how you should pick your lumber before meticulously documenting each facet of woodworking. The table of contents and general structure of the book is well done. I can quickly find the information I need at a glance, and that's what really makes this book useful. So even after I've exhausted my research interests, I can always use this book as a quick reference when new projects call for new tools and/or knowledge. At the end of the day, this book has become my new baseline for all of my woodworking, a sort of ground zero from which I can garner a solid frame of reference and chart a course for success. From here, I know exactly where I need to go, or can at least determine where my knowledge is deficient and chart an appropriate course. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2014 by Cookie
    • this manual is excellent!!
I gave a review of another book on what could be called 'woodworking basics' and I swore by it without reservations. With this one, I have to shout it from the rooftops . . . this manual is excellent!!!! It is truly and completely packed with what I'd say, volumes of information! It begins with how wood is extracted and formed from various trees into the types and grades of different woods and their uses, to the many tools one can choose to create products. It also lists a number of Japanese tools in existence and makes differing comparisons with American and European tools. A number of the tools I have now I've purchased after simply reading through these sections. The authors go into detail about the best use for each tool and even how to extend the effectiveness and the life of some. One tool is on the way now as I am typing and it's one that I couldn't find anywhere, especially in either of the home improvement stores I frequent mostly. The information in this book is extensive, to say the least. Five stars is just simply not enough for this item. It is truly a must have in anyone's collection!!! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2015 by zeroninerdude
    • A Good Reference Book
This book reminds me of several other books in my collection: The Readers' Digest Complete Do it Yourself Manual, and similar books being published by Home Depot and Lowe's. The book attempts to cover an astonishing range of topics, and what it lacks in depth is made up in encyclopedic coverage. It is well done, but shows both the strengths and weaknesses of the genre. If you are looking for something along this line, you won't be disappointed. It is a useful reference, which will probably see a lot of use. On the other hand, if you are looking for in depth instructions on how to do something in particular, you are better off looking elsewhere. The book begins with a very strong section on the properties of wood, discussing 20 distinct types of softwoods, 56 types of hardwoods, as well as veneers, plywoods, particle boards and fiberboards. Each type is discussed with comments on sources, characteristics, workability, weight, and common uses. After a brief section on furniture design, it proceeds to three sections on tools. These take up the bulk of the book. There are few recommendations on which tools to buy first, or which to put off until later. The authors don't tell us much about what to look for when choosing a tool. Each tool is recommended just as highly as all the others, with sections on typical uses and how to perform them. On the other hand, the coverage of techniques is incredibly thorough in the handful of pages devoted to each tool. There are also a number of techniques here specifically aimed at those of us who have a less than complete collection of tools. The authors follow this with a brief section on setting up the home workshop, and then a chapter on joinery. Like most older books, the construction of dovetail joints is shown entirely by hand, rather than with a router and set of dovetail jigs. This is followed by sections on wood bending, veneers, carving and finishing. My copy, though printed in 2000, was written in 1989. The book is showing its age, particularly in the sections on power tools. The most striking examples are the pictures of DeWalt power tools in a sickly green color, which must have preceeded their current trademark yellow. In most sections, this makes very little difference, but in places one wishes for a second edition. The authors discuss combination tools and radial arm saws in great depth, while ignoring modern additions like the compound miter saw. The book reads like one written by a committee, with bland, unopinionated language. This is not a book you would enjoy reading from cover to cover, but that is probably not the intent. It is properly viewed as an encyclopedic reference work. This is a good book to buy in the early stages of learning about woodworking. I would recommend this book as a good second book, rather than a first book, because there is too little guidance for the neophyte. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2001 by Paul Martin
    • Like New Used Book At Excellent Price!
No way to tell that the book was used. Excellent book with tons of information and superb illustrations. Highly recommended.
Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2023 by RVN SF
    • Wow! What an awesome book!
I have been wood working for more than 30 years, but never really got a good workshop going, or really learned the basics; I just learned by trial and error. I saw this book and thought it would be a great refresher for what I already knew, but provide a lot of the info I don't know, and it hasn't disappointed! It starts out with the basics of the biology of trees and wood, lumbering of wood, types of wood, etc., including really nice color photos! I haven't even gotten to the later parts of the book, but it is so good so far, I had to submit this review! If I significantly change my mind after completion, I will make the effort to revise my review, but I don't think I will need to. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2020 by Stephen C. Knowles

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