Shelves Cabinets & Bookcases

Review by Sonya for Shelves Cabinets & Bookcases
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I bought this book, mainly for the section on closets and bookshelves. I got a bonus though, because the section on cabinets was also one of my favorites. It will probably be a while before I tackle that, but the photos, steps and instructions are clear enough to not feel quite so intimidating. I’ve taken some woodworking classes like building cabinet doors, basic woodworking where we made shelves and simple drawers, but I have always been a little nervous about jumping right in. This book makes it appear so “doable”. Even the front cover made me think, ummm I could do that. I have all the tools and have made some smaller project items, but it’s time I think this lady will need to jump in with both feet.

What’s really helpful, because I am a planner, is the helpful tips contained in this book. For instance, in the section on shelves on page 6, it shows shelf weight limits for different woods and wood thickness and lengths. Just the kind of information I need when planning a shelf to build. I loved the section on closets (even though a little short -but I guess it IS basically boxes! LOL) because it discussed the heights and widths shelves should be, how much space a hanging clothes need and tips on planning the layout. It discusses the differences and steps when using MDF vs Prefinished vs Wire shelving for closets.

Absolutely loved the details, instructions, tips, photos in this book. Highly recommend.

Review by Thomas Vincent for Shelves Cabinets & Bookcases
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Especially helpful if you want to build simple bookcases from 3/4″ birch plywood using drywall screws, glue, brads, circular saw (with jig), and hardwood trim. No dados! Keep the shelves 32″ long and 9″ wide.

Review by B. Workman for Shelves Cabinets & Bookcases
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This is an excellent book with great pictures. It does a good job of explaining some techniques and what tools are used. I bought it in order to get some ideas on how to build some nice built in cabinets. I am excited about how the project will come out!

Review by K. Ziegler for Shelves Cabinets & Bookcases
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The book gives complete instructions and very clear photos. It should be easy to follow the instructions to complete each project.

Review by G. Robinson for Shelves Cabinets & Bookcases
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The projects here are all doable by a determined beginner and use common equipment. I have two minor gripes though: first they mention shelf strength with and without a 2″ edging; but never define what the 2″ edging consists of. (BTW the sagulator that they refer to apparently no longer exists.) Second they seem to be rather fixated on table saws as tools and don’t mention alternate techniques like router, bandsaw or panel saw. ( Everyone doesn’t have room for a table saw nor necessarily want one.) The information presented is very useful and the pictures actually show what is going on. I much prefer loose tendons to biscuits as tendons are much stronger and much more useful.

The strength of materials is useful in spite of them not saying what they mean by 2″ edging. I didn’t realize that magazines are heaver than hard cover books so that was good information.

The most affordable book that really covers the subject and a good read.

Review by T. Pendleton for Building Small Projects (New Best of Fine Woodworking)
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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.

Review by James Degenova for Building Small Projects (New Best of Fine Woodworking)
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These are great projects for “beginning” woodworkers. Really helps to build interest in youngsters.

Review by G. J. Posner for Building Small Projects (New Best of Fine Woodworking)
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I am just beginning to work with wood and found these ideas just a little too intimidating…..probably a great book for someone that knows what they are doing, but not for the person who might not have a router!

Review by Alan Dale Daniel for Building Small Projects (New Best of Fine Woodworking)
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I just didn’t like this book. The projects were complex (at least to me) and would be time consuming to build. I don’t know what type of scrap wood these guys have laying around but it looks like they have a lot of excellent wood. My scraps or plywood or short lengths of oak – very short.

Like most books I did get a few ideas out of reading it, but I did not like the projects and I didn’t like the approach of the book.