Help spend my money!!

[Cheshirechappie]

The idea of some books and wood was a good one - I think I'll go and do that anyway just to alleviate the cabin fever! I'm keeping my 'shiny tool' budget separate though!!! Any specific book recommendations?

Oh boy, is that a broad question! Taking in-print and second-hand books into consideration, the choice must run to thousands, covering just about any aspect of wood, woodworking and wooden products you could think of, and quite a lot you couldn't! Andy's right - some indication of interests would help us pin things down a bit!

One of the best specialist publishers to arise in recent years must be Lost Art Press; their catalogue is expanding rapidly, their books are beautifully produced, and they cover many aspects of the craft others have ignored. To single out one is hard, but the four-volume reprints of Woodworker articles from the Charles Hayward years are a real treasure-trove of woodworking knowledge and experience. Not so much books to read, as to dip into constantly. Not cheap at £145 a set, but well worth the price in my view. I'm certainly glad I invested!

Available from Classic Hand Tools; https://www.classichandtools.com/acatal ... Press.html

 

[xraymtb]

Books - I would likely be interested in anything hand tools, design and furniture making. Not so much historical books or anything of that kind.

 

[AndyT]

Have a look at this thread for some suggestions
wood-working-project-book-t113983.html
and this review

book-review-the-essential-woodworker-by-robert-wearing-t93190.html

 

[Sideways]

With that to spare, I would be tempted to spend some of it on something where quality makes a difference like a Veritas or Clifton shoulder plane. Pick whatever size suits your work. Or something optimised for a job you do regularly, a pair of skew planes or a jack rabbet if you do that kind of work. Makes an alternative to a router.
There are big heavy shooting board planes or you could watch and wait for a vintage multiplane with a full set of cutters ...
Lastly, I would second the suggestion of some really accurate measuring kit. By definition that is something that gets treated carefully and could last a lifetime.
Lots of ways to spend a windfall

 

[Sideways]

Toshio Odate : "Japanese tools, their tradition and use" - if memory serves. I found it a fascinating read.