The Practical Woodworker

The Practical Woodworker - A great find on Ebay.

I have just bought these great reference books edited by Bernard E Jones on Ebay for £16.19p including postage.

There are about 30 contributors covering all kinds of woodworking practice.

There is a very interesting section in volume 2 about Workbenches. One section suggested drilling 2 holes in your dining table to attach a temporary unit to it. (I am not sure my wife would approve of that idea!)

I am looking at making a small hobby bench that I can use in my hobby room during the winter as it is too cold to be out in the garage this time of year. The books have some good ideas.

I see the volumes were reprinted - here is the description of the reprint…

This four-volume set is a reprint of woodworking and carpentry textbooks originally published in England circa 1915, written by 31 leading experts of the day. Presented as a comprehensive overview of the craft, the 1608-page work is remarkable for the breadth and detail of its coverage. It begins with the fundamentals, progressing through a series of skill-building exercises to teach a wide range of advanced techniques.

Volume I covers the design and function of essential hand tools, with practical advice on their use and maintenance. It also includes chapters on wood properties, fasteners and gluing, instruction on a range of joinery techniques, and several basic projects for domestic use, such as boxes, tables and dog kennels. Volume II outlines a wider assortment of construction and frame carpentry projects, such as sheds, workbenches, porches, greenhouses and a variety of door and window styles.

Volume III offers instruction on building several furniture pieces, including chairs, cabinets, beds, a linen chest, upholstered pieces and even a billiard table. Volume IV covers an array of office furniture, mantel fitments and toys, along with lessons on specialized topics such as turning, veneering, inlay, carving, pyrography, finishing and woodworking design. It also includes a complete index for all four volumes, so you can easily find any subject without knowing which volume it is in.

Illustrated with over 5000 black-and-white photos, diagrams, plans and drawings, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the woodworking practices of a century ago, and is a useful collection for modern-day craftspeople of any skill level. Sold as a set of all four volumes.