The Complete Illustrated Guide to
Furniture
& Cabinet Construction
by
Andy Rae
Hardcover
240 x 285mm
308pp
Published by The Taunton Press, Connecticut, USA.
R.R.P.$59.90
ISBN 1-56158-402-9
As reviewed in The Australian Woodworker Issue 110
This is an unusual book - as much because of the way in which it is organised as in the information it contains. A thickish (25mm), large-format, hardcover volume, well illustrated throughout in colour, its presentation suggests that it is principally designed for lounge chair reading.
But an early section sets about correcting this impression. Under the heading: How to Use This Book, the author says that: 'it is meant to be pulled out and opened on your bench when you need to do a new or unfamiliar technique'.
Andy Rae points out that there is often more than one way to achieve the desired result and that the selection of one method over others, generally depends upon four factors - the amount of time available, the tooling in the workshop, the woodworker’s level of skill and the nature of the project.
Furniture & Cabinet Construction is therefore (principally) organised into constructional tasks such as Cutting & Attaching Mouldings, Drawers, Doors with Panels, Legs, Chair Seats...The treatment of each of these is similar (though not identical).
For example, like all of the other sections, Building Doors begins with an Overview - designing doors, joinery options, etc - and this is followed by constructional methods that may be used for typical doors. They include Flat Panel, Raised Frame & Panel, Arch-Top Frame & Panel, and Board & Batten. Where relevant, various optional techniques are suggested.
Then, logically, the author goes on to discuss the Fitting and Hinging of Doors.
To help to make the book easier to use, a visual reference system is employed with smaller versions of some of the photos which are shown in the text, also appearing in the eight page Contents List.
The text is straightforward and easy to read, while the illustrations (hundreds of photos and numerous diagrams) are clear and informative.
The book would be a boon to the tyro who is just getting used to making choices between various methods of construction. But it should also prove valuable to experienced woodworkers who find they are occasionally stumped by a problem, or who sometimes need to quickly review the alternative to a technique which, for some reason, they may be reluctant to use.
Photos: Colour
Units of Measurement: Imperial
Contents
Introduction
How To Use
This Book
Part One - Tools and Materials
Shop
Necessities
Shop Space and Fixtures
Mobilize Your Workshop
Woodworking
Machines and Tools
Basic Handheld Power Tools
Favourite Edge Tools
Fundamental Layout Tools
Sharpening Gear
Clamps
Working
Wood
Buying
and Preparing Solid Wood
Flattening a Board by Hand
Smoothing with Edge
Tools
Good Sanding Techniques
Keeping Parts Flat
Plywood and Other
Man-Made Boards
Mixing Materials
Laying Out and Cutting Plywood
Making
Your Mark
Choosing and Using Glue
Designing
Furniture
Understanding Wood Movement
Part Two - Box and Case Construction
Basic
Cases
Inside
Case Parts
Securing to a Wall
Shelves
Shelf Joinery
Open Shelves
Shelf Options
Dressing Up a Shelf
Nails,
Screws and Other Fasteners
Nails and Screws
Hardware Solutions
Assembling
Cases
Clamping Problems
Cutting
and Attaching Moldings
Working with Moldings
Drawers
Drawer Construction
Tray Construction
Drawer Interiors
Drawer
Hardware
Drawer Slides
Computer Hardware
Drawer Pulls
Part Three - Doors
Building
Doors
Doors
with Panels
Solid Doors
Glass Lights
Fitting
and Hinging Doors
Installing Basic Hinges
Speciality Hinges
Shopmade
Hinges
Hiding Doors
Door
Pulls and Hardware
Pulls and Handles
Locks
Catches and Bumpers
Part Four - Bases, Feet and Stands
Bases
Toekicks
Installing Cabinets
Feet
Feet and Casters
Stands
Making Stands
Part Five - Frame Construction
Legs
and Aprons
Strong
Joints
Aprons and Rails
Legs
Chairs
and Stools
Chair Joints
Chair Backs
Chair Seats
Hitting the
Floor
Face
Frames
Making Face Frames
Corner Units
Frame
and Panel
Making Panels
Back Strategies
Part Six - Tabletops and Work Surfaces
Making
Tops
Top Construction
Top Options
Leaves and Ends
Attaching
Tops
Allowing for Movement
Hardware Solutions
Sources
Further Reading
Index