Question For Nick (books)

[backhertz]

Nick,
In this morning's Sawdust session, you mentioned your book, Using Hand Tools. I am planning to purchase it. I know you've written a number of woodworking books and was wondering which ones you would recommend for a novice and why?

Tony

[timster68]

These are the books I'm getting from my local library:

Joining wood : techniques for better woodworking / by Nick Engler.

Teaching your router new tricks / Nick Engler.

Routing and shaping : techniques for better woodworking / by Nick Engler.

How to build outdoor structures / Deborah Morgan & Nick Engler.

Projects for the router / woodworking by Casey Chaffin ; text and photography by Nick Engler.

Shelving and storage / collected and written by Nick Engler.

Making flawless cabinets and built-ins / Nick Engler.

Using the table saw : techniques for better woodworking / by Nick Engler.

[Nick]

"...which ones you would recommend for a novice...?"

Woodworking Wisdom. Period. I've summarized my reasons in the opening page of the book (attached below).

[ATTACH]1253[/ATTACH]

With all good wishes,

[backhertz]

Thanks Nick.

Tony

[backhertz]

I just noticed there will be a 2008 edition released in November. Has much changed from the previous edition? I noticed there are more pages than the previous edition.

I read the forward and it describes exactly what I am looking for. I doubt I would ever reach the knowledge level of a John Harrison and make a wooden clock, but I hope to gain an understanding of the properties of this natural material which all of us like working with. A person has to start somewhere.

[paulmcohen]

Shopsmith Models 500, 510, & 520, Stand-alone Bandsaw with Kreg Fence, Belt Sander, Biscuit Joiner, Incra Miter Express, Jigsaw, Jointer, Mortising Package, Overarm Pin Router, Power Station, Stand-alone Pro Planer, Ring Master, Stand-alone Scroll Saw, Strip Sander

Wow and I thought I had all the Shopsmith toys, I am jealous.

[Nick]

"I just noticed there will be a 2008 edition released in November."

This is the first I've heard of it, but that is not surprising given the ridiculous lack of common courtesy of the people whose hands it's in now. Since I have not been informed of its re-release, I have no idea whether or not it's been updated. Again, given what I know of the people who are doing this, I suspect very little money or energy has been expended on editorial updates.

Now that I know what's happening, I ask my friends on this Forum and any other craftsmen who respect the wishes of living authors to please not buy this new edition or any subsequent editions from this publisher. There are plenty of older ones out there for $3 to $12 through Amazon and Ebay. And no, I will not answer any further questions on this Forum or via private messages. Suffice to say that I and a good many of my friends in the how-to business believe that the people who sold the marketing rights to this book and those that acquired them haven't the ethics or the manners that God gave a toad. My apologies to toad-kind.

With all good wishes,

[a1gutterman]

I will not buy it. That is the least that I can do for the man who helps us like he does.

[backhertz]

I just purchased 20 of Nick's books for $36.02 plus shipping from half.com. Looks like they have plenty more.

[brown_hawk]

I just noticed there will be a 2008 edition released in November. Has much changed from the previous edition? I noticed there are more pages than the previous edition.

I read the forward and it describes exactly what I am looking for. I doubt I would ever reach the knowledge level of a John Harrison and make a wooden clock, but I hope to gain an understanding of the properties of this natural material which all of us like working with. A person has to start somewhere.

Would you mind posting the publisher so we know who to avoid?

Hawk