Building Fine Furniture from Solid Wood - Hardcover

Before presenting the 11 projects that comprise the bulk of this book, Sadler offers tips and techniques developed over his many years as a woodworker. Topics include selecting and using shop tools, finding and choosing appropriate hardwoods, fabricating jigs and other cutting devices, and applying glues and finishes. Sure to be of most value to other woodworkers are Sadler's special methods for laminating curved pieces and turning thin spindles for legs and chair backs. The instructions for the project pieces are well complemented by photos, measurement drawings, and exploded view diagrams. The pieces have a look of simple elegance, but, given Sadler's affinity for subtle curves, most are anything but simple in construction. This is not a book for beginning woodworkers. For public libraries with comprehensive woodcraft collections.
- Bill Demo, Tompkins Cortland Community Coll., Dryden, N.Y.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Here's a poorly titled book that's nevertheless worth adding to a woodworking collection. It's poorly titled in the sense that it's not only about building fine furniture. It's the ABCs of woodworking, with plans for 11 decent projects tacked on at the end. These are, of course, not plywood or particleboard plans, for Sadler strives to teach how to make really top-notch stuff that can fetch big bucks. And although most books about furniture aim at the beginner and those with minimal skills, this one addresses those with the time, equipment, and patience to make functional pieces that are both well designed and good-looking. Loaded with enough tips and suggestions to more than make up for its cover price, it's a book that those anxious to pursue furniture making to a quite high level ought to check out. Jon Kartman