Hand Tool Book Review

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[S2 - 27] A Cabinetmakers Notebook By Jame Krenov

2021-08-3113:53

A cabinetmaker's notebook by James Krenov is a relatively famous book that I've been avoiding reviewing for a while now, join me on today's podcast as a I tell you why.

[S2-26] Chinese Domestic Furniture By Gustav Ecke

2021-08-2013:45

Chinese classical furniture in the Ming style demonstrates some very interesting solutions to typical problems, some fascinating joinery and some timeless elegance in design. I found this book to be a great "read" - its got very little text but lots of inspiration. Upon reading it's easy to see why this is considered one of the seminal works in this style of furniture.

[S2-25] Zany Wooden Tools By Bob Gilsdorf

2021-08-0312:50

A fun book that I enjoy is this book on kinetic toys by Bob Gilsdorf. It's one that I return to every so often to look for inspiration for a project with my boys. I hope that one day visitors to our house will be encouraged to join in and make a toy (rather than the current propensity for small scale weapons manufacture - that seems to be my son's primary rationale for visiting the woodworking room).

[S2-24] Hand Tool Essentials By Paul Sellers

2021-06-1519:51

A great book if you want a really in depth look at the core tools in your workshop. I enjoyed this book and could heartily recommend it to anyone who is interested in the distilled wisdom of a master craftsman.

[S2-23] Another Work Is Possible By Joshua Klein

2021-05-0915:01

Another Work is Possible is a very different take on how the task of building a structure can be completed. With the help of Charpentiers Sans Frontieres (CSF) - the folk at Mortise and Tenon set about constructing a new Blacksmith shop. Part philosophy, part construction log, part beautiful coffee table book - this book documents both the steps and ethos behind this project.

[S2-22] The Craftsman By Richard Sennett

2021-04-2919:20

The Craftsman is a thoughtful and thought-provoking look at mankind's conflicted relationship with technology and craftsmanship. I learnt a lot from this book, but it is a bit of a tough read. You have to be paying attention. A book that I would suggest breaking up over a number of sessions. It's taken me a few months to re-read it, but I am glad I did!

[S2-21] The Art Of Saw Filing By HW Holly

2021-04-0918:09

The Art of Saw-Filing by HW Holly is a fun little book that takes a quite complicated topic and breaks it down into a very easy to understand process - in a book which covers everything from the finest saw to a monster two-man saw to a circular saw and everything in between.

[S2-20] Handsaw Essentials By Christopher Schwarz

2021-03-1827:24

A book made of solid gold? Certainly feels that way if you try and buy a copy these days. The companion to Handplane Essentials is one of the hardest books to come by at a reasonable price. Join me on today's show as I discuss whether you should seriously consider paying this price for it!

[S2-19] Memoirs Of A Victorian Cabinetmaker By James Hopkinson

2021-03-0415:32

PSA: Don't buy this book. Join me on the show to find out why, and to hear about my recent experience with hide glue.

[S2-18] Why We Make Things And Why It Matters By Peter Korn

2021-02-2314:51

Peter Korn has written an excellent Philosophy-Autobiography. After all who doesn't like a book that tells a great woodworker's story and gives some deep insights into why this story matters!

[S2-17] A Rural Carpenters World By Wayne Franklin

2021-02-1513:28

A Rural Carpenter's World is an important book, and one I think that future researchers and historians will reference. Unfortunately, unlike Robert Tarule's evocative descriptions in An Artisan of Ipswich, this book is dryer and less accessible.

[S2-16] American Canopy By Eric Rutkow

2021-02-0815:07

History meets trees, what more is there to say about this book. A great read with a sweeping scope.

[S2-15] The Essential Woodworker By Robert Wearing

2021-01-3117:30

If I was to take one book to a remote island to learn the craft of woodworking - well the basics at least, Robert Wearing's book is a likely candidate. This is one of the great books for people starting to get going with hand tools (and for many intermediate skilled woodworkers as well).

[S2-14] Where Have All The Planes Gone? An Interview With Thomas Lie-Nielsen

2021-01-2121:06

A question recently posed on a forum - "Where have all the planes gone?" was important enough to me that I thought I would reach out to Thomas Lie-Nielsen and see if he could shed some light on the challenges that they are facing as a result of Coivd-19.

[S2-13] English Arts And Crafts Furniture By Nancy Hiller

2021-01-2115:39

If you want to take a few notes about how to build an authentic Arts and Crafts Furniture piece, Nancy Hiller's book is a great resource. Join me on the show as we dive into an interesting book on an interesting topic from a different perspective.

[CR-04] Coffee And Ruskins #4 - According To Value

2021-01-1458:26

Chapter 4 of John Ruskin's work Unto This Last narrated by Ray Deftereos

[CR-03] Coffee And Ruskins #3 - That Judge The Earth

2020-12-2428:35

Chapter 3 of John Ruskin's work Unto This Last narrated by Ray Deftereos

[CR-02] Coffee And Ruskins #2 - The Veins Of Wealth

2020-12-1728:37

Chapter 2 of John Ruskin's work Unto This Last narrated by Ray Deftereos

[S2-12] Making Things Work Interview With Nancy Hiller

2020-12-1001:19:51

I had a wonderful interview and discussion with Nancy Hiller about her book Making Things Work, her other projects, a book recommendation etc. And I asked her all the questions I could about her work and life. It was a great conversation and could have gone on for hours. She was really wonderful to talk too.

[S2-11] Making Things Work By Nancy Hiller

2020-12-1011:49

Nancy Hiller's book, Making things work is a poignant and funny account of what life is really like as a cabinet maker. It's a book that I enjoyed, and if you've ever considered turning your side hussle into a day job, perhaps reading this first is a good idea.

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