Carpentry Made Easy; Or, the Science and Art of Framing

CARPENTRY MADE EASY; OR, THE SCIENCE AND ART OF FRAMING by William Bell 1858 - Produced from the original in the collection of Gary Roberts, Publisher, Toolemera Press. Since 2006, preserving the printed history of early crafts, trades and industries. Visit www.toolemerapress.com for the online museum and book shop.

CARPENTRY MADE EASY; OR, THE SCIENCE AND ART OF FRAMING, was written by William E. Bell of Ottawa, Illinois and published by Howard Challen of Philadelphia in 1858. It remained in continuous publication through 1904, evidence of the book's importance to the architectural and building trades of the period.CARPENTRY MADE EASY; OR, THE SCIENCE AND ART OF FRAMINGwas the first 19th century architectural trade book to popularize the transition from heavy timber frame to light balloon frame construction. Although not the first book to introduce balloon frame construction, CARPENTRY MADE EASY; OR, THE SCIENCE AND ART OF FRAMING was the first technical book to thoroughly describe the method in such a way as to allow the skilled practical carpenter to readily apply this affordable building method. Included in CARPENTRY MADE EASY; OR, THE SCIENCE AND ART OF FRAMING are the major framing methods of the period for everything from small house construction through to barns, mills, church steeples and bridges.William E. Bell was a trained carpenter and joiner who described himself as an "Architect and Practical Builder", a term which at that time referred to someone who specialized in both building design and on-site construction. It was his careful selection of the 126 illustrations contained in 38 full page engraved plates, accompanied by technically precise explanations that any skilled carpenter could follow and learn from, that proved to be the deciding factor in the popularity of CARPENTRY MADE EASY; OR, THE SCIENCE AND ART OF FRAMING.

William Bell was trained as a practical carpenter and joiner.

Gary Roberts is the publisher of Toolemera Press, specialized in the return to print of classic books on early crafts, trades and industries. He is a retired Librarian and Counselor as well as being an historian of industrial history.