Woodwright's Workbook: Further Explorations in Traditional Woodcraft

by Roy Underhill

Book Overview

Roy Underhill is America's best-known master of traditional woodcraft. Creator of the popular PBS series The Woodwright's Shop, Roy has inspired millions--from professional craftsman to armchair woodworker--with his talent, knowledge, and enthusiasm.

Roy returns here with his third book. The Woodwright's Workbook features step-by-step instructions for a selection of projects from his television series. All projects are illustrated...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0807841579
• ISBN13: 9780807841570
• Release Date: November 1986
• Publisher: University of North Carolina Press
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 1.91 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 8.6" x 11.0"

Customer Reviews

Fascinating #3

This is more hands-on than the first two in Underhill's Woodwright series. I'm particularly intrigued by the lathes - and we get more here than in the last book. As always, these are great relaxing reads rather than run to the shop and build something books.

St Roy

Any of Roy's books are awesome for woodworkers who know how to read. Oh sure, you love Norm and his $8000 drum sander, but if you truly want to learn how to work with wood with nothing more than the bare essentials, then pick up this book as well as all the other books Roy has written. Otherwise, just buy all the garbage books about "How to Master a Biscuit Joiner" or "Setting up a Leigh Dovetail Jig". Just make sure you add a box of 80 grit sandpaper for your random orbital sander to your order.

The Woodwright's Workbook: Further Explorations in Traditional Woodcraft

Roy Underhill continues his exploration of traditional American woodworking techniques in this title and helps preserve what would otherwise be a rapidly-disappearing art form. In this day and age of power tool mania, Roy reminds us what life used to be like - and not really all THAT long ago. As someone who is new to woodworking myself, I have found Roy's style and wealth of information both refreshing and formidable. In addition to presenting techniques in ways that are easy to understand both by way of description and a wealth of pictures, he continously provides European historical sources that helps place into perspective the techniques that our European/ American ancestors brought here with them. If you are in any way at ALL interested in woodworking as a relaxing hobby or want to make traditional pices, this series, and this book in particular is a great place to start. For example, Roy provides n this volume a fabulous chapter on how to make a traditional wood working bench equipped with vices, hold fasts and bench dogs. He references similar benches dating back to the Middle Ages to show the development of this type of bench - this book is an absolute MUST to any collection!

Part How-To, Part History

A fun book to read and study, it reminds us (woodworkers) that having the proper power tool isn't necessarily needed for achieving the end goal of finishing a project. The book is not so much a How-to but a How-was, informing the reader that although 200 years ago our forefathers didn't have a 3 HP table router or a 12 inch Jointer, they were able to produce furnishings that are still highly prized and beautiful today. Roy's conversationalist style of writing is often more like talking with a 200 year old carpenter and is as informative an enjoyable. Rather than giving specific plans with cutout diagrams and where to nail/screw the work he provides us with the inspiration and basic techniques for making our own unique pieces that will stand the test of time.