Building Small Projects: The New Best of Fine Woodworking Paperback – September 18, 2004

Disclaimers: I like Fine Woodworking Magazine; I like working with hand tools; and, I would really like to produce well crafted projects like those presented in this book.The twenty small projects presented in this book require woodworking skills, and tools, ranging from basic to somewhat advanced. Many of the projects can be constructed with a modest collection of hand tools and a modicum of patience.As always, the photography, illustrations and editing of each article is quite good. (Did I mention that I really like Fine Woodworking Magazine?) This book is well organized and presented.I will certainly be giving copies of this book as presents over the holiday season.

These projects are a lot of fun to do, and since they are small, you can do them in a day or two of effort and beer.

I bought this book because I was teaching an intro woodworking course at a university and was looking for project ideas. While the projects in this book are "small", they are not necessarily projects for beginning woodworkers. It was a poor assumption on my part, but that's what these reviews are for I guess. The projects are pretty much just a collection of Fine Woodworking Articles and thus are well thought out and designed. Good illustrations make it easy to understand as well.

The description provided pertaining to the books condition was accurate.

The projects in this book are very beautiful and classy. I consider myself an intermediate woodworker. However, I cannot do many of these projects. Mortise and tenon joints are difficult things to do by hand. So are dovetail joints when done by hand without a router jig. While I would love to buy a lathe and a biscuit joiner, I don't have the room in the garage for them. I think the book is good for advanced woodworkers who has as many power tools as a professional woodshop and I don't want to give the impression that it is bad. It is just aimed at a narrow market--the person who is an advanced woodworker. So if you can make that lovely footstool on the book's cover with its mortise and tenon joints (which are even at an angle and not 90 degrees) than this is the book for you. But if like most people you can't, than you should look else where. By the way, my wife Julie wants me to say that she did not write this review, but her husband John did.

Not impressed.

Yes, a nice addition to my library and myself ,these books will keep me buzy all summer holidays ,thank you for your cooperation,.Abeda

Unlike most woodworking projects, these are items I would put in my home or proudly give as presents.BUT...the directions and terms used are a challenge for a beginner -like me! Luckily the photos clearly show some steps being done.Be prepared to look up some woodworking terms and read over the instructions until you completely understand them ...I wasted some beautiful wood first off.I humbly recommend doing them in pine first, as I learned the hard (and expensive!) way.