Finish Carpenter's Manual

Rating:
Summary: Great Business Advice
Review: I am a retired aerospace engineer experiencing a "second life" as a woodworker/carpenter. Of all the finish carpentry books I have looked at, this one is better suited to the person going into the business (I am contemplating it). It offers a decent overview of the range of projects a carpenter will be called upon to do, and serves as a good general reference, though it takes on too wide a scope to go into much detail on all the topics it tackles. However, the last chapter, "Setting Up a Subcontractor Finishwork Business," is worth the cost of the book for someone who wants to learn about contracts, billing, and some of the management issues involved, which may be even more intimidating than the hands-on work. If you really get serious about the business, however, be sure to check out David Gerstel's "Builder's Guide to Running a Successfil Construction Company."

Rating:
Summary: Great Business Advice
Review: I am a retired aerospace engineer experiencing a "second life" as a woodworker/carpenter. Of all the finish carpentry books I have looked at, this one is better suited to the person going into the business (I am contemplating it). It offers a decent overview of the range of projects a carpenter will be called upon to do, and serves as a good general reference, though it takes on too wide a scope to go into much detail on all the topics it tackles. However, the last chapter, "Setting Up a Subcontractor Finishwork Business," is worth the cost of the book for someone who wants to learn about contracts, billing, and some of the management issues involved, which may be even more intimidating than the hands-on work. If you really get serious about the business, however, be sure to check out David Gerstel's "Builder's Guide to Running a Successfil Construction Company."

Rating:
Summary: Starting a New Carpentry Business, This Is The Book To Get
Review: I started a new carpentry business a while ago. This book really helped me out. Business wise, from figuring manhours, to giving job estimates and to actualy earning money. Skillfull tips such as scribing a jambless window sill and coping crown moulding. I've read many books on this topic, but I have to say this is one of the "best".

Rating:
Summary: Carpenter? Own this book.
Review: The "Finish Carpenter's Manual" is for any carpenter from apprentice to experienced journeyman that wants to keep up-to-date in the field of finish work from prep work to installation.
The "Finish Carpenter's Manual" is a rare find, and deserves Amazon's highest rating of 5 Stars.


Rating:
Summary: Great Help to my business
Review: This book helped bring several of my carpenters up to speed on finish carpentry techniques. It has become the most checked out book in my library

Rating:
Summary: Best "How-To Manual" I own
Review: This book is a great recource for professional finish carpenters learning the trade. Step by step instructions help simplify common finish carpentry tasks, each section contains a list of man-hours per job to aid in bidding and the book lay out is very friendly.

Rating:
Summary: Best "How-To Manual" I own
Review: This book is a great recource for professional finish carpenters learning the trade. Step by step instructions help simplify common finish carpentry tasks, each section contains a list of man-hours per job to aid in bidding and the book lay out is very friendly.

Rating:
Summary: The title says it all
Review: This book is outstanding. It has already paid for itself many times over. If you're doing a finish carpentry project or even contracting one out, then this should be required reading.

This is a well-written manual that covers all aspects of finish carpentry including pricing your work. The advice is sound and this book has saved me from making a number of mistakes. The best part is that Mr. Tolpin is a fine writer and he even manages to make this an interesting read.

If you're interested in finish carpentry this is a great book for you. I read this book while a contractor was building a house for me -- I learned enough to get him to correct some framing and drywall problems that would have hurt me later. I also learned what to do before the drywall went on to save myself time when I added the chair and crown moldings.

Rating:
Summary: Finish Carpenter's Manual by Jim Tolpin
Review: This is the finest "how to" book that I have ever read, regardless of the subject matter or discipline covered. It pre-supposes nothing on the part of the reader; it explains all techincal terms and techiniques that are introduced into any discussion be it simple base moldings or figuring return cuts for window aprons. Most importantly, everything presented is useful to the average woodworker or wannabe woodworker with average talent but above average desire.
The sad truth is that this fine book is but an introduction to a dying art. In attempting to install (my first) window trim I read and re-read all of the passages dealing with measuring the casings, determining the width of the stool (sill?) and, best of all, how to make the necessary cuts for the returns at the ends of the aprons.
At the same time I purchased this book I also purchased "Finish Carpentry" which turned out to be a collection of articles from Fine Homebuilding magazine showing finish carpentry in the homes of the wealthy and the very wealthy including door casings made of molded plaster and arches made of laminated mahogany, both of which I included in my baronial billiards room (I wish!). Fortunately, there was one useful article on scribing that happened to be written by Mr. Tolpin.
I recommend Mr. Tolpin's "Finish Carpenter's Manual" with great enthusiasm.