On 8 Jun 2006 at 16:12, paul womack wrote:

> This (in the UK) was pretty much the cabinet makers bible
> between 1909 (1st edition) and 1938 (fifth edition).

Just a quick note to mention that as a result of looking around to get some 
publishing info for the old tools book list, I discovered that there is going 
to be a reprint of the 1922 edition coming out in paperback on October 28th, 
2006. 

-Ken

Ken Greenberg (ken@c...)
667 Brush Creek Rd., Santa Rosa, CA 95404
http://www.calast.com/personal/ken/wood.htm
Visit the oldtools book list at http://www.calast.com/personal/ken/booklist.htm

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I noticed that Independent Publishers Group (IPG) is currently accepting orders 
for this book - renamed "Modern Cabinet Work" for the reprint ISBN:1892836289.  
I did not "pull the trigger" this afternoon, but I do plan to do so.  

My thanks to Bugbear and Ken for some very good information.

FYI... The link "Modern Cabinet Work" on the IPG website is:

http://tinyurl.com/ktrms OR http://www.ipgbook.com/showbook.cfm?bookid=189283628
9&userid=799DF8D1-
803F-2B7A-70CFD262A0F1A3AF

Steve in Dallas


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This (in the UK) was pretty much the cabinet makers bible
between 1909 (1st edition) and 1938 (fifth edition).

The last (6th edition) came out in 1952,
but had been rewritten to emphasise man made
material and machine tools. Not the same at all.

It was succeeded by "Encyclopedia of Furniture Making"
By Ernest Joyce as the standard reference.

Back to the earlier book; this review is
of editions 1-5, which do not vary significantly.

This not a book for tool-a-holics; it does
indeed have good introductory chapters
on which tool is which, but is quite
brief (by galoot standards).

We then move to "work shop" techniques, which
is again brief, but with interesting points
"in passing".

The bulk and purpose of the book tells
you how to MAKE furniture.

It describes the design of furniture, with
fully dimensioned plans - in some cases the plans
are printed on separate glossy paper and fold out.

The joints and special constructional techniques for
each piece are fully described.

However, as the book progresses, techniques are
only described once (obviously?).

The furniture covers a wide range, including lounge, office,
shops, side tables, bookcases, panelling(!) etc.

The examples chosen are all fine, often taken
(with permission) from the catalogues of the best
makers in Britain at the time.

This was not aimed at amateurs; it was aimed at
either technical colleges, as a reference (*not* a tutorial),
or working cabinet shops (hence the quality of
the example plans).

In short, if you know how to use tools, and want
to make fine furniture, this is an excellent
book; all 384 pages of it.

It runs rather expensive in the s/h market, due
(I think) to rarity.

    BugBear
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This (in the UK) was pretty much the cabinet makers bible
between 1909 (1st edition) and 1938 (fifth edition).

The last (6th edition) came out in 1952,
but had been rewritten to emphasise man made
material and machine tools. Not the same at all.

It was succeeded by "Encyclopedia of Furniture Making"
By Ernest Joyce as the standard reference.

Back to the earlier book; this review is
of editions 1-5, which do not vary significantly.

This not a book for tool-a-holics; it does
indeed have good introductory chapters
on which tool is which, but is quite
brief (by galoot standards).

Paul said (edited)

"This was not aimed at amateurs; it was aimed at either technical colleges,
as a reference (*not* a tutorial), or working cabinet shops (hence the
quality of the example plans).

In short, if you know how to use tools, and want to make fine furniture,
this is an excellent book; all 384 pages of it.

It runs rather expensive in the s/h market, due (I think) to rarity."

Comes up fairly often on eBay, usually in the UK. With patience (not a
virtue I am known for, but being tight is)I picked up a VG copy in G dust
wrapper of the 4th ed for GBP 4.99, acceptable. Currently Abebooks.com has
copies from GBP 20 upwards. Nice to dip into. 

Also recommended from that period are:

Bernard Jones - The Complete Woodworker, and 
              - Practical Woodworker (4 vols)
Paul N Hasluck - Cassell's Cabinet Work & Joinery, with some colour
illustrations usually commands a high price and has so far eluded my
purchase attempts. At nearly 600 pages dwarfs Modern Cabinet Work, nearly
400 pages. Starts at Abebooks at GBP 25.

Most of The Woodworker series of books can be recommended.

Cheers
Peter

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