The Complete Manual of Woodworking by Albert Jackson

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

Paperback — Knopf Publishing Group, 1996  #AJCMW $29.00 Buy Now

With more than 1,800 drawings, diagrams and photos, The Complete Manual of Woodworking is an encompassing and authoritative guide thatincludes discussions of the primary hard and soft woods, how to choose and use hand tools, detailed information on every woodworking technique — jointing, bonding, fastening, laminating, and much more. Designed to instruct and inspire woodworkers, Jackson’s The Complete Manual reaches from beginner to the most exacting expert, and has become a classic.

The Fine Art of Cabinetmaking by James Krenov

The Fine Art of Cabinetmaking by James Krenov

Paperback — Linden Book Publishing-Woodworker’s Library Series, 2007  #JKFAC $25.00 Buy Now

In The Fine Art of Cabinetmaking, Krenov addresses perfecting technique and building to the limits of one’s skill, while providing in-depth instruction for mastering the craft of cabinetmaking. A collection of topics, including the proper way to sharpen and hone tools, techniques of hollow grinding and obtaining proper grinding angles, are detailed in this comprehensive sourcebook. Lessons devoted to using and understanding common and exotic woods, how to read grain, as well as the pros and cons of working with air-dried wood versus kiln-dried wood will educate any level of woodworker. Chapters devoted to re-sawing and problems with moisture content and wood movement are also included.

The Impractical Cabinetmaker: Krenov on Composing, Making, and Detailing by James Krenov

The Impractical Cabinetmaker: Krenov on Composing, Making, and Detailing by James Krenov

Paperback — Linden Book Publishing-Woodworker’s Library Series, 1999 (first published in 1979)

#JKTIC $22.00 Buy Now

James Krenov’s delicate, lyrical cabinets have inspired a generation of wood aritsans, as has his impassioned insistence that one do their very best work, no matter what. Krenov invites the reader into his workshop, where he shares his techniques and an uncompromising approach to craftsmanship, and thoughts about his own work and its place in the world. Photo sequences show how Krenov composes a cabinet directly in the wood. He also discusses working with shop-sawn veneers, technique for fitting curved doors, and problems of accuracy and mistakes, concluding with detailed explorations of three furniture projects: a curved showcase cabinet, a writing table with drawer, and a chess table.