KS Woodwork Blog

Arts & Crafts Woodworking Projects includes step-by-step plans and instructions for creating new pieces designed in the Arts & Crafts tradition. The book includes plans for a coat rack, mirror, valet stand, coffee table, sofa table, and Morris chair and footstool. Book specifications: paperback, 120 pgs., 8 in. x 11 in. Publisher: Stackpole, 1998.

The history of woodworking spans cultures and millennia, and each year more and more people take up this exciting and challenging craft. Illustrated with hundreds of full-color photographs, Basic Woodworking helps beginners learn the fundamentals of working with wood and avoid frustration and injury in the process. Following a complete introduction to both hand tools and woodworking machines, the book guides readers step-by-step, from start to finish, through several simple projects – including a cutting board, peg shelf, and step stool. Book specifications: wire bound paperback, 96 pgs., 8 1/2 in. x 11 in. Publisher: Stackpole, 2006.

Penland School of Crafts attracts some of the most important artists working today as instructors, including many top furniture makers. Now 10 of these gifted woodworkers share their innovative techniques, thoughtful writing on the subject, and stunning work in this beautifully illustrated reference. Editor: Thomas Stender Format: hardback, 228 pgs., 8 3/4 in x 11 in. Publisher: Lark, 2006

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Every one of these 176 projects–complete with 258 photos and more than 400 diagrams of closeup details, completion stages, and finished projects–is designed with the amateur woodworker in mind. They all are among the most popular ever printed in the pages of Workbench magazine, and include beautiful pieces of furniture, ranging from rough-hewn to delicately artistic: a TV/VCR stand, child’s desk, poker table, and a variety of shelves, bookcases, tables, chairs, and beds. Ideas for outdoor projects are here too: decks, patios, and sun shades, as well picnic tables, porch and lawn swings, and a children’s gym set. Birdhouses, feeders, planters, doghouses, and fireplace equipment are just a few of the house and garden accessories. Smaller and simpler items, including puzzles and games, make great gifts. Squared drawings and grids go with the easy-to-follow instructions.

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Birdhouse and feeder designs range from classic and simple to whimsical and ornate. Includes plans with easy-to-follow illustrations, instructions, materials and tools lists, and ideas for finishing, decorating, and weatherproofing the piece. The step-by-step illustrations and designs for 20 unique birdhouses and feeders inspire the beginner and stretch the skills of the more experienced woodworker.Paperback – 8-1/2′ x 11′ – 128 pages

‘With no previous woodworking experience and a few basic hand tools, anyone can make rustic furniture for the cost of a few nails, a walk in the woods, and this book….Hundreds of both color and black-and-white photographs display the rich traditions and the vast stylistic range of past and contemporary rustic furniture….’–Popular Woodworking. ‘It’s hard to imagine anyone not being captivated by this exuberant, well-researched, handsome, and copiously illustrated book.’–Woodwork. ‘Highly recommended….’–Fine Tool Journal. Here for the first time is an introduction to the least expensive, most accessible form of woodcraft imaginable: making furniture form twigs, sticks, logs, driftwood, and scrap lumber. Now you can learn the surprisingly simple techniques for creating your own rustic furniture through a series of illustrated step-by-step projects. Paperback – 8-1/2′ x 11′ – 160 pages – 70 color, 154 b/w

While this book was written for any beginning woodworker, it has a special appeal for women. The projects, based on popular items found in fashionable stores and catalogs, are attractive, relatively simple to build, and have obvious appeal. And they are far less expensive to build than to buy. Each project is graded from simplest to most difficult, with each one teaching a set of skills that build on the skills learned in previous projects. Skillbuilder features in each chapter explain in detail the key operations or techniques being used to build the project. The book is written in a friendly, encouraging tone and includes not only a wealth of practical information, but also humorous tales of woodworking misadventures aimed at relieving beginners worry about making mistakes. Over300 color photos and black-and-white drawings are included.