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Popular Woodworking Books

Hand Tool Basics: Woodworking Tools and How to Use Them

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Publisher ‏ : ‎ Popular Woodworking Books; Illustrated edition (January 12, 2018)


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 272 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1440348901


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 07


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.55 pounds


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.55 x 0.85 x 11.12 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #754,158 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #128 in Power Tools (Books) #383 in Carpentry #949 in Woodworking Projects (Books)


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Top Amazon Reviews

    • BEST HAND TOOL INSTRUCTION OF ALL TIME!
BUY THIS BOOK. The hardcover was $25, and it is incredible. It addresses EVERYTHING in a logical order and is very concise.
Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2022 by The bestaround
    • This book is spectacular.
This book is spectacular. I am currently taking a woodworking course by the author and he is super knowledgeable and provide tips and traps in order to make the woodworking experience a pleasant one. Plenty of pictures and examples. I highly recommend you purchase this book.
Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2018 by DENNIS
    • Solid, clear, wonderfully written
Hand Tool Basics is exactly what the title claims, a solid handbook on the care, use, and feeding of hand powered woodworking tools. Self taught woodworker, author and blogger Steve Branam has teamed up with F+W Media and Popular Woodworking; the book is available in hardcover and ebook formats, and was released 12th January, 2018. The book opens with an introduction which explains why someone would choose hand tools when electrical tools are available, materials, the value of practicing new skills to become comfortable with them, setting up a work space, using jigs and guides, etc. The intro covers about 5% of the page content. Chapter 1 (roughly 5% of the book) covers tools: workbenches, safety, saws and planes and other basic info. Chapter 2 (18% of the content) - Sharpening and care of tools is important from a safety standpoint as well as to get the best results from the tools. Dull and badly maintained tools suck the joy out of any project as well as being a dangerous safety risk. This chapter provides clear concise instructions with full color photos in a step-by-step format. I came away with a clear understanding of single and double bevel edges and sharpening everything from chisels to saws. Maintenance is so important and the author uses easily followed and complete language (and pictures). It really felt like having a one-on-one instructor available. Chapter 3 (21%) covers the tools used in preparing stock materials: gauges, squares and marking tools, planes, and how to prepare and face stock. I really like that the author gives considered opinions about potential strengths and drawbacks of different methods throughout the book. He often refers to these as 'fistfights' or places where woodworkers tend to have very fixed opinions about the relative merits of one approach over another. Chapter 4 (20%) - is a really complete treatise of joinery in all its forms and functions. I can't emphasize enough how helpful it was for me to have the reference photographs to see hand and tool positions. He covers simple joinery with glues and this chapter has the best illustrations of any book in my library on using a chisel and how to use the bevel (forward or backward facing) to cut exactly to the desired depth and removal area. Chapter 5 (11%) Mortise & Tenon joinery - well photographed and complete step by step instructions. I really like that he explains potential problem areas and pitfalls before they can arise and ruin progress. Chapter 6 (12%) - Dovetail joinery. This is a solid chapter. The instructions and photography are -so- good that even beginning woodworkers will feel like they can succeed with the step-by-step instructions. There's a tutorial for practicing dovetail sawing. This chapter alone is worth the price of admission. Chapter 7 (4%) - Boring holes and curved work. This chapter has a lot of info about boring holes and roughing and refining curves. The rest of the content covers conversions, extra available instructions and patterns, links and inspiration. I previously spent a lot of time frustrated with the results of my woodworking projects because I felt that they were lacking something. I came to woodworking mostly as a result of needing improved skills for repairing and refinishing and replacing pieces on the furniture I was refinishing and refurbishing. I'm constantly learning but I really wish I'd had this book years ago. The author has a real knack for teaching in a calm and clear manner. Five stars. This is a good solid book. I'm going to buy a hardback version for my shop bookshelf; that's high praise from me. Disclosure: I received an electronic-ARC at no cost from the author/publisher. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2018 by AnnieB
    • Buy the hardcopy version, not the Kindle version
This is a favourite book of mine because of the wonderful detailed instructions for doing basic woodwork processes. Each step in the process comes with a colour photograph which helps explain how to do the step. I bought the Kindle version first for my iPad Air but got frustrated cause the iPad Kindle software only shows about 2 to 3 steps in a process per each screen. I then bought the hardcopy version where the pages are letter sized - when I open the book and lay it flat to display 2 pages, I typically then get to see 12 steps in the process. This gives me a far better view of the process end to end. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2020 by Auckland Kiwi
    • Excellent Tool Guide
This is an excellent guide to choosing, maintaining and using hand tools for most every kind of woodworking. Choosing them had me waffling, but Steve Branam's practical listing of what to look for and what NOT to buy was most helpful. Sharpening and adjusting these tools is probably the most important help, however. In my youth there were old fellas all over town who would sharpen tools of all sorts for you - but like locksmiths and shoe repair men, those days are gone. If you can't do it yourself then it won't get done. Now I can use tools I put aside years ago, and can purchase what I need to add to my work bench. I received a free electronic copy of this self help guide from Netgalley, Steve Branam, and F+W Media/Popular Woodworking Books in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2018 by Bonnye Reed Fry
    • very good
I love this book, I am a complete novice at tools and working with wood, and this book took the fear out of it all for me. Easy to understand, lots of photographs and information, without an electric tool in sight. It explains the use and safety of tools, how to keep everything in order and then goes on to explain about working with wood. There are chapters on joins amongst others, there is the mortise and tenon and the dovetail, those are the one I love to see in furniture, not easy but very well explained. The last chapter is on holes and curves which is also fascinating. A great book for all levels, but especially anyone wanting to start off, and use the old fashion way of craftsmanship. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2018 by Leyla

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