Product Description

Shape is critical to the ultimate success or failure of a piece of furniture. Knowing this, custom-furniture maker Lonnie Bird has taken the complex subject of shaping and in this book made it accessible to every woodworker. He guides the reader toward first visualizing, then drawing a shape, and then choosing the appropriate tool for creating it. Shaping techniques of all kinds are covered here -- from the simplest ones to more complex bending and carving.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #30165 in Books
• Published on: 2001-10-15
• Released on: 2001-10-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 304 pages

From Library Journal
The first volume in Taunton's three-part "Complete Illustrated Guides" series, this title is intended as a bench-top reference guide showing the many ways of shaping wood (cutting, edge treatments, decorative techniques, turning, and carving). Techniques of all types and complexity are covered, usually including several means to accomplish each task, such as using hand or power tools. Profusely illustrated with drawings and photos, this book offers something for every woodworker. This title, along with the other two in the series (The Complete Illustrated Guide to Furniture and Cabinet Construction, Taunton, 2001, and The Complete Illustrated Guide to Joinery, Taunton, 2002), will be a welcome addition to any woodworking collection.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

A Most Excellent Book
I have lots and lots of woodworking books. This one rates right up there with the best that have ever been published. The thing that delighted me the most was the explanation of how to create the gooseneck molding, the rosettes and the turned (and pierced) flame finials for the top of highboys or grandfather clocks. I have been searching for that information for years.

For the novice woodworker, this book is an eye opener. For the folks with more experience, this book is a treasure.

If you are interested in building the finest pieces
This book covers some areas that will enable you to build some of the finest pieces of woodworking and furniture. For example a step by step explanation of how to create a flaming finial, to top off your best projects is illustrated: From the beginning of turning it on a lathe, to the first level of carving the flutes, to each successive layer. The one he creates out of walnut is the style that I like the most. Additionally making a claw foot, is well illustrated, just the same.
This book does not cover the basics, so one to add to your collection, as either a hopeful, or an advanced course of applications. It is a motivator, because he shows you the kind of work, that inspires us into higher levels in the art form.
Well illustrated, with clear photographs and descriptions. All in all a 5 star book, you will want to feature it on your book shelf, and in the works you will be motivated and instructed to create.

Very Informative and worth the money!
I had heard about this book from Fine Woodworking Magazine. They had an ad for 3 books including this one. Well I purchased the book on cabinets and was so impressed I had to buy the one on Shaping Wood. Let me tell you have a LOT of books and magazines covering woodworking and this book is at the top of the list. Not only is this book rich with information, it is gorgeous. Each page is filled with full color photographs.

What is also nice about this particular book are the unique subjects. For instance it has a section on making gooseneck molding. Until today I had never heard of gooseneck molding, much less knew how to make it. Now after reading the steps and looking at the photographs I want to make gooseneck molding. ( Whether I need it or not)

As you can read, I am excited about this book! It cost less than $30 and has 300 pages to it. I highly recommend it.