The Collins Complete Woodworker’s Manual
is quite possibly the definitive woodworking book. It covers the basics, from tools and setting up a workshop to materials, to design, construction, technique and skills. Every element of woodworking is detailed - joints, bending wood, veneering and marquetry, woodcarving and finishing. The only criticism that can be levelled at the book is that it covers so much that there can’t be much detail on any one topic, but as a basic reference work, it can’t be beaten. This is essentially the woodworker’s dictionary - or possibly bible.
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The Green Woodworker’s Pattern Book looks like an essential resource for traditional crafts in wood. It holds more than 300 patterns and plans for traditional craft projects - fences, gates, and garden furniture, through benches and stools and small tools. All plans have metric and imperial measurements, so there are no messy or inaccurate conversions. Every plan has clearly annotated black-and-white line drawings and plans, a description, some details of historical use and placement where relevant, and information on the timbers types and materials that should be used. Old style tools such as cleaves, rounders, shaves, horses and setting frames are covered, as are fencing and gates from post and rail to wattles and field gates, along with garden furniture and tools, turnery, chairs, baskets and miscellaneous household tools.
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