Cabinet making books beyond the basics

[Davidadew]

Having existing skills in woodworking and happily making things, I'm looking for an intermediate / advanced cabinet making book going into more details about construction of cases, woods, creating those extra details etc. I'm not looking for specific projects but more general knowledge in the cabinet making area; I make smaller items (not boxes) so ideally something focused on that.

I use only hand tools only, so books going into machine use aren't that much use to me. However, I'm not looking how to sharpen a plane etc., I'm quite happy with how I do this now.

Maybe I'm looking for something that isn't there, but I've looked at some like the David Charlesworth's Furniture-making Techniques: v. 1 in a shop and yes it is good, but it seems to cover things like sharpening planes etc., tool selection, as well as construction, and I'm looking for more detailed info.

I've seen Fine Art of Cabinet Making by James Krenov which is 20/30+ old on amazon (but of course out of stock) - perhaps I should be looking for older books pre when power tools were more in use?

Any ideas?

 

[OPJ]

It sounds like The Technique of Furniture Making may be what you're after. It's a dry read but makes for a great reference on all sorts of joints, techniques and constructions. It's not a how-to, either.

 

[Steve Maskery]

I think you are right to look at Krenov's work. I have one of his. I can't remember whether it's A Cabinet Maker's Notebook or The Impractical Cabinet Maker. I was disappointed when I got it because it wasn't full of projects. Now I think it's one of the most valuable books I own. I must get it out again, I've not read it for far too long.

Try
here.

Also try Alan Peters and Sam Maloof (he didn't make only chairs).

Cheers
Steve

 

[AndyT]

This is a pretty frequently asked question - there was a good set of answers here:

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/recommended-reading-list-t18164.html

Since then, even more full scans have becomeavailable through Google Books and the like. Useful compilations of old texts on-line include:

http://www.wkfinetools.com/mLibrary/mLibrary_index.asp

and

http://www.evenfallstudios.com/woodworks_library/woodworks_library.html

 

[ondablade]

Taunton sell a very decent 'Complete Illustrated Guide Guide to Furniture and Cabinet Construction' by Andy Rae from the shop of the Fine Woodworking website - which i've just received. It's a hardback of about 1 1/2in thick. There's a companion 'Complete Guide to Finishing', and another on using and maintaining hand tools by Lonnie Bird (may not be the exact words).

Very good books to my mind. High level writer and information, lots and lots of photos of quality projects illustrating the topics and points, lots of hard detail compared to your average 'guide to' type book but still concise. Covers pretty much everything from design to finishing of all the major types of furniture and built in stuff.

Obviously not as comprehensive as separate good specialist books on each of the main topics might be, but better than many.

You should be able to get a look at the contents (including the index) if not on the Taunton site then on Amazon.com.

 

[Benchwayze]

David,

Try to get a copy of Cabinet Making for Beginners by Charles H Hayward. (Evans Brothers Publishers)
There are companion volumes to this such as Joints, Veneering, and Carpentry.

A decent copy today will cost around £12.00 and I suggest you try www.Abebooks.co.uk
And www.Alibris.com


Item No. 270500116217 eBay. This has been sold, but all the details of the book are there, for searching alibris and abebooks.

The books are illustrated by the author, (An ex editor of 'The Woodworker'.) and the text is detailed, (even long-winded at times). It's a bit basic compared to Krenov and the like, but if you were skilled at everything in there, you'd be a pretty good cabinetmaker. If you want to brush up your basic joint-making skills, then his book on Woodwork Joints is great.

HTH

John

Disregard all the above. I just realised, you want to go beyond the basics. !!!
John

 

[bugbear]

Having existing skills in woodworking and happily making things, I'm looking for an intermediate / advanced cabinet making book going into more details about construction of cases, woods, creating those extra details etc. I'm not looking for specific projects but more general knowledge in the cabinet making area; I make smaller items (not boxes) so ideally something focused on that.

I use only hand tools only, so books going into machine use aren't that much use to me. However, I'm not looking how to sharpen a plane etc., I'm quite happy with how I do this now.

I think all post 1940 books assume machine tool use, so Joyce and Peters won't be much use to you.

You should probably look at Bernard Jones "The Practical Woodworker" in 4 volumes, which has more of the basics than you say you want, but goes on to cover pretty complex stuff.

The "original" cabinetmakers bible was Hooper and Wells, "Modern Cabinetwork Furniture and Fitments" (first edition in 1909), but make sure you don't get the 1952 edition/update which is TERRIBLY excited about manmade sheet products!

my review:
http://www.calast.com/personal/ken/book ... hoop_1.htm

BugBear

 

[ByronBlack]

For books, definitely check out those by David Charlesworth - his books are excellent, and has a good amount of info on hand-tool work.

Not a book, but I'd recommend watching episodes of 'Woodwrights Shop' with Roy Underhill - he uses hand-tools exclusively.

 

[Davidadew]

Thanks for all your replies, gratefully received and looking into buying some.

In terms of the "The Practical Woodworker" by Jones - I see that it comes either in 4 volumes or one compact version.

I've looked at a preview of the one compact version and it looks good but does anyone know the difference between the 1 compact version and the 4 volumes - what does the 4 volumes have in it that the 1 compact version doesn't? Or conversely what does the 1 compact version miss out?

 

[Benchwayze]

I've been thinking about this David.

If you know the basics and how to cut most of the joints, it's just a case of practice. Of course there is always a more advanced version of any joint that we can learn. So I wonder if you might also consider a good book on woodwork design? You often find fresh designs that need the acquisition of a new skill, and so it goes.

Just a thought.

HTH

John

 

[AndyT]

Thanks for all your replies, gratefully received and looking into buying some.

In terms of the "The Practical Woodworker" by Jones - I see that it comes either in 4 volumes or one compact version.

I've looked at a preview of the one compact version and it looks good but does anyone know the difference between the 1 compact version and the 4 volumes - what does the 4 volumes have in it that the 1 compact version doesn't? Or conversely what does the 1 compact version miss out?

I've got the 4 volume version from the 20s - 1600 pages.
You can see the full contents of the 1 vol reprint - and a lot of the text - here:
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=... woodworker jones&pg=PP11#v=onepage&q&f=false

The intro to the reprint rightly points out that a lot of the original contents was pretty thin stuff. Lots of diagrams of old furniture you wouldn't want to copy. Chicken sheds, rustic stuff for the garden.

A lot of the contents of books like these was recycled over and over, and it shows, but I'd still buy the one volume one or the set if you find it at a sensible price - I paid £24 for the 4 vols.

 

[AndyT]

I meant to say - when searching around for this sort of stuff in lots of different editions, full sets, odd volumes, reprints - www.bookfinder.com is a great help.

You can get the one volume reprint of Jones for £4.90 delivered if you're quick!

 

[Davidadew]

Many thanks for all your replies, greatly appreciated.

I thought that as I don't get a chance to reply to as many other people's posts as often as I like - because I don't get chance to look too often (only a few times a week at most) the ones I can reply to generally already have replies.

So thought I'd reply to my own post and say what I'd bought in case any one was interested!

As stated in post, I am looking for hand tools only books, and ones which aren't too basic. Here they are, in no particular order.

Joyce Encyclopaedia of Furniture making 1987 edition. Very useful over view / some details of many things (can't list them all I'm afraid) inc some info on particular application - has some on powered machines, but sufficient else on hand tools as Joyce correctly says to use machines you need to know how to it by hand first. Has chapters on things like chairs, and whilst a book like this could never cover every aspect, it is useful.

Hooper and Wells Modern Cabinet Work 1922 reprint. Some info on hand tool usage but more aimed at the details of construction rather than how tos with overall drawings, which is the kind of thing that suited me.

Jones The Practical Woodworker 1983 edition. Excellent as it has a lot of basic info, and whilst initially I wasn't looking for that, it had extra tips which I didn't know so in fact was very useful as it has got me thinking about all kinds of things. Has info on constructing various things too with overall drawings.

Krenov A Cabinetmakers notebook. Haven't read it yet, but looks good.

Obviously all these books were written a while ago and don't have modern day designed furniture in - but I wasn't looking for that - was more on the general skills so very pleased with the books I have and am very grateful for all the suggestions made.

 

[Davidadew]

Benchwayze - many thanks for your reply to re design - yes if you could recommend any design books that would be great too - I have a few but not to hand and not looked at for a while but any thoughts if you have time to would be great.