Organitico 13th June 2023, 08:15 AM Hello everyone, good evening. I would like to purchase a good e-book on woodworking projects. I came across "Ted's Woodworking Plans," but I have read too many negative reviews and warnings about scams. However, the idea of illustrating projects with included details seems great to me. Can anyone recommend a good resource? Thank you.
GraemeCook 13th June 2023, 01:46 PM If you have had any contact with Ted then you might have to change your email address - he is an absolute PIA - you will be bombarded with junk mail, some malicious.
No single reference available, their are so many different approaches, but you might like to look at:
Homepage - Paul Sellers' Blog (https://paulsellers.com/)
Consistently good basic stuff and a "can do" attitude. Some eccentricities.
Woodworking Masterclass - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/user/woodmasterclass)
An alternative to sellers - less consistency.
FineWoodworking - Expert advice on woodworking and furniture making, with thousands of how-to videos, step-by-step articles, project plans, photo galleries, tool reviews, blogs, and more (https://www.finewoodworking.com/onlinearchive)
US$99.95 (less discount) - All 50 years of Fine Woodworking Magazine and literally thousands of projects. Search engine is clunky!
harmo 22nd June 2023, 04:31 PM Hi there,
Many of these books are quite old, and some can be found even in op-shops (at least near me) for next to nothing. But for free e-book options have a look at this:
Woodworking Books | Technical Books Pdf (https://www.technicalbookspdf.com/woodworking-books/)
But I also recommend the ShopNotes Magazine. It's a magazine dedicated to making a better "wood shop" (I paid for the entire back issue archive/catalogue back in 2017 when the magazine was discontinued)... but good news, apparently they've started it back up again. If you're building a workshop from scratch, it's a great introduction to wood working. Making things like jigs, and workshop furniture, DIY tools, and storage solutions both get you some essential wood working skills, while making you a more efficient wood working "space". Honestly, some of the projects I've made are amazing and none of it requires the "fine woodworking" approach (unless you really want to of course). Have a look here:
ShopNotes (https://www.shopnotes.com/)
I also second some of the suggestions mentioned above.
I hope this helps!
Harmo.
AnthonySeiver 27th June 2023, 12:39 PM The YouTube University has been cited with some excellent references. Some others I would add for hand tool woodworking:
Mortise & Tenon Magazine - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@mortisetenonmagazine) - these blokes love old tools and techniques
The English Woodworker - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@TheEnglishWoodworker) - Richard is a sweary Paul Sellers but I like his vernacular, teaching style and techniques, to me there's odd familiarity
RenaissanceWW - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@RenaissanceWW) - Shannon's older videos are great
Unfortunately they haven't posted much recent videos but their older videos are worth a watch.
Also think about podcasts Wood Talk, Shop Talk Live, and ShopNotes are three I have come across but most of these are just two or three people talking about new tools, shop upgrades, projects. However, there will be interviews with leading woodworkers and designers that are worth a listen.
Of course don't forget you can access ebooks through your local library. You can even read and borrow paper versions too (when they are on the shelves).
What I find about all these sources is that you can find a project that interests you, find differing ways of taking on the project, the challenges you are likely to encounter, what timber, tools and techniques you will need, and what the final product should look like - the woodworking deities being kind and merciful.
But as others have said avoid Teds at all costs.
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