Complete Illustrated Guide to Joinery
by Gary Rogowski
Book quote: "THE FURNITURE MAKER USES a variety of tools for joinery..."
Types of information in this book:
haunch groove, crosscut jig, keep the feed rate, mitered shoulder, tenon board, wedge mortise, finger assembly, miter jig, moderate feed rate, cut the tenon cheeks, clearance fence, spline stock, grain gluing surface, set the bit depth, wedge stock, rabbeting plane, tenoning jig, help prevent tearout, router table use, finger template, dovetail bit, set the sliding bevel, plunge router, dado blade, mortised piece
Amazon reviewers said the following about this book:
A beautiful book
I am a beginning cabinetmaking student at a local community and technical college and was looking for something on joinery to supplement the classroom text. The Complete Illustrated Guide to Joinery by Gary Rogowski is a lovely volume on several of the techniques that have been discussed both in class and in the text. It illustrates them more clearly with photos of the process, than either of the latter sources and helps me understand better what the instructor has in mind when he makes suggestions for my projects. More importantly the book provides more than one way of producing the joints, using different types of equipment to achieve the same results. Since I expect to set up a small shop on a restricted budget, at least to begin with, I know that I will often have to "make do" with the equipment I happen to have on hand, and I think that this book will help me do that. While I am still a little too much of a novice to have yet discovered the faults in the book of which the other reviewers have written, I hope to be able to add my own notes to the methods discussed as I gain more experience, enlarging the information provided with details of my own efforts and those of my classmates (in fact we are expected to keep a journal for class with just this type of data). I also see the book as a list of basic techniques to try before I have graduated.
Truly an excellent book
I purchased this book from a store and am sorry I did because I paid full retail price instead of Amazon's vastly lower price. Although I did over pay, I still feel that I got my money's worth. This is an EXCELLENT book. The photographs are absolutely top notch. The text is superbly written and very easy to follow. The lay out is great as well. Even the quality of the binding is noteworthy. There are so many types and methods of joinery discussed I was almost overwhelmed and decided to take my time reading the entire book. This truly is a reference manual. I will be buying most if not all of the books in the "Complete Illustrated Guide to..." series as my need and budget allow. Absolutely must have!
Getting Things Together
One of Taunton Press's best efforts is the 'Complete Illustrated' guide series. The books are all well illustrated with and emphasis on both quality and durability in the binding. They make use of writers who are well-established craftspeople who have served as teaching professionals as well. 'Joinery' is no exception to this rule as it opens the door into what many think of as the secret science of woodworking. Certainly few things will create disagreement among woodworkers the way the question of how two bring two pieces of wood together to make one.
The book is divided into three parts - Tools (hand tools, small power tools, and machines), Carcase Joinery (butt, rabbet, groove, dado, miter, finger, mortise-and-tenon, and dovetail joints), and Frame Joinery (butt, miter, lap, bridle, scarf, splice, edge, and mortise-and-tenon). Each joint type is discussed in some detail, covering both the theory behind the working of the joint and discussions of how to make the joints. In general, the level of detail and clarity are very good.
There are those who would sit down and read this book from cover to cover. Some, no doubt, would actually remember it all. But for most of us the best use of Gary Rogowski's work is as a reference. Browse through it several times to expand our joiner's imagination, and then deep dive into the joints for a potential project. Eventually, you will absorb an alarming amount of knowledge. Just as, with practice, the skills required for each joint develop and grow.
It amazes me how, each time I return to this book I find something completely new. Rogowski has a straightforward writing style that meshes well with the format of this series. The only thing I would add are even more pictures, even a gallery of various examples. This is a volume I am delighted to own.
A very thorough and beautiful book
Once again I am very impressed with the encyclopedic coverage Taunton has given us on a vital aspect of our hobby/craft/passion. Gary Rogowski's writing was accurate and understandable. I love the fact that this book does not waste too many pages talking about shop basics, yet the first three sections level the playing field for beginners by explaining the tools and terminology used throughout the rest of the book.
As for the bulk of the content here (sections 4-15) - there are twelve themed sections covering every conceivable type of joint you might encounter while working wood. Each section starts with an overview of that type of joint and its uses, followed by cookbook recipes for how to go about accomplishing each one. I found the color photographs to be clear, and they provide ample support for the text as the author describes each step.
I ordered all three books in this series for my library (yes I am
a librarian and a woodworker) and I especially recommend this title
as a must have shop 'encyclopedia' on the topic. Basically, I found
the Complete Illustrated Guide to Joinery to be practical enough that
I would 'need' a copy in my shop and beautiful enough that I would
'want' a copy on my coffee table!