"The Essential Woodworker" by Robert Wearing is a comprehensive guide to hand-tool woodworking, considered one of the best in its field since the era of Charles Hayward. This book offers a practical and holistic approach to using hand tools in furniture making.
Key Features:
- Author: Robert Wearing
- Publisher: Lost Art Press
- Format: 6" x 9" hardbound book
- Cloth cover
- Acid-free paper
- Sewn and casebound signatures
- Produced entirely in the United States
Content Highlights:
- Focuses on hand-tool usage in furniture making
- Begins with the construction of a table as a foundational project
- Covers various furniture-making techniques including:
- Building doors
- Constructing carcases
- Creating dovetailed drawers
- Making plinths
- Over 500 hand-drawn illustrations by the author
- Connects individual tool skills to complete furniture projects
Unique Aspects:
- Written by a classically trained English woodworker
- Balances traditional hand-tool techniques with modern woodworking approaches
- Illustrations are properly drafted, drawn in perspective, and exceptionally clear
Ideal for:
- Hand-tool woodworking enthusiasts
- Furniture makers looking to improve their hand-tool skills
- Woodworking students and instructors
- Those interested in traditional woodworking techniques
"The Essential Woodworker" stands out for its comprehensive approach to hand-tool woodworking. Rather than focusing on individual techniques in isolation, Wearing demonstrates how various hand-tool skills come together in the process of building furniture. This integrated approach makes the book particularly valuable for those looking to understand the full scope of hand-tool woodworking.
The book's numerous hand-drawn illustrations are a key feature, providing clear visual guidance for each operation described. These illustrations, coupled with Wearing's expert instruction, make complex techniques accessible to readers of various skill levels.
As a publication from Lost Art Press, known for their high-quality woodworking books, "The Essential Woodworker" is crafted to be a durable, long-lasting reference. Its hardbound format and quality materials ensure it can withstand frequent use in a workshop environment.
