Thread: Basic Box Making with.... a jointer??

Its very good to see Doug in this discussion.

I know how it feels as a book consumer to find something I consider important has been left out of a book, and I see increasing signs that it is a function of the publisher's account department that is causing the problems, whether it is cutting out important or useful information in order to bring the book out under an arbitrary price point, or just saving $$ by not employing anyone to check the gallery copies for mistakes (something I find Taunton particularly bad at).

I hate to think how Doug feels when he is forced to cut things out of one of his books, like all the alternatives for board preparation, or even worse, has them removed after the book seems to have been completed.

Originally Posted by bsrlee

Its very good to see Doug in this discussion.

Writing a how-to book is an interesting endeavor. It isn't like sitting on a beach to write your first novel. It is not a solitary adventure and it is driven by what the publisher wants and thinks will sell, so if an author is lucky enough to fit the publishers perceived market and is capable of delivering the goods, the fun begins. I just got through my review of the galleys for my next book, Rustic Furniture Basics. It reminded me that while no one is more deeply invested in the finished book than the author, there are many hands stirring the pot. Photo editors, layout specialists, illustrators and designers are there in addition to the copy editors. they get a lot of stuff right, but alot of stuff wrong and it is up to the author and primary editor to offer corrections. It is teamwork just like soccer. The whole operation is complex, so it is a real challenge to get everything to come out right. Of course all the complexity of producing the book has to become completely transparent, so you will read the thing, enjoy it and that it will lead you to action.

It is amazing how many books we read that lead to no real change in our lives. We love to be entertained and distracted. But when it comes to how-to books, regardless of how well they are put together, they do change lives, even when due to lack of space, or due to arrangement of elements within chapters minor things may be overlooked or cut.

Each craftsman works in different circumstances, with different tools and wood, so it is impossible to write the perfect book that will address all their specific needs. No craftsman will learn nearly as much from someone else's work as they will from their own. So, I have come to regard the perfect book as the one that gets you off the couch and into the workshop. If any of my books have done that for some, I regard them as a success.

Ok so I have a Talon thicknesser (discussed elsewhere on the forums) coming, which I've been watching for a month, as they had a $1 shipping deal last week. I pick up my new drill press today or tomorrow, so the moths are starting to eat into my wallet.

With maybe $800 cash in hand to spend, I'm left deciding on what I do about a table saw & a jointer. I know, I know, people said get by with what you have for now. Well, what I have for now is $800 (thanks Mr Rudd!) and when it's gone, it'll be gone, and if I dont; spend it on tools, it'll vanish elsewhere.

So, the dilema being, with my $800, this is the items I'm looking at

Hare & Forbes SB-12 Saw Bench (on special today only $859, normally $990) (or similar contractor saw from Trade tool if they still have them)

Carbatec Economy Jointer $569 or
Carbatec Benchtop Jointer $359 or
Dealsdirect Benchtop Jointer $199 + $15pp

Seems I'm a little short either way.

If the TTD contractor saw was available for $800 and the dealdirect jointer at $200 is the closest I can get with available cash. I know you'll all say the carbatec economy is the cheapest jointer you'd go for, right?

Bleh, I hate these type of decisions.

Russell.