Collins Complete Woodworker’s Manual “packaging may vary”

This is a true gem for a beginner woodworker like myself. I haven’t read it cover to cover yet but I flipped through it and it seems to have all the information that you may possibly need before diving into the minor details of each of the topics (and I heard that mastering woodworking takes years and even decades). The only downside is that the text in the book is not crisp and looks a bit blurry if you look closely. I have another book from Collins (Complete DIY Manual) and it doesn’t suffer from this problem, so not sure what’s up with that. But even then I give it the highest grade because having all this info in a single place instead of endlessly hopping between YouTube videos is just incredible!

Typical large format book. Covers everything from wood types to tools and techniques.

I've been a furniture maker/restorer for years now and have always worried about being self taught and knowing that there are gaps in my knowledge. This book deals with everything that I wanted to know. It is beautifully laid out with fantastic illustrations. There is a big section on 'standard' plans for most types of furniture. There is a great section on the benefits etc of most types of hard and soft wood. There are sections on pretty well everything that a hobbyist as well as a craftsman should know. Honestly, one of the best woodworking books that I have every bought - shame I only spotted it years after I started.

Four stars, but this is not because the information contained book does not deserve FIVE stars, its the fact that Amazon are supplying the older version 2015 and not the described 2021 version as advertised. The 2022 version has the dark picture of the tools As shown on the "look inside image" the older version is mainly a light coloured wood with six small images (see attached images) . Both books contain more or the same, but a few things have been updated in the 2022 version That's why I sent my copy back for a refund.

Are you picking up woodworking tools for the first time or are you, like me, going back to something which I have always loved but until now, never had the time to explore in depth? If your answer to either of the above is, 'yes', then buy this book, a real gem which provides an absolute shed load of information about woodworking, from knowing how the material you are about to transform is grown, cut and treated, to the selection of tools and what they do, right through to making your own masterpiece. You can go out and buy many, many volumes, all of which will touch on parts of this, probably, (hopefully), in more depth but for sheer grounding in this fascinating pastime, hobby or occupation, you need this book.

I spent a lot of my life Managing a Furniture Unit in a College and a lot more of it as an external verifier for City and Guilds. This book is a magic offering for any learner, formal or otherwise, in most woodwork subjects i.e. C&J or Cabinet making particularly. Covering, as it does, materials, tools and techniques along with power tools and machinery. I bought this edition to compare it with the First edition and found it just as good and useful. It should be an essential Text Book for all students, particularly in early years Cabinet Making. I read one review which wanted more on Design and Drawing - in my opinion the book has it just right for the early years student where practical techniques are the most important element. This book gives a great start to essential underpinning knowledge (used to be called technology).

Husband loves it. Says it assumes a more than general knowledge awareness of terms etc so not for complete beginners, but impressed with breadth of info and is in fact happily flicking through it as I type. Destined to become an oft consulted reference book, a reminder of tips and techniques as well as being used to complete some of the step by step projects inside.

This was purchased for somebody who has retired who has a very keen interest in woodwork. Although they have been making items using wood, they are not a professional carpenter, but they said having this book has helped them no end and it is a constant source of valuable knowledge and learning. Indispensable for any serious woodworker. Magnificent quality and value for money.

This book is packed with interesting and practical projects.

J'ai acheté pour mon mari, il aime le livre

Vale a pena ter este livro. O conteúdo é muito bom, ensina muita coisa! Capa dura, papel de impressão excelente, muitas figuras explicativa. E de quebra tem a vantagem de nos forçar a melhorar o inglês. Recomendo !

Creo que es un libro muy completo para acercarse al trabajo de la madera desde cero. Habla primero de los tipos de madera, luego de algunos montajes básicos y conceptos a tener en cuenta para diseñar muebles y finalmente tiene una sección muy amplia con todo tipo de herramientas, tanto de mano como eléctricas, incluyendo como curiosidad herramientas de mano tradicionales japonesas. Explica para qué sirve cada herramienta, cómo se usa y mantenimiento básico. Sin duda una guía básica a partir de la cual explorar muchos caminos.

excellent book covering all the basics