Carpentry: Tricks of the Trade for Building & Finishing Your House

Rating:
Summary: A quick and easy and informative read.
Review: I used to be a finish carpenter and Tricks of the Trade taught me lots of little shortcuts and lessons learned by a carpenter the hard way. The simple illustrations reinforced and clarified the lessons. Aside from all the tricks and hints I also learned, what for me, has become a most important bit of advise from this book, make your mistakes work to your advantage. If you want to learn some lessons about carpentry the easy way then buy this book, otherwise buy a few extra pieces of wood for your next project to learn the lessons them the hard way.

Rating:
Summary: Mostly fun tips
Review: This book is filled with quick tips and lots of illustrations covering everything from foundations to roofing. Everyone is sure to find a useful or better way of accomplishing some task in building a home. The problem is some of the recommendations are too brief to fully explain the how and why. Most of the illustrations are helpful, but many are more cute than useful and some more annoying than cute. In short, it is a quick read that will probably gain you a tip or two worth the cost and effort, but for a more substantial understanding of home construction and finishing, look elsewhere.

Rating:
Summary: Great review from "Fine Homebuilding" magazine, Nov '99
Review: This book received a great review in the November 1999 issue of "Fine Homebuilding" magazine.