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Summary: A Detailed Reference for Cabinet Construction
Review: After reading and reviewing many different books looking for details in constructing traditional kitchen and other related cabinets, I found this book to be my "bible". The descriptions and building techniques of Mr. Toplin are simple, straight forward and practical. He gives several approaches to solve similar and varied applications. This book has solved many problems and answered almost all my questions in the production of all the cabinets for my home. This new copy will go to a friend who needs the same questions answered as I did when I started into this very satisfying process of beautifying and making my home more functional. I would say this book has a lot to offer to the novice as well as advanced woodworkers.
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Summary: Top of the stack
Review: Excellent job! I've highlighted and dog-eared this one. It stays with me (literally) every minute of the day. Jim Tolpin is very conversational (if you read my reviews you'll find this an ever-present requirement). "Building Traditional Kitchen Cabinets," holds the coveted position next to Danny Proulx's "Build Your Own Kitchen Cabinets." Danny still pushes MDF as a useful product for cabinetry--the only thing I totally disagree with. Jim Tolpin gives it some mention, but not an endorsement. If cabinets are in your future, I recommend both books without reservation. Just disregard, completely, any and all reference to MDF--...
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Summary: LIKE ALGEBRA
Review: Great book. Lots of details. Lot's of math. I recommend it, however I found an easier instructional book.
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Summary: Great Book; just a few details missing
Review: I found this book very helpful, but still had some unanswered questions such as face frame width in certain areas. It could use more detailed graphics in some areas also. Overall though, the ratings are well deserved, I don't feel the need to buy another book on this subject.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent, thorough book
Review: I had about ten specific questions in mind when I ordered this book. I was able to quickly locate solid answers to all of them. At the same time, the book raised and answered several issues I hadn't even thought of. Very thorough, common sense, clear thought process and directions.
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Summary: The one book for cabinet construction
Review: I own several books on cabinet construction. This one is my favorite. It provides step-by-step examples of how to layout, design, build, finish, and install traditional face-frame cabinetry. The graphics are certainly not flashy, most appear to be hand etched, but I find them to be useful.
The book includes techniques and jigs that are great for cabinet construction. I've built several of the jigs that are shown, including the jig for using a biscuit joiner to join the face frame edges, and the cross-cut sled.
You won't find everything in this book, but I've been able to accomplish a lot with this book and Taunton's Trim Carpentry and Built-Ins.
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Summary: I love this book
Review: In the beginning of the book, the author quotes someone saying that you should do what you love, but only write what you know about. He thanks them for that, and I thank the author for doing it. The information in this book, is written in such a way, as to prove to me, the undeniable in depth experience, the author has in the trade. He covers all the bases. True no one book can give you it all. For example, I noticed when I installed a Dishwasher, into my existing kitchen, that it snugged in perfectly, both under the counter, and between the sections. Had it been one eighth of an inch smaller, it wouldn't have gone in. From that I realized that their must be standard dimensions in the industry. The author does not cover those dimensions. What he does do is cover everything else, that most others miss. The real information and what you need to know, in order to avoid costly mistakes. What finishes to use, and when. Prepping properly. How to build your cabinetry, and mark out your layout using a story stick. Drawing a floor plan to scale. He is not afraid to share with you the basics. It really is a step by step guide. I like the guy. His writing style is a natural flow of ideas. Not clamored with egotistical sensationalism. Reminds me of good old down home American craftsmanship. Like he was part of the Shakely shop. Although not caught up in old world techniques to a fault. (He prefers random orbit round sanders to the square finish sanders) After all the Shakelies used power tools as well driven by water wheels outside, and long leather belts and pulleys.
You can build any style kitchen cabinetry from the information provided. The author talks about the Early American style periods, including Shaker, Arts and Crafts, as well as Colonial. I get a feeling of the Old World Americana in the book, and yet the practicality of modern methods, tools, and techniques. He doesn't like fast drying catalyzed, toxic urethanes. He does cover many different types of finishes, and their usability. Has a chart with them all on their including the urethanes.
I guess I'm rambling. What I really want to say, is that I am starting out on my quest for building the ultimate kitchen-cabinets. I spend a lot of time learning, then I begin.I have some cured Hickory that I had sawn from a sawyer. I has a beautiful light brown center. I am sure that 90 percent of what I need to know, will be gleaned from this book. No one book ever has it all, but I just feel good reading this one. It is helpful, informative, and I can't help but feel the contagious love for the beauty of a well built kitchen, that is shared by the author. I highly recommend this book. For the price, it is page for page, thought for thought, a super buy.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: Lots of great tips for cutting down on easy mistakes. Jigs ideas are pretty useful as well. Graphics could be a little better. Would recommend if you want to try your hand at a little cabinetry.
Rating:
Summary: A +++
Review: This book is excellent. My husband and I are building our own home, and wanted a book on cabinetry. This is a complete step by step guide to building our cabinets. Definetely a must if building cabinets for the first time.
Rating:
Summary: Very Good
Review: This is a pretty good book, showing lots of good techniques and a few ideas. The only thing I found a little disapointing was no help with standard sizes and dimensions for common cabinets. It is very focused on proven techniqes, including finishing. I bought this book to help me build cabinets for a new home and even though there were no project plans, it was still very helpful.
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