From Library Journal
Power tools are a ubiquitous part of modern woodworking but, for most of history, hand tools were the standard. Rae, a professional furniture maker who has contributed to and edited a number of woodworking magazines, offers a wealth of information about the selection, care, and use of nearly every kind of hand tool: vices and workbenches, marking and measuring tools, and hammers, screwdrivers, drills, files, chisels, planes, and saws. Sharpening instructions are included, and each entry is profusely illustrated with color photos. This title will prove to be a valuable resource for woodworkers and should be part of public library woodcraft collections. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Book Description
“Offers a wealth of information about the selection, care, and use of nearly every kind of hand tool...each entry is profusely illustrated with color photos...will prove to be a valuable resource.” —Library Journal. “If you are a decent woodworker this book is concentrated fun. If you are on your way from a serious beginner level on up to the next level, this book will fill lots of gaps in regard to tools you need and can choose to acquire.”—Woodworkers Gazette


From the Back Cover
Hand tools are the classic way to work with wood. You feel a saw cutting crisply through the wood, a plane taking gossamer-thin shavings, or a chisel gently gouging out carving a groove. And hand tools are often a better choice than power tools, offering a degree of control and precision no machine can match. Best of all, using hand tools leaves a personal mark on your projects. But with thousands of hand tools to choose from, which ones do you really need? Of those, which are good-and which are better? And how do you use them to ensure the best results? The answers to these questions-and many more-are in this comprehensive resource. Here are the tools that serious woodworkers turn to on a daily basis, as well as how to use and care for them. Every woodworker, whether beginner or pro, should keep this reference guide near the workbench.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Hand tools are the classic way to work with wood. You feel a saw cutting crisply through the wood, a plane taking gossamer-thin shavings, or a chisel gently gouging out carving a groove. And hand tools are often a better choice than power tools, offering a degree of control and precision no machine can match. Best of all, using hand tools leaves a personal mark on your projects. But with thousands of hand tools to choose from, which ones do you really need? Of those, which are good-and which are better? And how do you use them to ensure the best results? The answers to these questions-and many more-are in this comprehensive resource. Here are the tools that serious woodworkers turn to on a daily basis, as well as how to use and care for them. Every woodworker, whether beginner or pro, should keep this reference guide near the workbench.

SYNOPSIS

"Offers a wealth of information about the selection, care, and use of nearly every kind of hand tool....instructions are included...each entry is profusely illustrated with color photos....will prove to be a valuable resource and should be part of public library woodcraft collections."--Library Journal. "If you are a decent woodworker this book is concentrated fun. If you are on your way from a serious beginner level on up to the next level, this book will fill lots of gaps in regard to tools you need and can choose to acquire. The 208 page softcover colorfully illustrated with photos and drawings is logically arranged."--Woodworkers Gazette.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal