A reading list for the intermediate woodworker
While the phrase “learning something from a book” might be used to indicate a skill not learned as officiously or properly as one learned in person, we love books as a way to build skills, knowledge, and to connect us with makers and artisans of the past.
Below we’ve collected a list of several texts that we’ve come to love over the years, and that are perfect for those who’ve been woodworking for a while, but want to learn some woodworking history, some new skills, or learn some existing skills in more detail!
Collins Complete Woodworkers Manual
by Albert Jackson and David A Day
An easy choice for the first on this list, this book contains an absolute wealth of information. We have a couple of copies of this in our library and they’re always useful to quickly look up some term, technique or concept. Now several revisions deep, this book doesn’t go into detail about everything, but it covers almost all the basics and will point you in the best direction to go from for anything you want to learn in more depth.
Understanding Wood
by R. Bruce Hoadley
One of the most essential woodworking skills I’ve started to learn (and feel like I will continue to forever) is to know more about the what and why of the material we’re working with. Timber is a beautiful material, but still a natural one, and learning how to read what timber will and wants to do allows us to be much better carpenters. It may feel like doing your homework sometimes, but you won’t ever regret learning more about wood!
The Anarchist’s Workbench
by Christopher Schwarz
A list of our favourite books would not be complete without a text by Schwarz, and this book does not disappoint. Building on your growing collection and skills as demonstrated in The Anarchist’s Tool Chest in our beginner woodworking books selection, this book takes those skills and expands into an understanding of the historical workbench and how we can learn from that history to build the perfect workbenches of today.
By Hand and Eye
by George R. Walker & Jim Tolpin
Another Lost Art Press book on this list feels a bit sumptous, but this book provided a totally new way of thinking about designing and experimenting with timber. By Hand and Eye documents the historical method of designing (and in many cases lovingly recreating) existing work using simple tools such as dividers, compasses and straight rules. Learning to do away with precise numbered measurements and design by ratio and relationship has expanded not only my woodwork practice but also my ability to understand designs of history. Well worth the read!
The Furniture Bible
by Christophe Pourny
The thing we hear most often from intermediate woodworkers is that they’ve tried a few projects, made a few things, but aren’t quite sure where to go to next. This book provides a wonderful look at the wide range of projects and ideas that could be possible, and an overview of how they were made. While this book is more restoration in focus, learning how to restore furniture is a perfect entryway into understanding how beautiful furniture used to be made, and how we can recreate those techniques and skills today.
If you’re interested in reading more about woodwork, the Graham Tilly Woodworking Library is open to the public during our opening hours, and has a seat where you can rest and read at your leisure. Good woodworking books, including the above texts, can often be found in second hand stores or op shops too. If you’re unable to find these books second hand anywhere, we recommend asking your local independent bookseller to stock them for you.
Got any books not listed that you recommend? Get in touch and let us know!
