Fine Woodworking on Making Period Furniture

Book excerpt: Back by popular demand, these classic woodworking titles from Fine Woodworking magazine are filled with first-rate information that is as timeless now as it was when first published. To many craftsmen and collectors, the 18th century was the golden age of American furniture design. In this collection of 37 articles from Fine Woodworking magazine, expert woodworkers explore the designs and techniques involved in making the furniture of this era. They share precise plans for favorite old desks, secretaries, and blockfronts, with technical explanations of how to reproduce such fine details as ball-and-claw feet and tapered reeds. There are also practical design discussions for those who wish to capture the flavor of that time in original designs of their own. Since it began publication in 1975, Fine Woodworking has written about practically every aspect of the craft. The "Fine Woodworking on..." series organizes many of the articles from the magazine into individual volumes by subject. Each book in this series offers and in-depth look at a particular aspect of woodworking, from the perspective of skilled professional and dedicated amateur woodworkers.