Hand tool book???

Re: Hand tool book???

Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX

>How about "Restoring, Tuning & Using Classic Woodworking Tools" by Michael Dunbar?

Pam

I'll Second that

Todd O. Cronkhite Native of Maine

>

Two places to start

Christopher Schwarz

>As far as restoring goes, Dunbar's book is a good one. For some really good detail on how to use the tools, I always turn to two sources:

"Planecraft" is a book reprinted by Woodcraft. It's $10 and was basically a manual for using Record planes. It's a great reference for learning to use hand planes, no matter who made the tool.

"Cabinetmaking for Beginners" by Charles Hayward. This book is out of print I believe, but you can find it pretty easily used. Don't be deceived by the title, this book is a solid course in traditional handwork (and machine work). Look for the hardbound, earlier versions of this title. Some of Hayward's later works were reprinted by a publishing company and "improved" with "modern" photos that I don't like one bit.

Hayward has other books that are great, too. If you stumble on them at a used book store, they are an excellent buy.

Chris

Hayward Book

Don Thompson, Cutler Ridge, South of Miami FL

>There are now five used copies for sale on Amazon.

(There were six :-))

Christopher, a question..

Christopher Fitch @ Memphis

>.. when you say avoid the modern version, are you refering to the paperback version? or a certain date?

I have found a number of copies on the 'net ranging from 1940 to 1989...

:)

TIA

On a side note, for used books go *LINK*

Christopher Fitch @ Memphis

>... to Barnes and Noble and search their used and out-of-print section. I have found that you can find a number of books there that are hard to find elsewhere. They link up with 3rd party indepedent sellers who sell old books.


Barnes & Noble.com - Out of Print, Used & Rare

Re: Christopher, a question..

Christopher Schwarz

>Hmm, how to put this graciously...

Sterling Publishing in New York has put out many many fine woodworking books, many of which I own, treasure and use on a daily basis. However, the job they did on Hayward's reprints are not up to the company's usual high standards, in my opinion.

So avoid those published by Sterling. I believe they are paperback. (Also another good one from Hayward I forgot to mention is "Tools for Woodwork").

Good luck,

Chris (knowing he's going to get a call from the 212 area code about this one).

heh...

Christopher Fitch @ Memphis

>Well, I picked up a used hardback one for about $10.95... which is not as cheap as the paperback, but that's life.

:)

Don't know the year... or the publisher...

Concur on Hayward

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA

>I recently reread his "Woodworking Joints," a garage sale find, and was reminded that a lot of the British writers of the generation before mine were comprehensively knowledgeable on the subject of hand tool use. I think this is so because the British held onto hand tool skills far longer than the Americans, who were seduced by electrons, and because hand tools were still viable in production settings up into the 60's (I even remember seeing an older guy on a building site in 1974 using a Stanley No. 71 on some closed stair carriages, though I'm sure every other carpenter on the site was wondering why the heck he didn't get out the Porter-Cable electron muncher).