Early American Country Furniture: 22 Projects Inspired by the Work of 18th and 19th Century New England Woodworkers

Great book for early furniture making

I actually love this book for many reasons but should be aware, if you're an average woodworker looking for simple "projects" with dimensions, cut lists, patterns etc., this book will not get you there. You probably should still get the book to see how things are assembled and then how they can look when finished really well. If you're a more advanced woodworker or just looking for some ideas for nice looking interpretations of primitive 18th cent. American furniture, this is a great book.I really like the book but I had to accept that there are virtually no dimensions given for almost all of the "projects" in this book. I'm not talking about missing dimensions or inaccurate dimensions; I mean they aren't there at all. American furniture of the 18th Century by Jeffery P. Greene is a book I really enjoy even though it just has furniture photos/diagrams with the overall dimensions. Greene's book is much more academic and it doesn't even begin to suggest it is for "projects" that you can build. When it comes to projects, Mr. Hambucken's book is probably more suitable for a more advanced woodworker that has a good grasp of design, proportion and technique. Someone well versed at producing their own plans and cut lists but interested in some design ideas or concepts. As another reviewer said, not a "stand alone" book of projects but an excellent companion to other books on this type of furniture.I like this book enough that I would replace my copy if something happened to it. I think Mr. Hambucken's has an excellent eye for what works along with superior execution and he has created several pieces that I like and would have in my home. In some cases those pieces have already been pictured in other books but his execution is different and to my taste significantly better.On the plus side, since receiving his book I've been able to locate scaled drawings in other books for some of the items in Mr. Hambucken's book. I think with those dimensions and Mr. Hambucken's ideas on finish etc. that I will be able to build these pieces without too much trouble. Otherwise, I would probably not have taken the time to scale these items or create plans for them.UPDATE: Dec 2014 When I first reviewed this book I mentioned that I liked the book and that I would replace it if something happened to it. Well, I did have to replace it and I still like the book. It's a well done book and a bit of a visual feast with a smorgasbord of information. The book is highly illustrated with large color photos and diagrams of construction details and techniques combined with creative and some well-done finishing ideas. While I personally prefer books that are not printed in China (this one is) I do appreciate the excellent glossy and thick pages that are loaded with color illustrations. The color rendition is good.The author offers a paragraph of explanation on why he doesn't include dimensions (because he doesn't like to measure, it's not traditional and your board may be the wrong size anyway?) and diagrams, I think the author/publisher missed the mark with that concept because good design and proportion can be aided with clear dimensions and templates.This is still a very good book, and if you're like me you may even be willing to buy it twice.

Let me start by saying, I was a little discouraged when i thumbed through and saw the designs. I was hoping for something more in line with reproduction rather than very clearly "inspired by". I would suggest for anyone looking for a wider compendium of (in my opinion) more elegant designs "American Country Furniture: Projects from the Workshop of David T. Smith".That said, these two books combined together are great. Smith offers wonderful tips on hand techniques as well as great designs while Hambucken spends a lot of time discussing wood types, finishes, and more importantly, a detailed picture presentation on jigs and how to cut a wide variety of frame and panel doors, breadboard panels, and dovetails solely on the table saw.All in all, I'm glad to have purchased this one, even if it wasn't for the designs. I'd say anyone looking to familiarize themselves with the many uses of their table saw beyond squaring and cutting rough lumber should definitely take a look.

I've been a hobby woodworker for over 20 years and I recently got turned onto Colonial Era pieces. This book is wonderful! Within hours of receiving it, I was in the shop building some of the jigs and building projects. This book would be great for the verteran woodworker or the novice with a desire to try some new things. The author gives some great ideas, but allows the reader/woodworker to be creative. Add this book to your workshop library!!

This book has some good ideas (modifying knobs, for example) but in my opinion, the drawings are not so hot and, more important, the pieces are not that interesting--to me they lack the quirky, folky elegance of the best primitive early American furniture. In general, I find looking at pictures of country furniture more inspiring than explanations of how to build something that might show up in a Yankee Candle store.

I bought this as a gift for someone, but they already had it. that goes to show it's a wanted item. I gave it to another friend instead of returning it and they love it. The illustrations are awesome. it's great for beginners and advanced. i love how it shows you the final product and also the step-by-step, color, illustrated directions. it gives info on hardware, stains, wood types, etc... i highly recommend this book. you just need some tools.

This book has lots of items that I want since I love I love early American furniture. My husband has plenty of items to make now! He noted the illustrations were clear and easy to understand.

A lot of historical pieces with plans for reproduction.

わかりやすい本です。初心者の私には、今まで購入した中で最良の参考書です。初めての人でも取り掛かりやすい、ちょっとしたスライド蓋の箱など小物も載っています。写真にある小物や家具は、すべてホゾなどをずらした形で立体的に分解したカラーの図が出ています。全体の構造が一目でわかります。木工が得意な方には物足りないのかも知れませんが、壁掛けのカップボードなど、これなら私でも作れる！と希望を持たせてくれる、私にとっては今迄で一番の木工の本です。大きな物で失敗して材料と時間を無駄にする前に、小物を作ってディテールを学びたい、そしてその小物も使える物でありたい、と思う初心者にはとてもよい本だと思います。