“The Essential Woodworker” by Robert Wearing is a comprehensive guide to hand-tool woodworking, considered one of the best in its field since the era of Charles Hayward. This book offers a practical and holistic approach to using hand tools in furniture making.

Key Features:
– Author: Robert Wearing
– Publisher: Lost Art Press
– Format: 6″ x 9″ hardbound book
– Cloth cover
– Acid-free paper
– Sewn and casebound signatures
– Produced entirely in the United States

Content Highlights:
– Focuses on hand-tool usage in furniture making
– Begins with the construction of a table as a foundational project
– Covers various furniture-making techniques including:
– Building doors
– Constructing carcases
– Creating dovetailed drawers
– Making plinths
– Over 500 hand-drawn illustrations by the author
– Connects individual tool skills to complete furniture projects

Unique Aspects:
– Written by a classically trained English woodworker
– Balances traditional hand-tool techniques with modern woodworking approaches
– Illustrations are properly drafted, drawn in perspective, and exceptionally clear

Ideal for:
– Hand-tool woodworking enthusiasts
– Furniture makers looking to improve their hand-tool skills
– Woodworking students and instructors
– Those interested in traditional woodworking techniques

“The Essential Woodworker” stands out for its comprehensive approach to hand-tool woodworking. Rather than focusing on individual techniques in isolation, Wearing demonstrates how various hand-tool skills come together in the process of building furniture. This integrated approach makes the book particularly valuable for those looking to understand the full scope of hand-tool woodworking.

The book’s numerous hand-drawn illustrations are a key feature, providing clear visual guidance for each operation described. These illustrations, coupled with Wearing’s expert instruction, make complex techniques accessible to readers of various skill levels.

As a publication from Lost Art Press, known for their high-quality woodworking books, “The Essential Woodworker” is crafted to be a durable, long-lasting reference. Its hardbound format and quality materials ensure it can withstand frequent use in a workshop environment.