The Complete Manual of Woodworking: A Detailed Guide to Design, Techniques, and Tools for the Beginner and Expert
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Description
Designed to instruct and inspire every woodworker from the beginner to the most exacting expert, this authoritative guide is a must-have classic in the world of woodworking. With more than 1,800 drawings, diagrams and photos, The Complete Manual of Woodworking encompasses the whole art and craft of woodworking. Includes a discussion of all the principal hardwoods and softwoods, how to choose and use hand tools, detailed information on every woodworking technique--jointing, bonding, fastening, laminating, and much more. Read more
Publisher : Knopf
Publication date : December 3, 1996
Edition : 7TH PRINTING
Language : English
Print length : 320 pages
ISBN-10 : 7
ISBN-13 : 17
Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
Dimensions : 8.4 x 0.85 x 10.2 inches
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Top Amazon Reviews
Format: Paperback
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.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2014 by Cookie
Format: Paperback
This is a great book providing lots of general information that would help any novice and even some experienced woodworker. The text is easy to read and the photos and drawings superb. About the only problem is the age the book shows in so far as power tools. This book could really use an update when it comes to this area. Power tools have come a long way in the last ten to fifteen years and many joinery operations can be performed with them instead of by hand - the book would benefit from showing and discussing this. Little things like carbide tipped blades, bits, and tools are barely mentioned though today they outsell HSS versions by several times and are much more frequently used. That said, however, it is indeed nice to see so many operations shown being done by hand despite power tools being able to do the job. It is always good to know how to do something by hand instead of always relying on power tools. I consider this book a "must have" because it supplies a broad range of information on pretty much everything dealing with woodworking and does it quite well.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2005 by Gauda
Format: Paperback
Very good information in proper condition
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2026 by Amaiya
Format: Paperback
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.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2001 by Paul Martin
Format: Paperback
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.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2020 by Stephen C. Knowles
The knowledge given is great. The format is concise, abundant, and all-inclusive; making the name of the book very appropriate. A good buy. When it arrived the pages seemed to be yellowing and somewhat full of ambient moisture and I was concerned for the glued binding. Maybe the few days travel in wet weather accounted for this. After a few days in the dry everything was Ok. This book copyrighted 1989 contain all the skills necessary for. a hand-tool woodworker, which is exactly what I need. Woodwork, being the oldest profession, there is a concern that skill-sets may by cast aside and forgotten by the introduction of machinery. And this is what makes this book still timely and important . Power tools and machinery of that day are also given ample exposure: band-saws, scroll--saws, table-saws, planers, drill-press, lathes, radial-arm saws, mortising attachments, sanders This is an excellent book.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2016 by kgb
Format: Hardcover
I absolutely love this book. It's not so much a project book as a broad overview of virtually all elements of woodworking. This book's coverage is a mile wide, but more than a few inches deep. It takes you from how trees grow all the way through joinery and staining and some of the more commonly used tools of the trade. There are lots of very good pictures and illustrations, and the writing itself is more interesting than you might expect. If you or someone you know is interested in woodworking, I can't think of a better book to start with.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2016 by Ben
Format: Hardcover
I got it second hand since the original it's pretty expensive and I was surpised it was in perfect conditions. The inside book, has lovely sketchs, very easy to understand showing a lot of information in just a couples pages. I learn a lot of new wood types I never knew before. Prefect for new woodworkers or DYI people.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2021 by Miguel Acevedo