Reviews (30)

review
This book has many excellent details in obscure construction situations.Some are a bit better in theory than practice; however this book will make an excellent companion when in a pinch and lacking creativity.For the most part the book describes better practice (check local codes before taking it as gospel) for say a designer or general contractor not entirely sure or alien to specific methods of contractors or subcontractors.Don't expect a book to read from cover to cover but a quick reference.

Great Series
I found this series of books to be very well written and drawn.What is great is that they present several different ways to accomplish a task, instead of limiting you to one conventional method.The writing is very clearly written, and I own and recommend all three books in these series.Excellent reference.

Graphic Guide to Frame Construction
Start at the beginning... The spiral metal binding is great, a real manual, easy to keep page being referenced open infront of you. Graphically the pages are consistent in their layout and composition so that the important information is easily seen. Not like many references where drawings,details and notes from different sources are obviously pasted into pages. It reminds me of the famous Architectural Sheet Metal manual published by SMACNA, that is a part in nearly every architect's reference library.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Construction - Carpentry    3. Design & Construction    4. Design and construction    5. Do-It-Yourself - Carpentry    6. Drawings    7. Framing (Building)    8. Home Improvement / Construction    9. House & Home    10. Wooden-frame buildings    11. Building construction & materials    12. House & Home / Reference    13. Woodworking   

Reviews (2)

Look no further!
This is the best book currently available on roof cutting.It is enhanced through the authors extensive experience and inspirational passion for his craft.It is written for those who already have an understanding of framing and would like to grow in their knowledge.The layout makes it an easy to use quick reference guide for the particular aspects one might wish to inform themselves about on any given day.
Only book you need
I have been in construction for about 5 years, and almost all of the roofs I have worked on are truss roofs. I am interested in getting into roof cutting/stacking, so I have been buying a few books. But this is the only book you need. Everything is explained very well, with a lot of pictures. And he gives a lot of techniques that can be used. The author himself used to be a production roof cutter, one of the best in the business. Out of all the roof framing books, the only other one I have bought that I plan on keeping is the roof framer's bible. It is a very handy little book to have. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architect-designed houses    2. Construction - Carpentry    3. Design and construction    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Framing (Building)    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. Remodeling & Renovation - General    9. Roofs   

Reviews (1)

A must read for construction people.
This is an excellent book that covers all aspects of building construction.The layout and content of the book are designed for easy reference and reading.A must for those who plan to take the Virginia Contractor's license exams. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Carpentry    2. Construction - Carpentry    3. House construction    4. Manufacturing    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Technology    7. Schools    8. Technology / Manufacturing   

Reviews (11)

Most helpful book
I have recently been collecting and reading cabinet making books.This book has been the most informative and helpful book in my collection.

FANTASTIC introduction to building face frame cabinets
I did a lot of research prior to building my own kitchen cabinets earlier this year and this book was what inspired me the most as Udo's Schmidt's cabinets are simply BEAUTIFUL encompassing many custom details like: mitered corner returns, beaded inset face frames, raised panel doors/drawer fronts, dovetailed drawers and arched mullion glass upper cabinet doors.
great book
very interesting book with a lot of knowledge put into the writing.Helpful, full of comments and pictures to explain complicated cuts.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Cabinetwork    2. Carpentry    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Do-It-Yourself - General    6. Home Maintenance And Repair    7. House & Home    8. Kitchen cabinets    9. Woodwork - Furniture/Cabinetry    10. DIY    11. House & Home / Carpentry   

Editorial Review

Read more

Reviews (3)

This is a great book
I bought and built a good sized house kit home but wanted to know how a house is really put together and proper terms after all my years of remodeling and odd jobs in construction.
How To Do The Job Right
A complete do-it-yourselfer's guide to residential carpentry from basements to balustrades. If you're the type who wants to know how to do it right, this is the book. It's really an omnibus of carpentry because itdeals with rough and finish carpentry, drywall, floors and flooring,cabinets, insulation, doors and windows, tools and safety and more! It alsoexplains how lumber and plywood are graded in the U.S. and Canada andincludes great charts explaining architectural drawings and symbols. If youalready know what a Phillips screwdriver is you don't need half of the"home improvement" books out there. This one is different. Mr.Spence has placed homeowners in his debt with this exceptional volume.

Carpentry & Building ConstructionA Do-It-Yourself Guide
This book was informative.I have been remodeling for over 25 years and still I learn things in every job.This book can be used as a guide to building any part of a house.I liked it so much after reviewing from thelibrary that I bought a copy as a reference book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Carpentry    3. Construction - Carpentry    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House construction    7. BG-COOKBKS - BG - COOKBOOKS    8. House & Home / Carpentry    9. Woodworking   

Reviews (4)

Incredible detail and description
This book is great for obtaining an extensive background in carpentry in general, or even as a great reference for the advanced. It contains a lot of pictures and descriptions to rely on. Incredible overall!

Outstanding
This is the book to own if you do any type of carpentry. Carpentry is one of the best manuals I've seen. Reminds me of my college text books.

Comprehensive
This book is great.It has definitions of the buzzwords of construction, discussion of all aspects of construction, and hundreds of drawings detailing what you need to know. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Building    2. Carpentry   

Reviews (9)

Very clear and well explained book.
I bought this book for a garage project of mine and the decent reviews it had. I must say the reviews are well deserved. This book offers plenty of photos and well explained "how-to" guide lines. Detailed explanation with photos of all the tools you'll need for your project. I can now do my projects with confidence considering I am a novice at carpentry. Excellent choice for the novist.

So far from complete its an insult to carpenters
Had to give 1 star to off set the other reviews. My problem with most of these carpentry books is their lack of conviction to a topic. I have been a carpenter for way longer than 4 years (the accepted journeyman level). In truth it takes a lifetime to keep up with new practices and master traditional techniques. If you need to read 93 PAGES OF 277 on what a particular tool is or how to set up a saw then you really are not ready for complete carpentry. You need to develop your understanding of the tools.
Not a great book.
This book doesn't include any text about stairs. I guess most complete homes don't need stairs. I find this book more of a coffee table book than a book I can count on for howto information. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Carpentry    3. Construction - Carpentry    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Do-It-Yourself - Carpentry    6. Dwellings    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. House & Home    9. Maintenance and repair    10. Home furnishing & decoration    11. Woodworking   

Reviews (8)

Shojis on time
The book arrived speedily and in great condition.What more can I ask?

A woodworkers guide to shoji for your home
Shoji are really beautiful.There is something wonderful about the light passing through the semi-translucent rice paper, creating an atmosphere that is romantic and relaxing.Having lived in Japanese houses for several years, it was something that I wanted to recreate when I returned to the US.
Not traditional japanese woodwork, but who cares?
JVA uses a simplified approach to building shoji. Odate's book is the one for you if you want to build an authentic shoji using Japanese technique. Having said that, this is an EXCELLENT primer on shoji measurement and building practice for quick screens. I have built screens in both styles and take my word for it that JVA's method is quicker and no-one can tell the difference. Two things: the screen on the cover is NOT the one detailed in the text (check the corners). Also, I would HIGHLY recommend cutting your stiles long (leave a horn) and trimming them off post assembly with the table saw followed by a pass with a plane. Buy it and get building! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Carpentry    2. Construction - Carpentry    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Decorative arts    5. Design and construction    6. General    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Home Improvement / Construction    9. Shoji screens    10. Woodwork    11. Furniture & cabinetmaking    12. Home furnishing & decoration    13. Japan   

Reviews (1)

Ideas Galore
If you're doing trimwork but have never spent a lot of time looking at various ideas out there, this is an excellent book to get your creative mind going.There are numerous variations of trim possibilities within these pages.But the best thing for me was the pages of molding profiles showing the various types and styles of molding available.Not all of it is available in my market, but it gave me ideas for molding I could make using my tools.Overall a really good book - I keep it by my bedside and go through it regularly just to create new ideas for trimwork. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Construction - Carpentry    2. Decorating    3. Decorating - General    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. Interior Design    7. Woodworking    8. DIY    9. House & Home / Decorating   

Reviews (31)

"A Most Helpful Tree House Guide"
David Stiles seems to know exactly what aspects of building give us would-be owners of tree houses our cold feet.He has organized this book so that our every little fright is answered before it occurs.Every potential problem has, if not a clear answer, at least a path for readers to "whomp up" an answer themselves.I was wonderfully impressed!Come fall, one or two trees in my backyard may be wearing houses themselves!

Tree Houses You Can Actually Build
There's a lot of info in this book that would have been hard to scramble up on my own.And, is presented in such a way that even a beginning carpenter can put together one of these or just use the info to design one's own. I especially liked the info on the "extras" such as rope ladders and other tree house accessories. It's a real "how-to" book and I can't wait to get started!

Critical resource for the first-time builder
I used this book to build a great tree house. I found the line drawings to be much more useful than the photographs in the other 3 tree house books I bought. The drawings offer advice for beginners (including don't saw the branch you are sitting on) that seem frivolous till you start working in the tree. The book gives a few plans, and though none would quite work in my tree, I was able to combine ideas from all of them. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Construction - Carpentry    3. Design and construction    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home    7. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    8. Tree houses    9. Woodwork - General    10. Building construction & materials    11. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork    12. Woodworking   

Reviews (4)

Simply the best tool in the home
So nice to see such a quality book that cover every detail big and small. It is my building bible! Every one who either owns a home of wants to do a building project should make this their first purchase.

This is a great book.
Excellent diagrams, well-written, very thorough. If you can swing a hammer and have some basic mechanical inclination, this book will be invaluable. Or, even if you have a really good idea of what you're doing, this book will fill in the holes of your knowldge and you'll frame like the pros. This is probably the most useful book I have ever bought - on any subject.

excellent resource, however ...
Consider "Carpentry & Building Construction" by the same author.It seems to include most of the content of "Residential Framing" plus much more. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Construction - Carpentry    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. General    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House framing    6. Residential Construction    7. Building construction & materials    8. DIY    9. House & Home / Carpentry    10. LITERATURE - LIT CLASSICS TRD PB   

Reviews (8)

nice Idea but poorly executed
sorry to say but not well illustrated and not easy to follow look elsewhere for help in this area...I wish I could recommend options but other then Old House Journal(a monthly magazine) I could not recommend a good trim refrence. I will note a couple of my own tricks though.First remember that the most complicated trims are usually built in stages or layers.Second remember that good trim starts with good framing and straight bases (the object you are trying to frame ie: window door opening ect). Last but not least if your painting don't go nuts for the perfect joint.Caulking can save your day..that does not mean to be sloppy, measure twice, cut once, remember to factor the width of the blade waste; but then use a premium grade (GE Silicone II Extreme) caulk to join butt and corner pieces.Good luck ...

Originally published in 1989.Outdated then?
I was looking for a well layed out reference guide that I could learn a few tricks of the trade.This book seemed to spend way to much time setting the reader up for the first day on the job (back in the 70's and 80's mind you), then long-winded yet sparse information on actual methods of trim carpentry.
Trim Carpentry Techniques
Nice illustrations, step by step procedures are easy to follow if you do not like to read. Detailed materials and tooling information is somewhat provided. Good for a jobsite quick refrence guide. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Construction - Carpentry    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Do-It-Yourself - Carpentry    4. House & Home    5. Technology & Industrial Arts    6. Home & House Maintenance    7. House & Home / Design & Construction    8. HOUSE & HOME / Carpentry   

Reviews (9)

Great information!
Very thorough.Just the information I needed to determine what type of dock to build on my lakefront property.

Something Missing
Yes, this book provides a well-illustrated overview of approaches to dock building and choices of materials. But it doesn't go far enough if you have a significant tidal range or if the wind blows. What's missing is any introduction to engineering. How to make sure the ramp doesn't fall off your float when the tide goes out. How to figure the static forces on your dock caused by 4 knot currents. How to estimate the wave heights and dynamic forces in 80 knot winds. And how to design a dock that will survive this abuse. You might want to involve a professional engineer in these situations, but that can be true of pretty much anything to do with docks. A book with this title should at least introduce you to these subjects and provide references for the gory details. Like some others, the author believes books like this should be peppered with jokes. Personally I find this annoying, but I must admit his jokes are above average. So if you want a funny introduction to building docks in gentle places, this book is for you.

Excellent DIY dock reference
I gave up trying to find any useful information on dock building and then happened across this book not long ago.Max Burns has written a very comprehensive reference book that covers almost any imaginable dock/shore situation including the one I was looking for .If you're thinking of building your own, add this book to your library! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Coastal Engineering    3. Construction - Carpentry    4. Design & Drafting    5. Design and construction    6. Docks    7. Engineering - Hydraulic    8. Handbooks, manuals, etc    9. Home Improvement / Construction    10. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    11. Home & House Maintenance    12. House & Home / Outdoor & Recreational Areas   

Reviews (3)

Not as good as Guide to Frame Construction
I purchased this because I was very impressed with the "Graphic Guide to Frame Construction" book.I was much less impressed
Accurate and Detailed
Here you will find up-to-date information about virtually every material involved in interior construction - common and uncommon, residential and commercial - so you can compare key factors and make the best decisions for all of your projects.
God is in the details with this one folks!
The Graphic Guide to Interior Details: For Builders and Deigners gives a comprehensive analysis and break down, not only for professionals in the industry, but for the first time home buyer, or for people who are justplain interested in built structures.There are endless details and drawingsthat are accompanied by current and up to date information that not onlycomplies with modern day building codes and standards,but also hasinnovative and progressive techniques for the future. I'm a student thathas gotten great use and resource out of this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Construction - Carpentry    3. Construction - General    4. Design & Construction    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. Interior Design - General    7. Reference    8. House & Home / Reference   

Subjects:  1. Arts and crafts movement    2. Construction - Carpentry    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Drawings    6. Furniture    7. Furniture Arts And Crafts    8. General    9. Hobbies/Crafts    10. Measured drawing    11. Woodwork - Furniture/Cabinetry    12. Woodwork - General    13. Woodwork Arts And Crafts    14. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork    15. Woodworking   

Subjects:  1. Carpentry    2. Construction - Carpentry    3. Construction - General    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Technology    6. Technology & Industrial Arts    7. Building construction & materials    8. Technology / Technical & Manufacturing Industries & Trades   

Reviews (1)

An outstanding book
I have years of experience in residential carpentry and furnituremaking, and I've installed dozens of kitchens, but I had never actually made a set of kitchen cabinets. We are renovating our house, and replacing our cheap cabinets is one of the items on the list. I spent hours at my local Barnes and Noble and Borders stores looking for a comprehensive book that focuses exclusively on kitchen cabinetmaking, and couldn't find one out of the dozens of books on cabinemaking that thoroughly covered both the cabinet design and production processes. Then I took a chance and ordered The Complete Kitchen Cabinetmaker, and found exactly what I was looking for.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Cabinetwork    2. Carpentry    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. House & Home    6. Kitchen cabinets    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Woodwork - General    9. Woodworking    10. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork   

Reviews (11)

Confidence Builder
This book is wonderful. I've been reading everything I can get my eyes on regarding installation of solid hardwood flooring. Most places I see the same general points, but not many details. Not this book. Here are answers to the dozens of questions I had in response to reading all of the other stuff.

One of the books on the topic (the DVD is good too)
However, I agree with the person below that you should really seek out a continuous belt sander, and avoid drum sanders due to their tendency to create very subtle chatter marks over the entire floor surface.They cannot be seen or felt prior to finishing the floor, but once you have the floor finish applied, you can see them.Also, the author says that a screen buffer is optional, but if you use a drum sander, I think it is pretty much a necessity if you want to lessen the effect of the chatter marks that a drum sander produces, compared to a continuous belt sander.

excellent -- thorough and helpful
An excellent book. Provides good details, anticipates a lot of problems, good graphics/drawings to explain. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Construction - Carpentry    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Floors, Wooden    4. Hardwoods    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home    7. Remodeling & Renovation - General    8. House & Home / Carpentry    9. House maintenance   

Reviews (4)

Design Techniques Not Plans
This book provides a some interesting techniques for some of the design details of Greene and Greene furniture.It also provides some historical background on the brothers and the craftsmen that collaborated with them.In addition, there are some examples of modern pieces by several craftsmen influenced by the Greene brothers.What it does not have are detailed plans for complete furniture.As such, it is of more interest to the woodworker looking to expand his techniques than someone looking to recreate a specific piece of furniture.

This fills a a great need
I wish I had this book a year ago when I undertook the construction of three G&G pieces for our church. I had to figure out how to make many of the details on my own. Now I find out there are better, and easier, ways. I strongly recommend this book to anyone wishing to build anything in the G&G style, or to those just wanting to learn more about the construction and evolution of the style. Mr Peart does a masterful job!

The Key to Restoration, The Guide to Appreciation of Greene & Greene
Darrell Peart has written a book that is not only a joy to read, it is also one of those magic windows for finding the secrets of restoring Greene and Greene houses and furniture.Craftsmanship details that with time fade and tatter and beg for repair can now with Peart's fine instruction and diagrams and pictures be restored to as close to their normal glory as possible.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Arts and crafts movement    2. Construction - Carpentry    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Furniture    6. Furniture Arts And Crafts    7. Furniture making    8. House & Home    9. Woodwork - Furniture/Cabinetry    10. Woodwork - General    11. Woodwork Arts And Crafts    12. House & Home / Furniture   

Reviews (5)

Good for information
I'm fascinated by art and lifestyle in Japan. I bought this one in the hope of getting good information about "how to"s in joining wood in a woodword project without using any metal parts (nails etc). For starters, all drawings are black and white so this may dissapoint some of you. But are very well done and the book has a very interesting introductory section about japanese woodworking tools that provide a lot of information and some less expected aspects of japanese woodworking like, for example, tradition (I expected that) and an entire philosophical system (I didn't expected that). Very interesting, a lot. However, it is quite complicated to follow drawings and I sometimes felt that a better 3D rendering of the cuts should be done in order to better understand japanese joinery techniques (which ARE very complicated). I would recommend the book in the first place as a very instructive reading (which it is) and less for actually doing something being guided by its instructional content. Anyway I'm glad I bought it because it gave me more insight into japanese traditional woodworking.

This is a really neat book
This book is really neat--definitely worth $16.There are dozens and dozens of joints detailed but almost all of them are for framing buildings. Even so, these multitude of ideas presented can really start the creative process for furniture makers, like myself. In fact, this book provided a joint that solved a problem that I had dwelled on for months. Without this book, I never would have thought of this joint.
a very good source of happyness
When i bought it, i was looking for a manual to learn some basic about making japanese joinery in small amatorial woodworking projects. I'm not a carpenter, i'm just an hobbist.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Construction - Carpentry    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Woodwork - General