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The Joiner and Cabinet Maker: His Work and Its Principles by Joel Moskowitz, Christopher Schwarz
dancarey_404's review
informative
relaxing
slow-paced
3.0
I'm glad I got this through Inter-Library Loan instead of buying it. While interesting, I'm not sure I would have felt I got my money's worth. Half the book can be appreciated for its historicity, supplemented by introductory material and footnotes from Christopher Schwarz and Joel Moskowitz. The other half contains guidance from Schwarz for building the 3 pieces featured in the 19th-century work. IMO, the real value is to be found here in the many tips that Schwarz shares. I always find his prose style a delight.
jgerman's review
4.0
A reprint of an 1839 book about a fictional Joiner's apprentice named Thomas. This was part of a series of books describing various trades.
The original text is a fun read but the addition of chapters after that section really elevate the book. Thomas builds three projects and after the original text Chris Schwarz walks us through building each in a more modern "how to" style.
This book could easily serve as a basic course in hand tool work if supplemented by a few other sources, Wearing for instance.
The original text is a fun read but the addition of chapters after that section really elevate the book. Thomas builds three projects and after the original text Chris Schwarz walks us through building each in a more modern "how to" style.
This book could easily serve as a basic course in hand tool work if supplemented by a few other sources, Wearing for instance.
jameseckman's review
4.0
Schwarz and Moskowitz presents this work of an anonymous carpenter that was published in 1839 as a guide for boys wanting to take up the trade. This portion was written in a narrative form, an oddity in itself, and currently the only one available from this period. It follows Thomas thru his apprenticeship, his work for a young lord! that includes a packing case and school box as well as building a chest of drawers. Addition material was added by the modern authors that expands on the society of working Victorian England from a slight later period based on writings by Mayhew and other reformers. This is the first half of the book, and is a great peek into the life of an early 19th century carpenter.
In the second half, Schwarz gives more detailed instructions on building the three projects, including photos and drawings. All three are a bit weird and a bit out of the ordinary, Included is information on working with cut nails, hide glue and milk paint, useful and until recently not well covered by most DIY (except [b:Furniture Making Plain & Simple|1579501|Furniture Making Plain & Simple|Aldren A. Watson|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|1572298]). I'm tempted to build the chest of drawers, I'm using a blanket chest right now for everything and it's not as organized as I'd like. The school box would be a fun gift project, most people like unique, small boxes.
A tiny 1/2 size chest
Like all Lost Art Press books, the printing and binding are first class, making it a pleasure to handle while reading. Get it from the publisher direct, a used copy is more expensive than a new one and Amazon wants $140 for a $36 book!!! There seem to be a few libraries that carry it, count yourself lucky if you can get a copy that way. A great read.
In the second half, Schwarz gives more detailed instructions on building the three projects, including photos and drawings. All three are a bit weird and a bit out of the ordinary, Included is information on working with cut nails, hide glue and milk paint, useful and until recently not well covered by most DIY (except [b:Furniture Making Plain & Simple|1579501|Furniture Making Plain & Simple|Aldren A. Watson|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|1572298]). I'm tempted to build the chest of drawers, I'm using a blanket chest right now for everything and it's not as organized as I'd like. The school box would be a fun gift project, most people like unique, small boxes.
A tiny 1/2 size chest
Like all Lost Art Press books, the printing and binding are first class, making it a pleasure to handle while reading. Get it from the publisher direct, a used copy is more expensive than a new one and Amazon wants $140 for a $36 book!!! There seem to be a few libraries that carry it, count yourself lucky if you can get a copy that way. A great read.
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