Thread: Suggestions for a book for an absolute beginner

ERNEST JOYCE. The technique of furniture making. Revised by Alan Paters.

Very good book in my opinion. Quite a large volume and hence not real cheap, but it does cover just about every aspect of furniture making you would need to know.

Cheers

Woodworking Part One, 2nd ed. B.Leadbeatter, M.Leadbeatter, J.Keable. ISBN 0-07-452600-6.

It's a text for high school, student and teacher, covering from years 7-12 NSW woodworking sylabus (now changed i believe). Its basic from hand tools and woods to joinery to basic machines and woodworking principals, i rekon give it a read and pick up where you left off (same boat as me).

[ame="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Woodworking-Part-One-Bruce-Leadbeatter/dp/0074716751/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1306589963&sr=1-1"]Woodworking: Part One: Amazon.co.uk: Bruce Leadbeatter, Michael Leadbeatter, John Keable, Tony Clarke: Books[/ame]

There ya go, aparently its in 3rd edition now, so the isbn for mine will be different. None the less its a good basis to begin from again, hope its a help.

Neal.

Before buying any books, why not read those in your public library. If you find one you want to keep referring to you can always buy that one.

What he said.

Libraries are great place to start. You will probably find half a dozen books on the basics and quite a few on tips and tricks. If they don't have what you want on hand, I bet they will find them for you.

Also, if you are thinking about using hand tools, get something from the handtool era like Charles Hayward Carpentry or Alex Smith New Illustrated Australian Home Carpenter. Cheap copies available on Addall.com.

Originally Posted by Wizened of Oz

Before buying any books, why not read those in your public library. If you find one you want to keep referring to you can always buy that one.

Ah good point, that sounds like a smart move.

Thanks for the tips guys!

As well as the other excellent suggestions, you might consider Tage Fride's woodworking book, (books 1 and 2 available in one volume at the book depository for about AUD27 around now. And in fact, I went through a few books at my local libraries to try before I bought.

The Essential Woodworker - Lee Valley Tools

Excellent book.

addall.com is an intersting site, didn't know about that one.

I've used Booko: Compare book & DVD prices in Australia with Booko

If you get stuck I run woodwork classes at Burleigh in Saturdays.
Always room for one more

Cheers


Steve

Originally Posted by toolbagsPLUS

If you get stuck I run woodwork classes at Burleigh in Saturdays.
Always room for one more

Mate I might take you up on that, but be warned, I am an absolute noob. (think computer programmer completely out of his element learning woodworking from scratch).

The [ame="http://www.amazon.co.uk/New-Traditional-Woodworker-Tool-Skill/dp/1440304289"]New Traditional Woodworker [/ame]is great if you want to start with hand tools. Although it does not show you how to build bookshelves, Jim Tolpin does teach the fundamentals of hand tools and guide you through a bunch of skill building exercises that will reward you with some very useful worksop tools & accessories. Once you have done this you will be well placed to build some shelving.

I would probably buy one of the fundamental books e.g. Tage Frid and for the bookcase something like this: [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Bookcases-Niall-Barrett/dp/1561583030/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1307138743&sr=1-1]Amazon.com: Bookcases (9781561583034): Niall Barrett: Books[/ame]#_