Illustrated Cabinetmaking

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This book is the "Gray's Anatomy" of woodworking.

Illustrated Cabinetmaking, by Bill Hylton, is a visual reference to take the guesswork out of designing kitchen cabinets, desks, bookcases and chests by applying the time-honored dimension and ergonomic standards presented. It features hundreds of drawings, which provide "classic" solutions to age old construction problems. For example, the book presents at least five ways to hang a drawer and four ways to attach a table top. A section covers more than 100 joints, while the "subassemblies" section explains how to use those joints to assemble tabletops, doors, drawers and more. The Furniture section explains how to combine joints and subassemblies to construct more than 100 pieces. It also provides rule-of-thumb design standards, such as the height of a dining table and the depth of kitchen cabinets, tips for altering designs, and sources for locating published plans.

With more than 100 project plans for everything from tables to beds to built-ins, woodworker Hylton's (Router Magic) exhaustive primer, whose original, 1998 edition is now out of print, still has great value for any woodworking collection. He begins with a brief introduction to period style, then covers joinery in depth. There are no glamour shots, only clear, black and white drawings for assembly and measurements. Exploded view drawings highlight each piece's details and special features. Because of the few instructions on construction, this is not a book for beginners; rather, it is a collection of patterns with citations to additional offerings in other books and publications. For the advanced woodworker, it is a treasure trove of project ideas. Recommended for woodworking collections in any library.

It's all here:

• Ideas and Inspiration. A visual source of information ranging from furniture styles and dimensions to joinery. The essence of more than 100 classic furniture pieces is captured in highly detailed, exploded drawings.
• Standards. Take the guesswork out of designing kitchen cabinets, dining tables, desks, bookcases, and chests by applying the time-honored dimension and ergonomic standards shown here.
• Options and Alternatives. With more than 150 joints and subassemblies at your fingertips, you'll be able to easily alter the appearance or construction of any project.
• Construction Solutions. More than 1,300 drawings take you inside the furniture and show you classic solutions to age-old problems, such as: hanging a drawer, attaching a tabletop, and pegging a mortise.
• Plans. If you don't have the time or inclination to design your own furniture, sources to locate the plans for most of the furniture pieces are included.