Woodshop Library

ILLUSTRATED CABINETMAKING: HOW TO DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT FURNITURE THAT WORKS, by Bill Hylton, is a visual reference to take the guesswork out of designing kitchen cabinets, desks, bookcases and chests by applying the time-honored dimension and ergonomic standards presented. It features hundreds of drawings, which provide "classic" solutions to "age-old" construction problems. For example, the book presents at least five ways to hang a drawer and four ways to attach a table top. A section covers more than 100 joints, while the "subassemblies" section explains how to use those joints to assemble tabletops, door, drawers and more. The "Furniture" section explains how to combine joints and subassemblies to construct more than 100 pieces. It also provides rule-of-thumb design standards, such as the height of a dining table and the depth of kitchen cabinets, tips for altering designs, and sources for locating published plans. The 374-page softcover sells for $24.95. Contact: Fox Chapel Publishing Co. Inc., 1970 Broad St., East Petersburg, PA17520. Tel: 800-457-9112. www.foxchapelpublishing.com

BAND SAW TIPS & TRICKS, by Kenneth Burton, offers step-by-step instructions for building 15 jigs and fixtures for the "most useful tool in your shop." Chapters cover making curved and straight cuts, resawing, joinery, 3-D cutting, and maintenance and tune-up. The book also features a projects section, which make use of the jigs and fixtures previously discussed. The projects include several boxes, a DVD cabinet and a console table. Burton has been a professional woodworker for more than 20 years and operates Windy Ridge Woodworks in New Tripoli, Pa. The 128-page softcover sells for $24.99. Contact: Popular Woodworking Books, F&W Publications Inc., 4700 E. Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH45236. Tel: 800-448-0915. www.popularwoodworking.com

KID CRAFTS WOODWORKING, by John Kelsey, is an easy-to-understand guide written for boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 12. It includes step-by-step instructions and plenty of color photography - showing kids using hand tools safely and effectively. The ten projects featured include a birdhouse, tool box, bluebird nest box and a race car, and require just a simple set of tools and ordinary lumber. Kids will learn how to read drawings, measure and transfer dimensions, saw square edges in lumber, drill holes, saw curved shapes, join wood with a hammer, nails and glue, use a sanding block to smooth, and finish with paint and varnish. The goal is to introduce children to the love of woodworking, with the hope that it becomes a lifelong passion. Kelsey is a trained furniture maker, author of several woodworking books and the founding editor of "Furniture Studio," the annual journal of The Furniture Society. The 96-page softcover sells for $12.95. Contact: Fox Chapel Publishing Co. Inc., 1970 Broad St., East Petersburg, PA17520. Tel: 800-457-9112. www.foxchapelpublishing.com

CHIX CAN FIX, by Norma Vally, offers 100 home-improvement projects and true tales from the Discovery Home Channel's "Toolbelt Diva." The guide provides easy-to-follow instructions for home repairs involving plumbing, electricity, walls, floors, windows and doors. The tips are useful for both men and women, but as the title implies, this book strives to encourage women to tackle home improvement projects. Vally is a former model turned construction professional. For more information, visit her Web site: www.chixcanfix.com. The 228-page softcover sells for $14.95. Contact: Viking Studio, 375 Hudson St., New York, NY10014. www.penguin.com

— Jennifer Hicks