Woodworking Resources for Those Curious Souls

[The Witch, Besom, and The Bee]

 

 

This is an expanding resource for those curious about historical methods of woodworking, or perhaps trying it themselves. The books and other media in this section have at least a base in the old school way of doing things, or are extremely cool!

  

This first set of books comes from Foxfire.org, stop over sometime and prepare to be amazed.

Foxfire was started in 1967 as a student project, but has become an enormous resource of information about Appalachian ways and history with an emphasis on personal narrative collected from the people of Rabun County Ga., and surrounding areas. I have chosen to concentrate on the wood related books available in the Foxfire store for this section for obvious reasons, but Foxfire has books and magazines dealing with most areas of the old ways of the Appalachian folk. Of course if you have access to a good library some of these titles would be available to you there, but to buy through www.foxfire.org is to help in the continuing work of this group.

  

  

Woodworking and Related Titles from Foxfire:

 

 

Dictionary of Woodworking Tools by R.A. Salaman

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a massive and beautifully illustrated compendium which describes every hand tool used in the woodworking trades from the years 1700 to 1970." (The New York Times) Here is the definitive reference work on woodworking tools, indispensable to woodworkers, antique dealers, researchers - anyone who is at all interested in the subject of woodworking tools and their uses.

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning Woodcarving by Several Expert Woodworkers

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a bumper collection of the best articles from Woodcarving magazine, first published by GMC as two volumes, Useful Techniques for Woodcarvers and Woodcarving for Beginners. Featured here is the work of expert woodcarvers, encompassing projects, tips and techniques, and tool features which offer sound and practical advice to build the confidence of beginners and improving carvers. Contents include: choosing timber; sharpening your tools; the effect and importance of light, shade, and highlights; making proportional dividers; mastering your mallet; wildlife in action; restoration of oak panels; tips for blocking out when carving a head.

from the introduction:
Welcome to the wonderful world of carving—a rich and rewarding hobby that stimulates both the mind and one's abilities. It is difficult to express how much enjoyment can be gained from creating work with your own hands, and especially from carving. There are many aspects of carving to tackle—lettering, paneling, portraits, bodywork, bird carving, architectural work, and much more—but how do you get started? We use a variety of authors—all experts in their field—to guide you progressively to a firm understanding of the fundamental principles involved in turning that initial block of wood into an attractive work of craftsmanship. The techniques demonstrated in these pages show you how to choose, use, and sharpen carving tools, help you select the best timber and instruct you on how to cut and hold it.

Price: $19.95

http://www.foxfire.org/beginningwoodcarving.aspx

 

 

 

The Weekend Crafter:Woodcarving by John Hillyer

 

 

 

 

from the back cover:
Transform a piece of wood into a charming figure or practical object in just a weekend using traditional carving techniques. Beginners will find it easy to learn incised and chip carving, whittling, in-the-round and relief carving, and more, to make great-looking pieces they'll be proud to display and use. Imagine being able to create a Spirit Face Hiking Staff, a Crocodile Slide Whistle, and an Inscribed Plate in just a couple of days.

softcover, 80 pages
color photos, ©2002

 

Price: $14.95

http://www.foxfire.org/woodcarvingweekend.aspx

 

 

 

The following two selections have more to do with old ways construction, but have very interesting information in them as well.

 

Rustic Construction by W. Ben Hunt

 

 

 

from the preface:
Practically everyone loves the appearance of things built of rustic materials, in the rough-and-ready manner forced by necessity on our colonial forefathers. These hardy pioneers built their houses, barns, sheds, furniture, fences, gates, and bridges from materials which they found in, or wrested from, field and forest. The things which they made in those early days can be made equally well today by any boy or man who loves to work with tools and wood. The gathering of the materials, needed to make any type of rustic construction work, will appeal specially to those who love the out of doors. All of the carious types of work described in this book have been actually made either by the author or by craftsmen with whom he is acquainted. The designs shown cover a wide field of uses, and it will be found that they are not only pleasing to the eye, but that they also will withstand the ravages of the weather and the abuse of rough handling.

 

Price: $9.00

http://www.foxfire.org/rusticconstruction.aspx

 

 

The Pioneer Abode by Dan Maxwell

 

 

 

"Now come to the mountains with me and let's build a cabin in the woods."

There is really nothing in the world as satisfying as nature itself—streams, cool and clear, beautiful forests, mountains, valleys—and the animals that live there. Most people want to enjoy nature's serenity with nothing but a small cabin with a fireplace, and hear nothing but the crickets and birds in the summertime.

from the back cover:
This book is the actual account of a man in the mountains of Northeast Georgia and the process he used to build a home using the pioneer ways. It is reasonable to conclude that you can use this book to build a log cabin of your own. The book and, of course, a lot of determination, but the author did it, and he says, "So can you!"

softcover, 80 pages
B&W illustrations, ©2010

 

Price: $9.95

http://www.foxfire.org/pioneerabode.aspx

                                         

 

 

 

Price: $39.95

 

http://www.foxfire.org/dictionaryofwoodworkingtools.aspx

Below are video selections I've found interesting or useful:



[The Witch, Besom, and The Bee]

A couple of new to this forum websites I've found, showcasing some wood working techniques and tips.

The first is from WoodCarving Illustrated: http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/

 

The second is from WoodCarver Michael Keller: http://whiteeaglestudios.wordpress.com/category/woodcarving-technique/