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The safety tips were excellent as well. The book would be a good choice for those who have not done a lot of woodworking but would like to get more serious, as well as for those of us who have been away from it for many years. I found this to be the best wood workin book that I have come accross. I especially like the project progression as a method to teach and learn the basic techniques of working with wood. In the world of a power tool for everything under the sun and instant quality Korn's book does a masterful job of explaining when and how to use the proper tool for the correct job. As a mid-level hobbyist, this book was perfect for my need, explaining how to use both power and hand tools, when to use them and why. The book reignited a desire for high quality work with a personal touch.
Also, I notice that the tools used by the author in the illustrations are the type that get "best value" in tool reviews. As a side note, the book contains lots of bits of good tool advice.
It is certainly not encyclopedic, nor is it a "project book". This book is fantastic, particularly for the beginner or someone who wants a solid foundation in hand-cut joinery.
By focusing on these details, skills develop and better joints happen naturally. It does, however, offer concise and insightful instructions on "the essentials".
The "projects" on cutting mortise and tenon, and dovetails, contain a wealth of information about how to mark accurately and cut square and true with hand tools. The author often mentions, "If I had to have only one of tool X, it would be " which I think would be useful to anyone just getting started.
Among tools used in the illustrations are what appear to be Marples blue chip chisels, Starrett squares, Shinwa protractor and bevel, xacto utility knife, etc.
The author does a great job of walking through the basics of woodworking. If you read and follow the book I believe your woodworking skills will improve.
The safety tips were excellent as well. In the world of a power tool for everything under the sun and instant "craftsmanship," Peter Korn's book does a masterful job of explaining when and how to use the proper tool for the correct job. As a mid-level hobbyist, this book was perfect for my need, explaining how to use both power and hand tools, when to use them and why. I especially like the project progression as a method to teach and learn the basic techniques of working with wood. The book reignited a desire for high quality work with a personal touch.The book would be a good choice for those who have never done woodworking but would like to get started, as well as for those of us who have been away from it for many years.
The milled boards are long enough that the reader can practice the joints several times. His project based instruction and step by step approach is exactly what newcomer's need. Korn's book is almost identical to the structure and pacing of instruction from my course. The side table introduces basic carcase and drawer/panel door construction. First, the basic mortise and tenon and then the through-dovetail joint. The stool introduces half-blind dovetails, pinned tenons, glue-up procedure, and basic finishing.
Korn appears to take a more modest (and affordable) approach with essential hand tools. Many books these days wax the "poetic" of woodworking with seductive images and effusive text, being little more than a showcase of very expensive premium hand tools. Although much of the machinery shown in the book may be beyond a beginner's pocket book, the alternative hand tool approach is well within reach and will drive home the fundamentals of woodworking more than machine milling will.The first 70 pages introduce the reader to wood, joinery and (power and hand) tools. The reader learns a great deal without being intimidated by too much detail. I took a beginning woodworking course a long time ago, but have decided to refresh my interest. Korn does a superb job of providing step-by-step instruction using hand tools or power tools. For me, Sharpening was the first "project" in the WW class I took since it is also a fundamental.The second and third project is to take the boards you dimensioned and do some basic joinery (before working on any furniture).
Joinery is also a fundamental, and these particular joints are the most widely used. Korn takes us step-by-step through the process with plenty of clear photographs showing the technique. There are other books that specialize in the topics of advanced machine use, hand planes and sharpening. I also like Korn's lack of pretense when presenting tools or techniques. Each time your joints will get better, and you will gain valuable experience and confidence.The last 80 pages include two small projects, a handsome stool and a side table.
The sections are a bit terse (particularly sharpening), but the simpler introductions are appropriate to the scope of the book. Korn's book has just enough to get you going without making you feel it is too complicated to proceed.The first project, milling a board four square, is a fundamental task of woodworking that deserves the attention it gets in this book. These projects are big enough to introduce several more fundamentals without being too complex that the reader will never finish. Again, all steps are well documented with plenty of photographs.
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