Customer Reviews

Comp Illus GT Furniture & Cabi

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a beginner, I did not quite find what I was looking for with this book. Some basic things are glossed over and left for the reader to figure for himself. It's simply a function of the book targeting an intermediate to advanced audience. This is not a book to learn to do things one small step at a time, but it certainly contains a wealth of information and I'm really enjoying just reading it, as it is giving me many good ideas and is loaded with little tricks that I had never thought of. Well worthwhile to own, but I still need a more basic text to help get me started.

Although not for beginning woodworkers, this is an outstanding book--sort of like a combination Rodale & Tage Frid. It goes into detail on the construction of furniture and cabinetry--where Rodale provides an overview of cabinet/furniture types, and Tage Frid provides details of how to create specific joints, Andy Rae puts the two together. He provides a number of techniques that I hadn't thought of before, such as creating a raised panel out of cheaper MDF framed by solid wood.

The other books in the series (Joinery and Shaping Wood) are great as well. But I find myself looking to this book more often.

Through my work as a public librarian I recently ordered this book, and subsequently had the opportunity to be the first at my library to read it! I am very impressed with the sheer scope of the work. Having long been a fan of the Taunton Press I expected this work to be very good quality, and I was not disappointed. I agree with most of the favorable comments made by other reviewers, but I have to disagree with the claim made by another that this book is disjointed. I found it to be very readable and informative.

To me the beauty of this book is that there is something in it for everyone. Beginners will of course gather the most new knowledge here, but even seasoned woodworkers (and woodworking book junkies) will find it interesting and above all useful. Besides the grand scope of the book, I was impressed most with the fresh and creative ways that common woodworking knowledge is presented. I found that the way the chapters were laid out, the order of presentation, felt very natuaral. Each subject flows nicely into the next. I particularly liked the sections illustrating the most common forms of a particular component of woodworking. Such as, the most common methods for mounting and fitting drawers and doors, the most common edge details for shelving, the most common dimensions for various categories of furniture, etc.

If I had to sum up why this book is a great buy I would have to say it is because this book serves as both an encyclopedia of woodworking facts (usefull to all woodworkers among us) and a comprehensive collection of tips and advice (which novices will find especially helpful). I highly recommend this purchase.

I bought this book based on recommendations from Amazon reviews, and find those recommendations to be correct. This book is loaded with good information, detail and pictures on all areas of furniture and cabinet construction. It is not filled with step by step instruction that some beginning woodworkers may be seeking. But you certainly don't have to be an expert to understand and appreciate the techniques and styles shown in this book. This one sits proudly in my bookcase (yes, I made the bookcase).

Im relatively new at this but I am a finisher at local factory for cabinets. This book is great the illustrations are good and its easy to understand. Need some money for more tools but there are some things in this book that you can do with minimal tools. Great read and well laid out!!

After completing this book, I think a person can obtain a lot of great tips and tricks to help one advance in their craft. It provides many useful jigs and tables that are crucial to building a successful foundation in wood working.

I really like this book. I find that it has a lot of great information, not just about making cabinets but for organizing a woodshop in general. The stuff like "anatomy of a cabinet", comparison of different types of joinery as applies to cabinet making, and some of the suggestions for tools and jigs are quite good.

The only problem is that the text is sometimes hard to follow. He isn't really very methodical, and will go off on tangents, sometimes forgetting to go back to the main point. All in all its worth having though.

Overall I have found "Building Traditional Kitchen Cabinets" much more detailed, complete, and methodical - anyone who wants to make cabinets really ought to get both books.

The book is organized in a way such that the simpler techniques (in a particular areas, for example "shelves") are introduced first followed by more advanced techniques. Lots of sidebars on how to create helpful jigs. Most of the techniques require a somewhat well equipped workshop to execute the steps. This book would be a great addition to any woodworker's library.

A great book. Definitely a must in any woodworker's library. As always Taunton maintains the highest standard in Craftsman's literature. Excellent price for the value of the content.

I bought this book based on recommendations from Amazon reviews, and find those recommendations to be correct. This book is loaded with good information, detail and pictures on all areas of furniture and cabinet construction. It is not filled with step by step instruction that some beginning woodworkers may be seeking. But you certainly don't have to be an expert to understand and appreciate the techniques and styles shown in this book. This one sits proudly in my bookcase (yes, I made the bookcase).