pds@uvacs.UUCP (10/18/83)
I want to recommend an excellent source for all kinds of woodworking
information. Taunton Press publishes a bimonthly magazine called
"Fine Woodworking" which is outstanding in its quality of writing and
in the craftsmanship displayed in the work it highlights. It is printed
on heavy weight, glossy paper and has very good bw and color photographs
to document the articles. Advertisements are separated from the articles.
The style of much of the writing is tutorial, though most issues have
a historical article and an article displaying modern furniture designs.
Each issue is $3.00, subscription $14.00 a year. It is about 5 years old.
A professional cabinetmaker I know recommended this magazine over all
traditional texts when I asked him for a way to increase my skills. I have
been very impressed with "Fine Woodworking".
Taunton Press also publishes a handful of books that are good. All
can be ordered with the form in any issue of FW, and I have even purchased
a few from the stock of the bookstores here in (little ole) Charlottesville.
Most are in the $15-$18 range. Two good techniques books are
Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking, vols. 1 and 2
Volume 1 has techniques for constructing all major (and some minor)
woodworking joints and the use of tools, hand and power. Volume 2
has steam bending, turning, lamination, veneering, and other esoteric
techniques. Great set of books.
Other Taunton Press books that I recommend:
Fine Woodworking Techniques, vols. 1 through 5
these are collections of the articles (no ads) from
all back issues of the magazine FW. The price offers
a few bucks savings over buying individual copies of
back issues (if you wanted them all), and the collections
are organized by categories: techniques, tools, plans, etc.
Fine Woodworking Design Books 1 through 3
Three collections of photographs (good ones) of work done
by woodworkers all over the country, submitted to FW for
selection and publication. Excellent reference book for
those who like to design your own. Delightful to read
for those who simply appreciate woodworking as art.
There are a host of others dealing with making your own lumber from
sawlogs with a chainsaw, to plans for household furniture, to how
to safely and effectively teach woodworking to children.
One final note: Taunton Press also publishes another great magazine
called "Fine Homebuilding". It approaches the area of the owner/builder
from a craftsman's point of view, and often has articles highlighting
modern (solar) as well as past (F.L.Wright, etc.) architecture.
Dave Stotts, Univ. of Virginia
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