The 6 Best Woodworking Books

The 6 Best Woodworking Books

Woodworking is a fun hobby to start. For many, this hobby can transform into a beautiful career. Woodworking isn’t the easiest task to take on. There are a lot of different types of wood that can be used for carving and furniture manufacturing.

The best way to learn how to properly perform woodworking techniques is by investing in the best woodworking books to further your skill set.

The 6 Best Woodworking Books to Buy Now

Woodworking books are the best for learning this exciting skill because they usually include the best tips and hints since these books are written by professional woodworkers or carvers. In this guide, we are going to take a quick look at some of the best books to get if you want to learn carpentry skills.

1. Great Book of Woodworking Tips by Randy Johnson

Do you already have basic carpentry skills but want to take your woodworking projects to the next level? If so, then this is the best book to consider. In this book,the author explains various advanced woodworking techniques to help you make stronger and more durable wooden pieces.

He also explains more about the different types of woodworking tools out there as well as the many ways to use these different tools.

This book includes 650 workshop tips and plenty of images. It is a good investment if you are planning on making a career out of carpentry.

Specifications

  • Type – E-book and paperback
  • Series – “Best of American Woodworker”
  • Publisher – Fox Chapel publishing
  • Language – English
  • Book weight – 2.6 pounds
  • Book size – 8.5 x 0.8 x 10.8 inches
  • Images – 800 color photos and illustrations
  • Application – Furniture making and learning to use different woodworking tools

Pros

Pros
  • The book is available on kindle and paperback.
  • It is a good book for woodworkers who want to improve their skills.
  • The book includes over 650 workshop tips.
  • The book includes 800 images to help you understand better.
  • It is a great book to learn more about woodworking tools.
  • It is a great book to learn how to use woodworking tools.
  • It is a perfect book for serious carpenters.

Cons

Cons
  • The book isn’t suitable for complete beginners.
  • The book might include lots of tools that you do not have available.

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2. The Complete Manual of Woodworking by Albert Jackson

If you are a complete beginner then this can be a good book to consider. This book explains some of the basic concepts of wood types, such as softwoods and hardwoods. It also offers info on the best hand tools to buy if you are a beginner.

You will also learn various woodworking techniques by checking out over 1800 drawings, photos, and diagrams to help you understand the basic woodworking techniques and concepts.

While this book is ideal for beginners, many advanced woodworkers also benefit from some of the techniques used in this book.

Specifications

  • Type – Hardcover and paperback
  • Publisher – Knopf
  • Language – English
  • Book weight – 2.4 pounds
  • Book size – 8.3 x 0.8 x 10.2 inches
  • Images – 1,800 drawings and photos
  • Pages – 320
  • Application – Learn wood types, tools required for various woodworking techniques

Pros

Pros
  • The book is ideal for complete beginners.
  • Learn the difference and principles of softwoods and hardwoods.
  • Learn how to choose hand tools.
  • Learn various woodworking techniques.
  • The book includes 1800 drawings and images to explain woodworking techniques.
  • It includes lots of tips to help you understand beginner woodworking tools.

Cons

Cons
  • There are not too many woodworking projects for you to try.
  • The book is not ideal for advanced woodworkers.

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3. Woodworking by Tom Carpenter

Beginner carpenters who want to start making their own woodworking projects can consider buying this book. The book offers lots of information on the best woods and tools to use for carpentry and they offer loads of info on woodworking techniques.

There are also step-by-step instructions to help you build 41 different furniture or décor items that can be used inside your home. It is a practical book for beginners who want a lot of projects that they can complete so they can perfect their woodworking skills.

Specifications

  • Type – Paperback only
  • Publisher – Fox Chapel Publishing
  • Language – English
  • Book weight – 3 pounds
  • Book size – 8 x 1.1 x 9.9 inches
  • Images – 1,200 images and photos
  • Pages – 448 Pages
  • Application – Skills learning and 41 woodworking projects to complete

Pros

Pros
  • The book includes 41 practical wood projects you can try.
  • There are over 1,200 illustrations and images to help you understand better.
  • The step by step instructions are very clear.
  • You will also learn essential woodworking information.
  • You can learn how to choose wood.
  • Learn various woodworking techniques.
  • Make items that you can use in your own home or gift to others.
  • It is a great book for complete beginners.
  • It is also a good book for advanced woodworkers who want to make new things.

Cons

Cons
  • It is not available on kindle.

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4. The Why & How of Woodworking by Michael Pekovich

This is another good book for complete beginners. The book explains all the basics of woodworking. They show you how to choose the best wood for your projects and how to care for these woods. They also teach you about the best tools required for woodworking and the best way to use these tools.

Included with this book are quite a few instructions on how to build basic wooden projects such as boxes, furniture pieces, cabinets, chests, casework and tables. This book also includes lots of illustrations to help you understand the instructions with ease.

Specifications

  • Type – Kindle and hardcover
  • Publisher – Tauton Press
  • Language – English
  • Book weight – 2.2 pounds
  • Book size – 8.8 x 0.8 x 11 inches
  • Images – Included
  • Pages – 224
  • Application – Learn woodworking skills and how to make furniture

Pros

Pros
  • It is a good book for complete beginners.
  • Learn more about the basics of woodworking and woods.
  • Learn different woodworking techniques.
  • Learn about woodworking tools.
  • Get instructions on how to build boxes, cabinets, chests, casework and tables.
  • The book is available in kindle and hardcover.
  • The book includes lots of images and detailed instructions.

Cons

Cons
  • The book doesn’t include too many woodworking projects.
  • It might be a bit too basic for advanced woodworkers.

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5. Great Book of Woodworking Projects by Randy Johnson

This book by Randy Johnson is also ideal for advanced woodworkers who want many different woodworking projects to try.

The book is also great for those who want to learn to do their own home repairs and maintenance since it includes information on the best ways to upgrade shelves, drawers, racks, and many other items.

You also get over 50 projects that you can make. These projects include items like frames, puzzles, jewelry boxes, bookcases, and shelves that you can make. Some of these projects are quick and easy to make, which makes them ideal for weekend projects while others are larger and might require a bit more skill and time to complete.

Specifications

  • Type – Kindle and paperback
  • Publisher – Fox Chapel Publishing
  • Language – English
  • Book weight – 2.1 pounds
  • Book size – 8.8 x 0.8 x 11.2 inches
  • Images – Included
  • Pages – 256
  • Application – 50 Woodworking projects

Pros

Pros
  • This is a good book for advanced woodworkers looking for new projects to try.
  • The book includes 50 woodworking projects.
  • Learn to make your own indoor or outdoor improvements.
  • Learn to make various furniture pieces.
  • Learn handy kitchen upgrades.
  • The book includes small and large projects to try.
  • Step-by-step instructions and lots of images are included.

Cons

Cons
  • Some projects might be too advanced for complete beginners.

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6. The Big Book of Weekend Woodworking by John Nelson

If you are limited on time but still want to enjoy your woodworking hobby then this is a great book to get. This book is also good for beginners who might be looking for lots of small projects they can make themselves.

This book teaches you how to make over 150 small woodworking items. You can learn how to make various toys, chests, side tables, mirrors, shelves, plant shades, trellises, and many other things. You also get a lot of basic woodworking skills and techniques to use.

This book is perfect for those who love to make toys and other small items such as small furniture pieces that you can use at home. With this book, you will never need to buy gifts again since you can simply make them.

Specifications

  • Type – Paperback
  • Series – “Big Book of”
  • Publisher – Lark Crafts
  • Language – English
  • Book weight – 3.8 pounds
  • Book size – 8.4 x 1.1 x 11.2 inches
  • Images – Included
  • Pages – 448
  • Application – 150 Wood projects to make including toys and furniture

Pros

Pros
  • Perfect for those who prefer small projects.
  • Ideal for toy makers.
  • Ideal for those who want to make gifts.
  • The book includes 150 small woodworking projects.
  • The instructions are easy to understand.
  • The book includes lots of images.
  • It is a great project book for beginner to advanced woodworkers.

Cons

Cons
  • It is not available in kindle.
  • It doesn’t include large furniture projects.
  • The background info on wood types and techniques are a bit limited.

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Buying Guide

The Best for Learning to Work with Equipment

If you are serious about woodworking then you probably need to start thinking about buying all the needed equipment. The best way to find out what tools you need is by checking out the functionality of these tools before you buy them.

If you want to learn more about how to use woodworking tools then we recommend the Great Book of Woodworking Tips by Randy Johnson. This book offers lots of tips and secrets on carpentry techniques and tools.

The Best Beginner Book

If you are a complete beginner then it is best to focus on a book that includes all the info you need, from the different wood types available to the best techniques to help you get started.

We recommend the Complete Manual of Woodworking by Albert Jackson and David Day since this book offers lots of images and instructions on woodworking concepts as well as lots of info on the best hardwoods and softwoods to use.

Alternatively, you can also get the Why & How of Woodworking by Michael Pekovich. In this book, he explains the basics of woodworking, the best way to choose your lumbar, and helps you design and build a few basic woodworking projects.

The Best with Completed Plans

Woodworkers who are always looking for new projects to try or to make can consider books that include the instructions on how to make lots of woodworking projects.

We recommend Woodworking: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Skills by Tom Carpenter if you want to make furniture pieces or practical equipment that you can actually use in your home. This book includes 41 practical projects that you can make yourself.

The Great Book of Woodworking Projects is also a great book to consider because it includes 50 woodworking projects that you can try to improve your indoor or outdoor living areas.

This book includes plans for furniture pieces and décor items.

If you prefer small projects that you can complete quickly then you should consider The Big Book of Weekend Woodworking. This book includes 150 woodworking projects you can try and all of these projects are quite simple and very beautiful.

Final Thoughts

We are quite certain that all of these woodworking books will teach you a great deal about this craft and we do hope that our guide was helpful for finding the best book based on your need.

If you are also shopping for great quality woodworking gear like woodworking clamps, woodworking masks, woodworking chisels, or woodworking hand sanders, then you should also have a look at some of the other buying guides featured here on our site. In all of these guides, we compare all the best products regarding woodworking.