Highland Woodworking Blog

Who says you can’t read a good woodworking book on the beach? We asked our bloggers which books they are looking forward to reading this summer, and they provided us with some great answers. See below for Lee Laird’s summer reading list:

I have a number of “woodworking” books I’ve added to my bookcase, that I just haven’t had the opportunity or time to really dig into yet. It is starting to look like things are slowing down, since my recent trip to Germany is (sadly) over, and a couple of other issues are resolving. As you will probably notice, some of the books I purchase are how-to’s, but others are design elements I’d like to incorporate in future work. Here are my target books:

“Finishing” by Jeff Jewitt

This is a fairly comprehensive work, that talk about surface preparation, repairing and hiding defects, custom dye and stain colors, glazing and toning, and brushing and spraying finishes. As most know, the best furniture/work can be reduced in worth and desire, if the finish is lacking. Working on your finishing abilities is no different than say, improving your sawing techniques or perhaps perfecting your dovetails. A facet of your overall work you don’t want to overlook.

“A Marquetry Odyssey” by Silas Kopf

At one of the Lie-Nielsen events, I was visiting with Frank Strazza, who turned me on to this amazing book. I’ve never really done any marquetry to speak of, but when I build musical instruments, I can see this as a great way to enhance their looks. This can be as simple as a basic idea on the headstock, to full adornment. The book has photos of current works, as well as period pieces, so covers a great deal of territory.

“The Furniture of Gustav Stickley” by Joseph J. Bavaro & Thomas L. Mossman

This (sadly, out-of-print) book provides history, techniques and projects, relative to Gustav Stickley. Included in the projects, are tables, chairs, different casework, as well as other items, with very in-depth information on the included pieces. There is also a section talking about methods used, which might help the chops one might need before building one of the projects.

“Sam Maloof – Woodworker” by Sam Maloof

There is something about Sam Maloof’s designs – they look great, and are very functional. It is easy to see why his work has always been in high demand, and I’d love to have some of his organic feel to rub off on my hands. There are images, photos, drawings as well as the ideas of Sam Maloof. (This is actually a book I’ve owned for almost 25 years, but it is time it should be back in the “read” rotation.)

Lee Laird has enjoyed woodworking for over 25 years. He is retired from the U.S.P.S. and worked for Lie-Nielsen Toolworks as a show staff member, demonstrating tools and training customers. You can email him at LeeLairdWoodworking@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/LeeLairdWW

We asked our bloggers which books they are looking forward to reading this summer, and they provided us with some great answers. See below for Terry Chapman’s summer reading list:

Like many of you, I have a stack of books sitting on the night stand waiting for me this summer. Though I have a Kindle and read many e-books, I still love the feel of a hard-bound book.

I should explain I have a unique view of this kind of thing. I like books and I particularly like woodworking books, so to encourage companies to publish more of what I like, I buy their products. I may not absolutely like every book a company publishes, but the only way to make sure they do get to the ones I like, is to buy stuff from them. Mike Dunbar up at the Windsor Institute explained this to me in detail when I went to a class at his school. He recommends a spoke shave made just over the mountain by Dave Wachnicki at Dave’s Shaves. Dave runs a small operation and as Mike explained, if nobody buys his products, then he will go get a job in a factory and stop making them and we will all be the poorer for it. Consequently, I have most of the books published by Lost Art Press.

On my reading list this summer:

Peter Galbert’s “Chairmaker’s Notebook” I took a class from Peter a few years ago at Highland and made a child’s Windsor chair. (It’s on display at the Store, by the way. Look up front by the windows.) Peter is a wonderful teacher and passionate about his work. I like Windsor chairs and have made several. This book makes it look easy, which is an indication of Peter’s prowess as a writer, teacher and chairmaker. It only looks easy because he is so good at it.

Peter Korn’s “Why We Make Things and Why It Matters” A verbalization of all those things you know instinctively about things you like and like to make, but cannot say out loud. Peter writes them down for you.

 Roy Underhill’s “Calvin Cobb, Radio Woodworker” Roy’s first novel and it has measured drawings in it. Really. Everybody enjoys Roy and his woodworking and you would know he wrote this even if his name were not on the cover.

Geo. R. Walker & Jim Tolpin “By Hand and Eye” This is another one you know instinctively, but these guys wrote it down. They are able to quantify those things that many of us can see when we are looking at a nice piece of furniture or a building. I love being able to do things the old ways with the most basic of tools.

Will Holladay’s “A Roof Cutter’s Secrets” Nerd city and not available from Highland.  In another lifetime, I would be a roof framer, but since it is too late in this life, this is my vicarious profession. I love the math and the practical aspect of the work and the fitting together of the puzzle. I have the greatest admiration for the old cutman with a fourth grade education sending perfectly cut rafters up top without ever climbing onto the roof. With a little apprenticeship, I could do that thirty years ago.

That’s my reading list. What’s yours?