Shelves, Cabinets & Bookcases

The projects here are all doable by a determined beginner and use common equipment. I have two minor gripes though: first they mention shelf strength with and without a 2" edging; but never define what the 2" edging consists of. (BTW the sagulator that they refer to apparently no longer exists.) Second they seem to be rather fixated on table saws as tools and don't mention alternate techniques like router, bandsaw or panel saw. ( Everyone doesn't have room for a table saw nor necessarily want one.) The information presented is very useful and the pictures actually show what is going on. I much prefer loose tendons to biscuits as tendons are much stronger and much more useful.The strength of materials is useful in spite of them not saying what they mean by 2" edging. I didn't realize that magazines are heaver than hard cover books so that was good information.The most affordable book that really covers the subject and a good read.

This book is not exactly for the amateur wood worker, but,f you have tinkered around in a wood shop before this book is fantastic. I have yet to use a specific plan from this book as none meet my needs at the moment. I have used more than a few ideas on various other projects. The photography is fantastic and I very much enjoy the detail level in the copy. It's light enough to relax and read but informative enough to help you understand the project.I look forward to building a few of the projects within this book once I have completed the very long list of to-do's that are required around the house. In the meantime, I'm glad I got this book for the tips I have picked up.

My purpose in buying the book was to build a custom bookcase for my stepdaughter--a recent college grad. She has tons of books, and so constructing a bookcase that was as sturdy as it is attractive was tops on my list. I live in an apartment and also have a minimal amount of woodworking tools (no planer, no router) and so the simpler the better in my case. The work is still in progress, but I find the book to be well laid out, well illustrated/photographed, and great for inspiring ideas and best approaches. It has already been of help with my project, and will serve as a welcome addition to my home improvement library.

The topic is basic, but thats why you should buy. great for the beginner and yet has good referance materials for more experianced woodworkers. Basiclly most furiniture at its core is a shelf/cabinet design just modified to hold drawers (dressers). I actually got this on a whim (to get the free shipping) I am glad I did. It also has tips and charts on how long vrs thick to make shelfs/cases sag free. I really liked the different style of adjustable shelves listed (not just the peg kind, the wood ones were really cool and looked nice). Gave me ideas to implement in my future projects and plans.

I bought this book for the bookshelves part. It gives you very good information about shelves and joints. The projects inside are completely doable for little shops. My only concern is about the project plans and the assembly process descriptions. Their could be more detailed using the standards views (top, profile, side, etc.), and include a cutting list and step by step descriptions. But as the articles are fluid and easy read with lot of pictures there's no problem to get the concepts and steps.I recommend this book if you want to make bookshelves. It's very useful.

Had this book for a while now and just getting around to comment about it. It has some good ideas of bookcases of several styles but if your new to wood working this is NOT the book for you. It quickly glosses over key points in making the bookcases. For example, it gives no detail in how to make jigs for your router or table saw for dovetails or tenisons. And also no detail in handmaking them either so being that this is the most important part in making a peice of furniture it is not a good book IMO. I mean anybody can measure out straight boards and screw them together but it takes some skill and knowledge to obtain quality furniture which this book does not help neither one. And one more point even if you are skilled in woodworking this book does not give step by step instructions on how to construct the project which is the whole point in buying a "How to book" to begin with. Hope this helps!

I purchased "Shelves Cabinets & Bookcases" by Fine Woodworking, Fine Homebuilding to have as an example of the kind of shelves I would like to build, or rather an example of such, when building our home in the near future. If I can conceive what I want from the knowledge base I am aquiring in this and other books, I can make or have someoneelse make for me the builtins or standing shelves my wife and I have wanted in our homes through the years. This a wealth of knowledge on the subject and one may be able to be guided to where concept becomes reality.

This is a well written and illustrated book for woodworkers who are beginning through intermediate experience. The book leans heavily toward bookshelves and bookcases, but touches only lightly on cabinet making. It does have an exceptional section on installing pre-made cabinets.I would have liked to see a little more discussion on designing and fabricating cabinets, as I am outfitting my garage workshop with shelves and cabinets. Yes, I suppose it's just box building with a face frame, but there are usually a few tricks of the trade that make for stronger carcases. I would have appreciated a section on cabinet door making and even how to make sliding cabinet doors that don't stick.All in all, still a very good book.

I have this book and the one called Built-ins and storage. Some of the projects in it are very advanced (and amazing!) and you would need a wood working studio and a lot of experience to do them.That said you can still pick up lots of ideas and on the back of these two books (and no experience) I have built the carcass of two base units, two tall bookcases which sit on the base units and stretch up to the ceiling and a shoe cabinet. I still have to put the face frames on them but even with no experience I managed to build them. Yes I made some mistakes but nothing that can't be hidden and painted over! So you learn as you go along.People in other reviews were complaining that you needed to buy equipment - well of course you do! To do the above I needed a circular saw, jigsaw, a pair of saw horses, rasp, plane, G-cramp, countersinking bit, carpenter's square, metre rule, bradawl, larger spirit level and a few other bits. Plywood isn't cheap either and is very heavy but it is sturdy and good for what I wanted it for.So I would advise to look at pictures, read and learn, apply common sense and logic and have a go on a smallish project to start with so you can find your feet. It is variously maddeningly frustrating and very satisfying. If you can do it and make it look good and save yourself a fortune then what more can you ask?! I can't wait to make some other things.

Good presentation but rather basic

A well laid out book, with some good projects that help pass on basic design and build guidelines that should help on most constructions.The styles of the projects are a bit dated so be prepared to modernise.

Anyone who would like to build some of these projects to improve their home this is a good book to have.

A1