Old Ways of Working Wood

Book excerpt: A revised edition of a classic guide to woodworking methods that have been refined and developed over thousands of years. It teaches and preserves techniques and historical information that were lost when modern woodworking technology, dedicated to mass production, displaced the craftsman. Every woodworking operationâ?¬â? chopping, splitting, using the workbench, sawing, hewing, boring, chiseling, shaping, planing, turningâ?¬â? is described in detail. There is also information on the role of various tools in the evolution of wood products, the types and characteristics of wood, the preparation and maintenance of tools, collective tools of antique value, and instruction on the subtleties of the craft, from rabbeting to molding. The professional woodworker, the hobbyist, the collector, the antiques dealer, and the craft enthusiast will discover valuable information in this definitive work. It is reference, guide, and history all in one volume.This book contains over 200 line drawings by the author to illustrate age-old, yet fascinating, ways of working with wood. With chapters that describe the ways to fell a tree, methods for splitting wood, and more, along with a complete appendix and index, this is a great reference for anyone interested in the ways of wood working.