Woodworking for Dummies

Woodworking For Dummies shows you how your raw building materials stack up, with everything you wood need to know about hardwood, softwood, plywood, veneer wood, plain-sawn wood, rift-cut wood, quarter-sawn wood, solid wood, man-made wood, and more. This down-to-earth guide gives you the goods on how boards are made from trees and the characteristics of hardwood and softwood species, plus all the buzz on

• Gearing up with the right tools
• Putting safety first in your workshop
• Using adhesives and glue
• Working with wood joints
• Smoothing it out by sanding and filling
• Adding color with stains and paints
• Protecting your work with topcoats

Whether you want to put together a simple plywood bookcase or an incredible solid oak dining table, Woodworking For Dummies can help you get organized as you craft your plans for a piece that'll reflect your personal touch. You'll discover how to

• Measure and mark your wood
• Distinguish among saw designs
• Choose and use sharpening tools
• Hone in on hot melt glue
• Speed things up with modern frame joints
• Get down to the nitty-gritty on nails
• Apply water-based polyurethanes

This handy reference packs in essential information for the novice woodworker and some advanced tips and tricks to jumpstart any woodworker's existing skills. Includes detailed illustrations and how-to photos.

Jeff Strong is a professional furniture designer and craftsman whose designs blend Arts and Crafts, Southwestern, and Asian styles. He is the author of Drums For Dummies and Home Recording For Dummies.