Woodworker's Handbook. Roger Horwood
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All photography by Ryno except Shutterstock noted here: page 23 (measuring)/Africa Studio, page 36 (drawknife)/koka55, page 65 (band saw)/Rashid Valitov, page 66 (belt sander)/SONGPAN JANTHONG. Illustrations by Dave Snook.
Index by Elizabeth Walker.
© 1999, 2019 by Roger Horwood
All rights reserved. Woodworker’s Handbook is a revised second edition of the 1999 work originally published by New Holland Publishers Ltd under the title The Woodworker’s Handbook in the UK. This version published by Fox Chapel Publishing Company, Inc., 903 Square Street, Mount Joy, PA 17552.
The patterns contained herein are copyrighted by the author. Readers may make copies of these patterns for personal use. The patterns themselves, however, are not to be duplicated for resale or distribution under any circumstances. Any such copying is a violation of copyright law.
Print ISBN 978-1-4971-0065-7
eISBN 978-1-6076-5739-2
For a printable PDF of the patterns used in this book, please contact Fox Chapel Publishing at [email protected], stating the ISBN and title of the book in the subject line.
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Contents
Chapter 1: Woods for the Woodworker
Chapter 3: Joining Wood and Turning
Chapter 4: Finishes and Finishing
Chapter 5: Step-by-Step Projects
Chapter 6: Repairs and Restoration
Introduction
In the midst of the turmoil and stress of everyday life comes a lifeline—a book about fulfillment and enjoyment and working with a material that is a vital part and product of nature. Wood, with its beauty, strength, and vast variety of colors, is probably the most ancient material with which humankind has worked. From sitting on a fallen log to rest, to the intricacies of carving, wood has been an integral part of the history of mankind on every continent of the globe. In recent years, the pure enjoyment of working with wood as a hobby, rather than a commercial venture or convenient necessity, has flourished.
One of the wonderful things about working with wood is that, regardless of age, gender, or any other consideration, almost anybody can become a proficient woodworker with a little patience and practice, and many people have derived years of joy from this delightful hobby.
Once you get the feel of the different tools and techniques described in this book, attain the basic woodworking skills outlined, and put these skills into practice on a few of the joints and relatively easy projects, then the sky’s the limit! You can design your own projects and produce furniture, toys, and other items of fine quality that will bring you the satisfaction of achievement as well as the benefit of years of practical use.
If you make your own furniture, there are economic benefits as well in that, not only will it be the size, design, and quality you want, but it will also save you money.
The skill of successfully repairing broken furniture gives enormous satisfaction too, not only to yourself but also to the friends who seek your help in this area.
Chapter 1:
Woods for the Woodworker
Trees are alive! As unnecessary as it may seem to mention this, it is good to remember that wood is a product of nature and is therefore finite. Although many valiant efforts are being made to replant trees and preserve our forests, it would appear that we are fighting a losing battle as the availability of wood declines in the face of growing worldwide demand. It is not too difficult to replace the faster-growing trees that are ready for harvesting twenty to twenty-five years after planting, but what do you do about the beautiful hardwoods, many of which may take as long as three hundred years to mature? Whenever you handle a beautiful piece of timber you should think of its history, appreciate the natural beauty of its finite resource, and do your utmost not to waste what nature has taken so long to produce.
Let’s take a closer look at the resource with which we will be working. A visit to a well-stocked lumberyard (timberyard) is an adventure! First, the visitor will be impressed by the number of different types of wood available, and the variety of lengths and